The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

Facing Laufey's rabid barking, Yang Le merely shrugged. It wasn't like he could do anything about it; the prisoner could only flap his gums.

“Jötunheim, Alfheim, Muspelheim,” Odin stroked his beard. “If it's a union of three realms, it will indeed be a bit troublesome, but it still can't contend with the Asgardian Allied Forces.”

“It seems the situation isn't too severe right now. Without you, the leader, the Frost Giants are just a rabble. With this Three Realms Alliance, Sweden is obvious. I can free myself up to deal with the Great Serpent.”

The more Odin spoke, the more feasible it seemed. He then said to Laufey, “Let's chat again after this event is over, old friend.”

Hearing Odin say this, it was clear he intended to imprison Laufey until the war ended. The latter immediately burst into laughter upon hearing Odin's words.

“Bang!”

Before Laufey could laugh a few times, Thor slammed his hammer into his face. With that hammer blow, a large amount of blue blood spurted out, splattering the prison cell.

“Hehe…” Laufey had few teeth left in his mouth, but he still revealed a triumphant expression.

“You think we wouldn't anticipate this? We'll meet on the battlefield, Odin.”

After speaking, Laufey's body suddenly trembled. Thor frowned, wanting to lean down to check what was wrong with him. In the next second, large ice crystals burst out from under Laufey's skin.

Seeing this, Thor rotated his divine hammer, shattering all the ice crystals. The whirlwind generated by the hammer formed a protective shield, also protecting Odin and the others behind him.

When everything settled, looking at Laufey, he was no longer human. Not to mention complete flesh and blood, even the bones were broken into several pieces. Countless ice crystals enveloped his remains in the center, looking like a work of art.

“He killed himself?” Thor frowned. “If he was going to kill himself, what did he mean by what he just said?”

“Clearly, Laufey's death isn't that simple,” Yang Le interjected. “Perhaps he doesn't think he will die.”

Thor asked, puzzled, “But, no matter how you look at it, he's not alive, right?”

Odin didn't join the conversation. He pondered for a while with an uncertain expression, finally letting out a breath of stale air.

“It's Hela. The moment Laufey died, his soul was immediately summoned away. The only person I can think of who can do this is her.”

The mistress of Hel, the Goddess of Death, Hela. Unlike Mephisto in Hell, Hela is more interested in the souls on the World Tree other than Earth, especially the souls of Odin and Thor.

Different from Hela in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hela in the comic universe is even stronger, so strong that even Thor in the comic universe cannot face her head-on, and even Odin has to give her some respect.

Hela in the comic universe is a real powerhouse who can influence the multiverse. If it's her, she can indeed directly snatch Laufey's soul, because this is her job in the first place.

In the comics, Hela even plundered Odin's soul. It can be said that as long as you are not alive, you have a natural disadvantage when facing Hela. Even Odin can't resist.

“Looks like we need to re-plan,” Odin sighed.

“I must leave first, everyone,” Yang Le suddenly announced his departure. “Now that all the Sky Hammers have landed on Earth, I need to go back and take a look to avoid any mistakes.”

“I'll go with you,” Thor hurriedly said. He felt that he might see Loki when he got to Earth. His mind was now filled with rescuing Loki.

“No, Thor, you can't go to Earth yet,” Odin shook his head, which drew Thor's confusion.

“Why?”

…

When Laufey regained consciousness, he had already left the dungeons of Asgard. What came into his eyes was a greyish-white expanse without end, filled with something familiar to him, like snow or ashes.

“Welcome back~”

Laufey turned his head and saw Malekith standing behind him. It seemed he had been resurrected.

“Congratulations, esteemed King of the Giants, your mission has succeeded beyond all of our expectations.”

“Looks like you all know,” Laufey snorted, scanning his allies around him. Sure enough, besides Malekith, who spoke to him at the beginning, and Hela, who helped him resurrect, even Sindr and the Angel Queen were present.

Of course, the Angel Queen was still in the glass ball, obviously not yet returned to the embrace of the World Tree.

“With such a big commotion in Midgard, it's hard not to notice,” Flame Queen Sindr sat casually on the hillside. “So you did something? How did the Great Serpent suddenly revive?”

While Laufey was moving his new body, he told everyone what had happened. To be honest, if it hadn't already happened, he would have found it hard to believe that such a coincidental thing could happen in the world.

Malekith couldn't help but hold his forehead after listening, but from the upturned corners of his mouth, it was not difficult to see that he should be happy at this time.

“If everything could be as unexpected as this, I wouldn't dislike this kind of chaotic plan at all.”

Hela couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth, and she rarely used a happy tone, saying, “Then we should change our strategy now. First, contact the Great Serpent. Our interests are consistent, and he shouldn't refuse our help.”

“If the Great Serpent is willing to cooperate with us, then we can follow my next plan,” Malekith said, attracting the attention of everyone present.

“Thor, we need to get rid of him.”

“Why?” Sindr looked puzzled. “Isn't it better to let him and the Great Serpent perish together?”

“Wrong, dear Queen,” Malekith wagged his index finger. “Remember what the prophecy said? Odin's child, the Crown Prince of Asgard, will kill the Great Serpent, and then he will die after taking nine steps.”

“So what?” Sindr frowned. “Why don't you just say it directly?”

“I'm just about to say it, don't be impatient, Queen,” Malekith bowed slightly. “The language only said that Odin's child would kill the Great Serpent, but it didn't directly say which child. This means that as long as Thor is not the Crown Prince of Asgard, then he can escape this curse.”

“I see,” Sindr suddenly realized. “You're afraid that Thor will escape because of this, aren't you?”

“Thor wouldn't do that,” Malekith shook his head. “I have to admit that he is a noble person, a person so noble that he disgusts me. He wouldn't do something like letting his brother die in his place in order to save his own life.”

“The reason I want you to kill Thor is because we need the person in the prophecy to be replaced.”