ɴ/Not One Step Further

Not One Step Further was a speech given by then Douglas Nimroy on the eve of the War in Heaven, during the Trial of Isme-ma on 8 October 2496. In the speech, Nimroy called for the acquittal of Isme-ma on the grounds of duress, and denounced Boka for effectively controlling his actions, thus blaming him for causing the World War amongst other atrocities. He also declared that Boka had in-fact murdered Auster, and revealed his own identity as Auster Born-Again. Broadcasted live to over 3.5 billion people, the speech resulted in massive outcries throughout the religious world, and resulted in the near collapse of the International Concord.

Beginning with the opening line of the Epic of Lucero, Nimroy said "there no land, no person, nor idea not wrought upon by the gods". Throughout the speech Nimroy speaks on the sixteen years he has spent engaging in bouts with Isme-ma Wardescha, and his interactions with Isme-ma Eimisariat. At the mid-point of the speech, he mentions the role of Boka, before revealing the Six Truths. Near the end, he calls upon the presiding judges to acquit Isme-ma Wardescha, and looks towards the audience chamber and cameras, telling them to revoke their faith in Boka.

In the last line of the speech he says "the White Book tells of a spear wielding hero of many banners, who has drank from the Fountain of Athrena, heard the wisdom of the Oracle of Esperiy, and is first son of the two divine houses; he would be known as Auster Born-Again, and that, that is my name".

Background
On 4 June, 2492, then a Ceironian General and Hero, Douglas Nimroy, would achieve spiritual enlightenment. This granted him full knowledge of his past life as Auster, and he came to the conclusion that all actions by Wardescha were as a result of Boka twisting his soul, depriving him of the ability to commit moral good. Upon Boka realising he failed to undermine the Aquilian Prophesy, he immediately sought to confront Nimroy. This interaction would end in a parley, with the pair agreeing to work on good terms for as long as the World War continued. Despite the supposed peace, they would both plot to subvert one another throughout the next four years, garnering numerous hero and god allies each, along with solidifying secret agreements with sovereign governments in the event of hostilities breaking out. As the war continued and Boka projected more influence on Bokanist states and the International Concord, Nimroy saw it ever more necessary to stop Boka before he could dominate Oikia.

Upon the capture of Wardescha in Operation Godfall on 27 July 2486, Nimroy would meet him in captivity within the Sphere prison complex. Recognising that an execution of Wardescha in the impending trial would martyrise him and prolong the World War for decades, Nimroy looked for means to undo the curse brought upon him by Boka. On his second visit on 3 October, five days before the beginning of his trial, he brought Eimisariat. Together, the three would enter within each other's souls through Mind Melding, and together they would cure Wardescha's affliction. It was at this point that Nimroy began to prepare a speech that would interrupt the trial process.