[SL in Marvel] Ch: 10 [Deathblow]

The energy in the stadium was intense, filled with tension and excitement as the two fighters faced off. The mood changed, becoming thick with anticipation, as the crowd leaned in, holding their breath together. Even the clouds above seemed to gather in reaction to the coming fight, growing darker as Thor and Jason prepared to use all their strength.

Sparks of lightning flickering over Thor's skin. His eyes shone with a bright blue light, and the power emanating from his body was suffocating. The ground under his feet started to break and hiss, unable to handle his powerful presence. On the other side, Jason, however, remained calm and composed. The red aura around his body grew brighter, more menacing. However, after using Barbarian mode 100%, his body became leaner instead of bulky. His muscles contracted and condensed, giving him a faster and more agile appearance.

Thor raised his hand towards the sky. Thunder collected in the clouds, spinning and turning until it formed a huge beam of power. With a thunderous sound, Thor threw the bolt at Jason. "Feel the wrath of Thunder!"

Jason didn't back down.

[Skill Activated: Fist of the Ancient] [Smash through all elements]

He let out his own loud shout and threw a punch, his hand covered by a red aura. The two powers met with a huge bang, sending a wave of force through the area and making the ground break apart. Shockwaves swept throughout the arena as the energies collided, causing tremors that rocked the city. The warriors watching from outside were thrown backward, and the Asgardians struggled to maintain their footing.

Jason’s fist cut through the lightning, dispersing the energy into harmless sparks that fizzled out before they could touch him. "Hahahaha! This is fun! Show me more!" He grinned wickedly, the ground beneath him shattering further as he launched himself toward Thor with a speed that left afterimages in his wake.

Thor hardly had a moment to respond when Jason suddenly stood in front of him, his fist already moving towards Thor's chest. With a powerful hit, Jason's punch struck Thor's body directly, causing him to fly backward through the air. He smashed through several golden pillars, which broke apart from the impact.

Thor grunted, feeling the shockwaves of the punch ripple through his body, but he quickly regained his footing. "Not bad, for a mortal." He spat, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

Jason landed lightly on the shattered ground, cracks spreading from the impact of his landing. "Oh, I’m just getting started," he replied, the excitement clear in his voice. Without warning, he dashed forward again, faster this time, aiming a flurry of punches at Thor. "Don't you dare pass out, THOR!"

[Skill Activated: Raging Assault] [A continuous chain attack. Can be interrupted by AOE attack]

Each punch came faster and harder than the last, the air around them vibrating from the sheer force. Thor deflected and blocked as best as he could, but Jason’s speed and power were overwhelming. Each blow that landed sent another shockwave through the arena, the walls shaking, and the ground giving way beneath their feet.

Thor knew he couldn’t keep up with Jason’s pace, not without something more. With a burst of energy, he pushed Jason back, creating some distance between them. His eyes narrowed as he raised his arms, summoning the full power of the storm. The sky over Asgard grew dark, with clouds spinning above as thunder crackled.

Thunder started to hit Thor, each strike adding to the energy inside him. His muscles grew bigger, and the bright blue light in his eyes became stronger. "It's over now!" He said with his usual arrogant tone. He lifted his hands towards the sky, summoning a huge bolt of lightning. The bolt broke into many smaller strikes, each one aimed at Jason from various directions.

Jason’s eyes widened slightly as he saw the incoming barrage, but instead of dodging, he planted his feet firmly on the ground.

"Come at me with everything you got. This time, I'm gonna take it all. Give it your all..." He grinned wildly, enjoying the battle. His red aura flared brighter, and he crossed his arms in front of him, preparing to meet the attack head-on. "ARGGGG!!!"

[Skill Activated: Challenging Fury> 40% damage reduction] + [Iron Skin> 50% damage absorption] + [Aggressive Resistance Passive> 4% damage reduction while Berserker is active.]

Jason used his skills to reduce the damage from the lightning. As Thor unleashed the full power of the storm, the lightning bolts hit Jason from every direction. The air shook with the deafening sound of thunder as the lightning struck Jason repeatedly, the arena becoming a sea of chaos. However, Jason endured it all, standing strong against the torrent of electricity.

The spectators watched in awe as Jason weathered the attack, the light of the lightning illuminating his figure as he stood unmoving amid the destruction with a large grin on his face. Even Thor was surprised by Jason's resilience, but he was determined to finish the fight. Summoning the last of his power, he created a final massive bolt of lightning that struck down from the heavens like a god's wrath.

The impact was cataclysmic, an explosion of light and sound that shook the very foundations of Asgard. Dust and debris flew in all directions, obscuring the arena in a thick cloud. When the dust finally settled, Jason stood tall amid the destruction, his red aura burning brighter than ever.

"Just how?!" Thor shouted in disbelief.

Jason chuckled, stretching his body casually as if nothing had happened. "You call that your full power? How disappointing. You merely used the lightning from the clouds and manipulated them with a nifty trick, but where the fuck is your own power? That Thunder in your body, where is it? That burst of power you showed earlier, where is it? Don't tell me, this is all you can do?"

Thor's expression changed. He was not expecting Jason to see through his power so easily. He had been trying hard to bring out the power inside him, but he could barely use it. So, he infused some of his Thunder with the earlier attack, hoping to put him down for good, but his plan failed.

"Let's make a bet. You lose, you'll never wield that hammer again. I lose, I'll leave Asgard and never show my face here again. Tell me, Thor... ARE YOU A MAN ENOUGH TO ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE?" Jason asked, his voice filled with arrogance.

Thor's eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared at Jason. He knew he was no match for Jason as he was right now. He clenched his fist as his eyes fell on Odin once more. He could see disappointment in Odin's gaze, making his heart clench tightly. He had always tried to prove himself worthy of the Thorne of Asgard, but it seemed like he still lacked something.

'I will put my life on the line... This time... My pride, honor... I'll put everything on the line...' He clenched his fists. Sparks of blue Thunder crackled around his fists as he calmed his mind and accepted his weakness.

With a deep breath, he turned to Jason, his eyes blazing with determination. "Very well, I accept your challenge. Let us settle this once and for all. This time, I will unleash everything I have..."

"That's what I wanted to hear..." Jason grinned. "One attack with everything we got. Only one of us will walk out as victor."

Thor nodded calmly as he closed his eyes, feeling the power within him. It was there, but it was too deep. He focused and concentrated, slowly digging into his core. Finally, he grasped a small fraction of the power inside him and began to pull it out. Blue Thunder crackled around him as he felt an immense surge of power. But it wasn't enough to face the man before him. Not even close.

'I need more!' He thought to himself, gritting his teeth as he tried to summon the rest of the power hidden within him. However, it was like trying to hold onto a slippery rope. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't grasp it fully.

'Don't try to control it. You are the God of Thunder. Channel it, command it, let it flow freely...' A voice echoed in Thor's head. Suddenly, a warm hand rested on his shoulder, filling him with a sense of comfort and reassurance.

'Mother...?' Thor thought as he recognized the familiar presence.

'Yes, my son. Let go of your fear and doubt. Trust in yourself and your power. Now, let it out. Show everyone who you truly are...' Frigga's soothing voice resonated in Thor's mind as he finally managed to tap into the power within him.

With a loud roar, he released the full power of the storm. The air around him rippled as thunder busted out of his body. This time, instead of the sky, it was within his body. The embodiment of Thunder itself. His wounds began to heal once again as blue Thunder enveloped his body completely. His eyes blazed with the power of the storm as he turned to Jason, ready to unleash everything.

However, what happened next wasn't something Thor was expecting.

[Skill Activated: Deathblow] [One hit kill. 50% Chance to kill your opponent in 1 strike.]

"ENOUGH!" Odin appeared before Thor with his staff raised, creating a thick golden barrier, and stopping Jason's punch.

[BOOOM!] The impact shook Asgard, sending shockwaves in all directions. Some of the Asgardians fainted after coming into contact with the dispersed energy.

"Father!" Thor shouted in shock. "What are you doing?!"

Odin turned to Jason, his expression stern. "You won. Leave it at that."

"FATHER!! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?" Thor yelled in anger. His pride and honor were wounded.

"Tsk." Jason pulled back. "You should thank him for stopping me in time, or else, you'd be dead by now. Anyway, you lost. It's over..."