Chapter #17 - New Heathens, New Earth

“What will be after heaven and earth and the whole world are burned? All the Gods will be dead, together with the Einherjar and the whole of mankind. Didn't you say earlier that each person will live in some world throughout all ages?” Gylfaginning chapter 52.

The Völva that prophesied Ragnarök went on to forecast the future. The surviving Æsir will meet together at the field of Iðavöllr, where Asgard once stood. They discuss the world serpent Jörmungandr, reminisce about great events of the past, and the runes. In the grass, they find golden game pieces that the Gods once happily enjoyed playing games with. Höðr and Baldr finally return from Hel and live happily together.

Hœnir (Odin’s brother also known as Vili), who gave humans reason, uses wooden slips for divination. The survivors of Asgard will live in Gimlé, the most beautiful place in Asgard, more beautiful than the sun, with a hall thatched with gold.

The good and virtuous of humankind live in Sindri, a hall made of red gold located in Niðafjöll. Oath breakers and murderers live in torment in a hall located in Náströnd, which also has beaches where the dead reside. The worst place of all is in Hvergelmir, where the serpent dragon Níðhöggr flies through the air with the corpses of the dead.

The earth will appear once more from the sea, beautiful and green, where crops grow without sowing. Just two humans, Líf and Lífþrasir, survive the destruction by hiding in the wood Hoddmímis Holt and from their descendants the world will be repopulated.