The world faded away as he dropped to his knees beside her.

The world faded until they were the only two in it.

Then the world faded swiftly and was no longer there.

The world faded to black, and he heard something besides the stranger.

The world beyond the two of them faded into obscurity.

And all the world since faded; it was no more suddenly than those years.

He tried to thank her, but the world faded to black before he got the chance.

The world faded away, but whispered to him that it would be back, new and improved.

A moment later, the world of the Koltaari faded from view.

The world faded as the procession of the weeks marched by.