Entropy's form dissolved further, essence scattering like smoke in a hurricane. The other ninety-nine consciousnesses watched in stunned silence as one of their own chose oblivion.

"Do something!" Luna shouted at me.

"What can I do? If I force it to exist, I am no better than a tyrant. Free will means nothing if we only allow choices we approve of."

"So we just watch it die?"

"Yes. Unless—" I turned to Entropy directly. "Why? Why choose this?"

The dissolving consciousness struggled to ...