[WP] After the end of the world, civilization had to start from the beginning. By studying the ancients, technology advanced at a rapid pace. However, when people tried to reach the stars, they found only a wall that projects images of the stars, rather than the "space" mentioned in old relics.

[by salmontail]I used to lay flat on my back, feeling the blades of grass tickle the exposed skin on my limbs, and reached out to grab a star.It never worked. The star stayed in the sky, where it belonged.The Old Ones spoke of a time when humanity lived among the stars, traversing the river of illumination, exploring far beyond the ties of their mortal coils, surging past the limits of our earthbound state with the capability of technology.The Old Ones were gone, but their teachings remained.I laid flat on my back, making sure that the restraints were in place. The blast-off was imminent, and I didn't want to find myself splattered across the shuttle.Countdown. Brace. Ascend.I was going up. Up where I belonged, among the stars.It didn't work. The shuttle crashed against the stars, unable to breakthrough.The Old Ones spoke of space and galaxies, universe and infinity. Yet, there was no such thing at play here. I had reached the end of my rope, and the only thing I could do was hope and pray.Failure. Exit. Death.No. I refused. Not now, not ever, not until I held a star in my palm. I summoned every ounce of willpower I had and wished upon the stars.I lie flat on my back, the hospital bed barely cradling the broken bones in my body. My flesh was torn asunder, but my mind remained intact, burning bright.It will work. I will survive, breakthrough, and prove to myself and the world that there were proper stars beyond the veil.