Mighty Thor, The (2011 series) #20

Story continues from JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #643

Thor is in Muspelheim, trapped beneath the flaming river which is the essence of Surtur himself, under attack from demons in the form of sharp-toothed fishes. He berates himself for allowing Loki to once again deceive him as he battles for his life….

In Asgardia, young Loki bursts into the tent where Volstagg (now King of Asgard), Hogun, and Fandral meet to discuss war strategy. Word comes that a monstrous Engel-Engine, in the form of a baroque house on spidery metal legs has invaded Asgard via the burning World Tree. Volstagg calls his warriors to battle as similar events occur across the Nine Worlds….

In Niffleheim, Heimdall, standing alone against Surtur’s forces, is overwhelmed and enslaved to their cause. The enthralled guardian leads Surtur’s army against Asgard in the shadow of the evil Engine. Loki suggests to the Warriors Three that they use the Destroyer as they had during the Serpent War (i.e. FEAR ITSELF), "innocently" revealing Volstagg’s deception of his comrades during that earlier conflict. As Hogun flies into a rage accusing Volstagg of treachery and has to be restrained by Fandral, Loki leaves the tent, satisfied with the discord he is spreading. The youthful Trickster then reports to Surtur, boasting of his betrayals. As Surtur reveals his plan to introduce the final god spore into Asgard and release the magic power of Otherworld, with the result that everything burns. But Loki has one more deception up his sleeve: he seizes the shadow of Surtur’s sword Twilight and flees. He appears to Thor as an image, counseling him to let himself drown….

Leah is enraged that she has been deceived by Loki. Surtur is not bothered as Loki has dealt a mortal blow to Asgard in his schemes to create a cover for his ploy. All the Fire Demon needs to do now is capture Loki—and to that end he calls forth the Hel-Wolf….

Story continues in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #644