Eternity (Marvel)
From Multiversal Omnipedia
Eternity is the male embodiment of all life in the universe. His female counterpart is Infinity, and his sister is Mistress Death. Each universe in the Marvel multiverse is embodied by an Eternity; these infinite Eternitys are collectively known as the Multi-Eternity.
Eternity only manifests in the presence of other cosmic beings, or to beings of sufficiently cosmic perception (such as sorcerers like Doctor Strange). Eternity has been challenged by some sorcerers, including the Ancient One, Dormammu, and Doctor Strange to duels of power in exchange for boons (or Eternity's might itself in Dormammu's case).
Eternity, at one point, created numerous mortal aspects of himself to experience life from a non-omnipotent perspective. He later recalled these selves, but three discovered their nature and resisted the call. As a result, Eternity's essence was incomplete, and the universe began to break down. These three Eternity-fragments were found and convinced by the Defenders to return, so as to save the universe- and their loved ones- from destruction.
During the Infinity Gauntlet crisis, Eternity personally took on the empowered Thanos- and lost. As a result, he became jealous of the combined power of the Infinity Gems, and was the cosmic being who successfully petitioned the Living Tribunal to prevent their use in conjunction after the Infinity Gauntlet events. Eternity- after awakening from a coma imposed by the Magus- briefly permitted the order to be rescinded during the Infinity War. It was quickly re-established once the crisis was ended, however.
