Galaxy, a countless amount of celestial objects that were gathered in one place by the rules of the universe. A cold and dark place, in which life may exist. Hundreds of billions of stars that were born eons ago illuminate its darkness. And after millions of years within such darkness, planets began forming. Many of them were uninhabitable.

Some lacked ingredients, ingredients that were necessary in order for life to form. Others, despite having all the needed materials, were orbiting violent stars. Stars, that regularly purged the life with pulses of radiation.

There were some planets that had all the conditions fulfilled. But, even if the life appear, it might not have enough time to evolve into an intelligent one.

Impact events, ice ages, global extinctions, floods, volcano eruptions. There are just too many ways in which life could meet its end. Just like it is a miracle for life to form, it is an even bigger miracle for it to survive.

But, despite all the adversities, there was one such planet. The life on its surface has emerged from the seas that enveloped all the globe. Through the millions of years of evolution, it has evolved into many forms. One of such forms began exploring the surrounding world. With the passage of time, it developed. It learned how to harness the fire. How to create tools made out of rocks and flints. Despite the beasts that hunger on its flesh, it has kept going forward. It became an intelligent race.

Several thousand years have passed and they conquered their own world. They had no natural enemies left. That race dominated its own planet not with their strength, but with their wisdom and knowledge. Their wisdom that stem from their desire of explaining the unknown, from their innate curiosity.

And, that curiosity led them to the skies. They wanted to reach the stars and reveal their deep hidden secrets. In order to do that, to gain the knowledge and fulfill their dream, they began tearing up the fabrics of reality itself. Years have passed, and they succeeded in creating the thing they needed the most - faster than light technology.

Within several thousand years, they spread out their influence throughout the galaxy. Their efforts were focused on a search for extraterrestrial life. They hoped to meet the others, who, just like them, could appreciate the beauty of creation. To no avail. Instead of finding worlds bustling with life and intelligence, they found nothing. At that time, apart from themselves, there were not any other lifeforms they could call intelligent. On most planets, the only thing that was closest to life were simple amoebas and bacteria. They were alone within the boundless space of the universe.

Many might have plunged into the darkest pits of despair at that sight, knowing they were alone in a cold and lifeless universe. In a universe in which nothing and no one would remember them after their time passes. Many would have questioned the very reason they came into existence. A reason which didn't exist. But, they did not.

They knew that the life will definitely be born somewhere in the future. Not within a year, not within a century, not within a hundred of millennia. Maybe not even within their race's lifetime. But they hoped that sometime in the distant future, something or someone will be born. Someone, who would just like them, gaze into the stars at night and question the reason they exist. They hoped to meet them. And to do that, to seize this abysmally low chance, they made several preparations.

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They knew that letting others go through the same unnecessary hardships they went through would be cruel. That would also lower their chance of survival and might result in their extinction. So to help them, they created monoliths, something that would aid other races with their development. Near indestructible caches in which they sealed their wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge, which was the result of thousands of year of research and many sacrifices. Within them, they included every single piece of knowledge that might be useful to the developing race on every stage.

Fundamental mathematical and physical theorems which described and explain the chaotic nature of the universe. Guides on how to smelt and process the most basic metal ores, such as iron and copper. Countless diagrams and blueprints that showed how to create machines to harness the power that resides within the steam and electricity. Counting machines that would help them solve the most complex problems. But that wasn't all.

They also included their philosophical beliefs and ethics that transcends the time and species itself. Ethics which convey that the virtue was a true value in itself. That no being should be discriminated because they are different. That everyone is, or at least should be, important and equally deserves the right to live. Those were the bloody lessons they learned through the countless battles in their history. They didn't need to be repeated, they should not be repeated. After all, every intelligent being could be hurt, suffer and cower in fear.

But most importantly, they gave their most prized knowledge. Their wings, that allowed them to reach the stars, faster than light technology. A technology that elevated their race from mere surface dwellers to the undisputed monarchs of their galaxy. Something that took them hundreds, if not thousands of years of intense research, testing and improvements, was given for free. That was a pure selfless act, they had nothing material to gain from that. That is why it could only imply one thing.

They created those monoliths and gave away such technology because it was their dream. Their dream, to see the galaxy bustling with life and vitality. Hundreds of thousands of such caches were sent to planets which they deemed hospitable. It was sent in hope to help those who would come after them. To make their lives at the very least a bit better than their predecessors'. To tell them, 'you are not alone'.

But the universe played a cruel trick on them. Something happened to them. Was that an unknown contagious disease that struck them. Or a war that enveloped their entire empire in the flames of destruction. No one knows for sure. A race that once governed the galaxy was now gone. And the only things that are the evidence of their existence are those monoliths.

They bear many names, but most beings call them - 'ancestors'. They were like fathers and mothers of many adopted children. Unfortunately they passed away before they could even see them. Before they even have a chance, chance to see their true potential. Instead, they left them their legacy, a some sort of insurance.

An insurance that would make sure they won't stray from the right path and have a head start in life. Something, their parents did not have in the past. Guidance from the elders that came before them and paved the way forward, illuminating the darkness of uncertainty. Thus, it wasn't an exaggeration to say, that they were ancestors of every galactic race.

Their death was a new beginning for the others. Now, a new story is about to unfold, a story that takes place in the galaxy they left behind.