Estinien, truthfully, has avoided putting too much thought into any of this, ever since he was informed of the concept of shards. He gathered that, as part of the overall cosmology, that what had been before was split into parts, which was the source of the Ascian's frustration. To him, though, it seems in poor taste to give the Ascian's more credit than they were due in that regard.

Thinking about himself as lesser, as only a fragment of a whole, would be indulging their avarice. Then again, it's been easy for him to do that, when he never had to see or experience the reality of it. Himeka was not so fortunate... and seemingly, there's more to it than had even been penned in the Scion reports he'd flipped through.

He doesn't like thinking about the idea of other versions of himself. What would it even look like, if they could vary as wildly as the difference between a female Au Ra and a male Hyur? There's no visual he can muster, and no context either. His life, his identity, has been so powerfully shaped by events outside of his control, he has no idea who he'd be without them.

Himeka and this Ardbert are both Warriors of Light, apparently. The reflection of her character is included in that. What is he outside of his quest for vengeance, though? What is he without Nidhogg's horde and Azure Dragoons? He has no answers, and the discomfort weighs heavily on him. He can imagine she feels much the same - he also feels very much out of his league.

"Isn't considering that being as your 'true' self what the Ascians would demand of us? At the cost of our peace and our lives?" He glances away from her. "You are what you are, Himeka. If this Ardbert has become a part of you... then that is all you need consider."

After all, Estinien is familiar with the concept of another person becoming inextricably a part of you.

"To think of yourself as less than complete only indulges the whims of tyrants."