The assault on Salty Pier

[Anastasia]

Xandra just listens before she says, "I'm not sure anyone knew."

"We didn't," Bahamut finally says, "He left us final commands and departed."

[Nephrite]

Moore takes a breath in and out. "So no one knows where he is, but... someone knows he's awake. But..."

Moore turns to look at Xandra at this. "Maybe he's born, but not in a form anyone would realize was him...? But if that's the case, this becomes even more difficult. ..."

He snaps his fingers. "But 21 could find him. I'm sure of it. And then... to find that, we have to find Sylvie." Moore turns his attention back to Bahamut. "I don't know if you have the power to grant it, but I need to go to..." He takes a breath.

"I need to see Cantasa Alexandria."

[Anastasia]

Gimme Perception.

[Nephrite]

Take 10 for 66!

[Anastasia]

Bahamut regards you a time longer, "You cannot find Cantasa Alexandria unless she wishes to see you. What needs to you have of the Maiden of the Gate?"

[Nephrite]

"...You can probably see in my memories what I can't yet recall." Moore says, his face resolute -- determined. "There's... a connection between Cantasa Alexandra and 21. I don't... know why I think that, but I feel like there has to be. It's something I forgot... something I'm trying to remember. I know what 21 is, and I have a feeling I know what Sylvie had to do with it and where she is... and I think that place is beyond Cantasa Alexandra's gate." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

Here Bahamut's voice softens, as you notice Xandra and Jetina aren't reacting at all - still faced, quiet. "If she is, you'll never see her again, Moore. People do not return from past the gate, not until it's time for an Answer."

[Nephrite]

Moore clicks his tongue once. "It's... possible that it's just 21 that ended up there. But let me ask something: Can you say that with such certainty, now with Io returned? With this..."

He takes a breath.

"Let me ask you something since I have the opportunity to do so privately, and I think you would know more than anyone else in Creation. Are you aware of the tangible bonds that are forming between some groups right now? Do you think it's Io's influence on everything?"

[Anastasia]

"I've heard of something happening with that," Bahamut finally says, "You know of it as well?" The old wizard's humor is completely gone now, regarding you seriously.

[Nephrite]

"It seems I've been touched by its influence. I don't know who else is, but there are supposedly five groups." Moore says. "I'm working on finding them, but this... revelation about Io brought me here." He explains.

"Most would probably say it was Chronias... but there's no way that's possible, or else everyone in Celestia would be feeling it. So it isn't that." Moore says. "How or why I'm being affected... well, I have a guess, but it's just circumstantial. It's why I need to find Sylvie and find 21 again. I feel like Sylvie leads me to 21 and not the other way around."

[Anastasia]

"You have quite the quest ahead of you," Bahamut finally says, "If she truly is beyond the Gate, then your quest is futile. Only a Seraph can pass to and from the Gate."

[Nephrite]

Moore blinks once. ...once, twice.

"...The ones beyond Chronias." Moore says, his lip pulled up. "Then she can't be there. Maybe that's where 21 is... and if that's the case... well, that's it's own matter."

A deep breath.

"It's not so hard... find Sylvie, find 21, find Io." Moore says, a grin spreading across his face. "If there's anyone who can do it, it's me. Do all the deities know about Io?" Moore asks. "I'm going to have to go be very direct about this... It's not going to be seen as respectful, but hopefully they'll understand why I need to do it."

[Anastasia]

"Be brave and forthright," Bahamut agrees, "Be as a paladin is - brave, honest, noble. When you must speak your mind, speak your mind. Word of Io is spreading, but is not yet wide spread. Do you think the two are connected with Io, though? How?"

[Nephrite]

"21 is a tool of the Incarnations. It was made to study good and evil, things they didn't create." Moore explains. "I heard that... I heard that there was a voice, during the battle for Lifasa. It said '21 is a battle for a soul.'"

He takes a breath. "I had long thought that it must've been an Incarnation... but that's not possible. That's too linear. So it has to be something else. All of this talk... it's made me realize. Sylvie is... Sylvie is what Io was able to use to watch Creation while he was dreaming. No, not Sylvie... 21. Io's dreams were what 21 saw. Being unleashed against Levistus, against oppression... it must've been enough. It must've finally shown Io what 'good' is and why it's important. The 'soul' that was spoken about..."

Another breath.

"It's whoever is beyond Cantasa Alexadria's gate. Maybe it's even the voice... but maybe not. But... it's too many things that I think fit together to make this perfect tapestry. Considering everything that's at stake right now... I think it all makes sense. Sylvie is the only one who can use 21... and 21 is the only one who can find Io." Moore states.

[Anastasia]

"That's a lot of speculation to stake a quest on," Bahamut remarks, "Though there are passing few who could offer true insight to questions of such monumental importance. I presume Sylvie is beyond the reach of divinations?"