Three days had passed since Vidar and Hela explored the vaults. In that time, Asgard had begun to change in visible ways.
Hela had reorganized the royal guard, implementing more rigorous training. Warriors who had grown complacent under Odin's long reign of peace now sweated and bled in the training fields.
Vidar, for his part, had been reinforcing the seals on the Tesseract and cataloging the artifacts in the vaults. But he knew they couldn't remain locked away in Asgard forever.
The Nine Realms needed to know that power had changed hands.
"Are you sure about this?" Hela asked as they walked toward the Bifrost. She wore her full armor—black with green accents, with her characteristic horned headdress extending dramatically from her head. "Some of those realms aren't going to be happy to see us."
"Especially to see you," Vidar replied with a touch of dry humor. He was also wearing armor, though his was simpler—golden with white details, designed more for mobility than intimidation.
Hela laughed darkly.
"True. I killed many of their ancestors."
"That's why I'm going with you," Vidar said. "To make sure you don't kill their descendants."
They arrived at the Bifrost, where Heimdall waited at his usual post. The guardian observed them with his all-seeing golden eyes.
"My Lord Vidar. My Lady Hela," he greeted with a bow of his head. "Which realm shall I take you to first?"
"Vanaheim," Vidar replied. "The Vanir are warriors. They respect strength. It will be the easiest place to start."
Heimdall stepped forward and inserted his sword into the Bifrost mechanism. The bridge began to rotate, rainbow energy flowing through it.
"May the Nine Realms receive you well," Heimdall said, though his tone suggested he doubted that would happen.
The Bifrost activated, and in a flash of light, Vidar and Hela disappeared.
VANAHEIM
They landed on an ancient stone platform, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains. Vanaheim was a realm of wild nature and even wilder warriors.
A group of Vanir soldiers awaited them, spears in hand. Their leader, a tall woman in leather and metal armor, stepped forward.
"Vidar Odinson. Hela Odinsdottir," she said in a strong voice. "Queen Alvilda awaits you in the war hall."
It wasn't exactly a warm welcome, but it wasn't hostile either. The Vanir at least respected protocol.
They escorted them through a village built among giant trees. The structures were a mix of wood and stone, with hanging bridges connecting different levels.
The war hall was a massive building of wood carved with battle runes. Inside, seated on an oak throne, was Queen Alvilda—a middle-aged woman with battle scars and a presence that filled the room.
"So the rumors are true," she said without preamble. "Odin has fallen. The Odinforce has a new owner. And Hela, the Forgotten Conqueror, has returned."
She rose from her throne, studying them with the eyes of a seasoned warrior.
"And now what? Have you come to demand tribute? To renew our 'forced alliance' with Asgard?"
Vidar stepped forward.
"No. We've come to offer you freedom."
Silence fell over the hall.
Alvilda raised an eyebrow.
"Freedom?"
"Vanaheim has been under the protection—and control—of Asgard for millennia," Vidar said. "That ends now. You may choose to ally with Asgard as equals, or walk your own path. The choice is yours."
The Vanir warriors murmured among themselves, surprised.
Alvilda studied him for a long moment, then looked at Hela.
"And you? The Goddess of Death who conquered half the universe—do you agree with this?"
Hela smiled, but it wasn't her usual predatory smile. It was more… genuine.
"Let's just say I'm learning there's more than one way to wield power."
Alvilda considered this, then stepped forward slowly.
"Very well. But the Vanir do not accept empty words. If Asgard wants our alliance as equals…" her eyes gleamed with challenge, "then prove it. Hela Odinsdottir, they say you were the most fearsome warrior of Asgard. Prove it."
Hela smiled broadly.
"A duel?"
"My best warrior against you. If you win, Vanaheim will ally with Asgard. As equals."
Hela glanced at Vidar, who gave a slight nod. It was exactly the kind of test he had anticipated.
"I accept."
The duel took place in a circular arena surrounded by Vanir warriors who shouted and cheered. Alvilda's champion was a massive man named Bjorn, with scars covering his arms and a war axe that looked like it weighed as much as an average person.
Hela entered the arena with no visible weapons, prompting murmurs of confusion.
"No weapons?" Bjorn asked with a mocking smile.
Hela raised her hands, and out of nothing, two black swords materialized.
"I always carry weapons."
The duel was spectacular. Bjorn was strong and experienced, his blows powerful enough to split stone. But Hela was pure speed and precision. She danced around his attacks, her black swords blocking the axe and counterattacking with strikes that left red lines across Bjorn's armor.
Vidar watched from the edge of the arena, analyzing not only the fight but the reactions of the Vanir. He could see respect growing in their eyes. The Vanir valued combat skill above all else, and Hela was proving it in abundance.
Finally, after several minutes of intense combat, Hela disarmed Bjorn with a fluid motion and placed the tip of her sword at his throat.
Silence fell over the arena.
Then Hela lowered her sword and extended her hand to help Bjorn to his feet.
The Vanir warrior looked at her in surprise, then took her hand with a smile.
"You're as good as the legends say," he said with respect.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Alvilda approached the arena, a smile of approval on her face.
"Very well, Vidar Odinson, Hela Odinsdottir. Vanaheim accepts your alliance. As equals."
END OF THE CHAPTER