Panic replaces silence as Ardyn makes his way towards the sundered crystal. While the stone itself still thrums with magic, unlikely happening caused much of the crystal to break apart. Chunks of the darkly glowing crystal float aimlessly around its blue crystalline core like little stars flickering within the night. It's a hauntingly beautiful image but one that Regis cannot help but feel is ominous.

"Don't touch it!" Regis warns out as he reaches for the man. "The Crystal's power is unstable. If you try to touch it--" The king trails off once Ardyn slumps forward, his mind blank once he realizes the man's unconscious.

The doctors rush over to get a better look at Ardyn but something tells Regis to send them away. Whatever is going on here cannot be fixed by medicine science or treatment. That much is apparent considering how sickly Ardyn truly appears. Instead of allowing the doctors to take him away, Regis orders for a bed to be made for Ardyn in a guest room not too far from his chambers. His promise to the man remains sound. No harm shall fall unto him here within the Citadel. As far as Regis is concerned, Ardyn is a guest here and should be treated as such despite his bold claims earlier. He will see the truth of this matter sooner than later but for now, Ardyn deserves better than a cold floor.

By the time Ardyn awakens next, he'll find himself surrounded by luxury within a dimly lit room in a plush bed that threatens to swallow him whole. He'll be alone here for a time with only the faint ticking of the golden clock resting high across the wall from him. The dark curtains are closed in hopes of preventing the sunlight from peeking through. It's a beautiful room, one worthy of a king and his many guests. The room comes completely furnished with everything one could need including a pitcher of water upon the nearby table.