Without exchanging many words, the two moved almost simultaneously.
Hong's figure blurred like a streak of light, crossing half of the training hall in the blink of an eye. His twin spears lunged at Thor from a seemingly impossible angle. Each movement was precise and elegant, every step calculated with flawless efficiency, leaving no motion wasted.
Thor reacted instantly. His Thunderblade swung in a wide arc, electricity crackling along its edge as it collided with Hong's light blades, sending a shower of brilliant blue and white sparks into the air. Thor's fighting style was the opposite of Hong's bold, forceful, and explosive, each strike carrying the sheer weight and might of a storm.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the hall as their weapons intertwined midair, creating a mesmerizing and dangerous spectacle of light and electricity.
After a brief warm-up, the two drew back slightly, neither revealing their full strength, instead probing each other's condition.
"Looking sharp," Thor said with a grin, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yesterday's training didn't slow you down at all."
Hong nodded slightly, a rare glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. "Shall we start for real?"
"Absolutely!" Thor replied, excitement in his voice. "Let's test that energy complementary effect we discovered yesterday."
Hong gave a slight nod in agreement, and they both began adjusting their energy flows.
Thor closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath, letting his muscles loosen. He planted the Thunderblade into the ground and raised his hands in front of his chest, forming a complex seal. "Thunder Network, activate."
As he spoke, countless streams of electricity formed a lattice-like network around him. The currents didn't simply radiate outward they followed a precise pattern, swirling into miniature energy vortices at each node. The network glowed blue, with some nodes shifting in shade, creating an intricate gradient of energy.
At the same time, Hong began to release his light-based power. Crossing his hands in front of his chest, he slowly spread them apart. "Light Lattice, activate."
Tiny points of light appeared around him, arranged not randomly but in a precise geometric structure, resembling the atomic lattice of a crystal. Each point connected energetically to its neighbors, forming a harmonious network. The lattice shimmered with a pure golden hue, occasionally flickering with subtle variations in color where the connections pulsed.
In the center of the training hall, the two energy fields met. They didn't repel or clash; instead, they seemed to resonate with one another, gradually merging. Nodes of the Thunder Network aligned with the points of the Light Lattice, forming a more complex and harmonious energy structure.
"Interesting," Thor murmured, eyes wide as he observed. "They can naturally merge and even more smoothly than yesterday."
Hong nodded, a spark of thought in his eyes. "The essence of energy is the same. Try guiding it."
The two began actively directing the fusion, carefully controlling the flow and rhythm. Thor guided the currents of the Thunder Network in specific patterns, while Hong adjusted the lattice, making the points flash in synchronized rhythms.
Gradually, a new energy form began taking shape at the center of the hall a swirling vortex of combined light and electricity. At its core was pure white energy, radiating outward in bands of intertwining blue and gold, spinning continuously and emitting a powerful yet harmonious energy pulse.
The energy monitors spiked quickly but remained stable, demonstrating that both warriors had excellent control over this new form of power.
"This is incredible," Thor exclaimed, excitement ringing in his voice. "This fused energy feels completely different from pure lightning. It's more flexible, more precise."
Hong nodded subtly. "Speed of light, power of thunder."
His concise assessment perfectly captured the essence of the fusion: the swiftness and penetrative capability of light combined with the explosive force of electricity, creating a wholly new form of energy.
"Let's test it in practice," Thor suggested, eyes alight with combat fervor. "Let's see what it can do in an actual fight."
Hong agreed, temporarily separating their energies and returning to their respective positions to simulate a combat scenario, applying their newly discovered energy form.
Thor struck first. Raising the Thunderblade, the electrical glow intensified along its edge. "Thunder Might!"
A thick bolt of lightning shot from the blade's tip, aimed at Hong's chest. It was Thor's standard attack, but this time, flecks of light were visible within the lightning, the result of him experimenting with integrating light properties into his electrical energy.
Hong didn't raise a conventional shield. Instead, he responded proactively, tracing an unusual arc with his twin Light Spears in midair. "Light Rhythm: Electromagnetic Acceleration."
A multitude of tiny arrows of light shot from the spear tips, each wrapped in faint electrical currents that propelled them forward, greatly enhancing speed and penetration.
The two attacks collided midair but didn't cancel each other out. Instead, they fused into a swirling vortex of energy that expanded outward before being absorbed by the hall's energy-dissipation systems.
"Interesting effect," Thor commented. "Our attacks are compatible at an energy level."
Hong nodded subtly, then proposed a further idea. "Try hitting the same target simultaneously."
Thor immediately understood. They would test the effect of both energies converging on a single point.
A training dummy made of specialized material stood in the hall's center, capable of withstanding immense energy while recording type and intensity. This would be their test subject.
"I'll count to three," Thor suggested. "We attack together. One, two, three!"
On three, Thor released a bolt of lightning while Hong unleashed a beam of light. Both struck the dummy almost simultaneously. A remarkable phenomenon occurred: rather than simply layering, the energies merged on impact, creating a mini energy explosion. A noticeable dent appeared on the dummy's surface, edges scorched and electrically marked.
The energy monitors showed readings far exceeding expectations, indicating that the combined attack was significantly more powerful than the sum of its parts.
"Amazing!" Thor shouted, eyes glittering with excitement. "This fusion attack is stronger than I imagined!"
Even Hong's stoic expression shifted slightly, a rare sign of surprise and satisfaction. "Energy catalytic effect," he noted succinctly. "Mutual enhancement."
They conducted multiple tests, experimenting with different energy ratios and release patterns, noting each outcome. They discovered that when light and electricity were fused in specific proportions and released almost simultaneously, the effect reached its maximum potential.
After more than an hour, their understanding of the new energy form deepened. They decided to attempt more complex applications.
"I wonder," Thor mused, wiping sweat from the Thunderblade, "if we applied this fusion energy defensively, could it have special properties as well?"
Hong considered, then nodded. "Worth trying."
They designed an experiment: Thor would create a defensive shield using the Thunder Network, while Hong integrated the Light Lattice to enhance stability and responsiveness.
Thor stood at the hall's center, hands raised. "Thunder Network: Guardian Shield."
A hemispherical blue energy barrier formed around him, woven from countless tiny currents. Any energy contact was met with immediate feedback, either repelling or absorbing the impact.
Hong stood beside him, forming hand seals. "Light Lattice: Reinforce."
Tiny points of light merged into the Thunder Network at current nodes, adding reinforcement. The shield's color shifted from pure blue to a striking blend of blue and gold.
They tested the reinforced shield by having the hall's system launch a series of energy orbs, increasing in intensity from level one to level five, the latter capable of harming a universe-level warrior.
"Ready?" Thor asked, sweat trickling down his brow from the concentration required.
Hong nodded, focused. "Begin."
The level one and two orbs were deflected effortlessly, leaving no trace. Level three struck the barrier, causing ripples, but it quickly stabilized.
The real test came with levels four and five. Level four impacted the shield violently. Thanks to the lattice reinforcement, currents redistributed, dispersing the energy across the surface and successfully repelling the orb.
"Incredible!" Thor exclaimed, slightly out of breath. "My previous shields could only handle level three. This actually stopped level four!"
But the ultimate challenge was level five. The system launched a massive red orb at astonishing speed. Both tensed as it struck the shield, releasing blinding light and deafening thunder.
The barrier shook violently, cracks appearing, but the Light Lattice patched them almost immediately. Thunder Network currents surged, creating oscillations that partially reflected the orb's force.
The orb was deflected, its power drastically reduced, dissipating quickly in the air.
Though the defense succeeded, it consumed tremendous energy, leaving the shield dimmer. Thor and Hong released their energy, breathing heavily, clearly exhausted by the effort.
"Tiring, but effective," Thor said, a triumphant smile on his face. "Our defensive capacity has improved by at least two levels!"
Hong nodded, a rare trace of satisfaction in his expression. "Light repairs, electricity rebounds complementary effects are evident."
After resting briefly, they moved on to their final experiment attempting to create a wholly new fusion skill, perfectly combining light and electricity.
"I have an idea," Thor said, excitement in his voice. "My 'Thunder's Descent' skill calls on the heavens' lightning, while your 'Radiant Judicator' condenses the essence of light. If we combine the two "
Hong's eyes widened in surprise at the bold suggestion, then he nodded. "It's worth trying, but precision is key. Mismanagement could lead to chaos."
Both understood the risks. Combining two powerful energy laws improperly could harm not only the formation but themselves. Yet as top-tier warriors, they feared no challenge.
For safety, they notified the hall's system, setting energy absorbers to maximum and activating emergency barriers to prevent any accidents.
Prepared, they stood back-to-back at the hall's center, channeling their respective energy laws.
Thor closed his eyes, forming a complex seal. "Ninth Layer Thunder Domain, Sixth Stage, activate."
A deafening thunderclap shattered the silence, a blue energy field forming around him as currents surged, emitting sharp crackling sounds. This was Thor's maximum controlled Thunder Domain, beyond which only his battle with Windwalker Mordin had pushed him.
Hong concentrated his light energy. "Light Realm, manifest."
Countless points of light formed a golden energy field around him, flowing in a specific, harmonious pattern, not just suspended but moving with rhythm and structure.
"Begin fusion," Thor said, his voice tense with energy. "I will extend the boundaries of my Thunder Domain into your Light Realm. You do the same."
Hong nodded, and carefully, they guided their energy fields toward each other.
At first, contact caused minor turbulence, energy fluctuations triggering slight warnings on the monitors. But both were masters of control, quickly adjusting output and intensity.