Story continues from JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #642
As Loki flees those who would imprison him, Thor battles the Warriors Three in his defense. After defeating his comrades-in-arms, he faces the combined might of all the warriors of Asgard but Heimdall calls them to their senses by reminding them of their common enemy: Surtur, who would burn all the Nine Worlds. The three women comprising the All-Mother volunteer to go quietly into custody to further heal the rift. Thor rallies both the Aesir and the Vanir to combine their might into a single army led by the Thunder God himself. Thor leads his forces into battle across the Nine Worlds, but they are unable to win a decisive victory against their fiery for. In Niffleheim, Thor locates the absent Loki, who has been fleeing the unjust blame of all Asgard….
In Asgard, Sif visits the All-Mother and asks how these events have all come to pass. Freyja responds by relating how Odin had proposed a truce between the Aesir and the Vanir by offering to marry her. The promised royal heir was never born, the All-Mother became three, true unity was never achieved and now Surtur is exploiting that uneasy alliance to destroy them all….
In the absence of the All-Mother, Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral draw straws to decide which of them must take the throne of Asgard in this time of crisis….
Loki visits Hela, Goddess of Death, to plead with her and Tyr to lend their forces to aid Asgard against Surtur. She refuses….
In Muspelheim, Surtur receives a report from his Herald, who outlines the next steps in the plot against Loki. The result will be that Loki will enter this realm and the Herald—unmasked as Leah of Hel—will have her revenge….
Story continues in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #643