Aera Fleuret

     it’s one of those days that ardyn sits alone — basking on a vantage point too perfect to give up . most of the time he’s content to be like this , as if the world weren’t spiting him just for existing . it’s when he hears her voice does he begin to panic once more , calm shattered . ❝ clearly , ❞ he replies , casting gaze over to a spectral form , ❝ and here the gods are … flaunting their almighty powers to mock me . ❞ to show him his love … one he cannot touch , one he cannot love . ❝ you’re not truly here . go away . ❞ therefore ardyn stands , brushes himself off , and saunters off . he doesn’t want to deal with this today .

         ❝ then why … why didn’t you let me die ?! ❞ hands tear through hair , hat thrown off and he’s pacing back and forth , doing his best to breathe . he’s spiraling and the only way to make sense of it was talk to aera … and the gods were gracious enough to allow this much . ❝ why did you have to go instead , why … why didn’t you let somnus strike me down all those years ago ? ❞ voice cracks by the end , and ardyn’s lifting a hand to wipe the stubborn tears from his eyes . ❝ how is this fair ?! you can’t stand  to see me this upset but you caused this ! you’re partly to blame ! ❞ the anger surges through him , taking it out on aera’s spectral form . ❝ if you can’t stand for it , then leave . you can’t fix it . ❞

She knew it was a lot to ask, that he share in his grief and hatred, but she had to try. Seeing him this way crushed her in every way that mattered, he was the one person she treasured above all others. @musecrisis

      but it really is . all the destruction ardyn planned for the true king , to send insomnia into eternal darkness … as well as the rest of the world . daemons were to wreak havoc wherever they could reach . ❝ i plan to end the world myself , my dear . ❞ his revenge couldn’t come fast enough , and even with these comforting words in his ear , ardyn couldn’t help but revel in his plan . he knew no one could oppose him , it was all play until the very end .

       ❝ oh yes , because brother dearest made sure to love me just as much as he loved our kingdom . ❞ he couldn’t tell if she were real or just coming back to haunt him in the form of whatever conscious he might still have in this madness reigned brain of his . that’s what he was doing , right ? he was getting what he deserved after so many years of being exiled and painstakingly removed from his own kingdom as a blight . he was getting revenge on this generation’s lucis caelum . ❝ i deserve better , and i’ll make sure it happens . ❞

“You deserve more than this petty revenge, more than what the Gods have offered. I want to help, if I can.” Its all she can offer, how she returned to this life after all this time she didn’t know. The gods voices were silent to her, a new oracle heard their whims now. @musecrisis

“You’re hungry, aren’t you?” “I didn’t think you could look any worse, but you surprise me every day.” “Remind me, how long haven’t I fed you? Oh wait, you can’t tell day from night, can you?” “Oh no, I didn’t bring this food down for you. I just wanted to have something to watch while I ate.” “You know it’s rude to fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, right?” “Wakey-wakey! You’ve slept a whole forty seconds! Time to remind you of what happens when you do that again.” ”That blindfold is never coming off again.” “I never said you could have fresh water.” “All you have to do is say you did it, and I’ll let you sleep again. Permanently.” ”You might break the world record ‘staying awake’ soon! If you don’t die first, of course.” ”Who’re you talking to? You do realise you’re all alone down here, right?” “Remember sleep?” ”Look around while you still can. After today you’ll never see colours again.” ”For a moment there I thought you’d finally starved.” “It’s nice and warm outside. Remember sunshine?” “Drifting off again, are you?” “Good morning! Did you sleep well?” “Look what I found! Cat food. It’s your favourite…” “All you have to do is confess you did it, and you can have this water.” “You tell me the truth and you walk out of here. It’s that simple.” “Hellooo? You still alive in there?” “Look, I made breakfast! For myself.” “Okay so, would you rather not sleep or not eat for the coming seven days?”