(Since Masayoshi isn't doing much, I'll go back to focusing on Zonolo and co.)
The crew utilizes their full power, now clashing with Surtr and his Elderstahl on a much more comparable level, albeit Surtr still possessed the upper hand, by however a small degree, in the battle. Not only did the battle prowess and strength of the fighters improve, but so did the synergy of the team as they battled against Surtr.
A year had passed since they had gone all out in the battle, and they were showing no signs of stopping. Zonolo clashed blades with Surtr, exchanging swings with him as he wielded both blades. Surtr saw an opening, preparing to swing at Zonolo as the latter tossed one of his blades up. Zonolo blocked the blade with his arm, his powers passively nullifying the damage he was supposed to take entirely. As this happened, he used his other arm, swinging toward Surtr with his blade. Surtr lept back, only for Boros toss the sword down like javelin toward him. Surtr used Elderstahl to launch the blade away, sending it toward Zonolo. Boros then descended, engaging against him in melee combat, throwing a combination of punches and kicks, all while being sure to evade the blade he wielded. Boros then rushed toward him from a variety of angles, ricocheting off the walls. This forced Surtr to try and analyze his movements to parry, dodge or evade his strikes. However, Mira used this opportunity to sweep Surtr's legs, knocking him off balance to allow for Yamato to launch a powerful kanabo swing toward him. Surtr blocked the swing, but Zonolo rushed toward him with a swing of his own to keep him on the defensive.
They finally managed to truly put Surtr on the backfoot.
However, as this occurred, a seal began to break. A cracking sound could be heard, echoing throughout Muspelheim, promptly interrupting the battle. Surtur instantly ran off toward the noise as Zonolo displayed confusion.
"Oh no..." Surtr said.
"Why? What? What's going on?" Zonolo asked.
"Let's just say our fighting woke up a very, very, very angry individual..." He answered, "Hel."
"Hel?"
"Hel is the Goddess of Death...." Mira informed him.
"With the constant death throughout this reality, she's found herself with a massive workload, having to take individuals in by droves," Surtr continued.
"Then what's with the seal?" Yamato asked.
"While she's normally very rational, sometimes the stress... gets to her, and that can have very negative consequences for anyone that qualifies as being alive..." Surtr answered, "We need to hurry up and close that seal before-"
An explosion was heard, ringing through Muspelheim, and everything there gained a blood red hue. The five of them rushed toward it, noticing a woman in a red outfit, with black boots and a golden horned-shaped crown. She wielded a golden axe scepter as well, by no means being the traditional Goddess of Death as far as appearance.
"So behind schedule... So many new citizens... " She said to herself in dismay, "So much work to catch up on! Every time I manage to catch up... More people always arrive! I'm glad they think death is eternal rest, because it certainly isn't for me!"
The five of them rushed out to see her present there. Surtr nervously tried to make conversation to calm her down.
"Hey, Hel... It's been a while..." Surtr said.
Hel descends over to Surtr, towering over him, being even taller than the 6'8" full power Zonolo due to standing at 7'2".
"Hello, Surtr. I would love to exchange pleasantries, but I would really prefer if we talked later. I'm incredibly behind schedule...." She answered, "The inhabitants of Helheim grow in number by the day. By the minute, rather..."
"I know, I know... Just remember to breathe, OK?" Surtr said, "Be calm, just breathe..."
"More of the living need that advice..." She replied.
"Good one," Surtr nervously responded.
"And who are these individuals?" Hel said, looking away from Surtr and onto Zonolo and his team.
"Oh! Uh, these are, uh-"
"Spit it out, Surtr..." She said, her voice gaining a much more stern and angry tone.
"They came to challenge me..."
Hel looked toward the group with frustration.
"Were you also the ones who slayed Surtr's dragon steeds and Verndari?" Hel asked, anger starting to be more clearly detected in her voice.
"Yes..." Zonolo said solemly.
"Do you know how many of them you killed? How much of a burden that put on me while I was already behind schedule?"
"Lost count," Yamato said. Upon seeing her, Hel's face became visibly livid.
"And you! You worked under Valdagyðja and killed countless individuals... And the falling out you had with her brought Valhalla to extinction until she remade it!"
"Now, Hel, remember.... stay calm-" Surtr said. However, his statement appeared to fall on deaf ears.
"I won't calm down... Not until these individuals have perished..." Hel said, a fiery red aura swirling around her.
"Great, all Hel broke loose. Literally...." Zonolo said, drawing his blades. All of them readied combat stances, all except Surtr.
"I think it'd be smarter to run..." He said.
"No, we can take her..." Yamato said.
"Chances are slim, but not nonexistent..." Mira said.
"I like those odds...." Boros said.
