[It's too subtle for him to be conscious of it, the feel of something gently plucking his thoughts forward to be seen clearly in his mind. Already he committed them memory, sharp details so easily replayed in his head; but now, he can practically see it as if it were happening again. Ardyn's cruel smile, his voice lined with anger and patronization and something so tired and ready to let the world fall to ruin because of it.]

I was there for his death. He wanted it, he told me-

[You think ten years is a long time? I've lived in the dark for ages!

Noctis shook his head, trying to realign his thoughts. He looked at her this time, instead of some far-off point in the distance.]

He lived for longer than two thousand years. And no matter what he thought he was at that point, he was still human, and... no one should ever have to live for that long. All that kept him going was his hate; for the gods, for his family, for everything that was taken away from him.

[Maybe it was fitting that Noctis had to die to fix all of it. A mistake caused by his family, and mended by someone of the same name.]