It didn’t take long for Arnold to get an army of fire giants. Hell, even dragons would have a tough time dealing with the walking hell he had just resurrected from death. With more than a million giants backing him up, Odin thought it was the best time to recall his forces. 

Odin did not recall the Valkyries or Valhallan warriors because he wanted to make sure that no one would cause trouble in his plans. While the council back in Asgard was against this move and had started seeing Arnold as a threat more than anything else, Odin trusted him. 

Not because Arnold was someone worthy of his trust. But because Shiva had told him to trust the newly consecrated half god and Odin trusted Shiva more than he trusted himself. Thus he readily spent every ounce of power he had to help the man. 

However, he understood the concern of the other gods. Arnold now arguably had enough power to challenge Asgard all by himself. Hell, if Loki and Zeus had not partnered up with the Dragons and Demons, he could have even taken them out right then and there. 

But there was one thing the gods of Asgard were having a tough time digesting. Even if Arnold resurrected the giants, there was no reason for the giants to obey his will. But surprisingly they were doing so without any question. 

Little did they know the reason why the giants were obeying Arnold was pretty simple. Simple enough to not even enter the mind of the other gods. 

Becoming one with the planet itself was a horrifying experience, causing them eternal pain. Thus by forcing them to resurrect, Arnold had actually helped them get out of a nasty situation. In other words, it could be said that Arnold was their saviour. 

And who would not help their saviour? The Giants would. Despite their negative image in the universe, the giants were a species that honoured the ones to help them while punishing the ones who betrayed them. 

Thus, they were readily helping Arnold conquer more and more areas while resurrecting more and more of them into his ranks. But this incredible pace of resurrecting the giants came at a price… 

As the giants were a part of the planet itself, ripping them apart and resurrecting them was causing the planet to slowly fall apart. it was only a matter of time before the planet literally crumbled away. 

‘We can’t have that now, can we?’ Arnold thought to himself before halting the undead trinity from resurrecting any more giants. 

As much as Arnold wanted to have another few hundred thousand fire giants by his side, he wanted to get hold of someone else. Someone who was much more precious than mere giants. Who was more important than fire giants? Surtr, who else?

By this time the news of Hela’s betrayal had reached Arnold’s years, and he wasn’t surprised. Not even a bit. After all, she was the sister of Loki… well, maybe she was the daughter. Arnold did not have enough time to worry about the incestual deeds of a pathetic god. 

Either way, since she was related to Loki, it was given that she would have some of his traits within herself. However, that being said, Arnold wasn’t foolish enough to think that Surtr would join him just because he ended up getting betrayed.

In fact, if anything Surtr might even try to blame it all upon Arnold and try to kill him. Arnold said try because there was no way in hell someone like Surtr would be able to kill him, especially while he was in a state of godhood. 

Still, underestimating one’s opponent was like courting death. Arnold knew that very well because he had been the one getting underestimated for most if not all of his life as a human. 

“Alright… let’s find him and see how shit goes down. Talos, how much time do we have before the planet gives out?”

“A week in earth’s time, master,” Talos replied before transforming back to his automaton form. 

Since the planet had cooled down considerably, his summons had no difficulty walking next to their master. As for Scylla, she was busy enjoying the heat released from the fire giants. It was a different matter that Arnold had to stop her numerous times when she tried to eat a few of them.

The fire giants might have been an expendable force but having them eaten was a waste even in Arnold’s eyes. 

“A week… hm…” Arnold scratched his chin before turning towards the giants, “Have any of you ever been to the capital? I mean the place where Surtr resides?”

The giants looked at each other, confused. Muspelheim was much bigger than any of the other planets. Hence, most of them never got the chance to visit other places at all. They spent most of their life around the area where they were born. 

As a result… none of them had the idea where the capital was. Arnold kept scanning the crowd when one of them came forward. The resurrected giants were incapable of speech. But thanks to Anubis, who had the ability to communicate with the dead, Arnold was able to know what was going on inside their heads. 

Although the giant in front of him had never been to the capital himself, he had heard about its location. But he wasn’t sure. However, at this time there wasn’t much Arnold could do. The planet was falling apart and he had to not only find Surtr before that but probably defeat him as well.

It was him against the time and right now, time wasn’t a constraint Arnold could control, unlike Shiva. 

“I not a man who’s into fate and bullshit… but that the only thing I can do for now.” He sighed before turning his attention towards the giant, “Welcome to the club of my apostles.”

The next moment there was a bright flash and the giant was made into an apostle. It was necessary to do this to enable Arnold to travel to the Capital using void travel. 

“Let’s face off with the protector of this place then. Talos, Anubis, cover the flank.. Yan, try not to get left behind.”