['It was worse' had been an understatement on Church's part. A massive, massive understatement. But Ardyn didn't flinch or back off even though Luscinia quickly fled to an overhead tree branch--he'd seen this before, more times than he could count. Black corruption marring human skin, the mark of an affliction even the name of which was feared through Eos.]

Junpei.

[Ardyn reached out to rest one hand on Junpei's right arm, not fully realizing that was what a very different healer had once answered a similar hatred with.]

[When the prophecy is fulfilled-]

[Just for a minute...he could let himself think that prophecy had been about him, for Junpei's sake more than any other.]

You've every right to be angry, from the sound of things. More than that it sounds as though hatred is the least one might deserve for placing you in a situation such as that. And I can't say that something like that could possibly be truly alright, because clearly it isn't.

...But Church, Yuuri, myself--every last one of us; we're at your side, through everything. We will never abandon you or allow you to be left alone.

[Dauntless Order prevents mortal damage and restores HP.]