Is he unwell? Ardyn genuinely isn't sure. He feels wrong in so many ways, but that might not be an illness any healers can detect or handle.

Breathing is becoming harder and harder. Ardyn keeps edging away, toward the damaged crystal, his reason fading as panic rises within him once more. If he cannot be sure to trust the gods, how can he trust anyone else? Regis may seem kind, but right now Ardyn just wants to go back to where he was.

But where exactly was that?

He can't think clearly, and the room begins to tilt. Something dark, something vile blankets his mind and tightens around his heart. Ardyn can hear whispers, a thousand voices all at once, prodding at him. Testing his resolve.

It is probably for the best when Ardyn slumps forward, unconscious. Best for everyone in the room, including himself.