Gjúki and Grímhild ruled the Burgundian court and raised four children — Gunnar, Högni, Gudrún, and Guttormr — whose entanglement with Sigurd and the cursed hoard of Fáfnir brought ruin upon the entire dynasty.
Högni married Kostbera, who read the runes Gudrún had sent warning of Atli's treachery. Though Kostbera begged him not to ride to the feast, Högni dismissed her fears and went to his death.
Atli had Högni's heart cut from his chest to force Gunnarr to reveal the Nibelung gold's hiding place. Högni's heart did not tremble, proving his courage even in death.
Norse Högni and Germanic Hagen descend from the same legendary figure — in the Norse tradition a prince loyal to his brother Gunnar unto death, in the Nibelungenlied a formidable vassal whose murder of Siegfried and defiance unto death define the catastrophe.
Högni guarded the Nibelung gold including Andvaranaut after Sigurd's death. The cursed ring destroyed him as it had every previous owner — Atli killed Högni to seize the treasure.
Atli demanded the secret of the Nibelung gold and cut out Högni's heart to break Gunnar's resolve. Gunnar laughed at the bloody offering and declared that now only he knew the hoard's resting place — and he would never tell.
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