A Test Of Strength: Part 2

Odin gestures for them to follow him further into the hall. They do so without hesitation, aware that today marks the beginning of something profound. It's time to dive into the depths of their newfound abilities, and they're keenly aware that the fate of more than just themselves depends on how quickly they can master what's been given to them.

Odin gestures toward Raiden, his expression firm but expectant. "Raiden," he says, "you have raw talent, but you need to learn control. Today, you'll face a trial that will challenge your ability to stay grounded and focused under pressure."

With a quick nod to an angel at the far side of the hall, Odin sets the test in motion. From a series of launchers, medium-sized golden balls, each one glowing with an ethereal light and about the size of a baseball, rise up and line themselves in a row. They seem small but radiate an intimidating energy.

"These spheres will come at you one after another," Odin explains. "Your task is to catch each one without letting them knock you down. Use your lightning to keep yourself grounded. You'll need to focus and control the energy around you, or the impact will send you flying."

Raiden stands tall, his muscles tense, as he channels his lightning through his legs and into the ground. Small bolts crackle around him, anchoring him like living chains. He braces himself as the first golden ball comes hurtling toward him at high speed. He reaches out, but the force of the impact nearly sends him sprawling. He stumbles, barely keeping his balance, and feels the sting as it hits his chest.

Before he can fully recover, another ball launches at him. This time, he tries to adjust, letting more lightning surge into his legs, but the ball slams into his shoulder, and he falls back a step. Another ball comes, and then another—each one a relentless assault on his focus and strength. He grits his teeth, steadying himself each time, but he finds himself constantly off-balance, his muscles beginning to ache from the strain.

After several rounds, his body is battered, but a new determination starts to grow within him. He recalls Odin's words about focus and control. Taking a deep breath, he tightens his stance and centers himself. This time, as he channels his lightning, he lets it flow steadily rather than in bursts. The next ball comes, and he reaches out, catching it with one hand. The lightning surges down into his legs, anchoring him so firmly that he barely shifts when the ball strikes.

Gradually, he starts catching each ball, one after another. His hands move faster, his grip stronger, and with each catch, his confidence builds. The last golden ball slams into his grasp, and he pulls it in, his lightning now steady and controlled.

As the test ends, Raiden stands amidst the fallen golden spheres, breathing heavily but victorious. Though bruised and sore, he feels a rush of accomplishment. Odin nods approvingly. "You've learned something valuable today, Raiden. The power within you is only as strong as your ability to control it. Remember this—your focus will determine your strength."

Raiden wipes the sweat from his brow, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. He may have stumbled, but each failure pushed him closer to understanding the true depth of his powers. 

Odin approaches Zohar with a piercing gaze, arms crossed as he considers the next training task. "Zohar," he says, "you possess extraordinary speed and enhanced vision—gifts that few can claim. But speed alone is meaningless without precision, and vision is useless without the ability to act quickly on what you see. Today's trial will test both."

He gestures towards a wide battlefield, where shields of various shapes and sizes are scattered about. Some are plain, while others are marked with an "X." Behind several of the shields stand Odin's warriors, prepared to challenge Zohar.

"Your task is to single out every shield marked with an 'X,'" Odin explains. "You'll have to move quickly, as the warriors will try to strike you the moment you're in their range. With your speed, you should be able to outmaneuver them. And with your hyper vision, you should be able to pinpoint each mark in an instant. But be warned: if you're too slow, they'll hit you with everything they have."

Zohar nods, stretching his arms and legs as he prepares. He can feel his heartbeat quicken, not from fear but from excitement. He's always known he was fast, but now he'll have to push himself to his limits. Taking a deep breath, he fixes his gaze on the field, his hyper vision activating. Everything sharpens—the outlines of the shields, the faint markings on them, and even the subtle shifts in stance from each warrior behind the shields.

Without hesitation, Zohar dashes forward, a blur of movement across the battlefield. His eyes lock onto the first shield with an "X," and in a split second, he's there, touching it before the warrior even has time to react. He immediately pivots and speeds toward the next marked shield. This time, the warrior attempts a swing, but Zohar's heightened vision detects the movement instantly. He ducks, narrowly avoiding the blow, and tags the shield with ease.

Zohar darts from one end of the field to the other, each step calculated and swift. He feels a surge of exhilaration as he dodges attacks, his enhanced vision allowing him to read each warrior's intent before they even act. At times, he can almost predict where they'll strike, their movements sluggish in comparison to his own.

As he reaches the final shield, Zohar suddenly finds himself flanked by two warriors, both ready to strike. In a moment of instinct, he focuses his vision on the slightest of hesitations in one warrior's stance, a small shift that signals a momentary weakness. Zohar twists his body to avoid the first blow, spinning around the warrior and narrowly avoiding the second attack. He lands his hand on the shield with the "X," completing his task.