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Garovel gave an echoing snort. 'Y'know, maybe you could share some of these freaky new powers with yours truly, hmm?'

'Wha?'

'I mean, I share my powers with you all the time, don't I? It'd only be fair, right?'

'And how exactly would I do that for you?'

'I dunno. But I also don't know how you do half the other shit you do, so. Is it really such a crazy thing to ask? Maybe it's just a matter of applying yourself.'

'Uh-huh...'

'Hector, what I'm saying is, it's actually YOUR fault that I'm not a godlike powerhouse, wreathed in pure majesty and wonder. So I'd appreciate it if you would stop being so lazy and get on that, please. Thanks in advance.'

'Man, they really weren't kidding when they said that reapers are power hungry, huh?'

'Yeah, well, what's the use in hiding it, anymore? Might as well just let it fly and see how the chips fall, eh?'

He could still tell from the reaper's aura that he was mostly kidding.

'Mostly' being the keyword.

Hector didn't mind, though. In fact, that kernel of truth in there might've been making it even funnier to him, somehow, and he couldn't help snickering under his breath.

'Oh, good, you could tell I was joking, still. I was a little worried that bit went too far, and you'd start to think I'm a genuine lunatic.'

'I mean, you ARE a genuine lunatic, though.'

'Okay, yeah. But. Like. In a good way, right?'

'Of course.' Hector allowed a beat to pass. 'But I know a small part of you wasn't joking.'

'Alright, relax, pal. My ego can only handle so many beatings in a single conversation.'

That pulled another laugh out of him, this time loud enough to draw attention from the others in their group.

Naturally, Voreese was not too shy to address it. 'Somethin' funny?'

"Just Garovel being Garovel."

'Ah. Well, I hate to be the party pooper, but now's not exactly a good time to be getting distracted, y'know?'

She wasn't wrong to be concerned, Hector knew, but he also wasn't about to try and explain how he still had two entire thought processes that were fully on task.

Instead, he just pointed and started walking. "This way," he said.

Of all the auras he could sense, there were several that stuck out to him. The Basilica was clearly housing multiple of them, but he wanted to investigate the others first, if only a little bit.