Nayla stands near the Royal Road with a lasgun, struggling with her absolute devotion to the God Emperor Leto Atreides II and his command that she obey Siona in all things. Siona has orchestrated a plan to destroy the bridge as the Royal Cart crosses, believing it is a test of faith. Moneo leads the cortège, meditating on the inevitability of history and the fading traditions of the Fremen museums, unaware of the impending disaster.
As Moneo and the cortège reach the bridge, Nayla fires her lasgun at the support cables, tipping the roadbed into the abyss. The Royal Cart crashes and opens, plunging Hwi Noree and the God Emperor into the churning river below. Nayla kills Hwi in the fall, prompting Duncan Idaho to execute Nayla in a rage. Siona restrains Idaho as they look down into the cave where Leto has survived the initial plunge, his sandtrout skin separating from his human form.
Leto confronts Siona and Idaho, explaining that his death and the scattering of the sandtrout initiate the Golden Path, a new kind of time without parallels where the oracle cannot see Siona. He offers parting advice to Idaho and reminds them of the burden of their new choices before he finally expires. Siona and Idaho contemplate the future and their roles in shaping the new universe.
A secret minority report by Hadi Benotto discusses the discovery and handling of the Atreides Journals at Dar-es-Balat, noting the political dangers and the desire of the Holy Church and researchers to preserve historical truth. The journals reveal the intricate design of the Atreides legacy and the profound transformation brought about by the God Emperor's sacrifice.