In no time at all, news that Asgard's God King had fallen into a coma spread throughout the Seven Realms.
Some speculated that Odin was on his last legs, and that someone else would soon take the throne of Asgard's God King.
Odin's prolonged absence from public view only lent credence to the news. Although most people remained on the sidelines, some forces that had once submitted to Odin began stirring. They all wanted a share of the spoils, and the only reason they had yet to act was that they lacked an opportunity to rise up.
It was only a matter of time before the peace of the Nine Realms shattered.
Compared to these outsiders and their uncertain conjectures, one person probably understood just how dire Odin's condition was better than even Frigga, who never left his side.
Someone had once said that besides your loved ones, the people who best understood your strength were your opponents.
And this person happened to be both.
She was the Death Goddess-Hela, the woman Odin used his own life to keep restrained.
She was also his eldest daughter.
Back then, Hela had accompanied Odin on his campaigns across the universe. She was a born warrior, exceptionally powerful and ruthless in battle. Even Thor as he was now fell short of her.
Yet once Odin had quelled the wars in the Nine Realms, he discovered that Hela was not satisfied.
Her thirst for violence swelled beyond even Odin's control.
Hela drew power from Asgard, growing stronger with every second she spent there.
Unable to stop her, Odin imprisoned her instead, using his own life to power the shackles that bound her.
Now, with his end approaching, Odin no longer had the strength to hold Hela back.
Green shadows swarmed within the black mist