Deaths End

Hela screamed in agony. The power of the Jotun was immense and in her weakened state she was unable to resist it. The magics of the elf and the foul traitor Cali were stripping her of her power and binding her abilities. The inconceivable was happening. She was losing.

Caligari was slicing into her and too late Hela realised the danger as with a tearing motion the witch pulled her heart free.

Then Heimdall was there standing over her with Hofund reforged. No it was worse than that, that sword was forged drawing upon her own realm, using her own power. The spirit's within that blade called to her as she had once called to them. "No..." She whispered at first and then it grew to a scream as Hofund was raised above her head.

"Nooooooooooo." The world stopped. Frozen in time. She stood beside her body looking down at the scene. Her shattered form in the grip of the Jotun. Her soul already forming an unholy conduit with the witch Cali as she sank her teeth into the heart of death. Foolish child... and Heimdall the eternal watcher of Asgard bringing that terrifying sword down to damn her for all eternity.

"Well i am not an expert in these things sister, but I'll go out on a limb and say, you are fucked."

Hela turned to see her half brother standing there observing her demise with mild interest.

"What did you do?" She asked feeling suddenly calm now the moment was here.

"Jormungandr." Was all he said and suddenly she knew, she could feel his absence. The draw of removing such a great power from her realm and...

"Araghol, the bastard betrayed me."

"If it makes any difference, he feels really bad about it." Harlequin chuckled.

"What now?" Hela spat.

"Well that is up to you." He motioned toward the descending Hofund, "Oblivion, or..." he pointed at Cali and her morbid feast.

"You will not prevent me?" She asked.

"Me? Not at all. I have what I want and frankly all this was just a means to an end. I honestly thought you would wipe the floor with them, even with my interference."

"They are powerful." She spat.

"Yes." Harlequin agreed, suddenly unhappy, "Heimdall was unexpected." He chuckled, "but he is bound to this realm and will not trouble me."

"I did not speak of the Aesir only."

"No, no they are indeed powerful and they will need to be for what comes next."

"He will come for them." Hela said understanding Harlequins meaning, "He will hound them to the roots of Ysyggdarill and tear them limb from limb."

"I am counting on it." Harlequin winked and then with a snap of his fingers time rushed back in. The crushing weight of the Jotun, the eldritch pull of the witch and then... and then...

***
Heimdall drove Hufund down into Hela and tore her in two. Erik was thrown back by the sudden release of power as was Cali. Reality warped and the world flickered with sudden bright light and they found themselves once more in the paradise garden of Hel.

The queen herself a broken husk sitting in a spreading pool of black viscous blood.