Due to the backstory told through as few words as possible, it may become somewhat alienating or potentially too abstract to the point of obscuring the story. I think that the main message of a relationship that ends the world is somewhat well represented, and that the choice to not say it blatantly is to convey that the relationship and its fallout were complex beyond words, but for those who want the backstory in words with details not entirely apparent, here’s a novelisation of those pages.

Yasmin (the protagonist) moves to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in geology, and so happens to run into Niamh Ki, a PhD student. They quickly become friends, and Yasmin ends up becoming Niamh’s right hand woman through long nights of research. As they spend more time together, they become closer and closer, and they quickly pursue a romantic relationship.

Time moves forward, and Yasmin puts on Niamh’s tie that she wears to the Nobel Prize ceremony, where she is handed the prize. The couple celebrate accordingly, and in the quiet after the initial celebration, they become intimate.

Time passes yet again. They are married, and have been living together for a while. However, this isn’t bliss; they begin to become annoyed at each other’s presence and eccentricities. Due to the burden of pressure put on from governmental agencies to use her work in harmful military practices, Niamh becomes distant. This distance makes Yasmin feel alienated and ignored, causing her to confront Niamh more. This only annoys Niamh more, pushing her more into her work. This comes to a head, where Niamh – after months, perhaps years of ignoring Yasmin – finally acknowledges her, and bids her away with a few cutting words.

Niamh seeps herself into her work after the breakup, and finally gives in to working with the government and military. Dubbed a “world saving machine” based on her research, her work could potentially end climate change via altering the different releases of gases found underneath the Earth’s crust. However, this access could potentially split open the Earth in the process, dooming the entire world. Due to concerns of safety, Niamh promises to the media that there will be drastic safety measures in place to prevent a world-ending disaster.

Seeing Niamh become a big presence in the media scares Yasmin, and she decides to leave the planet with Galactic Observational Services, a state-funded initiative for individuals to explore the edges of space in the name of research.

As Yasmin leaves the atmosphere, Niamh reflects on her relationship, and where the breakup has taken her. Learning that Yasmin has left the planet pushes Niamh over the edge into a pit of darkness, and she deliberately bypasses the safety, blowing up the planet.

Yasmin can do nothing but watch.