(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

let out a massed cry of terror before we winked out again. The echo of a
world-shattering crash seemed to linger in my ears.
In another moment Curst spun on the outer edge of a giant gear, among the
great clockwork realm of Mechanus. In another we dangled, floating down
gently as broad rivers and meadows spread out above and below, open air
sandwiched between two paradises. In the distance a flock of sheep glanced
up at us from the top of a hill, then returned to grazing.
We spun through an amorphous mist, where isles of earth and water hung,
where air crystallized and fire frosted over. Dak'kon gazed out at the
expanse, eyes misting with nostalgia as the wind rippled against us.
We passed through realms of howling winds, between mountains spewing
fire to the stars. Curst floated along great rivers where the dead sang their
pale lamentations and streaked past verdant peaks where the Powers and
devas dwelt. Curst's equilibrium had been disturbed, and now it swung
among the planes like the weight of a pendulum, slowly honing in towards
the center with each tick.
Finally, in a satisfying pop like the cracking of a joint, the city flew over a
desert plain where broad mountains stretched into the distance. On it flew,
over windswept dunes and waterless sands, its shadow chasing away herds
of sohmein and wild trichas. Spiraling in on a single point the bubble paused,
the heart of it stirring like an egg about to hatch. My heart skipped a beat,
and it began to crack.
The buildings fell in clusters, dropping down with neat precision as lightning
forked between the original stone foundations and their walls. The strain
was too much for some, and more than one tower collapsed with a squeal of
twisting metal and splintering brick. For the most part we landed safely: the
government building we ourselves stood in gave nothing but a simple lurch.
The last huts fell home as the final droplets from a pitcher.
Moments of silence passed, until one shout sounded. Then another. And
another. Soon the entire city was screaming in jubilation, laughter and tears
mingling as the people bounded into the streets.
Behind us, the portal waited.
As beautiful and terrifying as our journey was, I never thought I would miss
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