[ Era cannot recall a time when she was ever truly angry at a friend, but she burns with fury at Ardyn's words. She would never dare cause him harm, though she doesn't know what outlet she has. Always there had been the near immediate option of combat, or at least the ability to simply walk away and train to the point of exhaustion.

Here, she has no options.

She inhales sharply; a hiss between her teeth. Her tail lashes. She forgets her own strength, and the saucers she holds shatters in her hand. In her anger she doesn't think to drop them, instead holding onto the pieces, oblivious to it all. ]

A thrashing woman bound to her bed as her parents plead for you to save their daughter. The relief you felt when you healed her. The pain in your arm, searing like a brand in your veins.

Palace guards searching a forest cloaked by night. Confusion, fear, and the hurt of betrayal.

The Starscourge burns, an agony of twisting flesh. Detached acceptance. Better to turn now, before his guards find you and drag you back. Better to disappear like so many others than let your people realize their beacon of hope is now one of despair.

Better to be alone than let Aera bear witness to your failure.

There is so much pain. A downpour of rain that offers no relief to the fiery agony within the flesh.

[ She trembles and shakes. Distantly Era thinks that she must not have been as unaffected by the vision as she thought. ]

It hurts, Ardyn. To see you torture yourself as though it's deserved. It isn't, and it never was. Failing at an impossible task is not a crime.

You deserve love and happiness without fear. To be able to hold Aera close and kiss her. To enjoy this chance you've been given to its full extent.

So I... I do not understand why you fight so vehemently against me. There is fear, and then there is this, and I am so— I feel so infuriated with you, Ardyn, and don't know what to do.