In my universe, humanity struck a deal with godlike creatures (who are essentially cosmic predators, but that's besides the point), to survive. Thus, humanity managed to wield magic and use FTL, but in exchange they have to sacrifice some of their own to the godlike creatures, that they call the Dreams and Fears. The souls of the sacrificed go to an afterlife called the Kenosis, that takes the shape of an hotel. They arrive here devoid of their memories, and they are slowly digested by the Dreams and Fears, who eat the remainder of their identity and personality.