[Ardyn took a step forward, hand half-raised as if reaching out and opening his mouth to say somethin-]

[...why did it always come to this? This damnable contradiction he couldn't resolve? Knowing exactly what came of trusting others and determined to avoid that fate again, while also knowing some part of him was painfully desperate for that contact. Slapping a hand away and then reaching out for it, like Ardyn didn't even know what he wanted.]

[His outstretched hand dropped to his side and curled into a fist, teeth grinding in frustration. Don't you dare, he told that faint shred of whatever wasn't the screaming daemonic. You know how this ends. You were replaced once and you will be again. So it didn't matter how much part of him wanted to stay. This was all just a fleeting temporary thing with fleeting temporary mortals, and it would end one way or another.]

Don't come near me again. And if you send your behemoth in your place, I'll see to it he loses worse than just his sight.

[Ardyn turned sharply, drew a short dagger from its holster-]

...I'm sorry, too.

[-and was gone in a quick motion and trail of red light.]