The Serathi had ascended unto the stars, striving to conquer and claim them all. The Titans, however, were cast into a great quandary, debating whether to sever themselves from their own kin. After a time, the Titans made their choice. They cast aside their most ancient laws, simply to satisfy their surging curiosity.
As the years passed, the Serathi spread to more and more stars. As they spread, their power deepened. As their power grew, their people achieved an ever-greater prosperity.
The Titans, too, spread alongside them. These beings, who once dared not contemplate leaving their groups, now began to wander even alone.
In time, the Serathi came to dominate the entire galaxy. In this great journey, they suffered losses counted in the hundreds of billions, yet in return, they nurtured trillions of new lives. Their armies were unstoppable, their starships countless, and their population vast beyond measure. Eighteen generations and twenty-four emperors had witnessed, lived through, and perished in this war, many without seeing its destined end.
The war finally ceased in the era of High Emperor Thaevarion the Fourth, also known as the Conqueror of the Cosmos, Wielder of the Stars, and Lord of the Galaxy. The High Emperor Thaevarion the Fourth ascended to the throne at the youthful age of seventeen—a mere child by Serathi reckoning—due to the premature death of the previous ruler, Emperor Korvath En'Nai the Sixth. This High Emperor, whose life was one long, relentless conflict, was two hundred and eight years old when he completed his conquest, having subjugated ten percent of the galaxy during his own reign alone. He delivered his people from the war that had lasted for generations, a war they called "The Eternal Struggle." A new age of peace had begun for the Serathi.
The era of peace lasted in great serenity, for centuries, for millennia. In time, the incredibly vast Imperial Army shrank, for its necessity had vanished. The Serathi further refined their machines, achieving things beyond all imagining. Yet, they could not travel to other stars; their galaxy was too distant from all others. Too, too far.
Yet, everything had changed over time; the Serathi could never return to their state before the war. The nobles, who once placed the public good above all else, now thought only of their Houses' wealth. Every action was bent to this end, and they would do anything to achieve it, even piracy.
The noble Houses began to work in secret with pirates and bandits to steal the riches of their peers. The shrinking Star Fleet could no longer cope with all these woes. And everything changed with the decision that issued from the Senate, the outcome of which no one could foresee.
It was Emperor Aelthir Kor'Nael, whose title was "The Good-Hearted," who approved that decision—perhaps he was too good.
Because the Imperial Star Fleet was insufficient, protection had to be provided for merchant vessels. However, noble Houses were forbidden from maintaining personal armies. The Emperor made "that" suggestion:
"Then let us arm the merchant ships so that they may protect themselves."
The Emperor made this proposal purely out of good faith. But the Senate harbored no such goodwill. They accepted with smiles upon their faces. They thanked the Emperor for his decision, calling him "Fool" in their hearts. For good intentions are often perceived as folly in a broken system.
The noble families slowly armed themselves, yet made no sudden move. For each coveted everything for themselves.
Millennia passed. The staged piracy continued, for a pretext to arm was always necessary. This continued for millennia; the ones dealing with the pirates were now the noble Houses, not the Empire. The governance of the Empire itself had fallen into the hands of the noble Houses. The Emperors, merely titular "Lords of the Galaxy," now governed only the capital world, Seratkhar.
The Titans did not concern themselves with the internal politics of the Serathi; they merely entertained themselves with the Serathi's actions. The Council of the First-Born had even forbidden entry into the Serathi Senate.
However, over time, everything had changed; the Serathi could never revert to their pre-war selves. The nobles, who once prioritized the people's welfare, now focused solely on their families' enrichment. Every action served this purpose, and they would do anything for it, even piracy.
The noble houses began to secretly cooperate with pirates and brigands to steal each other's wealth. The diminished Star Fleet could no longer keep up with all these incidents. And everything changed with the decision that emerged from the Senate, its full consequences unknown.
Emperor Aelthir Kor'Nael, titled "The Good-Hearted," approved that decision—perhaps he was too benevolent.
Since the Empire's Star Fleet was inadequate, trade ships required protection. However, noble houses were prohibited from having private armies. The Emperor made "that" suggestion:
"Then let us arm the merchant ships sufficiently to protect themselves."
The Emperor made this suggestion with entirely good intentions. But the Senate was not well-intentioned. They accepted with smiles on their faces. They thanked the Emperor for the decision, calling him "Fool" in their minds. After all, good-natured actions are often seen as foolishness in a corrupt system.
The noble families armed themselves slowly, yet made no move. For they all desired everything for themselves.
Millennia passed. Their staged piracy continued, as a reason for armament was needed. This went on for millennia; the Empire no longer dealt with pirates—the noble houses did. The governance of the Empire had even fallen into the hands of the noble houses. The so-called "Lords of the Galaxy," the Emperors, now ruled only the capital planet, Seratkhar.
Yet, millennia of peace and prosperity had brought back old problems: resource scarcity. Resources were deemed insufficient by the Senate—whether for the nobles, the common people, or the Serathi's desire for progress, no one asked.
Most Titans were indifferent to the Serathi's internal politics, merely amusing themselves with the Serathi's doings. The Council of the First-Born had even banned entry into the Serathi Senate. However, the views of some Titans were beginning to change. Observing the pace of development during the Eternal Struggle, some Titans tried to instigate conflict within the noble houses. They thought that if the Serathi fought, they would create faster and newer technologies. But all conflicts were stopped before they could escalate or begin. Titans who were tired of the First-Born's rules and who were "stronger" in terms of Mana energy came forward with a new question:
"We are stronger. Why are we listening to the weak?"
This question spread among the Titans, gathering followers as it went. And, at one point, internal conflict broke out among the Titans. As a result of this conflict, the Council of the First-Born was utterly destroyed. Those who took power called themselves the "Tyrants." They met every word against them or their decisions with violence. There was only one requirement for speaking and presenting ideas in the Council of the Tyrants: to be strong. Power was everything to them, and they would not interfere with the actions of the powerful, even if it involved the internal affairs of the Serathi.
However, not all Titans accepted these changes. These Titans silently separated themselves from the others. Some left the galaxy, heading into the infinite void, perhaps hoping to one day reach other galaxies. Others returned to the old ways, embarking on journeys throughout the galaxy, unaware of what the future would bring.
Eryndra was one who wished to leave the galaxy. But an inner feeling held her back. She was not strong, nor a First-Born, perhaps not even the wisest, but she was intelligent enough to speak and express opinions among those who preceded her in the Council of the First-Born. The Tyrants had destroyed almost all her friends. The remaining ones had gone outside the galaxy. The First-Born had instructed them to leave and find a peaceful place rather than live under the Tyrants' rule. Eryndra chose to stay, for she desired vengeance.
Eryndra began to think long and hard. How could she defeat those stronger than herself? How could she exact her revenge?
It took her about fifty years to plan and perfect her scheme. And she set off for Seratkhar to implement her plan.
Her journey lasted twelve years, a short time for a Titan. When she arrived at Seratkhar, she learned the news of the previous emperor's death, and a new emperor was about to be crowned. The environment was seemingly made for Eryndra.
As the new Emperor, Kael'Thor the Second, began his first session in the Senate, Eryndra walked in. For the first time in centuries, perhaps a few millennia, a Titan entered the Imperial Senate in this manner, unannounced and suddenly.
Eryndra greeted the Emperor and congratulated him on his ascension. The Emperor asked her why she was there and why she had arrived in such a way. Eryndra began to speak with self-assurance.
"I have come to offer a solution to your resource shortage, Your Majesty."
Whispers rose in the Senate. Some wondered what she would say, others said whatever she proposed would not be real, and some whispered that she had come to cause trouble, like the others. The Emperor silenced the whispers and replied.
"And what is this solution you offer?"
Eryndra spoke in a confident voice that everyone could hear.
"Your race has conquered the entire galaxy; not a single star is outside your control. But you will never be able to go to other galaxies. Because our current galaxy is moving into the infinite void of space much faster than the others. Even if you headed towards the galaxies that follow us into the void, return would be impossible."
"Where are you trying to go with this speech?" the Emperor asked.
"Your race reached the stars with the Mana energy radiated by my kind. You conquered the galaxy with devices using the same Mana. You may not be able to go to another galaxy, but it is possible for you to open a gateway to another dimension," Eryndra replied and continued.
"I know how to build the device. All you need is a large amount of Mana."
A silent astonishment settled in the Senate. For the first time, a Titan offered to give them the plans for a device; normally, they chose only to observe. The newly crowned Emperor Kael'Thor the Second saw this as a way to increase the power of his throne and his own prestige. And he asked.
"How much Mana are you talking about?"
"An amount you have never used before, even for a small reconnaissance vessel," Eryndra replied.
"Then where will we find that much Mana?" the Emperor asked with slight surprise.
"I can offer you two methods for this," Eryndra said and continued her words almost mockingly.
"The first is to use about 1000 Serathi as batteries to keep a portal, large enough for a reconnaissance ship to pass through, open for about an hour."
A great uproar began in the Senate.
"Are you asking us to sacrifice our own race?" shouted one member.
The Emperor silenced the Senate after a moment. He was angered; a Titan was mockingly asking them to sacrifice their people, and only for a small portal that would stay open for merely an hour. Suppressing his anger, he asked.
"Since you mentioned the first way, knowing we would not accept it, I assume you want us to choose the second way. Tell us, what is this second way?"
"The Titans," said Eryndra. Following a brief moment of astonishment in the Senate, she continued.
"Even the Serathi with the most Mana is like a small particle of Mana compared to a weak Titan. You can imprison Titans in capsules that are not too large. One Titan can keep the portal open for one week for a colony fleet of 20 ships."
No one in the Senate could hide their surprise. A Titan had come to them and offered a way to enslave her own race. The Emperor interjected.
"Your proposal is acceptable, but allow me to ask one thing. Why?"
"Why?..." Eryndra replied as if she did not understand.
"Why are you betraying your own race?" the Emperor asked.
"Betrayal? I think you misunderstood me; I am not betraying. I am merely seeking vengeance," Eryndra replied.
"Vengeance?" the Emperor asked.
"You do not need to know the details. All you need to know is that all Titans in the galaxy are, in my view, sinners," Eryndra said, containing her anger.
"If you allow it, we must discuss this with the Senate first," the Emperor said.
"Of course. You can think as long as you wish. My time is plentiful," Eryndra said and left the Senate.
After a few hours of discussion, the Senate gave its answer to Eryndra.
—"We accept..."