so fluid and quick that the giant doesn’t have time to rise to its feet. Even so, the impact flings the giant lava monster across the ground, the hand around us refusing to release its grip.
Mjolnir yanks free from the giant’s abdomen, returning at Thor’s call, the head of the hammer glowing golden red as though it had been embedded in a fiery lava pit. The color changes back to silver as the metal cools before it slams back into Thor’s hand. The hammer must've gone straight through the lava monster to make it glow like that. I’m astonished that the lava monster is still clasping us.
A strange groan fills the air, and the monster’s body shudders as it rises to its feet. In a muffled and unnatural voice that’s barely decipherable, it says, “I have no quarrel with you, Thor, God of Thunder. I’m not attacking Asgard. There is no reason for your attack on me.”
With his hammer raised and feet splayed, ready for a fight, Thor narrows his eyes. “Besides being on Asgard without invitation, you have captured my Valkyrie and her dragon. This action alone has instantly made you my enemy.”
The giant releases a displeased grunt. “I will not release this Valkyrie and dragon.” The monster bends low, releasing words filled with determination that sound like they are being gargled through a bubbling lava stream. “I must return with this Valkyrie and her companion. It's my command to do so or not to return at all.”
Thor pulls the raised hammer back, his voice deep and loud as he matches the monster’s intensity. “Then you shall not return at all.” His shoulder thrusts forward as he releases the hammer straight at the lava monster’s face.
My heart skips with hope and ripples with cheer, thankful that Thor is on my side. Unsuccessfully, I attempt to clap my squashed hands as the hammer careens straight for the monster’s face.
Disappointment grips me when the monster jerks, and Thor’s face twists with disappointment. The beast must have shifted its head to the side, causing Mjolnir to miss. The lack of any jarring fuels my assumption.
Quickly, Thor wipes his failure off his face when his hammer lands back in his hand, and he holds its massive form high. Lightning cracks through the sky, and thunder booms, rumbling the ground and shaking the monster’s enormous form. Several more lightning bolts shoot from the sky to the hammer before charging back up then aiming for the beast. The lava monster jumps aside, and the lightning narrowly misses the giant's form and singes a black patch on the ground.
Twisting my palm around, I release my stored magic, trying to give the lava monster a jolt of pain on its hand. I cringe as the fingers curl, and the gap around us tightens. Instead of releasing us or opening its grip farther, the magic shock causes the hand to constrict rather than retract.
What just happened? Elan grunts, thankfully remaining still.
Grasping my next breath to answer is a struggle. “I just tried magic to get the monster to open its grip on us. It appears to have had an opposite effect.”
Then maybe you should keep your magic to yourself, Elan gripes.
I grumble. “Sorry. But at least I tried.”
Another crack grabs our attention as Thor holds Mjolnir high, lightning splitting the sky in all directions until it redirects and aims at the lava monster. The beast twists at the last split second, causing the lightning bolt to miss it again. I’m shocked that something so big can move so quickly. Either that, or it’s just dumb luck.
Disappointment and frustration cloud Thor’s face. He spins and releases his hammer, using Mjolnir's projection to fly his body straight at the monster’s feet, knocking the beast to the ground. The jolt shoots through the whole body, including its hand, as its backside hits the ground. I wish all this jerking and jumping would cause the lava monster to release us, but my wish goes ungranted, and the hand doesn’t release its grip, although it does loosen enough to give us a clearer view of our surroundings.
A view of Thor getting pummeled by the lava monster and knocked away shatters my hopes. That wasn’t the image I was hoping for. His body flips and rolls before grinding to a halt. Almost immediately, the monster’s empty hand swipes at Thor with claws extended, ripping a hole in his pants.
Through clenched teeth, I cry with dread. That can't be good. Scratches like that infected Elan,