"Thor," Odin's voice was heavy, like thunder restrained behind clouds. "You and Loki are both my sons. I've never loved one more than the other. But Loki's death... that cannot be blamed solely on Ryuuto. Loki made his own choices. As for you—how many times have I told you not to seek revenge? Yet you defy me at every turn. If I hadn't intervened today, you would already be dead."
"Father!" Thor snapped, voice trembling with frustration. "You told me to respect the souls of the dead—then why didn't you see it? That man, Ryuuto, dragged Loki's soul out of the underworld and bound it inside his corpse! He forced my brother's body to fight, even when Loki's soul was repenting! He's twisted, cruel—and if you stand by doing nothing, he'll bring his wrath to Asgard next!"
Odin's eyes flickered with stormlight. "He does not have that power."
Thor slammed his remaining fist against his chest. "Didn't you see what he did? He's no mere mutant! His abilities go far beyond any human—beyond any god! He's a demon wearing mortal skin!"
Odin's gaze narrowed. "...Are you certain? You said he summoned Loki's soul from the realm of the dead?"
"I swear it."
The Allfather's tone hardened. "Then I must go to the Kingdom of Death myself. I will speak with Hela."
"Then you believe me?"
"I believe enough to check. Go. Rest your wounds—your mother will tend to you."
Thor hesitated but obeyed, storming off with bitterness still smoldering in his eyes.
Once he was gone, Odin raised his spear—the Eternal Spear, Gungnir—and called out, "Heimdall. Open the Bifrost. Destination: the Kingdom of Death."
A shimmering vortex burst open, swallowing the Allfather in its cold light.
The Kingdom of Death—Niflheim—was a realm buried in eternal frost, ruled by Hela, the Queen of the Underworld. It was one of the Nine Realms, where light never reached and only the dead could freely roam.
A bone-chilling wind howled as Odin stepped through the gate, arriving before the frost-shrouded gates of Yukino Palace, Hela's throne hall. Every surface was pale as bone, draped in endless snow. Faint wails of lost souls echoed between the icicles.
Brushing frost from his armor, Odin strode inside, his spear gleaming like captured lightning. The silence was suffocating—no guards, no spirits. Only her.
Seated atop a throne carved from obsidian and bone, Hela, the Underworld Queen, held a wine goblet fashioned from a skull. Her long, dark hair spilled over her shoulders like liquid night. She took a languid sip and smiled faintly, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Well, well," she purred, setting down the skull. "What wind brings the Allfather himself to my lonely halls?"
"Don't play coy," Odin's voice thundered. "Tell me—did you sell souls to a mortal?"
Hela sighed, rolling her eyes. "Odin, you visit once every few millennia, and this is how you greet me? Not even a hello?" Her tone dipped cold. "I spend my eternity in this frozen wasteland, surrounded by the dead. You think I wouldn't crave conversation? But no—you come here waving your spear and accusations. Tch." Her eyes flashed. "Don't forget—this is my realm. Even the so-called God of Gods has no right to dictate here."
Her voice rose sharp as steel, echoing through the icy palace. The air itself seemed to flinch.
But Odin didn't move. His spear stayed grounded, steady. "I'll ask again. Did you give a human dominion over the dead?"
Hela chuckled, swirling the blood-red liquid in her cup. "As flattering as that sounds, no. I've done nothing so boring."
"Then explain this," Odin said. "Someone has summoned the souls of the dead back to Midgard."
"Impossible," she hissed. "Once a soul crosses into my realm, it cannot return—unless I will it."
"That's exactly why I'm here."
Her expression cooled. "Then show me proof."
"Check for Loki. My second son."
Hela smirked. "Loki… yes. He arrived here some time ago. I offered him a place among my generals, but he refused. So I put him to work—a punishment fit for a prince." Her grin widened. "He should still be toiling somewhere in the Frozen Plains."
"He's not," Odin said grimly. "His soul has been taken. He's walking Midgard again, bound to the mortal Ryuuto."
For the first time, Hela faltered. "...What?"
"See for yourself."
Closing her eyes, Hela extended her senses—her will rippled through the underworld like a tide of shadows. Seconds later, her eyes shot open, burning with fury.
"Impossible!" she roared. "Loki's soul is gone! No one—NO ONE—can break my dominion! Not without my consent!"
"So Thor spoke truth," Odin murmured. "The mortal—Ryuuto—did summon him. That should be beyond any living being's reach… unless someone here allowed it."
Hela slammed her goblet into the floor, shattering it. "You dare accuse me?!"
Odin's aura flared, divine light cutting through the shadows. "Yes, I do! To pull souls from the afterlife is blasphemy! You are the warden of this realm—if you've grown negligent, then you have failed your duty!"
The air around them cracked with tension—divine fire clashing with deathly frost.