Goddess Hel is a figure from Norse mythology, known as the ruler of the underworld, which is also called Hel. She is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angerboda. Hel is often depicted as having a half-living, half-dead appearance, symbolizing her dominion over the souls of those who did not die in battle. In Norse beliefs, Hel's realm is where those who died of illness or old age go, contrasting with the warriors who ascend to Valhalla. She is not considered evil but rather a necessary part of the cycle of life and death, overseeing the dead with a sense of duty.