Hela stood silent for a moment, then broke into a fit of wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Odin… you've truly changed so little. Still as hypocritical as ever! And look at you now—you're so far gone that even your son is more promising than you!"
Turning back to Thor, she gave him a long, calculating look. His views were not exactly aligned with hers, but there was enough similarity to make him seem a little more respectable in her eyes.
She spoke slowly, voice laced with bitterness. "I am Hela, Odin's firstborn, commander of Asgard's legions, rightful heir to the throne. I am the goddess of death. Once, we were the universe's symbol of power, an authority that no one dared challenge. But Odin limited our reach to the Nine Realms."
"Our destiny was to rule over all!"
She grew more impassioned with each word.
"We were invincible, bringing glory to Asgard by conquest. World after world bowed before us."
"But then, when my ambition grew beyond Odin's, he cast me out. Banished, imprisoned, shut away like a beast. Before he changed his mind, Asgard's warriors laid down their lives for a throne built on glory and conquest. Now, he's content to play the benevolent king, while I rot in his forgotten past."
Thor listened quietly, understanding her resentment. Hela's fury and sense of betrayal were understandable. Like her, Odin had once been a relentless conqueror, but somewhere along the way, he'd grown weary of bloodshed and turned to a new path. Unfortunately, he had left Hela—who had followed his original teachings—cast aside, leaving her to dwell in her bitterness.
Thor also had another reason for appealing to Hela. If he could win her over or at least come to some mutual understanding, Asgard would be stronger for it when Thanos came. In the original timeline, Asgard was at its weakest after Ragnarök, with its army nearly decimated by Hela.
A newly awakened Thor, Loki coming with fighter from Sakaar, Valkyrie, and Heimdall had been all that stood between Asgard and ruin. But with Hela's strength on their side, that future might change.
Suddenly, Thor felt a powerful surge ripple through his body. The thunderous energy burst forth, illuminating the dark space around them in bright flashes of lightning.
"Sister, you—" Thor looked at Hela, stunned. She had broken Odin's seal on him.
Hela met his gaze, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Consider it a reward."
Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the mission—Facing Death. Reward: Death Resistance. Upon death, time will reverse for a brief period (no more than 15 minutes), allowing you to retain memory. Extremely powerful enemies may detect this effect.
Thor almost couldn't believe it. Hela's mission reward was formidable—he now had a "death resistance" that essentially allowed him to negotiate with beings like Dormammu if needed.
The mission completion also signaled that Hela had spared his life, at least for the time being.
"Sister, I need to go now. Odin's seal wasn't specifically meant for me, so I have a way to leave," he said, bidding her farewell.
Thor pulled out the Space Stone coupon, using it to open a shimmering portal in the air. Odin's seal, triggered by Hela's death aura, would regenerate wherever she teleported, preventing her from leaving. He couldn't risk letting her out just yet—it would only lead to a confrontation with Odin that Asgard was not prepared for.
Hela said nothing, merely watching him. She didn't try to stop him either.
Just as Thor stepped through the portal, he glanced back and called, "When I inherit the throne, I'll lift your seal and restore your honor in Asgard."
Hela was left standing in silence. For a moment, her gaze softened, but then a cold smile spread across her face. "Inherit the throne? If you're willing to accept my challenge, I won't hold back!"
Thor wasn't as skilled at wielding the Space Stone as Thanos, and he realized this as the teleportation process spun him wildly. When he finally landed, he found himself facing a group of heavily armed soldiers.
The creatures in front of him were unmistakable—the Chitauri.