A few days later, Hela finally succeeded in establishing a connection with the ice world. However, she realized that it was only a temporary connection and she needed a key to establish a permanent one with the world of giants. Despite all her research, she couldn't figure out how to recreate the second key she needed, similar to what she had done in Midgard.
Nevertheless, it didn't matter for now. What mattered was that she had managed to capture a couple of souls of ice giants. With utmost care, she began extracting their egos and delving into their memories. She exercised ten times more caution than she did with mortal souls, considering several reasons, most notably the age of the ice giant souls. The ice giants, like the Aesir, had lived for millennia, resulting in vast memories and resilient egos.
After hours of meticulous work, she successfully obtained the ice giant's most recent memories, which brought her great satisfaction.
"Heh, Odin, luck isn't on your side, is it? You invited so many guests and foreign visitors, but just when the most crucial moment arrived, the enemy army came and ruined everything. Hehe."
Hela took immense pleasure in her father's troubles. However, she knew she wouldn't be able to relish it for long. Through the memories of the ice giant, she could see that the Asgardian army had recovered considerably. They hadn't reached the level where she led them into battle, but it was enough for her to predict the imminent defeat of the ice giants.
"No matter, I have everything prepared, and I'll be able to leave this place soon."
She signaled her servants to begin their preparations while she sat down and waited for the passage to open.
Midgard.
In the heart of a vast cemetery stood a magnificent temple, constructed from black stone adorned with intricate carvings and golden runes. Inside, a 5-meter statue of the Goddess of Death commanded attention. However, it lacked an accurate representation of Hela's features, including her breast size, though such details were inconsequential at the moment.
Beneath the statue, a massive ritual circle was painted on the floor, an incredibly intricate and advanced design that would baffle even the most knowledgeable sorcerers and wizards. Yet, no one could precisely discern the purpose of the ritual.
To bring forth the goddess from the realm of the dead, a special ritual was required—one that would breach Midgard's protection against dimensional lords and conceal the resulting rift so that only Hela could utilize it.
After the descent of the Goddess, the rift had to be sealed shut to prevent anyone else from exploiting the open passage. The ritual demanded an immense amount of death energy, and thus, it was conducted within a vast cemetery where the air was saturated with deadly energy that would claim the life of any mortal who stayed there for more than a few days.
Figures clad in black robes began to enter the room, their pale and ashen complexion visible beneath the fabric. Their bodies appeared well-built with defined muscles.
Each person took their designated position and initiated a long incantation. Utilizing their death energy, they summoned and inscribed death runes, securing them for the subsequent steps of the ritual. The most crucial servant unsheathed a beautifully wicked black blade known as the Necrosword, which had not only fully regenerated but also grown stronger.
Placing the sword at the center of the ritual circle, they continued their chants, fueling the ritual with death energy gathered from all corners of the cemetery, not just their own.
As the chant grew louder and more intense, the air inside the temple seemed to thicken with the weight of death. The gathered servants poured their collective energy into the ritual, drawing upon the potent aura of the cemetery itself. Wisps of dark energy swirled around them, intertwining with the intricate runes inscribed on the floor.
The necrosword, resonating with the dark energy in the room, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Its black blade gleamed with an otherworldly sheen as if hungering for the impending release of the Goddess of Death.
As the chants reached their crescendo, a vortex of shadows formed within the center of the ritual circle. Swirling tendrils of darkness stretched and twisted, gradually expanding to reveal a tear in the fabric of reality. The gap shimmered with an eerie glow, a gateway between the realms of the living and the dead.
Hela's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she prepared to step through the rift. This was the culmination of her ambitions, the moment she had been patiently waiting for. She would unleash chaos and claim her rightful place as the ruler of the realms.
With a final surge of energy, the servants channeled their collective might, propelling Hela's essence through the rift. As she passed through the veil, a surge of power coursed through her being, invigorating her with newfound strength.
In an instant, she emerged on the other side, standing in the realm of the living, but forever connected to the realm of the dead. The rift sealed behind her, concealing its existence from prying eyes.
Hela surveyed the gathering of mortals before her with great satisfaction. While they may not have possessed the strength of Asgard's finest warriors, they showed promise as young trainees. Moreover, she sensed a budding potential within them that, given a few hundred years, could enable them to replace some of the strongest fighters from her previous army.
As the cultists simultaneously knelt before her, Hela's presence commanded their reverence. "I greet you, Goddess of Death, in the realm of the living. I hope our performance has pleased you," they chanted in unison.
Hela nodded approvingly and responded, "You have done well. Rise. We have much ahead of us, and I have no patience for meaningless gestures."
Hela relished the sight of her enemies falling to their knees, but she did not demand eternal subservience from her trusted subordinates. She understood that time spent bowing could be better utilized for training and killing. She preferred her warriors to demonstrate their loyalty through their prowess on the battlefield, killing in her name.
"Very well, let us proceed to my new abode, where I shall outline our next course of action."
With a wave of her hand, Hela beckoned her followers to follow her as she departed from the temple. As she emerged, a multitude of portals opened before her, and sorcerers, prepared for battle, rushed forth.
Among them stood the leader of the sorcerers, a formidable figure wielding an immensely powerful artifact, his gaze defiant as it met Hela's.
"Hmm, it seems you have chosen to welcome your queen's arrival," Hela remarked with a hint of amusement. "In recognition of your boldness, I shall grant you a swift death."
Summoning her swords, Hela prepared for the impending battle, her loyal subjects mirroring her resolve. The stage was set for a fierce life-and-death confrontation, and Hela was eager to demonstrate her unparalleled might.