I returned to the temple, and I informed Cyrus and Sophia of the situation.
"I see," Cyrus said. "We must put an end to the heretics. We can't allow them to continue their seditious ways. They are a threat to the stability of the world. I was wrong to have ignored them."
"You are right, Cyrus," I said. "The heretics must be dealt with. We can't allow them to sow dissension and division within the kingdom. They are cancerous, and they must be cut out."
After I had said that, an explosion shook the temple, and a loud roar echoed through the city.
"What is going on?!"
We ran outside, and we saw chaos.
"Creator, the heretics have begun their attack. The city is under siege."
"Dammit. It's already begun. Cyrus, we need to take action. We have to stop them."
"Of course, my lord."
Another explosion shook the ground, and a column of smoke rose into the air. Chaos was everywhere.
As we made our way through the streets, we saw buildings crumbling and collapsing.
We passed a market, and we saw the stalls and tents burning.
People were running and screaming.
We saw an elf lying on the ground, his body twisted and broken.
We could hear the sound of fighting and the clashing of steel.
The smell of smoke and ash filled the air.
As we made our way towards the center of the city, we saw a massive tree rising up from the center. It was a monstrous tree, and it seemed to have a life of its own. It's purple leaves were twisting and curling, and it had an aura of menace and evil.
We saw the heretics, and they were marching towards the center of the city. They were armed with swords and bows, and they were chanting and shouting. Among them were a few of the Cyrus' students who were corrupted by the heretics.
As we approached the center of the city, we saw the elf warriors of the kingdom battling the heretics. The battle was fierce and chaotic. The heretics were strong and ruthless, and they were using magic and other unnatural powers. There were many of them, and they were pushing back the elf army.
The soldiers were fighting bravely, but they were outnumbered and overwhelmed.
The battle was fierce and brutal, and it was unlike anything I had ever seen.
They had weapons and armor that was made from strange and foreign materials.
Their weapons were sharp and deadly, and their armor was thick and impenetrable.
The elf warriors were struggling to fight them off, and they were losing ground.
The air was thick with the sound of clashing swords and the cries of the wounded.
The smell of blood and smoke filled the air, and the sky was dark and ominous.
The elf soldiers were outnumbered and outgunned, and they were struggling to hold their ground.
As we got closer, I could hear the elf general's voice echoing through the air.
"Hold the line! Hold the line! Don't let them break through!"
The elf warriors were valiant and determined, but with every passing minute, they were being pushed back.
The heretics were relentless, and they were not stopping.
I could see the elf warriors fighting and dying, and I could see the fear and desperation in their eyes.
It was a horrifying sight, and it made my blood boil. I had been living a leisure life within the kingdom and the elves were now my family. They were my creations, and they were under my protection.
"Lord Thomas, they have summoned grotesque creatures. They appear to be demons," Cyrus said.
"So, that's why there were so many of them," I said.
The heretics were using demons and their unnatural power.
"We need to act, Lord Thomas. We have to stop the heretics. The kingdom is under attack. We have to save the people."
"I know, Cyrus. But I'm not sure how. We're outnumbered and don't have the numbers to take on the heretics."
I had thought about using my Imagination Amplification ability to simply wipe out heretics and demons but it was not wise. Such a feat would likely exhaust my body and mind and end my life. Staying in this world had gradually depleted my focus and ability to use Imagination Amplification. Creating Sophia had also drained me greatly. The only thing left to do was to survive.
"I don't know, Cyrus. I'm not sure if we can win this fight."
"We have to try, Lord Thomas. We can't let the heretics win. We can't let the kingdom fall."
I scowled. "At this moment I'm unable to use my powers to their full extent. If only there was a way to defeat the demons and the heretics without using my abilities. If only I had the strength and power to protect the elves and the kingdom. If only there was a way to destroy the heretics and demons without using my powers. If only..."
I was stuck. My only option was to flee from the world and return to mine. I had never known battle in my few years of life, how could I, a teenage boy, possibly win a battle against such a formidable force? I was weak and powerless. I was outmatched and outnumbered.
I had to flee for my own life and return to the comfort of my world.
At least, that was what I told myself.
But as I turned and began to flee, something within me snapped.
"No," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
"Lord Thomas?"
I had finally made friends among the elves. Cyrus had shown me compassion, kindness, and friendship.
I could not run away and abandon them.
"I will not run. I will not flee. I will not abandon my creations. I will not abandon my friends. I will not abandon the kingdom. I will not abandon this world. I will not abandon the Box of Dimensions. I will not run. I will stand and fight."
"Lord Thomas..."
"Cyrus, the city will fall to the hands of the heretics and demons. There isn't much hope for it. Take the remaining survivors and flee the city. I will join the soldiers in battle."
"No!" Cyrus yelled. "Lord Thomas, I advise that we switch places. I will stay and fight. Your life is of utmost importance. Another king can be born but you are our precious god. You lead the surviving women and children away from this city."
"Cyrus, you are my friend, and you have always been a faithful companion. But I must do this. This is my burden, and I must bear it. I will not run and hide. I will not abandon this world and the people I love. I will fight. I will die. And I will not fail."
"My lord, please. You are my friend, and I can't allow you to do this. You must live. You are the Creator. You are the one who gave us life. You are the one who made the world. You are the one who gave us hope. You are the one who gave us purpose. We cannot lose you. We need you."
"But Cyrus-"
"No. Please, my lord." Cyrus interrupted. "We can't lose you. We need you. We are nothing without you. Please, I beg of you. Let us protect you. Let us fight for you. Let us die for you. Let us live for you. Please."
Cyrus's words were filled with emotion, and they pierced my heart. I could see the desperation and fear in his eyes.
"Take the others and go."
With reluctance, I obeyed Cyrus and did as he said. "Goodbye, Cyrus my friend. I promise to reward you when this is all finished. Whether you live or die, you will be rewarded greatly."
"Thank you, lord Thomas," Cyrus said. "This is for you, Lord Thomas. You are my god, and you are my friend. I will not let you down."
He handed me a small pouch.
"What is this?"
"A gift. From me to you. A gift for my friend, the one who has given me so much."
I took the pouch and opened it.
Inside was a single seed.
"What is this? What is this seed?"
"I do not know. I found it long ago, but I sense an immense amount of power from it. I have carried it with me ever since, as a reminder of the life you gave me. And now, I give it to you, the one who has given me so much."
I felt a tear escape my eye upon hearing Cyrus' words. To say I felt despair was an understatement. The last word I said to Cyrus before departing for the refugees was, "Goodbye."
"Let's go Sophia, we have people to rescue and leave this chaotic place."
"Yes, Creator. Where will we go?"
"For now, the eastern forest but first let's scavenge for survivors and have them head east. Let's see how this will turn out. There is a chance the elves may defeat the demons and heretics but the chance is so small it's practically nonexistent. The heretics had managed to obtain powerful demons and a small army. Once the refugees have settled, I will head to the Great Tree and find out what exactly is going on."
"As you wish, Creator."