And how nice it must have been, to feel safe however briefly from the nightmare plaguing the rest of the world. To spend those long centuries without an unending shrieking in your head, wearing down and twisting anything human that dared to survive that long.

I was wrong. What I did to you, Crepera, Tonitrus, and the rest--it was another horrible atrocity atop thousands. But I wanted you to know, Izunia. Sick and twisted as it was, I wanted you to comprehend how I felt all that time. I wanted you to feel the same miserable agony I did.

[Ardyn's voice cracked and he shook his head, pressing a hand to his eyes.]

I'm sorry. Fuck, I'm so sorry, it was never supposed to be anyone but me. I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you.