“Well… we must investigate,” Hans offered, before disappearing deep into the tent to undoubtedly pack. Alarick was left outside, eyes still affixed at the damaged Axis.

Cracks from where the dirigible crashed opened in the once smooth surface, and spread across the structure’s circumference. Slowly, they connected and a groan reverberated across the ice.

He felt nauseous. Inside the tent he heard Hans curse before coming back outside. He motioned for his companion to look south again.

A gap appeared in the Axis, separating the spinning top half from the half still anchored to the Earth. It drew away like a steel girder being lifted to its position high in the heavens. Alarick could track its ascent with his eyes for the first few seconds. But it gathered speed, and as it did he felt more nauseous.

When the ascending structure vanished, Alarick looked down and realized his feet were not touching the ground.

“Oh my god.”