The day after the fall of the Serpent, Heimdall awakens and looks out of his window to discover that the missing Destroyer armor has been returned and is standing in the courtyard of Asgard. At the World Tree, Loki harnesses Thor’s pet goats Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder to haul the armored Volstagg up from the tree’s base. It is revealed that the mighty Volstagg was the consciousness animating the Destroyer and that his helpless form was hidden at the base of the tree to keep it from harm—as well as from Heimdall’s gaze. Loki is sure they got away with their scheme but the doughty warrior is wracked with guilt that he helped kill Thor. Loki counters that the prophecy ensured his death, they only helped him succeed. Nevertheless, the brooding giant heads off…and encounters his comrades Hogun and Fandral. They invite him to go drinking in remembrance of the fallen Thor but he declines and heads home…
…where he is nearly crushed by his brood of adoring children. He gathers them around and tells them the story of his exploits in the War of the Serpent. Centuries ago when the Serpent had defeated Odin and become ruler of Asgard, Volstagg delivered such a pummeling to the villain that Odin chose to cast a spell over all to make them forget his brother’s humiliation (and entire existence) to preserve the family honor. Thus Odin became king over the gods. Now, an evil Nazi woman (Sin) freed the Serpent from his underwater prison and the villain summoned seven mystical hammers which he gave to his lackeys and sent them to conquer the world. Since Volstagg was unable to jog around the world fast enough to beat up all seven, Odin began constructing a powerful machine (which the considerate father does not reveal was designed to destroy Earth) while Thor fretted about villains infringing on his hammer trademark. Volstagg saved the day—though only Thor could kill the Serpent, and at the cost of his life. So the mighty hero ate the dead Serpent and after the remains had passed though (ugh), Odin took them away to dispose of. Volstagg assures his children they are safe and gives piggyback rides.
Later, he confesses to his wife he shaded the truth the keep the children innocent a bit longer—and to make himself feel better as well….