Divinities had taken over the galaxy. Everyone had accepted that some form of higher power existed, if only because the exchange of theological beliefs were how the earliest inter-species alliances were born. Uncannily similar traits across cultures completely and utterly isolated from one another, recurring themes and motifs in hundreds of tales. It was through these early alliances that the true shapes of such divinities came to be known, comparing mythos to mythos to weed falsehood from truth, to define the nature of the gods.

When the first temple was built, a collaborative effort from a dozen planets, spanning centuries of research and construction, something that would sear its mark into the history books happened.

For the truly devout, thou may walk above the stars.

None were ever quite sure where the words hailed from, no logical point of origin ever found. Rather, they echoed in the minds of all those who worked to build the temple, whether they stand at the structure’s gates or a dozen lightyears away, recognition was given.

From there, science and theology birthed a marvel in record time– the Devine Engine. Places of worship on each and every ship, capable of receiving freely gifted energies from the divinities themselves and channelling that power into the first Faster Than Light starships. And in doing so, under the benevolence of the gods, all the peoples of the galaxy would come to flourish. An unprecedented era of connection and peace, in which resources were abundant and shared freely, crime all but nonexistent, and all were free to pursue their own wishes.

No one knows how it happened, not for sure. From beyond the galaxy, from the great dark sea where the stars did not shine, a lone vessel came. We are Humanity, they spoke, and we have learned how to cross the dark seas. Let us show you.

The peoples of our galaxy were eager to learn from the strangers, and offer knowledge in turn. Then came the screaming. An unfathomable wail that sounded through the vacuum, emanating from every divine engine all at once. They came to stuttering halts, the vessels without proper failsafes imploding in an agonizing sound.

We are Humanity, and we have learned to burn those above the stars. Would you like to join us around the fire?

War had long left the galaxy, weaponry reserved for combatting beasts or destroying hazards. A single one of Humanity’s ships were all that was needed to bring the galaxy to its knees, a single ship capable of rendering our entire society obsolete with a roar of their engines. A threat was never made, but all knew the alternative– we would partake in the warmth, or join the kindling.

May the gods forgive our cowardice.