Lee found Inyocha on the fortress walls, staring at the horizon.
"You look like someone died," Inyocha said.
"Not yet," Lee said. "But maybe soon."
He told Inyocha everything. The Pilgrim's true identity. The Hollow King's hunger. The sacrifice that could end it all.
Inyocha listened in silence. When Lee finished, Inyocha turned to face him.
"You're not going to do it," Inyocha said.
"What?"
"You're not going to sacrifice yourself. I know you, Lee. You'd rather find another way. You'd rather fight for a thousand years than give up."
"You're right," Lee said. "I would. But what if there is no other way? What if the Pilgrim is right? What if the only way to save everyone is to "
"Then we find another way." Inyocha grabbed Lee's shoulders. "Listen to me. You're the reason I'm still alive. You're the reason I'm trying to be better. If you die if you sacrifice yourself I don't know what I'll become. I might go back to the darkness. I might become worse than I ever was."
Lee stared at his brother. "Inyocha..."
"I'm not saying this to guilt you. I'm saying it because it's true. You're not just my brother, Lee. You're my anchor. Without you, I drift."
Lee was silent for a long moment.
Then he pulled Inyocha into a hug.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lee said. "Not yet. Not until we've exhausted every other option."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
They stood there, brothers in the fading light, holding onto each other like the world depended on it.
Maybe it did.