After successfully destroying Ego and completing their space mission, Thor and the other heroes began their journey back to Earth. During their travel through the vast expanse of space, the mysterious sky screen, which had remained dormant and silent, suddenly illuminated once again with brilliant light.
"Thor, have you ever heard of Ragnarok?" the narrator's distinctive voice echoed across the cosmos.
Hearing the narrator's voice emerge so suddenly from the cosmic void, Thor couldn't help but frown with deep contemplation, then rolled his eyes with theatrical exaggeration and responded:
"Well! I honestly don't understand the full implications. How about you provide me with an explanation?"
Tony glanced at Thor with genuine surprise and admiration. He hadn't expected that this typically impulsive and action-oriented warrior would actually engage his intellect for once and demonstrate the wisdom to directly address the sky screen's narrative voice.
Thor noticed Tony's surprised expression and defensive tone: "What exactly are you looking at? Why are you staring at me with that expression?"
"Nothing at all! It's nothing!" Tony shook his head dismissively and turned his attention to the sky screen with bright, anticipatory eyes.
At this particular moment in their journey, the Nova Corps fleet led by Dey had separated from their group and departed for their own destination, leaving the heroes to continue their return voyage to Earth aboard Yondu's Blood Eagle spacecraft.
Scott held his chin thoughtfully in his hand, processing the implications: "Ragnarok... isn't that one of those ancient myths and legends from Earth's Norse mythology?"
"According to the traditional legends, the monstrous wolf Fenrir will eventually break free from his mystical bonds and devour Odin himself."
Thor couldn't help but interrupt with passionate denial: "Absolutely not! How could such a thing be possible! My father will never be devoured by any wolf, no matter how powerful!"
Scott quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture: "Hey there! It's just an ancient legend! Please don't get so agitated about it!"
Tony looked at Scott with continued curiosity and prompted: "What else do these legends say?"
"Then, according to the prophecies, the fire giant Surtur will wield his flaming sword of destruction and completely annihilate all of Asgard, reducing it to ashes!"
Thor narrowed his eyes with growing recognition and concern: "Surtur, the Fire Giant? That name resonates with memories from my childhood! My mother used to tell me stories about that entity when I was very young! It seems that Ragnarok is prophesied to begin specifically with this Surtur's awakening!"
"Then let's observe whether your understanding proves correct, Thor!" Tony declared with anticipation.
[The image projected on the pitch-black cosmic sky began to rotate rapidly, then transitioned to reveal a world completely shrouded in crimson mist and volcanic atmosphere.]
[Several massive stone pillars materialized before the viewers' eyes. Sparks and embers emerged from the foundations beneath, rising steadily along the pillars' surfaces. An iron cage suspended by chains appeared prominently in the scene.]
[Thor's familiar voice rang out clearly through the dimensional barrier.]
["I know exactly what you're thinking right now: Oh no! Thor's been captured! What the hell is actually going on here?"]
["Well! Sometimes, to discover someone's true identity and intentions, you have to take calculated risks!"]
[The scene shifted to show Thor completely entangled in numerous heavy chains, but his demeanor appeared remarkably unconcerned as he continued his characteristic self-narration.]
["It's quite a long story, but I'm something of a hero, wouldn't you agree? Look, I spent considerable time on Earth, fought against murderous robots, and saved the world multiple times!"]
["Then I ventured out into the vast universe, searching for those magical, multicolored Infinity Stones! Unfortunately, I discovered absolutely nothing!"]
["At that point, I embarked on a path filled with death and destruction throughout the space! Until I encountered you here in this particular cage!"]
[As he spoke these words, he raised his head to glance at the skeletal remains positioned opposite him in the suspended prison. As he moved, the skeleton's jawbone detached and clattered to the floor below.]
[At this moment, Thor seemed to detect some sound and rolled his eyes with characteristic expression.]
["How long do you estimate we'll have to remain imprisoned in this place?"]
[The instant he finished speaking, a mechanical grinding sound suddenly activated, and before he could react appropriately, he plummeted out of the cage through an opening trapdoor.]
[A chain connected to the restraints binding his body caused him to hang upside down in the air, while the skeleton fell directly to the rocky ground below.]
[Thor looked around his new environment with confusion, but before he could analyze the situation properly, a deep, rumbling burst of laughter echoed from behind his suspended position.]
[Thor slowly rotated in mid-air due to the chain's movement, gradually revealing the massive fire giant Surtur seated imposingly on his throne of molten rock.]
["Thor! Odin's arrogant offspring!" Surtur declared with menacing authority.]
[Thor immediately responded with characteristic defiance: "Surtur, you ancient bastard! You're still drawing breath! I thought my father had destroyed you permanently ages ago! Wasn't that approximately half a million years in the past?"]
[Surtur replied with calm, ominous certainty: "Destruction is not so easily accomplished! At least not before I fulfill my cosmic destiny and completely destroy your precious home realm!"]
[Thor laughed with genuine amusement and declared: "This situation is quite peculiar! I've been experiencing recurring nightmares recently! I dreamed that Asgard was reduced to nothing but a burning sea of ruins and devastation! And you, Surtur! Standing triumphantly in the center of that destruction!"]
["Then you have witnessed the prophetic vision of Ragnarok! The inevitable fall of Asgard! The ancient prophecy approaches its ultimate fulfillment..."]
[Before Surtur could complete his dramatic proclamation, Thor interrupted with practical concern: "Wait just a moment! Hold on... I need to turn around! I believe we have some important matters to discuss!"]
[It became apparent that Thor had rotated to the opposite side along with his restraining chain, positioning his back toward Surtur.]
[With considerable effort and awkward maneuvering, he finally managed to face Surtur once again.]
["Excellent! Now then, Ragnarok - could you explain to me in precise detail what this concept actually entails?"[
["The end of all things draws near. When my crown and the eternal flame are reunited once more, my true power will reawaken with devastating force! I will reign supreme over mountains and valleys! My blade will pierce through Asgard's defenses..."]
[Just as Surtur was delivering his speech with increasing excitement and fervor, Thor rotated to the opposite side again, "Oh! Wait a moment! Please don't lose patience! I swear upon my honor, it's not my doing - it's this contraption moving by itself! I sincerely apologize for the interruption!"]
[Surtur released a sigh of helpless frustration upon witnessing this repeated interruption, but found himself unable to express his anger effectively given the circumstances.]
[After Thor completed another rotation and faced him once more, he looked directly at Surtur and stated:
"Alright! So my understanding is that you place your crown into the Eternal Flame's power... and then you'll grow to become as large as a house?"]
[Surtur corrected with booming emphasis: "As large as a mountain!!!"]
["Are you referring to the eternal flame that Odin secured and locked away within Asgard's vaults?"]
[Surtur responded with calm, ominous confidence: "Odin is not currently present in Asgard! You are also absent from your realm! This represents the perfect moment when the throne sits empty and undefended!"]
[Thor frowned deeply at this revelation, unable to comprehend how Surtur could possess such certain knowledge that Odin wasn't currently in Asgard. However, he chose not to reveal his confusion and continued his tactical questioning.]
["Very well! Where exactly is your crown located?"]
[Surtur gestured toward the horn-like helmet adorning his massive head: "This is my crown! It serves as the primary source of my cosmic power!"]
Thor raised an eyebrow with characteristic irreverence: "Oh! That's supposed to be a crown! I honestly thought it was some kind of giant eyebrow decoration!"
[In response to Thor's blasphemous words, Surtur appeared visibly offended and repeated with increased emphasis: "This IS the crown!"]
["Whatever you choose to call it! If I want to prevent Ragnarok from occurring, I need to remove that object from your head!"]
["Hahaha!" Surtur laughed heartily and rose from his throne, holding his massive stomach, clearly amused by Thor's audacious declaration.]
["But Ragnarok has already begun its inevitable course! There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop the prophecy's fulfillment!"]
[The fire giant retrieved its massive lava sword and began dragging it slowly toward Thor's suspended position.]
[The flaming blade's tip scraped against the rocky ground, generating cascades of brilliant sparks and embers.]