In turn, Audhumbla creates Búri (ancestor of all gods), whose grandchildren Odin, Vili and Vé eventually kill Ymir.

A mysterious builder, together with his horse Svaðilfari, offers to build a giant wall around Asgard, alone and at an extremely fast speed, in exchange for an exaggerate price: the sun, the moon and the goddess Freya.

The other gods seize them from the jötnar and try to prevent them from causing future troubles: the wolf Fenrir is bound forever with the chain Gleipnir (at the price of Týr's hand); the sea serpent Jörmungandr is tossed in the ocean; and Hel is appointed by Odin as the ruler of the realm of the dead.

They travel together to the castle of Utgarda-Loki (already met on the way under the fake appearance of the jötunn Skrymir), where they are tricked to compete in various contests they cannot win.

In order to give a feast for them in his hall, the sea jötunn Aegir requires the gods to provide him with a giant cauldron to brew ale for all of them.

Loki and Fenrir are freed and, together with Jörmungandr, Hel's legions and the jötnar, fight the gods in a final battle, which destroys most of the world and kill almost every participant.

[1] The Washington Post's Michael Dirda said that, although Gaiman's short, clipped sentences usually seem better suited to children's fiction, his retellings were gripping and strongly characterised.

[2] Peter Fields of Midwestern State University wrote positively about the simplicity and clarity of Gaiman's language, and indicated that the book's thematic material demonstrated his growth as a writer.

Fields said that Norse Mythology drew attention to eccentric aspects of the folklore often neglected from other popular adaptations, like Marvel Comics' depiction of Thor.

Writing for The Guardian, classicist Natalie Haynes described the work as egalitarian, making space for the popular and lesser known aspects of the mythology.

[4] A ninety-minute audio adaptation was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day 2018 featuring Derek Jacobi as Odin, Colin Morgan as Loki, Natalie Dormer as Freya, and Nathaniel Martello-White as Thor, with the stories narrated by Diana Rigg in the guise of an unexpected visitor, "Mrs. Njordsdottir", keeping an inquisitive young boy company in hospital during a blizzard.