Hearing Hela on the other end of the phone laughing so hard she could barely breathe, Alvin hung up and glared at the sky.
Just five seconds later, Heimdall's voice sounded in Alvin's ear.
After a long, deeply helpless sigh, Heimdall, the elevator guard, said wearily, "Mr. Battleaxe, you're a warrior too. You should understand that when faced with a trial, a warrior must face it.
"The trial grounds established by the 'Predators' are the standard by which warriors are made, and the most solemn ritual in the universe.
"Although those 'Predators' are cruel, their rules are universally accepted.
"Your friends are facing a challenge. Interrupting it would be disrespectful to the warriors!
"Breaking the rules of the trial would be disrespectful to everyone!"
Alvin paused in surprise, then asked, "Did John Wick and Rocket enter of their own free will?
"By your logic, if someone wandered in by mistake, would he still have to risk his life for the title of 'warrior'?"
Heimdall clearly knew a great deal. He sighed and said, "Few people wander in by mistake, apart from sacrifices. And it's unheard of for a challenger to die before waking up.
"Alvin, I can use the Bifrost to force my way in and send you there, but the moment the Bifrost triggers the Pyramid's defenses, it will activate its self-destruct.
"And I absolutely will not use the Bifrost to bring anyone out. If someone 'runs away' before the trial is over, the Pyramid will leave the 'Failure Mark' on them.
"You might not feel its effects, but when you face other species in the universe, you'll understand what a torment that mark is. No one will look a 'failure' in the eye.
"The 'Predators'—or 'Yautja,' as they're also called—are hated by all life in the universe because