Thor and Loki’s Journey to the Land of the Giants – Part II

Last we saw them, Thor, Loki, Thjalfi, and Roskva had just parted ways with the mysterious giant Skrymir, unaware they were about to enter one of the strangest and most humiliating chapters of their lives.

Their destination? The towering fortress of Utgard, home to the powerful Utgard-Loki.

A Castle Built for Giants

The four travelers arrive at a gate so massive it stretches out of sight. With no doorman to greet them and no way to force it open, they slip through the bars and make their way to the grand hall inside.

A feast is already in full swing. Utgard-Loki spots them and greets them with a half-smile that suggests both hospitality and mischief.

“You’re late. And uninvited,” he says. “But you may stay—if you can prove yourselves with a feat worth the company of giants.”

Loki vs. Logi – The Eating Challenge

Loki, never one to back down from a challenge, steps forward: “I can eat faster than any man here.”

The king claps his hands. “Then face Logi.”

A giant trough filled with meat appears, and both competitors dig in. Loki devours his half with impressive speed. But when they meet in the middle, it’s clear who’s won.

Logi has eaten everything—the meat, the bones… even the trough.

Loki sits back, stunned. Utgard-Loki shrugs, “Unlucky. But next!”

Thjalfi Races a Thought

Thjalfi steps forward, declaring that he is the fastest runner alive.

“Very well,” the king says, “you’ll race Hugi.”

The race begins—and ends—almost instantly. Thjalfi gives it his all, racing three times, and while he gains ground each time, Hugi wins with ease.

Still, the king seems entertained. All eyes turn to Thor.

Thor’s Trials

Thor rises and declares: “I can drink more than any being.”

Utgard-Loki presents a long, curved drinking horn. “Most drain it in one gulp. The weakest, two. Surely not more than three.”

Thor gulps mightily—once, twice, three times—and still can’t empty it.

Frustrated, he accepts the next test: to lift the king’s cat, curled lazily by the fire.

With a confident scoff, Thor tries to lift it—but the creature arches its back impossibly. Despite his strength, he only manages to raise one paw off the ground.

The hall erupts with laughter.

Thor’s pride now truly wounded, he bellows, “I’ll wrestle anyone you choose!”

Utgard-Loki considers this, then sends forth an old woman named Elli, his foster mother.

They wrestle. Thor strains, but she holds firm. Eventually, he drops to one knee.

The gods and their companions are allowed to stay the night, but the laughter from the giants echoes long into their dreams.

The Truth Revealed

At dawn, Utgard-Loki escorts them outside. Then, his tone shifts.

“You may not return here,” he says solemnly. “And you deserve the truth.”

The group listens as he reveals his illusions:

“I was Skrymir,” he admits. “Those mighty blows you struck were deflected by illusions. But they left cracks in the very mountains.”

“Loki, you ate well—but you were competing with wildfire itself.”

“Thjalfi, you raced Hugi, the embodiment of thought. No one outruns thought—but you nearly did.”

“Thor, your horn was filled not with mead, but the sea. You drank so deeply that now the tides rise and fall because of it.”

“The cat? That was no cat—it was Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, whom you nearly lifted from the earth.”

“And Elli… was old age itself. None overcome her—but you resisted longer than most.”

The group stands silent, humbled.

“And now,” the giant finishes, “I shall vanish from your sight. My castle too. For no one may witness my tricks a second time.”

With that, Utgard-Loki disappears—and the fortress fades with him.