Beyond the edges of creation, in a place untouched by time, an ancient being stood alone.
No wind moved there. No stars burned. Not even the silence of space existed in that realm. It was a place beyond vacuum, beyond matter—an empty domain where only observation remained.
The being watched.
He had watched for longer than most civilizations had existed. Universes were born before his eyes, lived their brief lives, and faded into quiet darkness. Yet he remained.
He could not remember his own name.
Sometimes fragments of memory returned to him—distant echoes from a forgotten past—but they slipped away before he could grasp them.
Still, he continued his duty.
"I suppose… this is my purpose," he murmured to himself.
Around him drifted strange creatures—rare beings that could perceive his presence. Most life forms across the countless universes could not see him at all. To them, he was nothing more than a silent shadow between moments.
But these creatures acknowledged him.
Companions, in a way.
Even so, the loneliness never truly left.
The being folded his arms behind his back as he gazed across the vast ocean of universes unfolding before him.
"We are watchers," he said quietly, as if repeating an oath he had spoken countless times.
His voice carried through the stillness.
"Ambassadors of balance. Guardians of observation."
He paused, staring at a distant galaxy being born.
"We serve the One… and the fifteen gods who govern these realms. They are the masters of creation."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"And we… are their witnesses."
The oath had always felt both like a gift and a curse.
Endless existence meant endless responsibility.
And endless solitude.
Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared before him.
A letter.
It materialized silently in the empty realm, sealed with a sigil that shimmered with divine authority.
The Watcher raised an eyebrow.
"A letter… from the Supreme Realm?"
He took it slowly, examining the seal.
"Strange," he muttered.
"It's been a long time since they called for a meeting."
He stared at the letter for a moment before sighing.
"And why… am I chosen this time?"
The question lingered in the silence.
Even as he asked it, he felt a strange sense of familiarity—like something similar had happened long ago.
A memory tried to surface.
But it faded again.
The Watcher shook his head.
"Hm. My memory truly is unreliable these days."
A voice suddenly echoed nearby.
"You finally received it, master."
The Watcher turned.
Standing behind him was a young man—his student.
Min Ling.
Min Ling crossed his arms with a small grin.
"So… does this mean you're finally taking a break?"
The Watcher chuckled softly.
"A vacation?"
Min Ling nodded eagerly.
"You've been watching universes for centuries. Anyone would get tired."
The Watcher looked back toward the distant galaxies.
"Tired, perhaps," he said quietly.
"But observation is not something one abandons so easily."
Min Ling tilted his head.
"Still… the council only calls when something important happens."
"That is true."
The Watcher held up the letter.
"Which is why I suspect this meeting will not be simple."
Min Ling leaned closer, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"So… what does the letter say?"
The Watcher smiled faintly.
"You are coming of age soon, Min Ling."
The young man blinked.
"What does that have to do with the letter?"
"In one hundred years," the Watcher continued, "you will begin your own missions as a Watcher."
Min Ling's eyes widened.
"One hundred years…"
"To beings like us," the Watcher said calmly, "that is hardly any time at all."
Min Ling scratched the back of his head.
"I guess… when you've lived as long as you have."
The Watcher gave him a knowing glance.
"Longer than you think."
He then handed the glowing letter to his student.
"Go on. Read it."
Min Ling carefully opened the seal.
The light from the parchment illuminated the empty realm around them.
His expression slowly changed as he read the words.
"Master…"
"Yes?"
Min Ling looked up, clearly confused.
"This letter… it's about reincarnation."
The Watcher's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Go on."
"It says… the God of Reincarnation has been missing."
The silence deepened.
Min Ling continued reading.
"But before disappearing, he left the system of rebirth running on its own."
He looked up again.
"And apparently… something strange has been discovered."
The Watcher folded his arms.
"What kind of discovery?"
Min Ling swallowed.
"The god… may have already been reborn."
The Watcher's gaze sharpened.
"How many times?"
Min Ling checked the letter again.
"…Twice."
For the first time in a very long while, the Watcher felt something close to surprise.
"Twice?"
Min Ling nodded slowly.
"And no one knows why."
The Watcher stared out at the countless universes once more.
Somewhere among them… a mystery was unfolding.
And it seemed the council of gods wanted answers.
He closed his eyes briefly.
"…Interesting."
Then he turned back toward the glowing gateway that would soon appear.
"It seems our quiet observation may finally be over."
Min Ling smiled nervously.
"Sounds like things are about to get complicated."
The Watcher gave a faint, distant smile.
"They always do."