The room was silent.
Lee stared at the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim stared back.
"You're saying," Lee said slowly, "that the only way to stop the Hollow King is to sacrifice myself."
"I'm saying it's *a* way. Not the only way. But the only way that's guaranteed to work."
"There has to be another option."
"There is always another option. But the other options involve millions of deaths. Wars that last for generations. Suffering beyond imagining." The Pilgrim leaned forward. "I've seen it, Lee. I've lived through three hundred years of darkness because I couldn't make the choice you're being asked to make. I was too afraid. Too selfish. Too human."
"And you want me to be better?"
"I want you to be informed. The choice is yours. No one can make it for you."
Lee stood up. His legs felt weak. His chest felt tight.
"I need to think," he said.
He walked out of the room.