No one should have had to do anything in this stupid war!

It's the first angry thought that forces its way into Ignis' mind. Noctis shouldn't have to die. Neither should have Cor, Regis, Clarus, or any of the other thousands if not millions of innocents that were lost over the years of darkness. On top of that, Ardyn should never have been driven to the point he has been. He should not have been cast aside and so kindly nurtured into the madness that is his curse today. The man he was should never have been murdered by the Astrals and denied even basic human dignity afterward.

So many should nots. All of it Bahamut's fault.

Ignis says none of this to Gladio, though. Not yet. This isn't the time. Instead, he takes his friend's hand and allows himself to be pulled into those familiar comforting arms. Tears prick at his eyes again, but he does his best to hold them back. Whether they are tears of mourning for Cor or tears of frustration at his own helplessness, Ignis has cried enough today.

And, honestly, he has so much less right to cry than Gladio does.

"I'm sorry. I wish I knew how to lift some of this pain from your heart."