A little training.

As the army made its way towards the Bifrost, the king led the charge accompanied by his war generals. Among them was a striking black man with beautiful golden eyes—Heimdall, the protector of the rainbow bridge that connected Asgard to the nine realms through the World Tree.

Heimdall's role was crucial; he had safeguarded the bridge and Asgard for countless years, keeping a watchful eye on all potential threats. Proficient in the art of the sword, he was considered one of the finest warriors, even in the days when he was called the Demon of the Sword.

The king smiled at Heimdall, his most trusted confidant, knowing that he had known the guardian for a long time. With a sense of respect, the king gazed one final time at the majestic rainbow bridge before giving the command to open the realm to Muspelheim—the domain of the fire demon Surtur, a being feared by all, known as the wielder of eternal flames.

As the bridge radiated with the brilliance of multiple rainbow hues, resembling a structure made from precious diamonds, it opened wide, allowing the entire army, including Hela, to step onto it. In an instant, they vanished, transported through the Bifrost, guided by Heimdall's watchful eye.

Heimdall offered a prayer for their victory and safe return, for the Rainbow Bridge was a marvel of technology, a conduit through which they traveled faster than the speed of light, courtesy of the roots and paths of the World Tree.

With no time to contemplate their journey, they arrived in a world dominated by volcanic rocks and stones. The air was polluted with smoke from numerous volcanoes, and a thick layer of dust lingered in the atmosphere. The terrain was rugged, with rough rocks and an unbearable heat that would challenge even the Asgardians' endurance.

Upon landing, the army wasted no time, immediately setting to work. They had established posts and constructed a small fort years ago, for this area had long been under Asgard's domain. The war had been ongoing for quite some time.

Hela: (Ah, my head is spinning. It's so surreal to travel through the Bifrost. One moment, I was in Asgard, and now I find myself in this infernal realm. The heat hits like a truck, almost unbearable. Yet, it pales in comparison to surviving a nuclear blast. That was an entirely different ordeal; my body felt as if it were engulfed in flames, while radiation seared through every inch. This, at least, I can tolerate. But I can't help but question why I'm in this war. Shouldn't I have been training in a safe environment, like those people in those isekai stories? Well, it's a relief I cut my hair short—it's scorching here.)

As Hela acclimated to the environment, taking in the sights and adjusting to the searing heat, she observed the planet they had landed on. The sky, as far as the eye could see, was shrouded in smoke, casting an orange glow upon the world. The rocky landscape resembled a hellscape, with magma seeping through cracks and volcanoes dotting the horizon. It was an overwhelming sight, one she would have to grow accustomed to as it would be her reality for the foreseeable future.

While Hela stood there, lost in her thoughts, Odin convened with his generals inside the fort, leaving her behind, seemingly forgotten. They began strategizing the war and planning their next moves, engrossed in their discussions, oblivious to her presence.

As Hela stood alone, studying her surroundings and pondering the army's next steps, she was approached by a man clad in silver armor—a new soldier. He informed her that her father had summoned her, finally remembering her after almost four hours of being left to her own devices.

Responding to the summons, Hela made her way further into the fort. Passing through a wooden and metal door, she encountered the imposing Golden Guard, who granted her passage. Before her stood her father, Odin.

She stood before him, meeting his gaze, silently questioning why he had summoned her. In response, Odin presented her with a sword—a beautiful weapon, albeit oversized for her current stature. However, she knew it would serve her well in the years to come. Accepting the sword from Odin's outstretched hand, she examined it closely, taking in its unique coloration.

Curious about the sword's composition, she inquired about it. One of the generals—a towering figure with a massive axe on his back—explained that it was forged from mithril, a magical metal known for its strength and sharpness. The rarity and expense of mithril meant it was not bestowed upon just anyone. She received the sword specifically for this war, as her primary weapon was still being crafted by the dwarfs.

In preparation for battle, Odin summoned a young Valkyrie named Gunnr. Though still young herself, Gunnr had been trained from an early age and was tasked with instructing Hela in the ways of the sword, teaching her fundamental techniques to face their adversaries.

Without delay, they departed from the fort, knowing that the war would commence in a week's time. They arrived at a designated training ground, where various weapons were displayed in the open. Hela felt a surge of excitement, ready to train, while Gunnr eagerly anticipated the opportunity to teach the young princess of Asgard.

Upon reaching the training ground, introductions were made, and Gunnr inquired about Hela's previous experience with swords. Hela admitted that she was a novice, having only begun her training the previous year, with a grasp of the most basic techniques.

And so, their training began. Hela absorbed more knowledge in a week than she had in an entire year. She learned the proper stance, discipline, how to gauge the appropriate force to apply, and which angles to strike. It was a standard Valkyrie training regimen, and she quickly grasped the concepts, as though it came naturally to her. Devoting herself to daily practice for two weeks, she acclimated to the weight of the sword and adapted to the increased gravity on this planet—three times that of Asgard. The high gravity worked in her favor, providing a significant advantage.

After nearly three weeks of intense training, Hela was ready for war. She found her place among a five-person squad of Valkyries. As she surveyed the formidable foes that lay ahead—fire demons and other grotesque creatures—her excitement grew. She shifted her gaze from the enemy to her newly acquired sword, feeling more alive than ever. She had even given it a name—the Demon Slayer Sword. With her fellow squad members by her side, she stood prepared for what lay ahead.