At a diner in Broxton, quantum cosmologist Dr. Eric Solvang is trying to explain his theories to the greatest scientific mind of Asgard (who is not seen by the reader). Distracted by Jane Foster walking by, Dr Solvang is having trouble illustrating his abstruse ideas of an infinite number of parallel worlds where every combination of eventualities is real somewhere….
In Alfheim, the brooding poet-bard Mayzen is captivated by the sight of the vibrant young Elphane, who takes him away from his self-important work by appealing to him to come out and enjoy the winter’s day. Though he is in love with her, he will not compromise his dignity by catching snowflakes on his tongue. Elphane coaxes him and he cautiously pokes out his tongue to oblige her—but all he can taste is blood. The skies open and an invasion force of brutal blood-red warriors sweeps down on the elves, slaughtering everyone in sight—including Mayzen and Elphane…. Lord Thane, the military leader contacts his father the king Uthana Thoth with news of the victory and he prepares for the survivors of the dying universe of Ano-Athox to colonize these new worlds….
Near the fallen Asgard, the Lady Sif finds Thor brooding and summons his to supervise the reconstruction as King Balder has made himself a recluse out of shame and guilt. Thor reveals the Sif that he has been thinking about his brother Loki, who sacrificed himself at the siege of Asgard (see SIEGE #4). The Thunder God recalls his brother as a boy, whose charm, cleverness, and playful nature caused Thor to love him—and so Thor storms off to Asgard, being scolded by his alter ego Don Blake for neglecting his beloved for the sake of a dramatic exit….
At the diner, Dr Solvang sort of reaches a point by revealing that nature abhors a vacuum and something will rush in to fill the space where Asgard used to be. Meanwhile, Jane Foster heads over to set up the medical office she will be sharing with Don Blake.
In Asgard, Thor finds Balder brooding in the throne room, blaming himself for the events that culminated in the destruction of the city. An angry Thor demands that he stop feeling sorry for himself and rise up to the task at hand. They are interrupted by a piercing scream from Heimdall—he has seen their death approaching….
At the diner, Dr Solvang, having used everything on the tables to try to model his theory, finally cuts to the bottom line and warns that something terrible is coming to destroy Asgard. His companion, finally revealed to be Volstagg, still doesn’t get it and is more interested in eating anyway….