[He shakes his head as he slowly releases Yuri. But the flames dance around them, taking the shape of birds then returning to flame. Dellingr looms over them like a dark thunder cloud. Every powerful beat of his mighty wings sends a wind flowing over them.

Then he snaps back into the size of a falcon and flaps around. Diluc slowly eases up. But he speaks low, as if he can’t raise his voice.] You didn’t look any better. …my memories are still a little patchy about what happened just before I was taken by the sickness.

But I remember what I saw just before my will was crushed.

[The fire is a shield against whatever is in the air. But there is something else he has to say. Because he feels it needs said.]

I could barely answer you during that fight. But I was conscious and aware enough to see how hard you tried to reach me. And I feel you need to hear something important.

[He gestures to him then his own chest.] You and I are not the killers we think we are. We are bending and damaging ourselves to be what we feel is necessary.

Your true nature is to protect and shield those you care for or are weaker than you. I’m sorry that I failed to hold out and you had to deal with me. But, I am also grateful that when I fell you were there to prevent me from harming others.