And you think that's so different? Would you have me return to Insomnia as their weapon instead? What else would you have me do, if not avoid Verstael and the empire by following along with our own miserable bloodline?

[Ardyn made a sound like a hollow, half-manic laugh--as though the situation were so far beyond absurd that he wanted to laugh about it but didn't remember how.]

Don't look at me with that face and regard me as though I should be utterly mad for having no desires or an erratic direction. I hate everything about this situation. I hate that the Lucian bloodline carried on while I languished for eternity, I hate that Niflheim only let me out because of what I could do for them, and I hate that I know nothing of what I am meant to do!

[The half-frantic note in his voice quieted after that, Ardyn running a hand through soaked violet hair; his hands bearing matching scars lancing through his palms.]

...If you should have some idea of what to do--you certainly speak as though you do--tell me what the right course of action is. Tell me what place there is in this or any world for the unworthy cast aside by blood and gods alike.