An Emanator of Abundance from Amphoreus

Russell was redundant data (Redun-0) in the Omphalos simulation program created by the Scepter. Born in the first year of the Age of Strife, he took up the path of a doctor and walked it for a thousand years. Then the Black Tide swallowed Omphalos, and the world came to an end.

He came to stand before a crystal-clear blue giant tree and reached out to touch it.

"The Worldbearing Branch, its leaves hanging down to pity the world? Perhaps I can grasp at hope..."

Whenever the Black Tide destroyed the world, he would touch the Worldbearing Branch, the giant tree that held memories. He sealed the joys and sorrows of his past lives inside its fruits, then entered reincarnation once more to search for hope.

By the thirty-three million five hundred and fiftieth fruit, he was curled up among the tree roots, on the verge of collapse, his silver hair soaked in the blood and tears of billions of the dead.

"Does saving them... really matter?"

As despair gnawed at his fading soul, the Aeon of Abundance heard his plea and came walking through the starlit frost.

The Aeon embraced him.

"Your benevolent heart, forged through tens of millions of reincarnations, has pierced the illusions of the eternal night."

"This was not in vain. It is proof that reincarnation exists. You deserve this crown."

"Swallow it. It will be the womb that gives you new life."

The Aeon fed Russell a crimson pomegranate seed. At that very moment, the Emperor's Scepter began spewing errors as an Emanator of Abundance started to hatch inside his body...