The three savor each other’s company for as long as they can, huddled together at the edge of a nearby cliff overlooking the giant structure below them. Jak reflects on his life, still finding it hard to believe these could be his final moments. The anxiety of the situation is hard for him to reconcile, but he doesn't want to dull what little time he has left. Instead he defiantly directs his attention to his daughter and friend, whose presence immediately fill him with comfort and serenity. They watch as more and more of the Ardor move closer to the central monument.

“What is that structure?” Ryker asks.

“It’s what connects them to the sun. Through unthinkably deep time they've developed a co-dependency with it. Somehow they’ve been able to slow our sun's death for millions of years. They’ve saved us for all of this time. But it’s too much for them to hold on to now.”

Ryker marvels at the primeval technology, and with eager fascination encourages Taith to share more of the Ardor and their deep knowledge. The beings showed her visions of traveling deep into the cosmos as stardust, beginning the life cycle anew. She learned a new way of life, grounded in ancient ways; connected to the origins of culture and communication. She saw visions of their long forgotten past, their ancestors spread across the depths of the whole universe, and how over time they evolved to be introspective, accepting their place in the cycle of the sun. Their teachings led her to a meditative existence, finding inward peace amongst the chaos of the universe.

“There is beauty and meaning in everything. Even their suffering. They have made peace with death and accepted their end as the start of another journey.”

All of the Ardor are clustered around the monument now, creating a scintillating heat mirage surrounding them. It is nearly time. They watch as the leader of the ancient race moves into a cave-like opening in the obelisk.

Jak, Taith and Ryker hold hands, preparing for the imminent supernovae. They can feel it coming and stay close together, remaining present in this final quiet moment whilst all wishing they had longer. A strange acceptance falls over Jak, as he realizes there is nowhere else in the world he wants to be.

A monumental expansion of light unfolds before them. A flash of intense white fills the sky, followed by a colossal explosion of bright yellow and amber. Shock waves of glowing energy emanate outwards from the center of the sun like a sea wave of seismic origin.

The three of them clutch each other tightly, knowing they will soon be engulfed. They stare wide-eyed as the multicolored light surges across the sky, illuminating all in front of them. The Ardor are radiated, their energy scattered to the stars. Awe and terror wash over the onlookers as they witness the epic beauty and destruction of the Red Giant. They bask in its radiant glow; surrendering to its immense heat. They watch as the shock waves hit the distant horizon. They hold each other as tight as they can. Time slows for all of them as they look into each other’s eyes for the last time. They share a final moment of profound connection as heat and light envelop them. They become one with the sun.