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"Well, I wouldn't want to pressure them into rejoining the fight," said Hector. "I just want them to be safe. And if they're already safe where they are, then that's fine, too."

"I see. Such an attitude may see you perpetually involving yourself in the problems of others, Young Hector."

"Ah. Well. Maybe so. But that's better than waiting until those problems involve themselves with me, I think."

"Heh. Perhaps. Or perhaps not."

"So it sounds like you actually CAN locate the other Sandlords for us, if you want to."

"Yes. But please allow me to think it over. I will decide whether or not to assist you in this effort soon. For now, let us concentrate on the task before us."

"Alright, then. Thanks for your consideration, regardless of what you choose."

"Speak as you were, Young Hector. With force. I shall assist you."

Hector gathered his focus again. It was a little weird without his body. No eyes to close. No breathing to steady.

Hmm. Speaking with force, huh? That was one way of putting it, he supposed.

"...Show yourself to me, Candle," he said. And weirdly enough, he heard Rasalased echoing each word with a slight delay.

Was that what he'd meant by assisting? Hector didn't get the chance to ask.

The deep expanse around them pulsed. And kept pulsing. Like a heartbeat at first, but then quickening into a more constant thrumming.

And then an impact arrived, something that he felt with his very soul. He didn't know how to describe it, other than that it was forceful and sudden. It didn't hurt, exactly, but it definitely felt strange.

"Ah," came Rasalased's voice again. "Worry not. I will shield you from any assault."

Assault? What assault?

"Good Candle!" Ras called out more loudly. "Do not fear! We would see you mended and resurrected!"

The thrumming intensified and soon reached an overwhelming degree. It sounded at once muffled and all-encompassing.

"No! Your creator did not send us! We discovered you by chance alone!"

More thrumming, this time with varying rhythms.

Hector began to understand. Rasalased was... talking to it. Somehow.