A large replica of the One Ring (golden, with Elvish script glowing faintly) sits...

A large replica of the One Ring (golden, with Elvish script glowing faintly) sits centered on a stone slab. A person stands directly behind it — visible from head to toe — wearing black gloves and holding a heavy obsidian knife with both hands. In slow motion, they bring the knife vertically through the ring, slicing it from top to bottom. The outer shell parts like polished metal, but inside ...