A figure appeared in the dimension.
Not born. Not summoned. Simply... there.
███████████ stood in a realm of infinite possibility. No ground beneath his feet, yet he did not fall. No sky above, yet he could see.
In his hand—a small orb. Glowing. Pulsing with potential.
He looked at it for a long moment. Sapphire eyes reflecting the light.
Then he crushed it.
[OBSERVER NOTE: The following description contradicts known physics]
[Temporal anomaly detected - events may not be in correct sequence]
The orb shattered.
And from the fragments... life.
Not one creature, but thousands. They poured forth like water from a broken dam. Wings, scales, fur, feathers—chaos in physical form.
███████████ watched them scatter across the forming realm.
He reached for another orb.
Perhaps this time, something perfect.
[DATA CORRUPTION: 58% of creation sequence lost]
[Fragment jumps forward - duration unknown]
Attempt after attempt. Orb after orb.
Each one produced life. Each one produced beauty. Each one produced creatures of wonder and terror.
But nothing intelligent. Nothing that could speak. Nothing that could choose.
Frustration crept into his features. His jaw clenched.
"Why can I not create what ███████ demands?"
[ARCHIVIST NOTE: What follows is the moment everything changed.]
[Cross-reference with Fragment REN-004-GUARDIANS for alternative account]
He reached for his own essence.
Not an orb this time. Not the power given to him by the three great forces.
His own magic. His own will. His own soul.
He tore it from himself in strands—147 pieces of his very being.
And from those pieces, he created the Guardians.
Intelligent. Beautiful. Eternal.
And utterly, completely, his.