Onwards

[Nephrite]

Moore takes a breath in.

He knew her name before.

He remembered it before.

It's...

Can he?

[Anastasia]

He cannot.

[Nephrite]

He takes another breath.

"No." He ultimately says. "But I can at least remember, for now, the facts that I do know. She is one of the 77+7, one of the Guardians of the Seal -- the Aldaboah."

[Anastasia]

"That's an old word," The old man says, "Almost as old as I am." Letting that linger in the air, "I meant the solution to anathemic knowledge, though, not the particular tidbit of knowledge."

[Nephrite]

"Oh." He blinks.

...Elena?

No, the solution can't just be 'Elena,' that doesn't make sense.

"I know the Words of Creation are used to hide things." Moore says. "So it may simply be that they can be used to reveal things, as well. I've been considering that as an option, since it seems like, ultimately, the power to overcome anathemic knowledge has to come from yourself, but... the specifics... I don't know. It seems like the answer to that is just committing the knowledge to your own soul, if I had to put it into words."

[Anastasia]

"The Arch Angels can even take that away, if they need to," Old Lymosh says frankly, as Xandra and Cresiel watch. The brick house is left behind, the road on and along.

[Nephrite]

"I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise." Moore says as he continues to walk.

"I think, ultimately, I wouldn't have come this far if I didn't have the desire to do this because of someone else." He says. "Someone who's important to me in a way I can't really explain."

[Anastasia]

"A good reason, but think carefully. I will only go as far as you appeared here then return home. You have not infinite time," Old Lymosh says. "I understand you wish to find this answer yourself."

[Nephrite]

He takes in a deep breath.

He lets it out.

I fear we may be in for another long gate moment here. I'm kind of at a loss OOC on this one.

[Anastasia]

You could just ask him or try a different tack then.

[Nephrite]

"I do, but I'm coming up with a blank." He says as he walks. "You said I was close, but... I mean, dogged determination and persistence can't really be the answer, right? I've learned quite a bit in my time in Celestia, that sometimes you need to ask for help, even if you want to do something yourself. Would you please share your wisdom with me?"

[Anastasia]

"I will," The old man says, walking ahead, though looking onward as you continue on the perfect, hilly path. The river can be heard distantly, the sound of moving water a backdrop.

"The secret is the individual, the one. Creation is many things, but it is a Creation of opportunity. Any creature can rise as high as their own wit and power can take them. Any creature can even change themselves, no matter how against their nature it is. One is the first and most important number. Yet mere determination isn't enough. All the will in Creation isn't enough, not against this."

As you stride onward all the while, "It is said that a master swordsman grows to mean some small thing to swordsmanship to Creation itself. A champion who stands true and immortal. Someone who has forged himself that far. Yourself and your music would be considered in the same light to Creation. The secret to anathemic knowledge is to make yourself something that can overcome it, so that Creation itself supports you in this venture. This isn't a battle you can win with will, but with the aid of Creation?"

[Nephrite]

Moore blinks.

So that's why those who are part of divinity don't have any issue with it...

Another breath in and then out.

"So ultimately, I have to overcome the limits that I think Creation has for me." He says. "I refuse to let this be where I stop, even as I continue on my own path of hope."

[Anastasia]

"Easier said than done," Old Lymosh says, "But you're grasping the point of it. But throwing will at the problem by itself won't succeed. Remember that." Here he slows, starting to turn around as your arrival point is now there. "One final bit of advice: Most who overcome anathemic knowledge even in part are outsiders. It's not a prerequisite, but I trust you understand why?"

[Nephrite]

"I assume it's because of what the term 'outsider' really means when it comes to that power of One." Moore says. "The power from going beyond Creation."