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He understood a little better now. It probably couldn’t transport him anywhere, just like Lord Abbas said, but perhaps it could show him something from the past.

Just him, though? What about everyone else?

He pulled himself back a bit, wanting to sense everyone around him again.

Garovel. Worwal. Abbas.

And there they were. Right alongside him. But he maintained his connection to the Gate, too. It was surprisingly easy.

Because of the Core. Ah. It was behaving. Good.

‘Whoa,’ came Garovel’s silent voice. ‘This is different. What am I even sensing, right now?’

‘Oh, you can sense a change,’ thought Hector. ‘I’m trying to include you guys.’

‘Was that Hector?!’ came another voice, one Hector didn’t recognize at first.

Hector might’ve blinked if his eyes weren’t already closed. ‘Was that Abbas?’

‘We can hear each other’s thoughts!’ said the Lord Saqqaf, sounding quite amazed and pleased. ‘Aha! How are you doing this?!’

‘That’s a good question, uh... I think it’s mainly our proximity to the Gate. Its aura is... kinda huge, actually. Covers this whole area. And I... think I’ve kinda... tapped into it a little. Thanks to your Living Core.’

‘Incredible...!’

‘While it is amazing, I also find it mildly unsettling,’ said Worwal.

‘Me, too, actually,’ said Garovel. ‘Servants shouldn’t be able to communicate with each other like we do. That’s supposed be our thing and no one else’s. What’re you gonna steal from us next, huh?’

Hector snickered. ‘Garovel... shut up.’

‘What else can the Core allow you to do?’ said Abbas.

‘Not sure yet,’ said Hector. ‘But I think the Gate can let us view memories of the past. That’s why I wanted to include you all. With any luck, we can all witness something together.’

‘Memories, you say?’ said Worwal. ‘What sort of memories?’

‘That’s also a good question,’ said Hector with a bob his head. ‘Uh... I think... just about anything? Or rather... anything within proximity of the Gate. Within the aura.’

‘Hmm,’ hummed Abbas. ‘Does that include us?’

‘...I guess so?’

‘A test, then,’ said Abbas. ‘Show me the birth of my son, Raheem.’

Holy shit, uh. Okay. The man was ready to go, apparently.

Hector concentrated, thinking about that request more. How to accomplish it? Hmm. Auras, auras. Uh. They were kinda muddy, still. Hard to read, let alone connect to. Maybe if he... hmm...

‘Er... can you put your hand on my shoulder?’ asked Hector.