Beginning Of Multiverse Saga-Chapter 508: Ares’s Suspicion

The Gates of Olympus opened like living marble, glowing gold and white, as a horn echoed across the sky.

"WELCOME, GUESTS OF ASGARD!"

Sharky walked through the colossal gates with Hela beside him and baby Sigurd resting calmly in her embrace.

The moment Sharky stepped inside, several goddesses of Olympus froze.

They stared at him. Tall, broad-shouldered and perfectly proportioned.

Sharky moved with natural confidence, every step steady and controlled. His posture was straight without stiffness.

His hair was a deep, rich red, falling neatly around his head and catching the light of Olympus. His eyes were a vivid green, clear, sharp, and intense.

His face was sharply defined: a strong jawline, high cheekbones. His build was powerful without excess, muscles shaped by battle, moving smoothly beneath his clothing.

The goddesses stood in loose rows along the pathway, watching him pass, unsettled not only by his striking red hair and piercing green eyes, but by the feeling that this man belonged among gods.

Aphrodite’s golden skin shimmered beneath flowing rose-pink silk that hugged her curves, and her lips parted in genuine surprise.

"By the Fates..." she murmured softly. "Who is that?"

Athena’s steel-gray eyes narrowed behind her silver battle helm, her white-gold armor fitting her divine form with elegant precision.

"That aura," she said quietly. "This man is no mortal."

Artemis, draped in a short moonlit hunting mantle with long bare legs and a silver bow resting against her back, watched him pass with focused intensity.

"He moves... perfectly," she muttered.

Hebe, the eternal maiden, clad in floating layers of translucent white that drifted like mist around her, blinked in awe.

"He’s... beautiful."

Whispers spread like wildfire as Sharky passed through the city.

Some goddesses bit their lips. Some brushed their hair aside. Some simply stared, breath caught in their throats.

Even the gods were not unaffected.

Apollo paused mid-step, golden eyes narrowing with mixed irritation and intrigue.

Hermes tilted his head, studying Sharky with sharp curiosity.

Hephaestus frowned faintly, assessing him like an unsolved creation.

A shimmering golden platform descended from the sky, its surface glowing like molten sunlight.

Upon it stood Hera, Queen of Olympus, draped in a flowing gown of starlight and emerald, every movement carrying absolute authority. Beside her stood Zeus, clad in lightning-lined robes, his beard glowing faintly with contained power.

Hera stepped forward first.

"Welcome, Sharky Valor... and Princess Hela of Asgard."

Her eyes flicked briefly to Sharky’s face, pausing for just a fraction of a second, long enough to register surprise at his striking presence and the divine calm that surrounded him.

Zeus studied Sharky openly now, curiosity sharp behind his storm-lit gaze, carefully masking a trace of uncertainty.

"Any guest of Odin is welcome in Olympus," Zeus declared. "Our realm opens its doors to you."

Sharky inclined his head in a restrained bow. Hela returned the gesture with regal elegance, Sigurd sleeping peacefully in her embrace.

As they walked deeper into Olympus, the reaction followed them.

Goddesses turned their heads just a little too slowly. Nymphs whispered excitedly behind marble columns. Satyrs nudged one another, grinning. Muses giggled softly, pretending not to stare.

Sharky ignored all of it, his attention fixed forward.

Hela noticed.

For a brief instant, her hair flickered faintly blue with possessiveness, but she controlled it just as quickly, her expression remaining composed and queenly as she walked beside him.

---

The council prepared a feast for their guests.

The great feast hall of Olympus was adorned in gold and polished marble, its vast pillars gleaming beneath celestial light. Chalices floated gently through the air, refilling themselves, while harps played without hands, their music flowing like warm wind through the hall.

Sharky sat at the long divine table beside Hela, with baby Sigurd resting quietly in her arms.

Around them, dozens of gods and goddesses watched him, some with curiosity, some with enchantment, and others with caution.

As he listened and observed, Sharky was also searching, reaching out with quiet awareness for even the faintest trace of Astrid.

But he found nothing.

Hera, Athena, Hestia, Aphrodite, and others watched him with growing interest, trying to read the calm man from Asgard.

While many gods and goddesses looked at Sharky with curiosity, one god watched him with open hostility.

Ares.

From Zeus’s introduction, Ares already knew who they were. Sharky was the son-in-law of Odin, and Hela was Odin’s daughter.

In Ares’s mind, that was enough.

He did not know who had killed Phobos. But to him, Asgard was responsible.

Sharky calmly ate from a golden crystalline plate when he felt an intense glare stab into him from across the hall.

He lifted his gaze.

At the far side of the banquet hall, Ares stood rigid, eyes burning like wildfire, his presence radiating barely restrained violence.

Sharky’s expression remained calm and unreadable. He leaned slightly toward the goddess serving him.

She was a nymph-like minor goddess, with long moonlit hair, soft white robes, and bright blue eyes. Her hands trembled every time she approached him, overwhelmed by his presence.

Sharky asked quietly, his voice steady, "Who is that man staring at me... as if I’ve killed his entire bloodline?"

The goddess swallowed nervously and glanced toward Ares.

"Th-that is Ares," she whispered. "The God of War."

She hesitated before adding carefully, "He is... volatile. He has recently lost... his son."

Sharky’s eyes narrowed just slightly.

The goddess bowed quickly and hurried away, too nervous to remain.

When Sharky’s gaze met Ares’s, the God of War felt something he had not felt in millennia.

Ares tightened his grip on his spear.

"This Asgardian..." he thought grimly, "...there is something wrong with him."

Flames flickered around Ares’s boots as his killing intent rose. But Hela lifted her gaze and noticed him. Her hair flickered crimson for a split second, a clear warning.

Ares scoffed and looked away. Yet inside, his decision was already made. Asgard was his prime suspect. And since Sharky Valor belongs to Asgard, he was also the culprit.

After the feast ended and the guests were settled, Ares stormed into Zeus’s private council chamber.

Zeus sat at the head of a massive circular marble table, lightning flickering faintly in his eyes. Hera stood beside him, regal and composed, her gaze sharp and observant.

Ares’s armor clattered as he bowed briefly, "Father... I know who killed Phobos."

Zeus’s eyes narrowed. Hera tilted her head slightly.

"And who dares?" Zeus demanded. "Speak."

Ares answered without hesitation. "Asgard. Someone from Asgard killed my son."

Hera raised a brow, and questioned him, "Why Asgard? You assume much, Ares."

Ares’s jaw tightened, but he replied, "Because Phobos came to me before his banishment. He asked how to enter Asgard secretly."

Zeus rose from his throne at once, anger flashing in his eyes. "Enter Asgard? For what reason?"

Ares inhaled deeply. "...He wished to kidnap someone."

The chamber fell silent. Hera blinked once. Then again.

Lightning cracked around Zeus’s form. "WHO?" he thundered. "Who did that fool try to kidnap?!"

"A girl," Ares replied grimly. "Astrid, the daughter of Sif and Sharky Valor."

Zeus and Hera exchanged a sharp, knowing look.

Hera spoke next. "And how, Ares? How did he achieve this kidnapping?"

Ares’s expression twisted with reluctance. "He used the Serpent of Ruin."

Hera’s eyes widened. Even Zeus’s fury stalled for a brief moment.

Hera asked immediately, "And where is Echidna, the one who controls the Serpent?"

Ares shook his head slowly. "She... disappeared."

Hera closed her eyes, her thoughts racing as the pieces aligned.

When she opened them again, her voice was calm but razor-sharp.

"Phobos kidnapped Astrid. He must have delivered the child to Echidna. And Echidna vanished into an unknown timeline, as she always does."

She stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Therefore... Asgard would believe Olympus stole their child. It is even possible that Odin himself searched for her."

Zeus stiffened. "And if Odin did not find her—"

Hera continued calmly, finishing the thought, "—then Odin would have searched for someone to blame. Someone responsible. And that someone would be Phobos."

Ares swallowed. "But how can you be certain Asgard didn’t find Astrid?"

Hera gestured toward the guest wing, where Sharky, Hela, and Sigurd were staying. "Because Sharky and Hela’s arrival in Olympus tells the entire story."

Zeus frowned. "Explain."

Hera spoke evenly, her logic precise. "If Astrid had been found, why would Sharky search Olympus? Why would he arrive here with Hela and their newborn son?"

Ares’s eyes widened as realization dawned.

Hera continued, "They are searching for the child. That means Astrid is still missing. And if she is still missing, then Echidna hid her somewhere unknown."

Zeus clenched his fist. "And if Asgard suspects Olympus—"

Hera finished without hesitation, "—then war will erupt between Asgard and Olympus."

Zeus’s gaze hardened as he reached a decision. "Then we must watch Sharky. Learn his intentions. And measure his strength."

Hera nodded slightly, then asked, "And how do you plan to watch him? He is not someone a simple scout can follow."

Zeus’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. He lowered his voice. "Aphrodite."

Ares blinked in confusion. "Aphrodite? Why her?"

Zeus leaned back as he replied, "No goddess is better at infiltrating the hearts of gods and men."

Hera did not object. She understood the reasoning all too well.

Aphrodite was known for bending emotions, weakening resolve, disarming anger, charming gods, and drawing out truths others never intended to reveal.

She was a perfect seductress. Her beauty and aura overwhelmed even divine minds. Mortals stood no chance, and even gods, Ares, Hermes, Apollo had fallen under her influence before. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

On Olympus, it was no secret that she cheated on her husband Hephaestus openly.

She has slept with Ares, Hermes, and even minor gods. She manipulates relationships as easily as mortals breathe... Behind closed doors, she was known as "The Ever-Enticing."

If anyone could coax the truth from Sharky without raising suspicion, it was Aphrodite.

Zeus continued, his tone firm. "She will observe Sharky quietly. Charm him. Distract him. And learn his motives."