Thor could hardly believe the scene before him. Hela gripped the head of Mjolnir, lightning coiling around it as though it were crying out in anguish.
The next instant, Mjolnir shattered.
Thor snapped out of his shock, his breathing growing rapid-not only from anger, but also from wariness of Hela's strength.
Loki felt the same. He glanced at Mjolnir's remains on the ground, then at Thor, tightening his grip on his knife.
Hela studied Thor's face, a cold smile curling her lips. "Did Odin give you that toy?"
"You must be Hela."
"I am Thor, Son of Odin."
Although Thor had thrown his hammer at Hela the moment they met, she had destroyed his weapon in return. That more or less made them even.
Thor thought that Hela was his elder sister, after all. Her temper might be bad, but that did not necessarily mean they could not talk. He decided to try communicating with her.
Hela raised an eyebrow. So this pathetically weak brat was her younger brother?
She waved her hand, shaking off the metallic dust, and glanced at the young man who had just fought her to a standstill. A second later, her gaze returned to Thor.
"Is that so? No wonder."
"You don't look much like him."
The sarcasm was rather subtle. At least, the thickheaded Thor failed to catch the implication in Hela's words.
But there were clever people present, too. Loki pressed his lips together.
"Perhaps we can discuss this."
Hela frowned. "You sound like him."
"Kneel."
(Kneel.)
Hela lifted her chin, paying the two of them no regard whatsoever. Those weaker than her had no right to speak to her as equals.
"What did you say?"
The question slipped out. Loki was so furious he almost laughed.
Watching from the side as Loki's