My blade pierced Amber's tree bark-like flesh, and her blood spilled onto the ground. She cried out in pain, and I knew that I had hurt her. But she was not done yet.
With a burst of energy, she knocked my sword away and slammed her fist into my face. I stumbled backwards, and I felt the blood pouring down my face. I was stunned, and I could barely see.
I quickly recovered and used Imagination Amplification to increase the power of my sword, and I swung at Amber with all my might. But she was ready for me, and she parried my blow. She countered with a powerful kick, and I was sent flying through the air. I hit the ground hard, and the pain was unbearable. I tried to get up, but I couldn't.
The strain of using Imagination Amplification had been too much to bear. I knew that was about ninety-nine percent drained of energy, and there was no way that I could use it again. I had reached my limit, and I was done for.
Amber walked over to me and kicked me in the stomach. I gasped in pain, and the wind was knocked out of me.
"Pathetic," she said. "This is the almighty creator of the world? You were not meant to be the Author of Life. Trash."
I winced both from the pain and the harsh words Amber had said but I couldn't help but feel the truth of her words. I was pathetic. My inexperience had lead to the deaths of many elves and the corruption of the Great Tree. If I had just been better at planning, maybe this could have all been avoided.
I looked around, and I could see the elves fighting valiantly against the heretics and demons. They were outnumbered, but they were not giving up. They were fighting for their homes and families. They were fighting for the kingdom, and they were fighting for me.
I had to get back up. I summoned every ounce of strength I had left and began to meditate softly. My breaths felt sharp due to the damage I had accumulated but I focused. I could see the energy flowing through my body. It was a beautiful, glowing blue color. I focused on it and tried to channel it into my body.
Suddenly, I felt a rush of energy course through my veins. I opened my eyes and stood up. Amber looked at me with surprise and fear. I had just managed to replenish some of my energy so I felt that now was the time to defeat her and the Great Tree.
I raised my hand, and the sword flew to my hand. I swung it at Amber, and she barely managed to block my blow.
"You're still going to fight me?" She said. "Even though you know you cannot win?"
"I have to," I replied. "For the sake of my people. For the sake of this world. For the sake of the elves."
Amber smiled, and her eyes were cold. "Then you will die."
I swung my sword again, and she parried. I tried to kick her, but she blocked it with her arm. I punched at her, but she caught my fist and twisted it. I screamed in pain, and she threw me to the ground. I hit the ground hard again, and the wind was knocked out of me but I got up quickly.
I infused my sword with energy, and it glowed a bright white. Amber's eyes widened, and she took a step back. She knew that I was going to use my full power, and she knew that she couldn't stop it.
"I will not allow you to destroy this world!" I shouted. "I will not allow you to kill the elves and humans! I will not allow you to replace me as the Author of Life! Now die!"
I swung my sword and an arc of fire erupted and hit Amber causing her to be set on fire. She yelled from the top of her lungs in pain and rage, and her screams echoed throughout the forest. Then she went silent.
I had defeated her.
I looked up at the Great Tree, and its branches were shaking. I could feel the energy emanating from it, and I knew that it was afraid. It knew that I had the power to destroy it, and it knew that it was doomed.
"Great Tree, Amber has been defeated and the elves are nearing victory against your schemes! You will pay for what you have done to Cyrus and all the innocent lives that were taken because of you."
I walked towards the Great Tree and placed my hand on its trunk. I could feel the energy flowing through it, and I could hear the voice of the Great Tree in my mind. It was a voice that was filled with hatred and malice.
"Foolish boy, your power is no match for mine as it currently stands. I am the embodiment of all nature. I am the true protector of all elves. I will ascend to godhood by killing you right now!"
Once the Great Tree finished uttering those words, it used one of its branches to try and pierce my heart but I narrowly dodged it. I then used Imagination Amplification to enhance the power of my sword. I swung at the branch, and it was cut in half.
The Great Tree roared in pain, and its other branches attacked me. I dodged and blocked them, and I cut them off as well. The Great Tree roared again, and it used its roots to attack me. I dodged and blocked them, and I cut them off as well.
"Is that all you got? You're not nearly as powerful as I thought. I will make you suffer for what you've done!"
I swung my sword at the trunk of the Great Tree, but nothing happened. Its trunk was so strong and thick that my blade simply deflected upon contact.
This would be a tiring battle but I was determined to win.