Like the goddess Hel

The clue, “Like the goddess Hel is NORSE“, pertains to the mythology of the ancient Norse people. In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess of the underworld, who presides over the realm of the dead. The term “Norse” refers to the people, language, and culture of the region that encompasses present-day Scandinavia. Therefore, the answer to this crossword question is most likely “Norse,” which describes a cultural or mythological aspect that is connected with Scandinavia and the people who lived there in the past.