Batman gets an explanation from Bekka why they cannot physically resist each other. She states it is because of her god power, the creation of desire both physical and emotional. She hadn't had such a strong connection with anyone since her husband Orion and it's because of Batman's self-denial of love that this power has overtaken them so strongly.

Meanwhile a mind-controlled Superman is sent to the source wall to retrieve High Father's staff. After doing so, Desaad makes him fly through a boom tube directly to the source, essentially ending his existence. At the source, he is greeted by memories of all of his friends and foes. There's a clever panel where someone holds up a picture saying it's the first time Superman was seen in Metropolis and the snapshot is actually Action Comics no. 1 cover.