The Seal Strikes Again! Hela Lands Face-First!

"That's absolutely impossible!"

Thor's eyes went wide, and he roared at the top of his lungs.

"What's impossible about it?"

Ren shook his head. "Asgard itself is the source of Hela's power. As long as Asgard exists, her divine power is endless."

"The only way to defeat her is to destroy all of Asgard."

"Even if the Ancient One went there herself, she wouldn't have the advantage on Hela's home turf."

Thor looked as though all the strength had been drained from him. He clutched his head in anguish.

"How could this happen..."

"No! I have to go back to Asgard!"

Thor sprang to his feet, grabbed Mjolnir, and made for the door.

"Sit down."

Ren gave a casual wave of his hand.

An immense, invisible force slammed down. Thor was pressed back into the sofa like a toy, unable to move.

"Is your brain made entirely of muscle?"

Ren rolled his eyes. "Odin nearly killed himself sending you two to Earth so you'd survive."

"On Earth, Kamar-Taj's defensive wards and the Sorcerer Supreme can protect you. Hela won't be able to get to you anytime soon."

"No! I won't be a coward! I'm going back to save my people!"

Eyes red, Thor roared and struggled against Ren's mental hold.

"Stop struggling. It's no use. Besides, you can't go back now."

Ren shook his head.

Then his eyebrows lifted slightly. He seemed to sense something, and an amused smile touched his lips.

"And you don't need to go back anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Thor and Loki both froze at Ren's sudden change of tune.

"Hela's here."

Ren stood and smoothed the creases in his clothes.

"She's reached Earth with her Death Legion."

"What?!"

Thor and Loki exchanged a look. Each saw the same deep horror in the other's eyes.