novelraw Chapter 287: Skarn Defeated
Chapter 287: Skarn Defeated
Sharky took another step forward.
"You will not take them. Your control ends here."
With a motion of his hand, a radiant wave of shimmering light surged outward, colliding with Skarn’s crimson energy. And it started destroying the crimson tendrils.
The Asgardians ensnared by Skarn’s power gasped as the red glow dissipated, their minds freed.
Skarn staggered back, his form flickering as the Aether within him recoiled from Sharky’s counterattack. His crimson glow dimmed slightly.
"This isn’t over! I am the God of Conquest!"
Sharky’s eyes narrowed, his power still surging around him.
"No, Skarn. You are nothing but a shadow, and your time has come."
The Asgardians, now free, sighed with relief.
But in the shadows, Phobos, watching this, whispered to himself, "What is this guy, he easily dissolves Skarn every attack."
Sharky with a calm attitude looked towards the Skarn. "You’ve used all your chances, Skarn. Now, your child’s play is over."
He raised his hand, and with a mere movement of his finger. The swirling energy around him intensified.
With a simple gesture, Sharky pointed a single finger at Skarn. A shimmering beam of energy shot forward, striking Skarn squarely in the chest. The Aether, the source of his devastating power, began to stir violently within him.
He shouted in a panicked tone.
"What... what are you doing?!"
Skarn found the Aether’s chaotic energy, once fused with his essence, began to unravel. Streams of crimson light flowed from his body, spiraling toward Sharky’s outstretched hand.
Sharky looked towards him, and calmly replied, "Taking back what was never yours."
Skarn clutched his chest, his roar of defiance turning into a guttural cry of desperation, as the Aether was forcibly ripped from him.
The very essence that had granted him dominion over reality now slipped through his grasp.
As the Aether flowed into Sharky’s hand. Everyone watched him in shock.
Thomas, Frigga, Odin, Loki, Sif, and the Asgardian warriors—all watching in stunned silence. Although this was not the first time he has done it.
Before, he also took out the Aether from Jane, but still it was shocking.
As the Aether flowed into Sharky’s hand, a vibrant red hue swirling energy condensed, taking on a tangible form. In a mesmerizing transformation, the Aether solidified into a stone, held firmly in Sharky’s grasp.
"This is no longer yours to wield."
Skarn fell to his knees, his crimson armor dimmed. He clutched at the air, his breaths ragged and desperate. He screamed in a weak tone.
"No... no, this cannot be... I am the God of Conquest... I cannot be defeated!"
Sharky didn’t care about him, as he curiously looked towards the Aether, which was solidified into a stone.
And then the Asgardians understood that the Aether was, in fact, the Shard Of Existence, a collective gasp swept through the onlookers.
Thomas whispered looking at the Shard Of Existence, "The Aether... It’s the Shard Of Existence... one of the Eternal Shard parts."
Odin gave a knowing look, it looks, he already knew that Aether was Shard of Existence.
Sharky turned his attention to Odin. His expression was calm. Holding the Shard Of Existence aloft, he tossed the glowing gem toward Odin.
"Father-in-law, this is my gift to you. It belongs among the treasures of Asgard."
Skarn knelt in defeat, his expression a mixture of despair and rage, as he looked towards the Shard of Existence in Odin’s hand.
"This isn’t over... I will rise again."
He shouted, seeing that his powers had vanished from him.
Meanwhile Phobos murmured to himself, looking towards Sharky, "Just what can’t he do?"
He was deeply shocked from inside, that Sharky was so much stronger.
Odin ignored the Skarn threat, looked towards the glowing Eternal Shard of Existence rested in his palm.
He turned his gaze toward Sharky, standing tall with Astrid in his arms. A rare smile softened Odin’s expression, a mixture of gratitude and pride appeared inside of him.
His actions had not only quelled Skarn’s threat but had brought unexpected joy to his heart. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in having Sharky as a member of his family.
"Sharky, my son-in-law, you have not only blessed us with Astrid, but also secured Asgard’s safety from the threat of Skarn."
Odin looked towards Sharky in admiration. Sharky in a matter of minutes, resolved all the problems.
However, Odin couldn’t help but wonder about Sharky’s decision to give away the Shard Of Existence, one of the most potent artifacts in the universe.
Though filled with gratitude, a question lingered in his mind, he approached Sharky and asked.
"Sharky, my son-in-law, don’t you require this powerful artifact? The Shard of Existence holds the potential to reshape reality itself. It is one of the strongest weapons in the universe."
Sharky, caressed the head of Astrid, while she cradled in his arms. He looked towards Odin, and the glowing shard in his hands.
"You call it a powerful artifact, father-in-law. Perhaps it is. But to me, it was just a weapon."
Odin raised a brow, intrigued by Sharky’s perspective.
"Weapons are tools, nothing more. They can be wielded, broken, or taken away. Just like that, I took it away from Skarn. They hold no true value to me. I do not require a weapon."
Sharky’s voice grew firmer as he explained his reason.
"I believe in myself. In my own powers. In my physical prowess. That is the only force I need. Weapons can be lost, broken or stolen. But the powers I have, they will never be taken from me."
Just like his Ultivalortrix. It was fused with him, and never to be taken away from him. Even before the fusion of Ultivalortrix, when it was just Valortrix.
It was created like that, it was only used by the worthy and bloodline of Valor’s people. And after fusing, it was only his for eternity, till he did not die.
Or he will die or not, even, he doesn’t know about it.
Odin studied Sharky carefully, his expression thoughtful. As the Allfather of Asgard, Odin had wielded many great weapons, from Gungnir to Mjölnir, and had relied on artifacts to secure peace across the realms.
Sharky’s perspective was a stark contrast to his own, but it carried a profound wisdom he could not deny.
"You place great trust in yourself, Sharky. That is both admirable and dangerous. Perhaps it is also what sets you apart from the rest of us."
Sharky nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You’ve seen what happens when someone becomes obsessed with power they do not deserve. Skarn was consumed by the Aether because he believed it made him invincible. But I always believe I am stronger, not some tool or weapon can be proof of my own strength."
Odin bowed his head slightly, acknowledging Sharky’s perspective.
"Your wisdom is rare, Sharky. I will ensure this one is guarded well."
Odin holding the Shard of Existence, couldn’t help but reflect on Sharky’s words. In a world defined by gods and weapons of unimaginable power, Sharky believed in his own strength.
After handing the Shard Of Existence to Odin, Sharky’s focus shifted onto Skarn, who remained on his knees, seething with anger and humiliation.
His eyes fixed on Skarn, couldn’t resist a taunt.
"Now, Skarn, you wanted to harm my daughter. Let’s switch things up a bit. How about my daughter dealing with you instead?"
The words hung in the air, shocking the onlookers. Thomas, Odin, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what Sharky meant.
Skarn’s glowing red eyes narrowed as he processed Sharky’s words. For a moment, he stared at Sharky as if the statement were a joke, his expression twisting into a mocking grin.
"Your... daughter? You’re jesting, surely. Did you forget who I am, Sharky? I am Skarn, the God of Conquest! I am immortal! You think a mere child can challenge me?"
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head.
"You’ve grown delusional in your arrogance. You speak nonsense. Your child is no match for me."
Sharky’s smirk deepened, his confidence only growing in the face of Skarn’s taunts. He adjusted Astrid in his arms, holding her gently.
"Delusional? No, Skarn. Although you are a God. And even you are immortal. But, today, I will show you what Valor was."
"And about my daughter. She is Astrid, a force born of my bloodline and blessed with power that far surpasses your comprehension."
He looked down at Astrid, who blinked up at her father, her young eyes glowing faintly with a mysterious light.
"Astrid carries my legacy—and my strength. You wanted to challenge me by threatening her. Now, let’s see if you can handle the storm you’ve awakened."
"Your conquest ends here, Skarn."
Skarn’s grin faltered slightly, doubt creeping into his mind as he observed Sharky.
For the first time,he felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. He was immortal, a god of conquest—but what was this child? What kind of power could Sharky possibly mean?
"Whatever tricks you’re planning, they won’t work. I am still a god, Sharky. And your child—your precious child—is nothing compared to me."
Sharky chuckled softly.
"That’s the thing about you, Skarn. You always underestimate what you don’t understand. But don’t worry. You’ll learn soon enough."
Leaning down to Astrid’s ear, Sharky whispered softly, "Baby Astrid, use your fire and ice powers. You have the blood of Valor. Now, show us, what can you do to this Skarn."
The two-year-old blinked up at her father, her innocent eyes reflecting his confidence. Though her understanding was limited, she still understood what her father was trying to convey.
She giggled softly, her small hands beginning to glow as the powers within her awakened.
"Fire... and ice?"
Astrid raised her tiny hands, her chubby fingers curling as she summoned her elemental powers. From her right hand, a cascade of brilliant flames erupted.
From her left hand, a swirl of frosty mist formed.
The two elements, polar opposites, danced in harmony as they converged. A mesmerizing swirl of fire and ice spiraled through the air.
Sif was amazed by the scene.
She whispered, "By the gods... she’s just a child!"
Odin also stood in awe, and also pride.
"Not just any child. She’s Sharky’s daughter."
Skarn, still kneeling, looked up with a mixture of disbelief and irritation. He scoffed, refusing to accept that a two-year-old could pose any threat to him.
"This? This is your answer, Sharky? A child? You insult me!"
But his arrogance faltered as the swirling fire and ice moved closer. The flames burnt the air with ferocity, while the frost seemed to freeze the very atmosphere in its wake.
Skarn raised his hands, attempting to summon the remnants of his strength to block the attack, but it was too late. The fiery blaze and icy storm collided with him, wrapping around his body in an elemental embrace.
The fire burned with an intensity that seared through even Skarn’s godly resilience, while the ice froze him in place, locking his movements.
Steam hissed and billowed as the opposing elements clashed on Skarn’s body, creating an unbearable storm of heat and cold.
Skarn screamed in pain, "This... this is impossible! She’s just a child!"
The once-immortal god of conquest, writhed in agony as the Wrath of Fire and Ice continued to ravage him.
The flames seared through his body, leaving smoldering burns, while the ice crept beneath his skin, freezing him to the core. His crimson armor cracked and shattered, unable to withstand the opposing elements that raged over his body.
But still, his immortality held true. His wounds healed almost instantly, his flesh regenerating faster than the fire could burn him or the ice could freeze him.
Yet this immortality, once a blessing, now became a curse—for with every cycle of burning and freezing, his body endured endless suffering without respite.