It’s so far in the future that the sun glows red, like a dying incandescent bulb, they might say, if light bulbs still existed. Instead they use glowworms on sticks or something.

They still speak English.

“Life on Earth is extremely full of despair,” observes Helgrin, riding his camel-bat. “Indeed, I wonder if there is any symbol of renewal or rebirth to be found.”

Meace gasps. “Look! A single green shoot, coiling hesitantly up from the scorched soil!”

But evil raiders with black hoods are menacing the leaf!

“I’d stop them,” sighs Helgrin, “but what’s the use of fighting fatalism?”