236

Chapter 236

Helheim, the most desolate of the Nine Realms, is often referred to as "Hell" – the underworld in Norse mythology.

This is a cold, foggy place of eternal night. According to legend, only the dead can reach it. In reality, Thor didn't see any signs of life here, similar to the original location of the Soul Stone—Vormir. At least there was a Red Skull there.

Thor couldn't understand Hela's reasoning. She chooses to live in this grim place rather than in the comfort of a grand castle. Why would anyone willingly live in a hellhole where not even birds lay eggs?

Interestingly, unofficial records tell a story of Thor dying in an accident and his soul ending up in Helheim. To leave, he had to use charm and accept the unspoken rules of the Queen of Helheim before he could revive and return to Asgard. This rumor, widely spread, especially on Earth, was said to be propagated by a disgruntled old man. Thor and Hela later teamed up to silence those spreading false stories.

One might wonder if they are so desperate that they dare to speak nonsense, as if Asgard were Olympus.

"Kazaki...."

A series of crackling sounds erupted as a skeleton with green eyes and a dagger charged at Thor, only to be shattered by his hammer. This act stirred a swarm of skeleton soldiers, who roared and surged towards him.

From above, it looked like a vast sea of white waves on the dark ground, akin to buffalo herds charging across African plains.

Skeleton Sea!

Thunderclouds roiled in the sky, covering thousands of meters. The ground shattered, and skeleton soldiers were either blasted apart by thunder or fell into an abyss.

In moments, the distant horizon was filled with figures again.

"Click…Click…"

Cracks widened on the ground, and several bone spurs several meters long emerged.

"Roar..."

Accompanied by a tremendous roar, a massive figure burst forth from the ground and charged at Thor. It was a Leviathan in a dead state!

The zombie Leviathan, reeking of death, charged with destructive momentum.

"Tear…"

The battle axe struck the Leviathan's head accurately, tearing it in half from head to tail.

Thor glanced up to see three more Leviathans in the air, causing his mouth to twitch.

No wonder there were so many missing items from the New York War spoils. Hela had taken them all...

If this fearless super beast were on a planet with lower civilization, just one of them would be enough to paralyze the entire planet's defense system.

However, the three giant Leviathans suddenly froze in the air, then vanished into smoke and ashes.

It was as if...

They were erased with a snap of fingers.

Phoenix's Judgment!

Thor lowered his hand and remarked, "The effect is impressive, though the cost is high. If I'd had this ability earlier, I might have defeated Thanos on Morag."

Despite the powerful Leviathans being vanquished instantly, the skeleton soldiers remained undaunted...

"Ouch…"

A deafening roar caused all skeletons to halt and form a passage. A giant black wolf, several times larger than a Leviathan, emerged from the darkness, its bloody maw open as it howled to the sky.

"Fenrir, stand down!"

A cold voice rang out as a slender figure emerged.

Goddess of Death – Hela.

Fenrir Wolf instantly transformed into a harmless husky, lying down and wagging its tail.

The skeletons, still making noise and grimacing, seemed reluctant to disperse.

"I said, back off!"

Hela's tone grew stern, and a dark green aura of death spread from her. The skeleton soldiers, frightened, quickly scattered.

"It seems you can only revive them but can't control them completely?" Thor sheathed his weapon and greeted her, "Long time no see, Hela."

Hela glared at him. "The undead lack intelligence. They act on instinct when numerous, unless given direct orders. Fenrir Wolf is an exception; he's been my battle companion for countless years."

"Why have you come to Helheim personally? No one has lived here for many years."

Hela spoke truthfully. Helheim's lifelessness was due to its harsh environment, unlike Vormir. The atmosphere here is filled with death, akin to Chernobyl in the 1980s. Even with the best space suits, mortals would rot and die within seconds. Only a few Asgardians, like Thor and Sif, can endure this deathly aura through divine power; not even the three warriors of Asgard could manage it.

But Hela, accustomed to this place, enjoys a significant home turf advantage, boosting her strength by at least 30%.

Hela left Earth and settled here after Thor inherited the throne, creating her domain where no one had ventured. Her reason for moving wasn't a power struggle but to avoid Odin, who retired to Earth. Although the likelihood of Odin attacking her was minimal, old resentments were not easily quelled. Given that retired Odin might travel globally, relocating to Helheim seemed a practical choice.

The rift between father and daughter might remain unresolved in this lifetime. Thor, unable to resolve it, let things be as long as they didn't clash. In the worst case, Thor's "daddy missing mode" could be assigned to Hela, allowing them to handle it themselves.

Thor composed himself and stated, "Asgard has been declared war by a foolish race that doesn't know its limits!"

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