Above the Indian Ocean.
He appeared without warning.
Arishem had discovered this world's rebellion against the Celestials.
The Eternals had no room to resist and were taken away by their Creator.
This was the Creator's control over his creations. Golden rings appeared around them.
They were dragged forcibly out of this world.
In the boundless expanse of the universe.
The enormous Celestial Arishem towered above that blue planet.
The Eternals stood in his palm.
Every Eternal sent to Earth was there, except Ajak.
Sprite stared at their Creator in terror.
Sersi's eyes were filled with unease and fear as well.
Gilgamesh looked at Thena and found her looking back at him.
Kingo swallowed nervously, while Phastos looked straight at the Creator.
Druig had already expected this day to come. Makkari stood not far from him.
Ikaris's heart was as cold as ashes.
"You chose to sacrifice a Celestial for the people of this world," Arishem said from on high. "I will spare them, but your memories will reveal whether they deserve to survive."
Arishem intended to take the Eternals away by force.
This was a trial, a trial of the Eternals and Earth.
For millions of years, no Celestial had ever been sacrificed. Sersi and the others had broken that precedent.
On Earth, John rubbed his chin. The wings on his back spread, and he flew toward space.
He was fast. It took him only a few seconds to fly from Earth to Arishem.
He hovered in space, unaffected by its lethal cold.
Arishem looked at John. "It's you."
"It looks like you know me." Sound could not travel through space, so John conveyed his meaning directly through mind magic.
Arishem said, "The legend of the Wizard King has spread across the universe. You are far more famous than you