In a vast dimension of the multiverse, Noah and Hal found themselves face to face. The ground beneath them was barren, and the air was still. They were in a massive arena, with nothing but each other to fight. Noah emerged, wielding the Sword of Uriel, its flames already flickering with his anticipation. Hal materialized, greatsword in hand, with his heavy plate armor clanking with each step. "Welcome, Avatar of Balance," Noah said, moving slowly and deliberately. "I am Noah, the Chosen Survivor of the Great Flood." "You pleasure to meet you," Hal said, his voice calm and measured. "I am Hal, the Avatar of Balance." With that, Hal charged toward Noah. Noah deftly sidestepped, and Hal's sword slammed into the ground with a thunderous boom that seemed to shake the very arena. Noah retaliated with a quick slice of his flaming sword, but Hal's armor protected him. The two began to circle each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Suddenly, they both attacked at once, their swords clashing with a deafening ring. They battled fiercely, moving with grace and precision. Despite Noah's swordsmanship and access to the powers of the archangels, he found it difficult to land a blow on Hal. Hal's armor was too strong and his attacks were too unpredictable. As they began to tire, Noah suddenly felt a surge of power within him. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and he called upon God's Protection, making himself impervious to harm. Hal smirked. "Your faith and virtue are impressive," he said. "But power alone won't save you." With that, Hal unleashed an all-out assault, his sword ringing against Noah's flaming blade. Noah's defenses held, but he began to feel overwhelmed. Just as it seemed Noah was about to fall, he felt a sudden burst of energy. He quickly tapped into the powers of the archangels, calling upon Gabriel's guidance and Michael's justice. With renewed vigor, Noah unleashed a flurry of powerful strikes, finally managing to penetrate Hal's armor. Hal fell to the ground, defeated. But even as Noah emerged victorious, he knew that Hal would always be the force of balance in the multiverse. Though he had managed to best Hal in combat, Noah knew that the Avatar would always be there, watching and waiting, to ensure that the scales never tipped too far in any direction. And so, as he stepped out of the arena, Noah knew that he had proven himself as one of the strongest in the multiverse, but that there would always be more challenges to come.