They don't expect that the battle will be done in less than a month and they don't expect their side to win. In fact, they are already betting on how many people will survive the Heavenly Battlefield.
None of the soldiers knew that they were most likely being sent to their deaths. But even if they knew, there would be some people who still wouldn't be willing to give up. Loki and one other person are people who would be willing to give up after coming so close to their goal.
On Loki's side, his vision disappeared for a brief moment as he was transported into the small world. When he regained his vision, he found himself in a desert.
As far as he could see, there was golden sand and rolling dunes. There was a sandstorm rolling across the desert.
There was no plant or animal in sight. There was only sand and more sand. But Loki wasn't fooled into believing that this desert was barren and lifeless.
