-Broadcast-
Skurge cautiously approached the devastated plaza. Hela's power had exceeded his wildest expectations.
"Oh! I genuinely miss this exhilarating feeling! But it's so tragic! Brave soldiers perished needlessly! All because of their narrow-minded resistance! So deeply saddening!"
Skurge observed Hela, who spread her arms wide and appeared to relish the carnage she had wrought.
"Oh! Look there, one still draws breath!"
Hela gazed at Hogun, who was struggling to rise, and felt surprised that someone had survived her devastating assault. Hogun, covered in grievous wounds, stumbled to his feet and lurched toward Hela with determination.
Hela smiled with cruel amusement, "Have you reconsidered your position?"
Hogun's face contorted with pure rage, "Return to your accursed realm! You evil demon!!"
He withdrew a dagger from his belt, preparing to engage Hela in final combat. Hela laughed with bitter anger. She hadn't expected these people to demonstrate such fearlessness and continue resisting her even after witnessing such overwhelming defeat. She projected a massive sword of midnight, pinning Hogun to the ground with lightning speed.
Observing Hogun, who died with eyes wide in defiance, Skurge felt profound emotion. If he hadn't demonstrated such pragmatic wisdom, he would have been among those corpses littering the ground.
"Come and behold my palace!"
Skurge silently closed his eyes and followed Hela. He possessed no alternatives at this moment!
The scene transitioned to a boat moored at the edge of a cliff amid surging waves. A cloaked figure was scaling the rocky precipice. The camera slowly ascended, revealing the Rainbow Bridge control console. The mysterious individual approached the control mechanism, withdrew the great sword still embedded in the center of the console, and departed with it.
-Real World-
Thor was preparing to leave when he witnessed this scene, prompting him to ask Heimdall: "Who do you believe this mysterious figure is?"
Heimdall responded calmly: "Me."
Thor remained stunned for a moment.
Heimdall repeated: "It's me! That ship belongs to me! Only I possess such intimate knowledge of this location!"
"Very well! It appears you have been monitoring Asgard's affairs! Excellent!" Thor patted his shoulder and departed from the Rainbow Bridge.
Heimdall watched his receding form, turned his head toward Earth. He also possessed no knowledge about Hela!
Skurge, who had been beaten earlier, looked at Sif and the other Warriors Three who had departed and returned, wearing an expression of bitter resignation.
In the dungeon, Loki observed Skurge with interest as he was thrown into the cell opposite him, displaying obvious gloating satisfaction.
-Broadcast-
In the darkness, illumination activated, revealing Thor's face. Thor, who had been electrocuted unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes and discovered himself secured to a moving chair.
A female voice echoed nearby: "Do not fear! We have found you! This is your home! You will never return! No one has ever departed here!"
Thor struggled to break free from the restraints binding him, but regardless of his efforts, the shackles on the chair remained immovable.
"But where is this place? This is Sakaar!"
The chair transported Thor into a space filled with holographic projections, with numerous planets materializing around him. The female voice provided an explanation: "This place is surrounded by cosmic pathways! It exists at the border between known and unknown universes! Here gathers everything discarded and despised! Like you!"
"But on Sakaar, you possess tremendous significance! You are invaluable! Here you will experience genuine love and care!"
Thor's eyes widened as he observed a star core appearing at the track's terminus. He crashed directly into it. After he passed through, he realized it was merely a projection. He muttered to himself: "What in the nine realms is this?"
The female voice ignored Thor's reaction and continued: "No one will care for you more than the Grandmaster! He is the Founder! The first to be lost and the first to be discovered!"
Thor turned his head sideways and observed a man's figure projected onto the screen, followed by various structures on Sakaar, including the tower where he was currently located.
"He is the founder of Sakaar! The creator of the Contest of Champions! You may have been insignificant previously, but now you are everything! Everything you possess belongs to the Grandmaster!"
The arena was projected, and the initial image showed the Bi-Beast defeating opponents and claiming the championship!
"Congratulations! You will meet the Grandmaster in five seconds! Prepare yourself! You are about to encounter the Grandmaster!"
Then, various lights began flashing continuously around Thor, creating the illusion of moving at tremendous velocity. Under this intense sensory assault, Thor couldn't suppress his roar of frustration.
The scene shifted, revealing him seated in the chair, having traveled nowhere. He was surrounded by soldiers wearing armor of various colors, making it clear that everything previous had been a mere illusion! Thor finally regained his bearings. He glanced around before focusing his attention on the man positioned before him.
The Grandmaster regarded Thor and hummed softly twice, appearing extremely satisfied. "Magnificent! Is he male?"
Valkyrie nodded confirmation: "He should be!"
"Yes! Number 142, I am always delighted whenever you visit! You consistently bring the finest specimens! Without exception!" He turned to regard the other imposing woman beside him. "Topaz! We need to discuss number 142... How did I phrase it? She is... I always use the word 'finest' to describe her!"
Topaz stated: "Trash."
The Grandmaster's expression froze momentarily: "No! Not trash! Are you deliberately insulting her? And that wasn't even the beginning!"
Topaz looked at Valkyrie and said calmly: "Drunkard."
She narrowed her eyes but maintained her composure.
The Grandmaster looked at Valkyrie with an apologetic expression: "I sincerely apologize, it's finest! I meant finest! I have always declared you're the finest! She's the one who brought me my favorite champion! You understand that!" He directed the last sentence toward Topaz.
Topaz blinked, her expression remaining cold: "You say identical things every time she arrives."
The Grandmaster decided to abandon this topic. "What have you brought me today? Let me examine!"
Valkyrie smiled and declared: "Future champion!"
Thor looked at them discussing him with bewilderment: "What?"
The Grandmaster nodded enthusiastically: "I need to approach closer! I want to examine more carefully! Can you move me closer? Thank you!"