Epic Fusion: A Dramatic Transformation

Start with two characters standing side by side, as seen in the first image. Have the two characters embracing each other. Gradually, their forms should begin to merge, with the fusion process being dramatic and realistic, as if the combined forces of both characters are being united in an epic transformation. By the end, the characters should fully fuse into the form seen in the second image, maintaining all the details and overall aesthetic of the final state. Ensure that the movement is fluid and the transition between the two phases is seamless.