"Do you think we can help you?" Sam asked tentatively, his heart racing.
Making a deal with Death sounded utterly insane.
"Your absurd and limited imaginations truly never cease to surprise me." Death's tone was calm, as though he were merely stating facts, which somehow made it impossible for Sam and Dean to get angry.
"You cannot directly resolve my condition, but you can help me remove one trump card from Lucifer's hand."
Under Dean and Sam's shocked gazes, Death slowly removed the ancient-looking silver ring of unknown material from the little finger of his left hand. It radiated an aura of peaceful sleep, and he casually placed it on the metallic tabletop.
"This is what you have been collecting all along. I know."
Death's gaze swept over the ring before lifting sharply toward Sam. "But I need you to promise me one thing: seal Lucifer at all costs."
He deliberately emphasized the words "all costs," his gaze bearing down on Sam as though it had physical weight.
"This may... require you to sacrifice some 'important' things."
"Would you be willing?"
Hearing that, Dean abruptly turned to look at Sam.
Through his recent conversations with Wu Heng, Crowley's information, and Castiel's deductions, he had already vaguely understood what this so-called "sacrifice" might mean.
Sam's body was Lucifer's perfect vessel, and Sam clearly knew that as well.
Under Dean's gaze, which was practically about to stop him aloud, Sam's Adam's apple bobbed. He avoided Dean's eyes and looked into Death's abyss-deep gaze. Finally, slowly yet with absolute resolve, he nodded.
"I agree."
To stop the Apocalypse and save more people, he was willing to walk this path that might lead to his own destruction.
"Then this ring will be 'loaned' to you for the time being." Seemingly pleased with the answer,