In Norse mythology, the goddess of the underworld is Hel. She presides over the realm of the dead, also called Hel, where those who do not die in battle go. Hel is often depicted as a half-living, half-dead figure, illustrating the duality of life and death. Her presence emphasizes the Norse belief in a complex afterlife and the significance of honor in death. Hel’s interactions with gods and heroes further reflect themes of fate, mortality, and the inevitable nature of death.