Apocalypse explained, "The ten people I asked you to find belong to a special race called the Eternals."
"In 5000 BC, the place where they first arrived on Earth was Mesopotamia."
"The Mesopotamian Plain lies between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River. It is one of the oldest cradles of human civilization."
"After the Eternals arrived on Earth, they enlightened the first primitive peoples there."
"Ancient Babylon, one of humanity's four great ancient civilizations, developed under their guidance."
"From then on, the flame of civilization was passed down without dying out, giving rise to everything the West has today."
"They see today's humans rather like parents looking at their children-at least, that should still hold true for Westerners."
Nick Fury still did not understand. "What does that have to do with homesickness?"
Apocalypse continued, "Because the Eternals have guessed my intentions."
"This meeting will very likely mark the end of their journey on Earth."
"They hope to end that journey where it began. A way of coming full circle, I suppose."
Nick Fury asked curiously, "Tang, are you planning to drive them away?"
"No!" Apocalypse shook his head. "I won't drive them away. The Celestials will decide whether they stay or leave. Most likely, they'll go to the next planet with life."
Then Apocalypse explained the relationship between the Celestials and the Eternals to Nick Fury.
The Eternals were advanced artificial beings created by the Celestials.
The Celestials had created them to protect intelligent life on primitive planets as it reproduced.
In particular, they were to keep it from being slaughtered by beasts called Deviants.
The purpose was to allow the Celestial Baby gestating inside the planet to absorb more life essence.
While the Celestial Baby slept, its absorption of life essence would not harm the humans currently living