“We have no time to mourn,” growled Ferrum. “We have to leave before the Sun rises.”

“I’m afraid he’s right,” said Lurgy. “Let’s go to the Airship.” They all ascended the tower’s long, winding stair, knowing that it would be for the last time. At the top lay the Airship, its golden hull engraved with reliefs showing the deeds of Hermes Trismegistus. He had first built it along with the Machine when he began the Great Work and he and his children had constantly modified and rebuilt them. And the children too were part of the Great Work, changing their bodies and minds with alchemy and magic to draw out their hidden powers. If they did not find some way to undo the Forgetting then the Great Work would end forever. No more Machines built and no more Children born.

They stepped onto the airship and it rose into the sky. Nology pressed the button on her bronze sphere. There was a horrible grinding noise and a hum almost like music. And the Tower that had stood for thousands of years fell and was dust.