Atlas has to come to grips with his limitations, and without GoldenRod to aid him in his efforts to defeat the evil Bol and his minions, there may not be much hope for humanity. Aox and Troy's quest to the frozen Arctic to replenish GoldenRod with energy from the Continuum Well ultimately proves successful, but a great sacrifice is necessary in order to achieve their goal. In the end, much is gained, but much is lost. And earth will never be the same again.