As Ben stepped out of Universe 666, his eyes were drawn to the figure of the Living Tribunal. Wanted to ask a few questions, Ben approached the cosmic guardian.
"Why did you come here, Ben?" The middle face of the Living Tribunal inquired. Because most of the time, Ben comes and goes to different Universes, rarely interacting with the Tribunal.
"You always say, balance is needed, balance is important, balance is everything, but just now in Universe 666, all of the balance is broken, so why not you get involved?" Ben questioned.
The Living Tribunal sighed, then opened his mouth, explaining to him, "Ben, there are countless universes facing grim situations, but I refrain from direct intervention. The balance is maintained by the four Embodiments of the Universe. It is their duty to ensure equilibrium."
"Embodiments of the Universe?" Ben's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are they?" he inquired.
Taking a pause, the Living Tribunal decided to unravel the history of the Marvel Multiverse for Ben. With a sweep of its hand, the celestial being transported Ben to a breathtaking chamber within its otherworldly realm.
This celestial chamber, adorned with endless shelves of ancient tomes, housed the accumulated knowledge of innumerable dimensions. Illuminated by holographic displays, the room offered a mesmerizing panorama of the multifaceted multiverse.
The Living Tribunal pointed toward one of the grandest holographic displays, manipulating it with its cosmic staff. The holographic projection showed a vast expanse of darkness, a void devoid of any visible elements.
Perplexed, Ben questioned, "The Living Tribunal, the display is blank. What are you trying to show me?"
The Living Tribunal pointed on the screen, and started explaining, "In the Marvel Multiverse, before it was even known as Multiverse, it was void, nothing exists there, not born anything there," then Ben noticed on the screen, a biggest cosmic being appeared, Ben knows him, he was the One-Above-All. "Then the One-Above-All appeared."
Ben observed as the One-Above-All emanated cosmic radiance, causing many places of void to start metamorph into a colossal being. Azure hue adorned the entirety of the colossal figure, with white stars scattered across his form.
The being's head featured two white star eyes and a central black hole-like eye. Its teeth are like a skeletal human skull. From its shoulders, two vertical horns extended, and two more stretched horizontally from its ears. Additionally, two horns emerged from the upper part of its head.
"He is the First Cosmos, also known as the First Firmament," the Living Tribunal explained. Continuing the narrative.
"The First Firmament, embodied reality, time, space, and the entire universe simultaneously. The One-Above-All created him for the purpose of spawning more life," the Living Tribunal elucidated.
Ben witnessed the First Firmament dutifully following the One-Above-All's orders, he created colossal beings that belonged to two distinct species.
On one side, there were dark entities with white lines adorning their forms. On the other side, robotic figures manifested, each displaying unique characteristics—some with six eyes, some with two, and others aligned in a single row.
"They are known as Celestials and Aspirants," the Living Tribunal explained. "Celestials are born to usher in the light, while the Aspirants are their counterparts, destined to bring destruction."
Ben observed from the holographic display, Celestials engrossed in the creation of planets, while Aspirants ruthlessly dismantled the planets, which were created by the Celestials. And because of this fight started between the Celestials and Aspirants.
Then the First Firmament created the other beings, it was the same as the First Firmament, yet with subtle differences. This entity bore two vertical horns extending from its shoulders, reaching skyward, and two horizontal horns protruding from its ears.
"This was the second Cosmos, possessing only a fraction of the power wielded by the First Firmament," the Living Tribunal imparted to Ben. As Ben observed, the second Cosmos gave birth to a third Cosmos, and unlike its predecessors, the Third Cosmos emerged as a distinct entity—a female figure adorned in white garments and a helmet crowned with horns.
However, Ben's attention was abruptly drawn to a startling development: the First Firmament consumed the second Cosmos immediately after it birthed the Third Cosmos.
"The Third Cosmos transformed into the Multiverse, birthing the Galan Taa planet in every universe, while the second Cosmos met its fate within the belly of the First Firmament," the Living Tribunal explained.
Ben discovered that the Third Cosmos, too, fell prey to the insatiable appetite of the First Firmament after giving birth to the fourth Cosmos. The pattern persisted with the fourth and fifth Cosmos, each meeting the same fate.
The Fifth Cosmos, a celestial entity draped in a robe that unveiled only its face.
"The fifth Cosmos ushered in magical beings, Forces, and races—Faltine, Beyonders, the power cosmic, and much more."
Ben witnessed the birth of diverse cosmic entities, and also like its predecessors, the Fifth Cosmos too faced absorption by the First Firmament after giving birth to the sixth Cosmos.
Ben observed the unique features of the sixth Cosmos – a distinct face and hair mirroring the deep blue hue of the starry night sky.
"The sixth Cosmos is the progenitor of science and the architect," the Living Tribunal imparted. He continued, "However, before the sixth Cosmos could produce the seventh Cosmos into existence. He fell prey to the Black Winter and the First Firmament."
The Living Tribunal continued, "With the demise of the sixth Cosmos, the entire Multiverse was nearly erased, as no successor emerged. In a final act before succumbing to annihilation, the sixth Cosmos bestowed some of its power upon the species of Galan Of Taa. United as one, they formed a being known as Galactus, the lone survivor. And also Celestials and Aspirants are also alive."
Curiosity sparked within Ben, and he questioned, "What happened next?"
The Living Tribunal gestured towards the holographic display, "In response to continuous destruction wrought upon their creations by the First Firmament and the Aspirants, the Celestials engaged in a monumental conflict with their destructive counterparts."
"And in the end, the Celestials with their weapons tear the very fabric of the first universe apart. The core essence of the First Firmament. And even the surviving Aspirants, facing obliteration, made a desperate escape to the void."
The holographic display vividly depicted the fleeing Aspirants, their numbers reduced to a mere fraction, desperately making their way to the void. Meanwhile, the torn fragments of the shattered universe took on intriguing forms, morphing into four distinct beings.
One figure emerged as an embodiment of darkness, as if crafted from the void itself. Cloaked in ragged purple-hued attire, the figure wore a hoodie, the fabric appearing as if torn into pieces. A belt made of a skeletal head adorned its waist.
Another entity assumed the shape of a female, radiating a stunning beauty despite her skeletal visage. Clad in an elegant black dress and adorned with a hoodie, her entire head resembled a complete skeleton.
The third being manifested as a cosmic entity. Stars and planets adorned different parts of its body. Two vertical horns extended from both shoulders, and a helmet featured two horizontal horns, partially revealing a face within.
The final entity took the form of a female with a golden body, forming a starry constellation. She wore black garments, concealing her modesty, complemented by shoes, gloves, hoodie, and a flowing cape.
"These four entities are known as the Embodiments of the Multiverse," the Living Tribunal explained.
Ben observed as the four figures multiplied into 3000 parts. Each set of four abstract entities contributed to the creation of one complete universe, and collectively, they formed the 3000 Marvel Universes, encircling to shape the entire Multiverse. The Living Tribunal often resided in the midst of this Multiverse.
"So these are the Embodiments of the Universe," Ben nodded, and inquired, "What role do they play in maintaining the Marvel Multiverse?"
The Living Tribunal nodded solemnly, "The entity adorned with stars and planets is Eternity. He personifies time and the temporal flow of the universe. Eternity's duty is to ensure the proper functioning of the Universe, and the whole Universe was himself."
Turning his gaze towards the golden girl with a starry body adorned with cosmic lines, the Living Tribunal continued, "She is Infinity, she maintained the balance and structure of space within the Universe. Working with her brother Eternity, they oversee the harmony of time and space."
The focus then shifted to the void-like abstract entity, known as Oblivion. "His role," explained the Living Tribunal, "is to bring an end to the life of the Universe when it teeters on the brink of destruction. In the grand cycle of cosmic existence, Oblivion orchestrates the complete annihilation of the Universe, while Infinity initiates the process of rebirth. This cyclical pattern of destruction and renewal is integral to the Universe."
"And the last one is Death, she has the sole mission of ending the life of people, while Eternity continues the birth of new life. Together they complete the cycle of life and death. My role is to maintain the balance of the entire Multiverse," the Living Tribunal explained.
"And I can't interfere in the Universe till the four Embodiments—Eternity, Infinity, Oblivion, and Death—were actively overseeing the Universe."
"My responsibility comes into play when someone or something becomes more potent than the Universe can sustain, or when extraordinary creatures from beyond the Marvel Multiverse breach our cosmic borders," he explained.
With this comprehensive explanation, Ben gained a profound understanding of the Embodiments of the Universe, each playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of the Marvel Multiverse.
"Okay, so what happens if someone dies from the four Embodiments of the Universe?" Ben inquired, thinking of the possibility of such an event occurring in the future, given that even the entities from the First to Sixth Cosmos have faced demise.
"If Death were to die first from the Embodiments of the Universe, it would trigger a profound consequence," the Living Tribunal explained.
"In such a scenario, beings in the Universe would become immortal, leading to an inflation of the Universe. Eventually, a colossal event—an all-encompassing Big Bang—would occur, causing the Universe to undergo a cycle of death and rebirth."
He continued, providing insight into absence of each Embodiment. "Similarly, if Oblivion were not present, the Universe would persist but gradually weaken, ultimately succumbing to the forces unleashed by the next Big Bang."
"Eternity, being the embodiment of the Universe itself, plays a crucial role. If Eternity is absent, the Universe faces destruction, initiating a Big Bang, followed by rebirth. Infinity complements this cycle, serving as the force that facilitates the rebirth of Universe life."
"So, even after the Big Bang, the story doesn't end," Ben remarked.
"No, that's when my responsibility begins," the Living Tribunal clarified. "If any of the Embodiments of the Universe ceases to exist, I must embark on the quest to revive them."
"Their absence, coupled with the occurrence of the Big Bang, sets in motion a chain of events. The Universe starts to weaken, and with the Universe's decline, the entire Multiverse faces the threat of destruction and invasion by entities from beyond the Marvel Multiverse."
He continued, "My task is to find a way to bring them back to life before the Big Bang occurs. It's a delicate balance that is required to safeguard the stability of the Marvel Multiverse against external threats and internal disruptions."
"Thank you for unraveling the history of the Marvel Multiverse," Ben expressed his gratitude to the Living Tribunal. "Now I comprehend why interference in many Universes isn't within your purview, and why you seek me out when I arrive."
With a nod of farewell, Ben mounted his Interstellar Harley, embarking on a journey towards Universe 121 to reunite with his son. "Goodbye, Ben. Feel free to visit whenever you wish, and I'll share all the knowledge you seek," the Living Tribunal bid him farewell.
The celestial being, tasked with overseeing the vast Marvel Multiverse, found solace in these conversations. Although brief, this provided a momentary respite from the solitude.