Divinity Unleashed: The God of Shadows and Storms

Chapter 8: Trials of the Celestial Order

The battle with Astaroth lingered in Naruto's mind. The vision Eternity had shown him—the clash of gods, worlds ripped apart—felt like a warning. And though he had faced Astaroth with courage, he couldn't shake the feeling that his trials had only just begun.

As the System updated, Naruto glanced at the new ability he'd gained: Celestial Insight. The description flashed in his mind, filling him with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Celestial Insight: Unlocks knowledge of ancient orders, cosmic secrets, and grants a heightened awareness of celestial forces. Can be used to perceive threats across dimensions.

Naruto focused on the ability, and immediately, his vision shifted. He saw a vast, interconnected web stretching through the universe, filled with threads linking worlds, realms, and powers beyond anything he'd known. Energy signatures pulsed along the threads, some familiar, some foreign. He caught glimpses of realms he had only ever heard about from Thor and Doctor Strange—the Dark Dimension, the Negative Zone, and places even further removed from reality as he knew it.

The System chimed, alerting him to a new message:

[New Quest: Explore the Celestial Orders]

Objective: Investigate the origins of the Dark Celestial Order and learn of its purpose in the Marvel Universe. Use Celestial Insight to track and uncover key artifacts.

Naruto clenched his fists, excitement and resolve surging through him. He had a lead, a direction. Whatever the Order was planning, he would uncover it—and if they came for him again, he would be ready.

The First Artifact: The Crystal of Eternium

Naruto shared his vision with the Avengers, who agreed to help him find the artifacts linked to the Celestial Order. According to Doctor Strange, the first artifact, the Crystal of Eternium, was hidden in a dimension where time and space warped endlessly—a realm that only the most skilled sorcerers could navigate.

Accompanied by Doctor Strange, Naruto stepped into the Sanctum Sanctorum's dimensional gateway. They found themselves in a vast expanse of shifting light, each color pulsing with an energy that felt alive.

"This place is known as the Ever-Void," Strange explained. "The Crystal is hidden deep within, guarded by temporal beings who protect its secrets."

Naruto's gaze swept the ever-changing landscape. His Celestial Insight pulsed, guiding him deeper into the void, sensing the energy signature of the artifact. But as they neared, a shadowy figure appeared, hovering just above the ground—a guardian, cloaked in mist, eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

The guardian raised a hand, sending a wave of dark energy toward Naruto. He dodged, then countered with a Rasengan, but the attack simply phased through the being. Naruto gritted his teeth, realizing that physical attacks wouldn't work here.

"Focus on the Crystal," Strange called, summoning mystic shields to hold the guardian at bay. "I'll buy you time!"

Naruto closed his eyes, letting Celestial Insight guide him. Slowly, a path became clear—a faint, shimmering line leading through the twisting colors of the void. With a deep breath, he followed it, feeling the weight of the energy grow stronger with each step.

Finally, he reached a small altar, and there it was: the Crystal of Eternium, radiating a light so intense it seemed to hold the essence of stars. Naruto reached out, his hand trembling as he touched it. Instantly, knowledge flooded into him, visions of the Celestial Order's ancient rites, their origins, their purpose.

The Order existed to balance the forces of the cosmos, manipulating realms, guiding wars, and controlling destinies. They were above gods, existing beyond the comprehension of mortal and immortal beings alike. And Naruto, as a foreign god, was seen as a threat to their equilibrium.

He pulled his hand back, feeling the enormity of what he had just learned. They would come for him again—and they would not stop until he was either under their control or destroyed.

With the Crystal in hand, he returned to Strange, who was still holding off the guardian.

"Let's get out of here!" Naruto shouted, and with a final surge of power, Strange opened a portal, pulling them both back to the Sanctum.

Back at Avengers Tower

Naruto briefed the Avengers on what he'd seen. The Celestial Order was ancient, their influence stretching into the furthest reaches of the cosmos. And now, they had taken a specific interest in Naruto, viewing him as an anomaly—a disturbance in the delicate fabric of their design.

Tony shook his head. "So, this Order manipulates the balance of entire universes, and they see you as a loose end? That's... unsettling."

Thor's gaze was somber. "I have heard tales of these beings in Asgard's ancient lore. They are known only in whispers, for they seldom intervene. If they have turned their eyes upon Naruto, it means he is far more important to this universe than we knew."

Naruto's determination hardened. He hadn't come this far to be subdued by some ancient force that deemed him a threat. He would rise to the challenge, face whatever trials they threw his way, and carve his own path.

The System chimed again, alerting him to a new quest.

[New Quest: Trials of the Celestial Order]

Objective: Locate the remaining Celestial artifacts to gain insights and protect yourself from the Order's influence.

The Second Artifact: The Gauntlet of Infinitum

With Thor's help, Naruto learned that the next artifact, the Gauntlet of Infinitum, was hidden on an uncharted planet in deep space, accessible only by teleportation through the Bifrost.

As Thor prepared to summon the Bifrost, he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You have the heart of a true warrior, Naruto. Whatever you face on this journey, remember that you are not alone."

Naruto nodded, grateful for the bond he'd formed with these heroes. With a flash of light, the Bifrost transported them to a cold, desolate world under a sky filled with swirling, unnatural lights. In the distance, they saw a temple carved into the face of a mountain, guarded by towering stone figures.

The Gauntlet's power resonated within the temple, and Naruto's Celestial Insight pulsed, sensing the artifact's presence.

But as they moved closer, the guardians came to life, stone limbs creaking as they raised their weapons. Thor leaped into action, his hammer crackling with lightning, while Naruto dodged and weaved between the giants, striking with Rasengans and Shadow Clones.

The battle was fierce, each guardian's strength amplified by the celestial energy of the temple. But Naruto's Doomsday Adaptability began to kick in, allowing his body to withstand their crushing blows. He moved faster, his attacks more precise, until finally, he and Thor broke through, entering the heart of the temple.

At the center lay the Gauntlet of Infinitum, glowing with an intense, primal energy. Naruto reached for it, feeling its power flow into him. Instantly, he gained new knowledge of the Celestial Order's power structure, their hierarchy, and their enforcers.

He also sensed the final artifact: the Orb of Omniscience, hidden in the heart of a black hole.