Utgard-Loki
discourses on the nature of coins, each side representing a different path:
tails goes back and heads goes forward. And the resulting story can be read
both forward and backward….
Forward: Thor awakens
and finds himself in the confusing streets of Utgard. Soon he reunites with
Skurge and together they fight the stone men who inhabit the place.
Back-to-back the heroes make their stand and defeat the horde of enemies. As
they walk the streets, Thor inclines toward despair that the city is a maze with
no escape, leading to battles that cannot be fought. They encounter Thor’s lost
brother Hermod who was removed from existence by Oblivion. Hermod has explored
the city and has not found a way out. Thor and the others decide that the only
way out must then be sought further in. Hermod then tells them that Heimdall is
also in the city, explaining how he came there. Skurge demands Hermod take them
to Heimdall; Hermod confesses he does not know where he is. When in danger,
Heimdall ordered him to leave and so he did. They fight more of the hordes of
stone men, Thor despairing that the city is one endless maze….
Utgard-Loki gives
one more toss of the coin, forward or backward, repetition or escape?
Backward: Thor
and Skurge fight the hordes of stone men, Thor despairing that the city is one
endless maze. The battle done, they determine to search for Heimdall; Hermod
confesses he does not know where Heimdall is. When in danger, Heimdall ordered
him to leave and so he did. He explains how Heimdall came there. Thor and the
others decide that the only way out must then be sought further in. Hermod has
explored the city and has not found a way out and he takes off again. As Thor
and Skurge walk the streets, Thor inclines toward despair that the city is a
maze with no escape, leading to battles that cannot be fought. They fight the
stone men who inhabit the place and Thor knows he has lost the way….
Forward: The
heroes reach the center of the maze and find a giant minotaur seated on a
throne, the wounded Heimdal in its hand….