"It makes sense." Gladio replied. "I'd have felt the same way, but..." Now he sighed and closed his eyes. "There was a battle... and I lost. I took a knock to my confidence. I didn't think I was worthy enough to be Noct's Shield, so I needed to be sure. I took on the trail. Either I lost and proved I wasn't worthy or I won and there was no questions of who I was."

His eyes opened and he looked down at Tony with a warm, gentle smile. "I know I'm more than just a Shield. But I took on that trail for myself. To prove to myself more than anyone else."