Russell watched confusion and unease churn in Thor's eyes, turned gold by Rune Power, and fell silent for a moment.
He lowered his gaze and let out a quiet breath, but did not tell Thor about Hela directly.
"About your father's eldest child," Russell began, his voice much gentler than before, its usual lazy drawl gone.
"I don't think I should be the one to tell you. Your father, Odin, is the God King of the Nine Realms. He's buried this secret for years, and he should choose when and how to speak of it himself.
"I may know a lot, but I'm clearly not here to give the Asgardian royal family counseling."
Thor's frown remained. He opened his mouth as though to press further, but Russell raised a hand and rested it lightly on his shoulder.
"Ask Odin yourself. I'd suggest you and Loki hear it from him together. Hearing a truth from someone else and hearing it from your father are two very different things. Don't let me take that right away from him."
Thor studied Russell for a long while. At last, the searching unease in his eyes gave way to a deeper understanding.
He slowly took his hand off the Necrosword's hilt and nodded, his voice low.
"You're right. This... really should come from Father."
Russell patted his shoulder, as if to say, That's more like it.
"Come on. Let's head back to Earth. Your old man should still be visiting Peter Parker's place, so we can find him there.
"You ask, and let him tell you. I'll just listen. Maybe have a beer, if there's any around."
Then two golden points of light rose from the World Tree's branches and streaked across the sky of the Nine Realms, which was gradually settling back into calm.