At the hospital Thor donates blood to the injured and
weakened Hogun; when they are up an about, Hogun hides the Mark of Death Seth
branded him with, instead telling him about the imminent threat to Asgard….
Seth, informed that Thor is ready to enter the battle, does
not worry as he has an invincible ultimate weapon to conquer all planes of
reality—and it appears to be person trapped inside a large bubble (revelation in
#398)….
The Earth Force (Earth Lord, Skyhawk, Wind Warrior) returns
to the hospital, offering to join forces with Thor against Seth who had deceived
them. The Thunder God accepts their aid….
In Asgard, Sif has heard of Balder’s plan to strip Thor of
his godly powers to use in defense of the realm and she begs him not to. Balder
insists it will be necessary….
Thor borrows a Quinjet from the Avengers, with Black Knight
going along as pilot and they all head to the Vault, the prison for superhuman
baddies. They ask to see Grog the God-Crusher ostensibly to question him about
Seth’s invasion plans. When his power dampener is turned off, Grog opens a
portal to escape and the others follow, as that was Thor’s real plan. They land
in the Dimension of Death, outside of a huge Black Pyramid, surrounded by the
Death Legions of Seth. Thor leads the battle against overwhelming odds, though Wind
Warrior panics and flees….
Seth leads his massive battle armada though the portals against
Asgard; Balder orders that the Celestial Siphon be activated. It drains Thor’s
power (leading to his nearly being crushed by a massive pillar) and transfers
it to Balder. Balder then mounts his steed to lead the defenders against the enemy,
with Volstagg, Sif, Fandral, and Heimdall at the front of the troops….
Outside the Black Pyramid, Grog beats the now powerless Thor
to the ground and takes Mjolnir away from him. The Death Legions rally and take
Thor and his party prisoners….