The Wrath of the Gods

Leonidas' blow seemed to have awoken something primordial in Thor. The god of thunder, usually in control of his emotions, felt a dull anger rise up inside him. The golden blood dripping from his wound was not just a humiliation, it was a reminder that a mere mortal had dared to challenge his supremacy.

"Enough!" roared Thor, raising Mjöllnir high into the air. The arena was suddenly shrouded in oppressive darkness, the clouds gathering above, rumbling with the promise of destruction.

"Mortal, you shall see the true power of a god."

Thor used a fearsome attack, "Mjöllnir's Wrath", unleashing a storm of unprecedented intensity. Lightning streaked across the sky, striking the arena floor with deadly precision. The howling winds kicked up waves of dust and rubble, making every movement dangerous and every breath difficult.

Leonidas, although used to desperate situations, felt the weight of the divine attack. Every thunderclap echoed through his body, every gust of wind threatened to knock him off balance. His shield, forged by Hephaestus, began to crack under the relentless pressure.

Despite everything, Leonidas held firm. He dived, rolled and dodged, using his warrior instincts to survive. But then the inevitable happened: a particularly powerful bolt of lightning struck his shield, sending him flying into the distance. Disarmed, Leonidas slowly rose to his feet, a defiant expression on his face despite the wounds that covered his body.

"You're tough, Leonidas," Thor declared, his voice sounding like thunder itself. "But without your shield, you're no more than a man against a storm."

Leonidas smiled faintly. "One man can topple an empire, Thor. I will not surrender."

Even weakened, Leonidas was looking for an opportunity. He watched the lightning, analysing its trajectory, looking for a way to turn this destructive force into an advantage. His divine spear, still in his hands, glowed faintly under the intense light of the flashes.

As Thor prepared to unleash another attack, Leonidas decided to try the impossible. He tightened his grip on his spear and, at the last moment, raised it to intercept a bolt of lightning, deflecting its power towards himself. The arena was lit up by a blinding explosion as Leonidas absorbed some of the divine energy, redirecting it towards Thor.

Thor recoiled from the impact, surprised by the bravery of his opponent. He looked at Leonidas, whose body was trembling under the effect of the divine energy, but whose gaze remained as determined as ever.

Thor, for the first time, looked at Leonidas not as a mortal opponent, but as an equal. Wiping a trail of sweat from his forehead, he let out a heartfelt laugh, a sound that echoed through the arena.

"Leonidas," he said, using his name for the first time. "You are much more than a mere human. Few dare challenge me, let alone hurt me. I honour you for your strength and cunning."

Leonidas replied with an exhausted smile. "And you, Thor, deserve to be called a god. But this battle is not yet over."

Thor nodded, a glint of respect in his eyes. "You are right. This fight deserves my full power. Prepare yourself, Leonidas. For the first time in millennia, I'm going to fight at 100%."

The spectators, humans and gods alike, held their breath. The battle had gone from an unbalanced duel to a confrontation of equals. Thor, now completely serious, called upon all the power of Odin and the heavens.

Leonidas, despite his condition, stood up with fierce determination. He knew that the next exchange would decide the outcome of this legendary battle.

Lightning danced around Thor as Leonidas, with his gleaming spear, prepared to write his name in history.