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"Our destiny lies beyond not the depths of our oceans, nor the highest of mountains! Look further above my brothers and sisters! Let us rise! Our destiny lies beyond the stars; towards the eternal void of space."
-Odysseus, during the Great Council of Terra; 3549 A.D.
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The year was 3550 A.D. Humanity had consumed almost all of its resources and manpower in space exploration and expansion.
Led by Odysseus Thorne, ninety-five percent of the human race was sent on a mission to save their kind while the remaining earthlings were left to tend to their planet which they renamed Terra. Through sheer grit and immense sacrifice, they managed to expand throughout the stars and control a good portion of the galaxy. During the period of expansion, humanity was also forced to either colonize or establish a peace treaty among the natives of each planet; with each side sharing land, resources, and culture.
This series of events caused strife in an already fragile group of conquerors and explorers who were exhausted from all the wars and traveling.
One side believed that mankind should seek more power, not peace.
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While the others sought tranquility alongside their new allies.
Odysseus, however, saw this as an opportunity to propel humanity to greater heights. The man, covered in all his scars, respected by many, and loved by all, called both sides for a speech and miraculously, was able to unite mankind. With no surprise soon after, they elected and renamed him Odysseus the Dreamer, He who unites, and the first High King of the Illuminated mankind.
A few years passed, and humanity had controlled a massive portion of the galaxy. Religion, science, and politics were established or had advanced. Odysseus, along with his council had already foreseen that there was sure to be crime and unruliness following this expected motion of events.
To maintain stability and authority over the different territories, Odysseus and the royal council established the 13 Great Houses. Each Great House was named after the families of the heroes who led humanity's great expansion into the stars and thus were treated with the utmost reverence. Each house also had its own expertise, with secrets and work being passed over to each generation.
The empire thrived, and many years later, on his deathbed, he looked at with his own eyes the empire he had helped create and flourish. Odysseus died with a smile on his wrinkled face. "Odysseus the Beloved", as he was later named, passed in peace, surrounded by his most trusted people, family, and the people who held him dear.
Centuries and millennia had passed and humanity lived on; through sickness, disasters, war and even also enjoying peace and stability which they had never felt before.
However, not everything lasts forever.