Story continued from THE MIGHTY THOR #20
Under Muspelhiem, Thor is being dragged down to the bottom of the fiery river which is the essence of Surtur himself. The Thunder God hates Loki for his latest betrayal and hates himself for being a fool. As he goes downward to his doom, he prays….
As Asgardia is under siege by her enemies, Hogun and Fandral confront Volstagg (now King) about his collaboration with Loki. The mighty warrior refuses to be judged and demands that they obey him as their king, hoping to delay the destruction of their land as long as possible. The despondent Volstagg visits the imprisoned All-Mother who offer encouragement in the face of almost certain disaster….
In Hel, Loki, having stolen the shadow of Surtur’s sword Twilight, is being tracked by the vicious Hel-Wolf; his dog Thori, son of the Hel-Wolf, offers to lead the monster on a false path while Loki escapes through the caves. But Hela, Queen of the realm, dispatches her female warriors to prevent his entrance. Suddenly Loki is seized by the Hel-Wolf, having been betrayed by Thori. Garm (Thori’s mother) arrives with Hela’s warriors and attacks her former mate. The warriors seize Loki and take him before their Queen. She grants his request to be sent back a year so he can rewrite the story one more time. He now provides a more welcome fate for Leah who becomes aware of it in Muspelheim and unleashes her power on Surtur. The Fire Demon lashes back in fury and Loki aids Leah in fleeing to a cave where he confesses that he chose to save her before the Nine Realms. Surtur tears the cave walls apart….
Thor finally makes an end of his trial; he finds himself in Hel, Land of the Dead. Hela greets him…and announces she is emptying Hel to provide a deathless army for him to lead. Among them are Kelda and Bill Junior with the host of Valhalla, ready to follow the Thunder God….
Story continues in THE MIGHTY THOR #21