I woke up feeling slightly groggy with a mild headache. Creating Sophia had taken a bit out of me, and the nausea had caught up with me now but it had been worth it. She would be a great asset to me and the elves. I would need to check in with her and see how the requests and prayers were going.
I got up and ate a good breakfast one of the servants in Cyrus' home had made. It was a simple meal but very filling.
I left Cyrus' home and went to the temple. Upon entering the temple, I was greeted by Sophia.
"Good morning, Creator," Sophia said.
"Hello, Sophia. How are the prayers and requests coming?"
"Very well, Creator. The elves are thankful, and they are pleased with your decision to create me."
"I see. That is good news."
I had gifted Sophia the ability to use a much less potent version of the Imagination Amplification I used. As an angel, she was able to use her imagination to create and manipulate reality. She could create things like food and other necessities, as well as provide healing and comfort to the elves.
Sophia had been doing an excellent job, and the elves were grateful. She had answered many prayers using this ability.
"Are there any urgent or pressing matters that require my attention?"
"No, Creator. The elves are doing well. If such matters arise, I will let you know via telepathy."
"Very well, thank you, Sophia. Please continue to take care of the elves."
"Of course, Creator. It is my pleasure."
I left the temple and went to the market. The market was a bustle of activity, and there was a variety of goods and products.
As I was looking and wandering around the market, I spotted a cloaked figure enter a dark alleyway. Something felt off about the figure, and I was curious. I followed the figure and saw that it had entered a dark and secluded area.
As I entered the dark alleyway, I was assaulted by the stench of death and decay. The figure was standing in the middle of the alleyway, and it was facing me.
The figure's face was covered by a hood, and its eyes were glowing red.
"Who are you? Answer at once!" I shouted.
"You should not have followed me," the figure said.
The figure threw back its hood, and I saw that it was a hideous creature. Its face was contorted into a snarl, and its teeth were sharp and jagged.
"What in the world are you?"
"I am a demon," the creature said. "And you have been a thorn in my side, Thomas."
"What do you mean? I've never seen you before. I don't even recall creating demons like you."
"I am an independent creation, one of the many lesser demons and that roam this world."
"How can that be? I have control over the world, and I did not create you."
"You have control over the world, but you have not gained full control of its inhabitants. There are creatures like me that were created independently of your influence. You are a powerful being, but there are things beyond your reach. I have been manipulating the heretics while you live your leisure life."
"That's why I have felt uneasy, the feeling has been because of you."
"Ah, so you felt my influence. Good. It means my plans are working."
"What do you want?"
"I want you out of the way. The heretics are growing stronger, and they are starting to pose a threat to your authority. We will be making our first move soon. Be ready, this world will bow to the all mighty Great Tree."
Before I could say anything else, the mysterious entity vanished deeper into the alley and disappeared.
I was shaken by this encounter. I had no idea there were beings beyond my control in the world. I had to take action, and I had to stop the heretics. I went back to the market and saw a group of elves gathered around a statue of me and Cyrus.
"Benny," I called. "What is going on? How the hell did demons appear in the world? And what is going with the Great Tree?"
"Thomas, the Box of Dimensions is a living world, and it is constantly evolving. As a creator, you have a certain level of control over the world. However, as you gain more power and control, the world will begin to resist your influence. The Great Tree is an entity that has been slowly gaining power and influence itself. It is an ancient and powerful being, and it seeks to rule the world."
"So, the demons are working for the Great Tree?"
"Yes. The demons have been manipulating the heretics and helping them spread their cult. They have been using their influence to sow dissent and disunity among the elves. They have been working to undermine your authority and destabilize the world."
I frowned. "But how did demons appear? Has the Great Tree been creating them?"
"No. The Great Tree does not have the ability to create new life. The demons have been appearing as a result of the natural evolution of the world. As the world evolves, new life forms will emerge. The demons are one of these life forms."
"What do you mean? How is this possible? I thought I was the creator, and the world was my creation. I didn't even know demons could exist."
"You are the creator, and you have created a world, but the world is a living thing, and it will continue to evolve and grow on its own. You have only created the foundation, and the world has continued to develop and expand. The demons are a result of that evolution."
"That is troubling. It means that the world is more unpredictable than I thought. It means that I can't fully control the world, and there are things beyond my control. I thought I had full control, and I could create a perfect and peaceful world. But now I know that isn't the case. My control of the world was waning. This world is a living and breathing thing, and it will continue to grow and change. It was different than the Box of Dimensions in a sense and It seems I will have to continue growing until the world is under my full control. I need to continue honing Imagination Amplification and figure out what the Great Tree's role is in all of this."