Hel stared in horror at what happened next, not even able to react until the woman had already been released and hurried off. Who was this?
As the goddess spoke of her pantheon, and who could only be assumed to be Tyr, Hel felt a flash of understanding. Not empathy- who could possibly emphathize with the unwarranted treatment of the Roman woman?- but at least an inkling of where the hostility came from.
"Him?" Hel laughed a bitter laugh. Her eyes flashed with defiance. "My apologies. I should clarify. I am Hel of the Underworld, and it was MY brother who ate his other hand. Justice? That man wouldn't know justice if it bit him in the ass. Unfortunately, my brother never got the chance to demonstrate what justice really is. Yet."
It was almost out of character for Hel to swear, or to be so hostile, but this stranger had unwittingly hit a nerve. A very raw, hate filled nerve.