The thunderous clash of chaotic and divine lightning had barely settled when Alex slowly raised his hand, his fingers crackling with golden arcs of raw power. The oppressive storm above swirled, its dark clouds trembling as if they, too, feared what was about to come.
Despite its vast experience and absolute dominance over lightning, the Thunder Wolf felt it.
A shift.
A change in the very nature of the battlefield.
Then, Alex's steady and composed voice cut through the storm.
"Partial Domain: Emperor of Lightning."
The world responded.
The ground hummed, a deep resonance spreading outward in an ever-expanding wave of power. In an instant, the battlefield transformed.
Golden lightning cascaded down from the heavens like celestial waterfalls, flooding the land with raw electricity. Unlike the chaotic lightning that marred the earth moments ago, these golden arcs did not destroy indiscriminately—they commanded the space around them, bending the very concept of lightning itself to Alex's will.
The ground shimmered, threads of golden electricity dancing like living veins across the fractured terrain, forming an intricate web of absolute authority. The sheer magnitude of power sent visible distortions through the air, the ozone-rich atmosphere thick with static.
Then, the effects took hold.
Once basking in absolute dominance, the Thunder Wolf suddenly felt an unfamiliar suppression. It was minor—just slightly reduced power—but it felt suffocating.
Once wild and boundless, its lightning felt restrained and dulled, like an apex predator trapped in a cage. It growled lowly, its fur bristling as reality settled in.
"What... is this?" the beast rumbled, its deep voice carrying a rare hint of unease.
Nyxara, still maintaining her black thunder barrier, felt an entirely different sensation.
Her massive body tingled, the golden lightning flowing around her without restriction. Then, in a single instant, her already terrifying strength surged.
Her golden eyes gleamed, fangs bared in a mirthful grin.
"Oho? That's quite the blessing, Alex~" she purred, stretching out lazily, feeling the enhancement granted to her lightning even though she was far from the battle the partial domain was able to reach where she was.
If the Thunder Wolf's power had been dampened, then hers had been amplified.
The difference was undeniable.
Alex, still standing at the heart of his domain, slowly exhaled, the lightning around him coiling like dragons ready to strike at his command.
He had created a battlefield where he alone reigned supreme.
His gaze lifted, locking onto the Thunder Wolf.
"Now... let's finish this."
....
The air crackled with tension, thick with the charged energy of Alex's lightning. Nyxara watched him with a gleam of amusement in her golden eyes, a knowing look that carried both admiration and understanding.
"So, you've finally decided to take this seriously," she said, her voice tinged with playful intrigue. Arcs of black lightning danced across her claws as she flexed them experimentally.
The contrast between her power and Alex's golden lightning was stark, yet rather than jealousy, there was a sense of curiosity in her gaze.
Human Domains had always fascinated her. Unlike beasts, whose power was deeply tied to their instincts and raw might and the zone they control, humans wielded Domains as something more—an absolute expression of willpower.
It was not just a technique; it was a declaration, bending the natural laws of the world to their will. Within a Domain, the wielder was not merely a combatant but an undisputed ruler, controlling the very flow of battle.
When a master pseudo-rank individual attempted to form their Domain for the first time, they faced a critical decision—the establishment of a rule. This defining principle governed everything within the Domain's boundaries, shaping reality itself.
However, strength alone does not determine the effectiveness of a Domain. Its power relies on the wielder's will, the sheer force of their conviction, which dictates how deeply they can impose their rule upon the world.
The effects of a Domain varied depending on the wielder's understanding and purpose. A warrior struggling against speed-based opponents might forge a rule suppressing speed within their Domain.
A fire warrior could amplify all flames, creating an inferno under their control. The possibilities were vast, limited only by the wielder's mastery over their will and energy.
Beyond the full-fledged Domain, there was another variation—the Partial Domain. Unlike a complete Domain, which imposed its full influence, a Partial Domain functioned at roughly thirty percent of its total power. Though less overwhelming, it required far less mana, allowing a warrior to sustain it significantly longer.
A full Domain could halt an enemy's movement entirely, whereas a Partial Domain merely slowed them just enough to shift the battle's balance. Likewise, a Domain could neutralize fire magic outright, while a Partial Domain would only weaken its effects.
A skilled warrior recognized that Partial Domains were not just weaker alternatives, but a distinct approach to battle. The difference between the two was akin to the choice between burning brightly and fading quickly versus dimming the flame to ensure it never extinguished. The most formidable warriors could effortlessly shift between these two states, adapting to combat like a river changing its course.
Few had ever mastered this technique—fewer than twenty across history. Among them, three had once been part of the fallen Thunder Clan's main family. And now, with Alex standing before her, lightning surging at his command, that number had grown to four.
Nyxara flicked her tail, arcs of black lightning intertwining with gold as she stretched her massive form.
"You've made your decision," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of anticipation. "Now go and show that overgrown pup what it means to wield the Authority of Lightning, Alex."