When roots burst from the earth and drag both Freya and Harald down, Bjorn throws himself after Freya and tries to cut her free. He can only touch her face before the ground closes over them, leaving nothing but smooth dirt. Panicked and refusing to accept losing her after her sacrifice, Bjorn claws at the earth with his bare hands and screams for Freya.

Tora, Guthrum, and Volund reach Bjorn, but he can barely hear them over his desperation. Geir, now a draugr, stops Bjorn long enough to explain that Freya has gone to the place between realms beneath Yggdrasil, not died. Geir argues that because Freya still binds the undead to their bodies, she must still be alive, but Bjorn finds little comfort in that because he saw Harald's venom wound and knows Freya needs healing.

Volund warns Bjorn that his own injuries will kill him before he can help Freya, yet Bjorn refuses to stop because he believes his fate is to remain at Freya's side. He keeps digging in darkness after his glowing axe fades. Then Bjorn hears Freya call his name, and although no one else hears her, that sound renews his certainty that she can be saved.

Bjorn tears into the ground harder, and Geir and the others join him. Bjorn uncovers Freya's pale, scarred fingers, then her face, and he is terrified by her stillness as they pull her free. Holding her cold body, Bjorn begs Freya not to leave him; then Freya finally stirs, drags in a ragged breath, and opens her eyes to him.