Beginning Of Multiverse Saga-Chapter 501: Astrid Kidnapped

The next day passed quietly, filled with warmth.

Sharky was busy around the house, moving between rooms as his family gathered. Zainab, Sana, and Aafrin had arrived as well, and the home felt livelier than it had in a long time.

The hall was decorated simply but beautifully. Nothing extravagant, just flowers, soft lights, and a long table prepared for the family. It was special in its own way, because this was the first time Ethan would be coming home after his marriage.

Elira adjusted one of the hanging decorations and smiled. "It feels strange, our son is married now."

Saba laughed lightly. "Not strange. It feels right. He grew up too fast, that’s all."

Seorin glanced toward the children playing nearby. "And he chose well."

Sharky folded his arms, watching the scene with a faint smile.

Across the hall, the children were playing together, laughter echoing as they chased each other around.

Lucas was trying to teleport short distances to surprise the others, while Lily clapped excitedly every time he appeared nearby. Olivia sat on the floor, focused on a small device she had taken apart and reassembled again and again.

Maria stood nearby, keeping an eye on all of them.

"Lucas, slow down. You’re going to bump into someone."

Lucas laughed. "I won’t! I’m careful!"

Nyssa toddled over to Maria, tugging lightly at her clothes. Maria bent down and picked her up easily.

"See?" Maria said, smiling. "Even she knows you’re too loud."

Sharky watched them for a moment, his expression softening.

"This is what we need."

The house remained filled with small conversations, laughter, and movement

The gate bell rang softly.

A moment later, Ethan stepped inside with Sasha and Lyra beside him.

Both women were unusually quiet. Sasha’s confidence was still there, but restrained. Lyra’s hands were clasped together, her shoulders slightly tense. It was the first time they were meeting Ethan’s father, and neither of them knew what to expect.

Sharky looked up. For a brief second, he just stared.

Then he walked forward and pulled Ethan into a firm hug. "You’ve grown."

Ethan froze for half a heartbeat, then relaxed. "...Thanks, Dad."

Sharky pulled back and looked him over properly. "You look thinner."

Ethan smiled faintly. "Almost died a few times. Happens."

Sharky snorted. "So you really are my son."

They stood there for a moment, father and son, sharing a quiet understanding that didn’t need many words.

"You did well," Sharky said after a pause. "I heard everything."

Ethan lowered his gaze slightly. "I just... did what I had to."

"Good, good," Sharky praised him.

Ethan laughed under his breath.

Then Sharky’s attention shifted. He turned toward Sasha and Lyra. Both of them stiffened instantly.

Sharky observed them in silence. Then he smiled.

"You two kept my son alive," he said. "You protected him. You stood with him."

He nodded once, slow and approving. "That’s enough for me."

Sasha finally released the breath she had been holding. Lyra’s cheeks flushed a deep red.

Ethan let out a long, relieved exhale.

Before Sharky could say anything else, Sophia stepped forward, smiling gently.

"Let the girls adjust, don’t judge them at the door."

Sharky raised his hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah. As you wish, my Queen."

Sophia led Sasha and Lyra inside, guiding them into the hall where the rest of the family waited.

Sharky followed, resting a hand briefly on Ethan’s shoulder as they walked in together.

---

The hall was warm and lively, filled with soft chatter and the faint sound of children laughing somewhere nearby.

Zainab was the first to speak, smiling as she approached. "So this is our son who keeps shaking the world."

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "I try not to."

Sana laughed. "That means you succeed."

Aafrin glanced at Sasha and Lyra, her tone gentle. "You must be exhausted. Come, sit. You’re family here now."

Sasha hesitated for just a second before nodding. "Thank you."

Lyra followed quietly, relaxing a little as they sat down.

Nearby, the children noticed Ethan and came rushing in all at once.

"Brother!"

"You’re back!"

Lucas almost teleported into Ethan’s arms, while Lily clung to his leg. Olivia looked up from her device and gave him a proud nod, as if inspecting his condition.

Ethan laughed, kneeling down. "Easy, easy. One at a time."

Maria watched from a short distance, smiling as she folded her arms. "See? They didn’t forget you."

"I was worried about that," Ethan replied softly.

Sharky leaned back against a pillar, arms crossed, watching the scene with a quiet smile.

"Looks like you’re doing something right."

Sophia shook her head fondly. "Both of you. Always pretending you don’t care."

Sasha found herself smiling without realizing it as Lucas dragged Ethan toward a corner to show him something he had been practicing.

Lyra sat beside Lily, listening patiently as she tried to explain something far too complicated for her age.

And for Sharky, watching his family fill the hall with life, it felt like peace, and precious.

---

After spending several peaceful days at the Alexander Estate, holding his newborn children, reuniting properly with Ethan, and strengthening his bond with Maria and the others.

Sharky finally felt his heart settle. But there was still one place he needed to go.

Asgard.

Sif and Hela were still there. His newborn child, whom he had not yet seen, was there. And his little Astrid was there too.

Before leaving, Sharky went through the estate one last time.

He kissed Sophia gently, reminding her to rest between training sessions. He hugged Zainab, Sana, and Aafrin, smiling as they teased him for always disappearing.

He touched Elira’s forehead softly, sharing a quiet look that needed no words. He exchanged a few calm words with Jean, Saba, Seorin, and the others, telling them to continue their training and watch over the children.

"Don’t worry," Sharky said calmly. "I’ll be back soon."

With that, he stepped away from Earth. Space folded. And in the next instant, Sharky materialized at the Bifrost Gate.

Golden light shimmered beneath his feet. Towers stretched into the sky, and the distant hum of divine energy flowed through the realm.

Sharky took a slow breath.

"It’s been a while," he murmured.

"I hope they’re celebrating the newborn," he thought quietly. Three years had passed. His child must have been born by now. The city should have been filled with joy.

But as he walked forward, he didn’t find the scene he expected. There was no happiness.

People rushed through the streets with hurried steps. Soldiers moved quickly from one place to another. Everyone seemed busy, yet something important was missing.

Happiness.

The city stood unnaturally quiet. Sharky frowned and continued forward. This was wrong.

As he moved closer to the palace, the unease grew stronger. The air felt heavy against his skin. The sky looked dimmer than it should have been. Even the golden structures of Asgard seemed tense, as if the realm itself was uneasy.

A warrior sprinted past him without even noticing who he was. Sharky slowed his steps.

"What happened?" he muttered.

He entered the palace. The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt it clearly.

Something was very wrong in Asgard.

Inside the palace, Sif, Odin, and Frigga were present, while Hela stood nearby holding a newborn baby in her arms.

Sif’s expression showed clearly that she had been crying only moments ago. Odin and Frigga looked tense as well, as if they were trying to calm her while struggling to remain composed themselves. Hela, despite holding her child, was also trying to comfort Sif.

Sharky felt his chest tighten.

"What happened?" he asked immediately.

The moment Sif heard his voice and saw him, she didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and leapt into his arms, breaking down in tears.

Sharky held her tightly, gently trying to calm her, confusion and concern flooding his mind. He couldn’t understand why Sif was crying, or why everyone in the room looked so strained.

Odin stepped forward and began to explain.

"It happened at the time of your son’s birth," Odin said heavily.

"Hela was ready to give birth, and we were all gathered around her. At that time, Astrid was playing in the Royal Garden."

Odin paused before continuing.

"After Hela gave birth to Sigurd, Sif went to the Royal Garden to bring Astrid back. But when she reached there, Astrid was gone. The Asgardian Royal Guards stationed there had been knocked unconscious."

Sharky’s grip on Sif tightened.

"It should have been impossible for anyone to enter Asgard unnoticed," Odin continued.

"So at first, we believed an Asgardian might be responsible. We searched all of Asgard. But we found nothing."

"We then searched the Nine Realms," Odin said, his voice filled with frustration. "And still, there was no sign of Astrid."

Frigga stepped forward, her expression pained.

"I tried to locate her using my magic. And Heimdall searched with his sight."

"But neither of us could find her," Odin added. "It was as if she vanished from the realm entirely."

He looked at Sharky directly.

"We did everything we could think of. Every possible method. But we couldn’t find even the smallest clue."

Odin lowered his voice.

"Since that day, Sif has been like this. We have been trying to comfort her while continuing the search for your daughter, but so far, we have found nothing at all."

The room fell silent, heavy with grief and pain.

Sharky listened in silence at first, his breathing steady. Then a dangerous aura began to rise around him.

"No matter who they are," he said slowly.

He looked down at Sif, holding her tightly. His pupils turned a deep, burning red.

"No matter if they are human or god," Sharky continued, his voice shaking with restrained fury. "Whoever kidnapped my daughter..."

His power flared.

"I WILL ERASE THEM FROM THE GALAXY," he shouted. The palace trembled slightly under the weight of his anger.

Sharky then turned toward Odin, his expression cold and focused.

"Until now, who are the enemies of Asgard? I want a list of every possible threat."

He paused for a moment, then added, "And tell me, who do you suspect?"