Foster’s presence with the Aether drew Malekith and the Dark Elves to Asgard. Heimdall saw their arrival from the Bifrost Observatory and jumped onto their aircraft, destroying it with his knives. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the oncoming horde just behind it. To safeguard the kingdom, Heimdall inserted the Hofund into the Bifrost raising a protective shield around Asgard. However, a Dark Elf on the inside, destroyed the shield, leaving the palace wide open for an attack, resulting in the murder of Queen Frigga.
Aiding Thor on his secret mission to trick Malekith and save Jane Foster, Heimdall confessed his treason to Odin and offered up his Hofund, who looked disappointingly at him before ordering the Einherjar to take Heimdall into custody. During this plan, Loki seemingly perished but returned to Asgard later and usurped Odin’s throne, posing as his father the King.
While Loki ruled Asgard as the false King, Heimdall was banished from Asgard. Skurge was employed to stand in as the Guardian of the Bifrost. With the passing of Odin, his firstborn, Hela the Goddess of Death, was released from her imprisonment went after her two brothers, Thor and Loki. Witnessing the desecration of Mjolnir at the hands of Hela, Loki called upon Skurge to open the Bifrost. Hela followed them back to Asgard, but expelled them from the bridge.
Upon her arrival in Asgard, Hela slew Volstagg and Fandral who were guarding the Bifrost Observatory with Skurge, who she offered the role of her Executioner. Hela, with Skurge at her side, established that she was the rightful heir and ruler, and anyone who opposed her were killed. As she made her way through Asgard's palace, Heimdall infiltrated the Observatory and stole Hofund to prevent Hela from impacting the other nine realms. While Hela was distracted, he evacuated the remaining Asgardians to a secret underground fortress to protect them from her.
Trapped on Sakaar as a Champion contender for the Grandmaster’s gladiator games, Thor sought out Heimdall’s help by calling his name. Heimdall allowed Thor to see through his eyes on Asgard as they discussed the threat of Hela. With limited time and resources to protect Asgard from Hela and her army, Heimdall told Thor how to escape off of Sakaar and find his path home to Asgard.