The Victory

Two

The portal's shimmering surface gave way to a bustling city in Greece, unfamiliar to Thor. Tall buildings adorned with intricate architecture surrounded him, and the ambient hum of human activity filled the air. The God of Thunder, adorned in his Asgardian attire, felt a wave of attention as mortals stared and pointed at him. Their curiosity transformed into requests for pictures, mistaking him for some sort of costumed character.

Thor, uneasy with the attention, tried to blend in as best as he could. He adjusted his cape and attempted a casual stride through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Namira. Ares, Freyr, and Artemis, having followed him through the portal, struggled to keep up, their divine presence drawing curious glances from the locals.

"Thor, perhaps we should inquire with the locals. They might have seen something," suggested Artemis, her keen eyes surveying the city.

Thor nodded reluctantly, approaching a nearby group of mortals who were still snapping pictures. He cleared his throat, attempting to sound inconspicuous, "Excuse me, good people of this... place. Have any of you seen a woman, otherworldly in appearance?"

Thor's eyes flickered with concern.

The mortals exchanged puzzled glances, their cameras momentarily forgotten.

One of them finally spoke up, "Dude, you're really committed to the whole superhero thing, huh? Your friend's costume is spot-on too! Can we get a picture with both of you?"

Thor, growing frustrated, managed a strained smile and declined their request.

As the group of mortals dispersed, Ares approached Thor, a mix of annoyance and amusement on his face. "Perhaps you should have chosen more inconspicuous attire, Sparkles."

Thor grumbled in agreement, "I know, but there was no time. We must find Namira."

Freyr, scanning the cityscape, added, "But why would she be here? Where are we?"

Artemis, her bow at the ready, interjected, "We need more information. Let's split up and inquire discreetly. If anyone has seen Namira, they might be reluctant to share with a group like ours. We seem to attract attention, maybe a change of wardrobe will help."

The trio dispersed into the city without a clue on how or where to look for Namira as they had no clue where they were. Thor navigated the unfamiliar streets on his own after changing his outfit to a more modern look so that people would stop staring at him as intensely.

He discreetly approached various groups, subtly asking about a woman matching Namira's description. The responses ranged from puzzled looks to outright dismissals, leaving Thor with no leads.

As the day wore on, frustration gnawed at Thor's patience. He met Ares, Freyr, and Artemis at a prearranged meeting point, their expressions mirroring his own uncertainty.

"I found nothing," Artemis admitted, frustration evident in her voice.

Ares sighed, "The mortals here seem oblivious to any divine presence. Perhaps Loki has more answers as to who took her. Maybe even why."

Thor's jaw clenched, "We cannot afford to be blind in our search. We must uncover the truth and find Namira before it's too late. My brother be damned, I don't know his part in it, but I will not look to him for aid."

The gods, bound by a common purpose and growing concern, resumed their quest through the labyrinthine streets of the Greek city, their journey shrouded in mystery and the unsettling fear that Namira's fate remained unknown.

Ares had explored the city, suspecting one of his kin, but none had ties to the city Dásos they were in, not a trace of Greek mythology tied to Olympus could be found. He had shared his concerns with Thor, saying he didn't believe Namira was still here, if she had even had been here to begin with.

They'd acquired a map of Greece and Ares started marking close, notable cities where such connections could be found. He marked the Parthenon and Erechtion in Athens, cleary dedicated to Athena. He marked the Temple of Hephaistos, the Temple of Nikè, a sanctuary of Zeus and one of Dionysus as well as his temple, those of Apollo, Artemis, Kronos and Rhea in the distance, that of Aphrodite and in the end even his own. He had marked everything nearby this city, in Athens' prefecture Attica.

Given the location, it was a clear indication his own pantheon was to blame rather than the Norse.

Thor's eyes narrowed at the map, at the names, "Why are you on this?"

Ares offered him a casual shrug, "My temple is there. I may not be the one who took her but it was worth noting, I wouldn't want you to think I kept it from you."

Thor nodded, "Given what happened when my brother was returned to us, I want to check the Sanctuary of Aphrodite first."

Ares nodded his agreement, "Athena, Artemis, Apollo and Nikè wouldn't have bothered. Hephaistos doesn't play games like these. Dionysus might've, but only to start a celebration, he wouldn't have harmed her. Kronos and Rhea... perhaps."

Freyr nodded, "Perhaps we should split up, Artemis and I to the Titan temple, we'd be better off there than two Gods of War. You check Aphrodite's."

As the Gods and Goddess separated, Ares couldn't help but worry about Freyr and the sight he was about to explore, but he understood its necessity. They had to find her and it had to be quick while they knew nothing of who took her and why for sure.

Off to Chaidari, another prefecture of Athens.

His step behind Thor's, keeping an eye on their surroundings and Thor both, Ares hoped they'd find her alive and soon, there would be no stopping Thor's destruction if she was lost to him, of that the God of War was certain.

TBC...