Chapter fifteen

Once upon a time in the ageless expanse of the cosmos, there existed many planets in a small constellation of stars known as Lyra. On these planets lived many humanoid species, the celestial ancestors of our modern-day humans on Earth. Lyra held one of the most significant places in the evolutionary history of life in the galaxy. The Lyrans were lion-like humanoids, much taller than modern-day humans, with extreme feline traits. They were one of the most advanced races in the galaxy, with a vast, expansive, inclusive, and prosperous empire. They were known for their grace and strength and were a peace-loving race, yet they fought some of the most significant galactic wars in history.

Prince Ezekiel was a young and dashing warrior. He was the Prince of the Second Order in the Lyran kingdom. He belonged to the Sayvant, a sect of Lyran society dedicated to maintaining peace throughout the galaxy. He was extremely strong and bold, wise and trustworthy. Izar, the council head, was so fond of his favorite prince that he was often considered the “Chosen One”. Everybody loved him. Stories of his might and valor had gained an almost mythical reputation across the entire Lyran empire, reaching as far as Vega. He, however, was unmoved by all the praise and adulation ushered upon him. Despite his reputation as a warrior, he was a wanderer and a pacifist at heart, drawn to spiritual teachings and cosmic wisdom. He loved gallivanting across galaxies and exploring new star systems.

Vega, the brightest star in the constellation of Lyra, visible even from the furthest reaches of space, had a robust, independent, and prosperous empire of its own. Located some twenty-five light years from Planet Earth, Vega and its surrounding stars are thus often misrepresented as a separate constellation. Since Vega was a part of the Lyran heritage, the High Council decided they needed to expand their empire to include Vega.

The council members chose Ezekiel to lead the team setting out for the massive expansion endeavor. At the same time, as the Lyrans made plans to establish a colony on Vega, the original residents of Vega (known as the Vegans or the Veganites), had already begun expanding their territory and building their own colonies in the constellation of Orion. The team designated to establish the Vegan colony in Orion was headed by a beautiful princess named Ezra, who was the daughter of the appointed emperor of Vega.

When Ezekiel and his team reached Vega, they discovered another humanoid species already dwelling there. Ezekiel himself was very curious to meet the members of this new species, but among his followers, many distrusted the Vegans. The Sayvants came from a segment of Lyran society that was fiercely loyal to the empire, so tensions rose very quickly. The Vegans, on the other hand, had no concept of violence and warmly welcomed their Lyran counterparts. The Lyran team eventually began living on Vega, but there were some among them who harbored resentment for the Vegans. Ezekiel saw the underlying tensions among his people and did his best to propagate harmony between his team and the Vegans. Eventually, he became the Ambassador of Lyra and served as the representative of all Lyrans living on Vega. He became more than a warrior, though. He became a champion of peace between the two empires, and he became their leader.

With Prince Ezekiel’s efforts, the two empires slowly merged into one over a period and began being called the Vega-Lyran Empire. The Lyrans and the Vegans were almost identical in nature and never practiced or propagated wars unless provoked, which was rare. Their defense strategies and techniques were unmatched anywhere in the cosmos, so they were largely feared by evildoers and left alone. Among the Lyrans, only Ezekiel’s clan, the Sayvant, were warriors, and even they abandoned their violent ways over time. The peace-loving, variegated Vega-Lyran population became intergalactic explorers who eventually expanded their territory and built their empire on other planets and star systems, collectively advancing the development of the universe. These original humanoid species of the galaxy had no concepts of lust or greed. Their hearts were full of love, joy, and light. They expanded their territories to build a harmonious, cosmic community sharing love, friendship, divinity, and prosperity for all.

On Ezekiel’s insistence, many Lyran warriors created families on Vega and lived there to further the bonds of unity between the two races. Yet, unlike most of his friends who fell in love with their Vegan counterparts and settled with them, Ezekiel was fully focused on building a cosmic synergy rather than on his individual life.

There was something that secretly intrigued him, though – the stories he often heard about the Vegan princess Ezra. He had heard her name countless times, and many stories of her wisdom and grace had reached his ears. Even as the ambassador of his people, he had never managed to meet the elusive princess, and this only fueled his imagination about her. A loner and a spiritual soul, Ezekiel had never felt a pull like this towards anyone before.

His fascination with her reputation was unlike anything he had ever known. The more he heard stories about her beauty, her skills with statecraft, and her love for her people, the more his secret desire to meet her was kindled. He knew she was far away from her homeland in Vega, in another star system altogether, but he still couldn’t stop himself from wishing to meet her once at least. His wish was surprisingly fulfilled when it was revealed that Ezra and her team had finished building the remote Vegan colony and were soon to return home.

There was a truth carefully hidden behind her decision to return sooner than she had originally planned. Ezra had also heard a lot about the Lyran warrior from her peers. While in Orion, she had heard about his trip to Vega and how he single-handedly fashioned a new empire. She had heard about the warrior who had used words instead of force to merge two peoples into one. After hearing about his titanic reputation, she could not stop herself from secretly wanting to meet him. She had a valid excuse to support her wish, too, as her work in Orion was almost over. Both Ezekiel and Ezra were subconsciously thinking about each other. Little did they know, it was their divine destiny to meet — a cosmic plan beyond their control.

• • •

When Ezra returned to her homeland, she was welcomed with a huge banquet in her honor. Almost every important official from Vegan royalty was present there to greet their beloved princess, yet she was in search of someone else, someone special she desperately wished to meet. Finally, the moment arrived, and the Prince of the Lyran Empire was introduced. Standing right in front of her eyes, waiting to welcome and congratulate her on her success, was Ezekiel, the captivating Lyran prince. He, too, was mesmerized as he watched Ezra walk towards him in her silvery gown, like Cinderella entering the ballroom. Her fiery eyes locked with his. He found himself instantly paralyzed by her gaze, and sparks flew.

Ezra and Ezekiel had finally met, and they felt an instant connection. They already knew so much about each other’s reputation, yet they felt like they wanted to learn more. It took them a while to stop talking about the empire and were finally afforded the chance to get to know each other on a much more intimate level. There was an immense cosmic force bringing them together and an intense knowledge that they were perfect for each other. The two roamed around the heavenly gardens of Vega and spent countless hours discussing cosmic concepts and spiritual harmony. They had so much to talk about and so many dreams to share.

Ezekiel and Ezra met on many occasions, working for the greater good of the empire, and over time, they grew passionately in love. The Lyran prince finally asked the Vegan emperor for his daughter’s hand. The match was praised by all who came to hear of it — the greatest warrior of the Lyran race and the stunningly beautiful Princess of Vega. Their union would seal the bond between the empires once and for all. Soon after, Ezekiel took the Princess of Vega back to the capital of the Lyran kingdom, and they were welcomed by the High Council with the greatest honors. They were divine beings in love and were an inspiration for the entire Vega-Lyran population. They were both offered seats on the High Council to lead the new empire to prosperity.

The two cosmic lovers in union loved their kingdom and their people with all their hearts. Slowly and steadily, they brought many divine changes to the huge Vega-Lyran empire. They were blessed by the head of the High Council, who was fond of Ezekiel already, and as he learned more and more about her, became extremely fond of Ezra, too. They were like his children, and he trusted them with the future of his empire.

The cosmic couple nurtured another secret desire as well. They were both highly spiritual explorers at heart who loved venturing to different star systems and galaxies. Once all their responsibilities towards the Vega-Lyran kingdom were taken care of, Ezekiel sought permission from the council so the two lovers could set out on a cosmic voyage together. There was no reason left for the council to hold them back, and thus permission was happily granted. In the laws of the new empire, nobody curtailed another’s freedom, for freedom was forever celebrated.

As they began their cosmic voyage, they went first to Sirius and Orion, where Ezra had earlier built an extended Vegan colony. They established great cosmic laws for the Vegan civilization to flourish, and then they moved on. From Orion, they went to the Pleiades. Ezekiel had to fight in many conflicts, and Ezra brought wisdom and knowledge to many new astral races. All across the galaxy, they became symbols of hope and peace as they brought light to all who were lost in darkness. They happily brought their cosmic dance of light to every dark corner of the galaxy — completely unaware of a constant set of eyes tracking them.