[Both swords dissipated into white crystals, Ardyn dropping to one knee and gently taking her face in both hands. It was strange how calm he felt, how spiteful rage was being sharpened into a blade meant only for the right people when once it had been an indiscriminate destroyer that felled nations when it was swung.]

[The network would burn for what they'd done; only the network, with no more innocent collateral damage. For the pain they'd felt, for the misery and fear and for every last emotion on Yuuri's face, 'the Accursed' would be a benevolent angel next to what Ardyn Tenmyouji would do.]

[But for right now--he was very, incredibly, and completely steady as he fixed Yuuri with calm yellow eyes and spoke softly.]

I will not allow you to lay this blame upon your own shoulders. No matter how it feels and no matter the pain you're going through, the fault lies well beyond your reach. You know that as well as I.

...I told you already. You demand perfection from yourself even when perfection simply isn't possible. You are part of a rigged game and have been for too long--you can not blame losing upon yourself when all of it was geared to force the outcome from the outset.