[Ardyn's voice cracked, and he turned to hug Ignis tightly.]
'The fate bestowed upon a man can not be changed', he said. 'Defy thy destiny if thou dare, but know that it would grant thee a life of darkness unending, devoid of death's reprieve'. I can't-...there is no fighting this.
[A pained-sounding hitched breath, Ardyn's fingers curling tight in Ignis' shirt and face buried against his shoulder. Clinging to him like Ignis was all he had in the world, his last hope in endless centuries of utter hopelessness.]
I don't want him to hurt you the same way, neither can I stand the thought of having you taken from me as well. And I haven't the strength to live like this for yet more endless centuries. Defying fate was...only ever a fantasy, Ignis. A beautiful one that I wanted with whatever heart I possess to believe in. But it--it was never--
[His voice shook with something agonized and hopeless, shoulders trembling with another hitched and half-repressed sob.]
...It was ever...only a dream. I beg of you, do not condemn me to this wretched agony called existence for all time, and do not risk the wrath of the Draconian brought upon yourself. Death is more merciful by a thousandfold than what he would do to all of us if he were faced with defiance.
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[Ardyn's voice cracked, and he turned to hug Ignis tightly.]
'The fate bestowed upon a man can not be changed', he said. 'Defy thy destiny if thou dare, but know that it would grant thee a life of darkness unending, devoid of death's reprieve'. I can't-...there is no fighting this.
[A pained-sounding hitched breath, Ardyn's fingers curling tight in Ignis' shirt and face buried against his shoulder. Clinging to him like Ignis was all he had in the world, his last hope in endless centuries of utter hopelessness.]
I don't want him to hurt you the same way, neither can I stand the thought of having you taken from me as well. And I haven't the strength to live like this for yet more endless centuries. Defying fate was...only ever a fantasy, Ignis. A beautiful one that I wanted with whatever heart I possess to believe in. But it--it was never--
[His voice shook with something agonized and hopeless, shoulders trembling with another hitched and half-repressed sob.]
...It was ever...only a dream. I beg of you, do not condemn me to this wretched agony called existence for all time, and do not risk the wrath of the Draconian brought upon yourself. Death is more merciful by a thousandfold than what he would do to all of us if he were faced with defiance.