Domain expansion

The queen huffed as she sat down. Exhaustion washed over her body. Every ounce of her being ached in agony. That punch took the air out of her.

The queen wiped the sweat off her forehead. Then her eyes widened. She was supposed to feel her soft, smooth skin, but the only thing she felt was a sting. 

The Queen immediately used one of her affinities, water, and froze it, forming a mirror. What she saw was a nightmare. 

Her cheeks up to her forehead had lost their skin. She recounted what happened, and all she remembered was the punch that sent her flying. But it couldn't have caused this much damage; after all, she formed a spatial shield, which took most of the impact. 

If that monster's punch already did this even after the shield absorbed its power, could it have killed me back then if I didn't have a shield? The Queen thought

She had fought many life-and-death battles in her lifetime. Yet she had not come this close to death's doorstep. 

She held her chest as she tried to calm down. She took out a bottle of healing potion, and her skin started to regenerate. This calmed her down a bit more. 

Grrrrr...

The Queen was startled by the deep, demonic voice she heard. It turns out it wasn't over yet—no, not nearly enough. 

Without a second thought, she started using another spatial technique. This was another hidden technique she had. 

Sparks started forming around her as blue lines formed into octagon-shaped pieces. Those pieces are glued to each other, forming a barrier. 

This barrier cannot compare to his earlier shield. It was a hundred times stronger than the previous one and had a kinetic charge ability. It can absorb blows and turn them into energy. She can use that energy to create a small shockwave. 

After the shield formed, she didn't stop and used another hidden technique. 

"Domain expansion" 

"Zodiac" 

A blinding light engulfed the whole dimension as the scenery rapidly changed. From the broken plane to an elegant temple

The temple was massive, and the floor was white with blue lines that seemed to glow. Not only that, but there were also zodiac signs on the walls and the ceiling. 

This was her domain. 

Domains are special techniques a person can create when they get strong enough. It requires tremendous understanding of your own affinity. This means that the stronger your affinity, the harder it is to understand. 

Another problem in creating domains was the fact that every domain had different paths. The user must first find his path, which will not only benefit his source but aid his domain creation as well. 

However, this doesn't stop stronger beings from trying to acquire their own domain. Why? Domains are one of the strongest things you can learn. Inside a domain, you are in full control. Of course, this also depends on your soul's strength and understanding of your affinity.

Inside the domain, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. 

When the Queen's domain finished, the smoke covering the dark creature finally left. It stood tall and looked like it didn't even take any damage. 

Its menacing smile was still there, and the Queen hated everything about it. She raised her hand and made a choking motion. 

The space distorted around the dark creature before it was raised into the air. The queen manipulated the space in her domain to choke the creature. Unfortunately, it's not going to be that easy. 

Within seconds, the space around the creature started disintegrating, and eventually it fell back on the floor before exploding forward. 

One of the zodiac signs glowed and burst forward before lunging at the approaching creature. One by one, they burst forward and swarmed Lock. 

The creature clawed its way, but the beast was far more agile than it. With the aid of the queen, they were even faster. 

The creature unleashed an ear-shattering roar before a tremendous aura befell everyone. They were forced to kneel as they watched the creature form a small orb in its mouth. 

Without warning, it blasted a dark red laser around the domain in quick succession. The Queen was confused by this action. The attack was too quick to cause damage, so what was the purpose? 

Nay.

The attack wasn't weak by any chance. A tremor shook the domain as the Queen's eye widened in disbelief. The whole domain was cut into pieces! 

It started falling apart as she used a portal to escape. When the portal was about to close, the creature's hand suddenly grabbed the opening and tore it apart before striking her. 

She flew back, and her shield broke. Luckily, she didn't get injured this time. She tried to cast more spells, but the second she opened her mouth, she shuddered. She couldn't speak. 

Her throat was gone! 

She tried to grasp for air, but alas, she couldn't. Her vision started blurring and dimming as the seconds felt like an eternity. Her life flashed before her eyes. 

Her panic started to vanish as she slowly accepted that it was her time. 

Then a petal fell on her cheek. followed by another, and eventually a hand reacher to her. It was warm and caring. 

"You may rest now, my child." The gentle voice said

The queen let go and lost consciousness. 

***

Yggdrasil looked at the sad state of the elven Queen before her hands turned to roots and pierced her. The queen rapidly regenerated and, within seconds, was healed. 

Yggdrasil laid eyes on the dark creature as she remembered her past. The crimson night and the slaughter. She thought she had already sealed this beast, but after reading the memories of the Queen, she finally understood. 

She opened her mouth slightly as she muttered. 

"Domain expansion"

"Heavenly guardian."