Warden Eternal (Emergence)

The Warden Eternal, more commonly known simply as the Warden, is a Forerunner construct tasked with maintenance of the Domain and protection of it from external influence. Created from a composed , the Warden Eternal exists within a vast network of servers within the Absolute Record; however, fragments are located at significant Forerunner installations across the known galaxy, and minor subroutines are capable of controlling robotic bodies similar to the mechanized Promethean constructs. During the latter half of the , the Warden served as the primary caretaker of the Domain. While he initially served the Ecumene unquestioningly, after coming into contact with a around 97,460 BCE, the Warden became infected with and was reduced to a willing pawn of the Flood.
Placed in stasis on the Genesis installation by the towards the end of the Forerunner-Flood War, the Warden Eternal remained active but at minimal cognitive functioning until July 25, 2558, at which time he was restored to full functioning by Ur-Didact and the monitor of the Genesis installation, 031 Exuberant Witness. After informing the Didact of the continued existence of the Shards, the Warden pledged to assist the Didact in locating the remaining Shards and returning the galaxy to Forerunner rule. Officially, the Warden served as the Didact's right hand throughout the War of the Awakening. In reality, the Warden was subtly manipulating the Promethean via attempts to guide or persuade him towards choices that would weaken the civilizations of the galaxy to a point where they would be completely vulnerable when the Flood eventually returned.