Marvel: NIHILITY

The night stretched on as Hela rode alongside the Dijiang, the wind whipping through her dark hair. She had long lost track of time as they traversed the rough terrain, her mind swirling with the possibilities of what lay ahead.

Her thoughts, filled with vengeance against Odin and Wen Wu, had been momentarily interrupted by the creature's cryptic words. Yet, it was clear she was heading somewhere important, and perhaps these people would offer her the chance to finally get back what was rightfully hers—her helmet, her power, her throne.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Dijiang slowed, guiding the horses to a stop at the edge of an impossibly dense bamboo forest. The trees were so tall, their trunks thick and twisted in ways that defied nature. Their leaves shimmered faintly in the moonlight, as if alive with an energy all their own. There was something ancient and powerful here, something Hela could sense down to her very bones.

The Dijiang trotted forward, its paws lightly tapping against the ground, before turning back to Hela with a sharp chirp. Without hesitation, it darted toward the forest, and Hela, with her curiosity piqued, followed. As she approached the dense thicket of bamboo, the trees suddenly parted before her, creating a path wide enough for her horse to pass through.

Hela raised an eyebrow, impressed by the forest's magic. "Impressive," she muttered, but before she could fully process what had just occurred, the trees behind her began to shift and close with alarming speed. The forest seemed to react to her presence, as though it didn't want her here. Panic flashed in her chest as she spurred her horse forward, urging it faster.

The path ahead was narrow, and the bamboo stalks, now closing rapidly behind her, seemed to shift with every stride. Hela pushed forward with all her strength, weaving through the trees as they creaked and groaned, trying to close in on her. The sound of branches scraping against each other was deafening, and Hela could hear the distant hiss of the wind growing more forceful.

"Dammit," she growled, her heart pounding in her chest.

Her horse galloped faster, the ground beneath them uneven and rocky, but the bamboo was relentless, closing in tighter and tighter. She barely managed to dodge a thick trunk that swung toward her, the sound of it slamming shut against the path almost sending her flying from the saddle. The trees seemed to move with purpose, as if they had been waiting for an intruder like her.

With a final burst of speed, Hela raced through the narrowing path, her body tensing as she felt the closing walls of bamboo grazing her shoulders. She forced herself to ride faster, her horse galloping with a frantic energy until, at last, she broke free of the forest.

She emerged on the outskirts of a village—a place where the magic in the air seemed to hum with power. But there was no time to catch her breath.

A sudden, violent force struck her in the chest, sending her flying from her horse. She barely managed to twist in mid-air, landing on her feet in a crouch. Before her stood a woman, her eyes glowing with an unnatural green light, and her body surrounded by tendrils of twisting vines. The woman raised her hand, and the plants obeyed her command, lashing out at Hela, who barely managed to dodge.

"You've entered the land of Ta Lo," the woman said, her voice like the rustling of leaves in the wind. "And you will not leave until we understand what your intentions are."

Hela was on her feet instantly, her hands glowing with dark power as she prepared for a fight. But before she could launch an attack, she was enveloped in vines, binding her arms and legs in an unyielding grip. The woman watched her struggle, her expression unreadable.

"You're far from home Asgardian," the woman said, her eyes narrowing. "And you're not in control here."

Hela sneered. "Do you really think you can stop me?"

The woman's lips curved into a small smile. "I don't need to stop you, just to hold you long enough for our elders to decide what to do with you."

With a sharp motion of her hand, the vines pulled Hela to the ground, her limbs pinned against the earth. Darkness clouded her vision, and the world around her began to fade. The last thing she remembered before losing consciousness was the woman's voice, soft but commanding.

"You will not find peace here, goddess of death."

When Hela awoke, she found herself in a large stone chamber, her arms free but her body aching. Her gaze moved around the room, finding an assembly of villagers seated in a semicircle. They were all watching her intently, their faces a mixture of curiosity and caution. The woman who had attacked her was standing in front of them, arms crossed and eyes fixed on Hela.

"I am Jiayi," the woman said, her tone firm yet not unkind. "And you have entered Ta Lo, a place of protection for the people of Earth against the Underworld's threats."

Hela's brows furrowed. "Protection? Against the Underworld?"

Jiayi nodded. "We have been guarding the boundaries between realms for centuries. Ta Lo is a sanctuary for those who seek refuge from the darkness of the world beyond. I am surprised to see someone like you here—one so tied to the Underworld."

Hela's lips curled into a half-smile, though the words stung more than she cared to admit. "I'm not here to cause you trouble, Jiayi," she said, her voice low and cold. "I'm here because I want to take down two people—Wenwu and Odin. And I'm willing to make allies of the Underworld if that's what it takes."

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, but Jiayi did not flinch. Instead, she studied Hela carefully. "You believe darkness can be defeated with more darkness?" she asked.

Hela's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that the only way? They have power, and I need it."

Jiayi shook her head. "No. Darkness cannot be defeated with more darkness. Only with light. Only with balance."

Hela laughed bitterly. "And you think I can just walk away from all that power? I've been betrayed by those I trusted. I want to fight back, and I want to do it now."

Jiayi met her gaze steadily. "Perhaps. But you cannot wield darkness to fight darkness. You must learn to wield the light, if you hope to bring about real change."

Hela tilted her head, considering the woman's words. "And you think I can learn this light? From you?"

Jiayi's eyes gleamed, and she stepped forward, raising a hand as if to test Hela. "If you think you're ready, then perhaps I can help. But know this—if you fail, I will send you flying with the dragon of Ta Lo."

Hela raised an eyebrow at the casual threat. "A flying dragon, you say? I've faced worse."

Jiayi's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "We shall see."

Meanwhile, far away in Asgard, Heimdall stood in his post, scanning the realms through the Bifröst. His face was grim as he turned to Odin, his gaze somber.

"I have lost sight of Hela," Heimdall said, his voice filled with an unusual note of concern.

Odin's brow furrowed, his expression cold and calculating. "She is dead then," he said, more to himself than to Heimdall. But the hesitation in his tone was there, a flicker of doubt.

Heimdall's voice cut through the silence. "Not necessarily, my king. I've tracked her and found a man wielding Ten Rings of unknown origin... They are now in the possession of a man named Wenwu. These rings have power—power even greater than you might imagine. They can kill gods."

Odin's face hardened, his grip tightening on his staff. "The Ten Makluan Rings?" His voice was thick with tension. "They have no place in the hands of mortals."

Heimdall hesitated before speaking again. "Wenwu is a powerful man, but the rings... their power could pose a threat to you, my king. Not to mention his brother David, whom I can't see through."

Odin's eyes narrowed, a dark glint in them. "I do not fear any mortal," he said with an icy calm. "But the rings... I must ensure their power does not fall into the wrong hands."

He turned away, his mind already turning. "I'll deal with this. Wenwu must be stopped. If Hela has escaped death... then she will learn what happens when she defies me."

But beneath his words, there was something else—a deeper, more insidious desire. It wasn't just about Hela. It wasn't just about her defiance. It was about power—power that could threaten his rule. And that, above all, was unacceptable.