Again, the Celestials returned to Earth, demanding that the gods cease interfering in the affairs of Man. The gods, overwhelmed by the sheer power of the Celestials, finally agreed – but they knew that in a thousand years, the Celestials would return again to judge humanity. The Gods began making plans to fight the Celestials when the beings returned once again. In the meantime, the gods made deals with the Eternals, many of whom took the place of the gods, borrowing their identities and allowing the gods to affect mortals indirectly.