Humility

"Hela!!!!"

In the blink of an eye, Valkyrie drew her gun, unleashing a relentless barrage of shots at Hela!

She now regretted not wearing her Valkyrie armor or carrying her sword. If she had, she'd have sliced Hela's cursed head off!!!

Watching the incoming energy attack, Hela sneered disdainfully, casually swatting the energy blast aside.

Meanwhile, Yondu and Colonel Star-Lord rushed forward, restraining Valkyrie tightly.

Held firmly by the two, Valkyrie clenched her teeth, cursing loudly.

"You bastards, let me go! Let me kill her! I'll kill her!!!"

Her words were cut short as the hulking Charlie-27 rushed forward, delivering a powerful punch to the back of Valkyrie's head.

Boom!!!

The shockwave reverberated, sending Valkyrie tumbling to the ground, eyes rolling back.

Even as she fell, Yondu held her tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.

He pressed his knee into Valkyrie's back, shouting anxiously at Hela.

"I don't know what's wrong with her, but it's not our intention!"

Saying this, he glanced at Colonel Star-Lord, their eyes meeting briefly.

After a moment, Yondu steadied himself and continued.

"She's just a tool, something I'm using to exchange for Peter Quill!

So her attack on you has nothing to do with our original plan!"

Yondu stood up, leaving Colonel Star-Lord to hold her down, while he slowly approached the amused Hela.

"She's Brunnhilde, the Valkyrie you speak of, and one of Asgard's warriors.

Using her to trade for Peter Quill—is this deal worth it to you?"

"A deal, huh…"

Listening to Yondu, Hela smirked, responding disdainfully.

"This is the first time someone's tried to negotiate with Asgard, so let me make this clear:

Asgard makes decisions, not deals!"

As she spoke, Hela beckoned with her right hand, and the Valkyrie on the ground began to fly toward her.

If not for Colonel Star-Lord's sudden grip tightening, Valkyrie would've already been in Hela's hands!

Feeling the Valkyrie in his grasp struggling to fly away, Colonel Star-Lord gritted his teeth, calling out.

"Charlie, come help!"

Charlie-27 rushed over, firmly grabbing Valkyrie, preventing Hela from pulling her away.

Stakar and the crystalline being quickly joined Yondu, standing in front of Colonel Star-Lord and the others.

Watching the united Guardians of the Galaxy, Hela smiled with interest.

She withdrew her hand, turned gracefully, and sat on her lofty throne.

Then, looking down at Stakar and the others, she said indifferently,

"You've brought back Asgard's Valkyrie, Brunnhilde, which truly surprises me.

Though Asgard doesn't negotiate, I must admit, I'm pleased with your actions!"

"That's great! Can we have Quill now…?"

"Shut up!!!"

Yondu's interruption made Hela frown. She waved her right hand, and the Sword of Death materialized in her grip.

She tapped the sword's hilt against the throne's armrest, sending out a layered hum that silenced Yondu.

Once the sound faded and everyone fell silent, Hela nodded in satisfaction and continued.

"If I were the one on the throne, I'd grant your request.

Trading the unworthy son of a celestial for Asgard's Valkyrie?

Or rewarding you with Quill for returning Asgard's exiled warrior?"

She glanced at the unconscious Valkyrie, shaking her head slightly.

"But the decision to imprison Quill was made by Asgard's All-Father.

His command was for his father, Ego, to come fetch him personally.

Without the All-Father's order, no one can take him—no one!"

As she spoke, Hela rose, sword in hand, and walked toward the disheartened Yondu and his group.

Along the way, she fixed her gaze on the trembling Valkyrie on the ground.

Noticing Valkyrie had awakened, Hela smirked, muttering softly.

"Tsk tsk, Valkyrie, you're always lying here.

You look no different from being unconscious or dead.

In that war, every Valkyrie who dared draw a sword against me died by my hand. Yet, why are you still alive?

Hmph, because you were always like this!

I was imprisoned for five millennia, yet you haven't changed a bit. It's disappointing!"

"Hela!!!"

Valkyrie surged to her feet, tears streaming down her face as she shouted at Hela.

Seeing this, Hela shook her head in disappointment.

She strode past Stakar and the others, stopping in front of the crying Valkyrie on the ground.

Extending her sword-free left hand, Hela gripped Valkyrie's chin, sighing.

"Before you returned, I wanted to rebuild the Valkyrie legion, feeling guilty for the slaughter.

But now that you're back, I've changed my mind. If all Valkyries are like you, I'd be ashamed to face Asgard's new All-Father!

How could I explain that his elite force is nothing but a bunch of cowards like you?

Hmph…"

Thud!!!

Hela slammed Valkyrie's head into the ground, cracking the floor and eliciting a pained groan.

Stakar lunged forward, only to be held back by Yondu.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Hela didn't even turn her head.

She said softly,

"This is Asgard's general dealing with a deserter. It's none of your business.

Stay put. Asgard will grant you what you seek!"

As she spoke, Hela gripped Valkyrie's chin with her left hand, lifting the woman, who was now full of resentment yet powerless to resist.

Her Sword of Death pressed against Valkyrie's neck.

"Valkyrie!"

She sighed, continuing,

"My father is dead, and I'm not your queen. It's not my place to judge you—that's Heisenberg's right!

I want to kill you, for I don't want my new Valkyrie legion to see their predecessor's cowardice and humility!

But I also want you to see them—a legion led by me and the All-Father, where no one will retreat like you!

So…"

As she spoke, Hela lifted Valkyrie by her head, raising her entirely.

Then, she hurled Valkyrie toward the nearby guards.

"Take her away, lock her in the dungeon, and await the All-Father's judgment!"

Slam!!!

Hela's words fell, and Valkyrie crashed to the ground.

The guards grabbed her arms, lifting her, but she showed no reaction.

As the guards dragged the lifeless Valkyrie away, Hela sheathed her sword, turning to face the five Guardians, each with different expressions.

Noticing Hela's gaze, Yondu stepped forward, slightly hunched, addressing Hela.

"You… no, Your Highness!"

Thinking of Quill still in prison, Yondu's posture became even more submissive.

He bowed his head, hesitating for a moment.

When he raised it again, a fawning smile spread across his face.

"Princess Hela, my son Peter Quill truly means no harm to Asgard. Might you…?"

"Yes, indeed!"

Hela nodded decisively.

Her response tightened Yondu's heart, and his face lit up, eager to ask more.

But Hela smiled sadly, shaking her head.

"As I said, I'm not the one on the throne. I can't make decisions for him.

His command is for Quill's father, the cursed celestial Ego, to come fetch him personally.

But Ego hasn't come—he's sent you instead!"

She coldly smirked, disdainfully adding,

"Does he think Asgard's land unworthy of his presence? The cursed fool!"

"No, no, no! You've misunderstood, truly misunderstood!!!"

Yondu's anxiety was palpable, his increasing humility reflected in the eyes of Stakar and the others, making his old friends equally uncomfortable.

In that moment, seeing Yondu's utter humility for Quill, Stakar felt a flicker of forgiveness toward him.

Yondu, the blue-skinned man, nearly bowed to Hela.

He deeply bowed, explaining humbly,

"I'm not Ego's man, nor am I here for him.

I raised that boy since he was young.

I'm not his father, but I can't live without him.

Peter Quill is just a foolish boy, unworthy of Asgard's attention, let alone a threat to this ancient realm.

I only want to bring him back to my side, no matter the cost. I must do this."

Saying this, Yondu bowed his head, his hoarse voice trembling.

After a moment, he lowered his head further, whispering,

"Please, Princess Hela…"

In that brief instant, Hela's heart was filled with complex emotions. This wasn't some blue-skinned pirate—he was another father willing to do anything for his child.

Hela couldn't help but think of Odin and their past.

She had to admit, in that moment, she felt compassion.

So, she gently helped Yondu up, wearing a helpless expression.

"It's the All-Father's command, and no one can defy it.

But I admire you, Yondu Udonta.

If possible, stay in Asgard for a while. I'll allow the five of you to reside here temporarily and visit Quill.

When the All-Father returns, I'll speak on your behalf. That's all I can do!"

Saying this, Hela's expression turned cold. She sheathed her sword and returned to her distant throne.

From her lofty position, she commanded sternly,

"Attendants, escort Yondu and his group to a separate courtyard. Grant them two hours daily to visit Peter Quill!"

"This…?!"

Hearing Hela's command, Yondu was both shocked and overjoyed.

Shocked by Asgard's dominance—a nation that never negotiated, whose commands were absolute, a true display of imperial might!

But overjoyed because…

Quill was safe, and he could stay by his side!

…

Meanwhile, in the dungeon, the former Valkyrie, now a slave hunter, Brunnhilde, was finally thrown into her cell.

Gazing at the familiar energy barrier and the distant golden guards, she suddenly clenched her fists, slamming them into the floor.

Thud!

She sobbed, smashing her head against the ground.

Her tears fell, and she whispered,

"Why?!"

She wasn't asking anyone else—she was asking herself.

"Why didn't I die in the past? Why didn't I die with them?!

I'm too weak, truly too weak!

It wasn't my fault, but it's my sin!

I'm sorry."