Wade watches his avatar die, along with every other avatar in the area, as a nuclear-like explosion decimates their surroundings. The only thing that remains is the Third Gate, “a crystal doorway floating in the air above the crater where the castle had stood a moment before” (343). Wade deduces that the Sixers have detonated the Cataclyst, a powerful bomb artifact, in an effort to prevent anyone from clearing the Third Gate. Wade receives a message that he has an extra life, then rematerializes without any items or gear but with his previous level and ability scores. The only item in his inventory is the quarter he won by beating Pac-Man.

Aech contacts Wade, telling him that Og has “patched all of us into your audio and video feeds” (345). Aech reveals that over half the population of the OASIS was killed in the explosion. While Wade and Aech talk via Og’s patch, Art3mis reveals that twenty Sixers survived, each holding copies of the Crystal Key. Wade picks up his Ultraman artifact, hoping to use it to reach the gate, but he remembers it can only be used once per day. Art3mis tells Wade to find her Chucks, which will allow him to fly.