The narrator tells us that the Biophage Virus has killed off all life on the planet except for the birds and the emissary of the benthascodon. He's also worried that the elohim will do something to destroy the universe. He begs the old man not to leave him alone, because the universe is "swallowing us up" . The old man tells him to hang on tight, because he's not alone. He tells the narrator that he was dissolved by the universe he created, just like him. The narrator thanks him for making him a figment of his own, and tells him that he is the higher consciousness of the universe, and that he should triumph over his egotistical fears and insecurities. He says that he'll forgive him for his rudeness because he seems familiar to him, and he promises to come to himden and form the "sacred androgyne" , which is the highest level of consciousness.