Terraria: Hardmode
Chapter 71: Chapter 71 - A New Pillar.
Previous Chapter Next Chapter-UNKNOWN UNIVERSE, SPACE-
Deep in the blackness of the universal sea of stars, planets, and luminous anomalies--not to mention meteorites traversing the unknown--an event was taking place over an emerald-colored planet. A ring of what seemed to be gas, fog, and debris surrounds the sphere completely as one could only be reminded of a certain planet from Sunset Shimmer’s world: Saturn. Just outside of the ring was easily this planet’s biggest companion as a single green moon orbited the outskirts of the ghastly ring.
The planet’s ground level was the very embodiment of chaos in its own right as the landscape was nothing but barren wastelands. Green lightning flashed across the emerald skies as the sounds of thunder shattered any peace of quiet. With the absence of plant life and oceans, one couldn’t even believe that this planet could even support any form of life.
And yet… Life finds a way.
……….
Four insectoid-like entities were scurrying around the landscape as their six legs moved in swift transitions, shuffling around, and moving their bodies through the harsh and jagged landscape. They gracefully traversed this uneven foundation with little to no trouble.
“----- --- ----------,” One of the aliens said in their native tongue, completely incomprehensible.
Another clicks their mandibles, “-----? -----.”
The insectoids join together in what could best be described as their own form of laughter. However, they suddenly stopped dead in their tracks as reality itself cracked open like shattered glass. In front of their planet’s very own moon. The eyes of each life form widened in a sense of what was seemingly horror as a certain eldritch abomination began to exit the breach; entering this reality:
“AS YOU GAZE TO THE MIDNIGHT SKY,
MY NEW SERVANTS, OBEY OR DIE.
THE LORD OF THE MOON APPEARS BEFORE THEE.
ALL SHALL BOW TO THE GREAT, RAZEEM.”
Much like what had happened on Equus, Razeem’s voice was strong, echoing, and filled with authority. It traveled all across the planet as all life paid heed to the eldritch’s declaration, its words inducing fear into their bodies.
The multiple eyes of The Moon Lord dilate as the entity looked as if it were focusing its gaze on something, or someone. Razeem’s eyes pierced through the landscape as he could see tunnel networks akin to an ant hive. The networks and various chambers stretched all across the entire planet as it turned out that this race of insectoids had managed to turn the entire planet into one giant supercolony.
“YOU ARE BUT MERE INSECTS, AND YET, YOU ARE ALSO THIS UNIVERSE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL FORM OF LIFE. I HAVE SWAM THROUGH THIS REALITY’S SEA OF STARS, AND OF ALL THE WORLDS IN THE COSMOS… I FIND YOU WORTHY. REJOICE, FOR YOU SHALL BECOME A PART OF ME.”
The lunar abomination continues to search for its main target. Razeem looked through multiple chambers which held large numbers of the insectoids, along with their own young, grubs/larvae, and the Queens that birthed them via various egg sacks.
“YOUR SPECIES FOLLOW MANY QUEENS... AND THEY, IN TURN, ANSWER TO MATRIARCHS. BUT THERE IS ONE AMONG YOU WHO IS TRULY ABOVE ALL: THE EMPRESS.”
……….
Deep within what was practically the very core of the planet, a large insect-like entity rested upon their throne. This was easily the largest being on the planet, or super hive, which was fitting as this was the very same target Razeem had been seeking: The Empress.
A large number of lifeforms moved about chaotically throughout her domain, likely in relation to the eldritch nightmare’s presence on the surface. Suddenly, four of her subjects had entered what is the hive’s largest chamber. Incidentally, these were the same four insectoids who were topside when Razeem made his presence known. They all bow before The Empress as the one closest to her says:
“------- --- ------- -----”
“----, - ---- ------ ---- ------- ----------- -- -” The Empress responds, her own version of worry etched onto her features.
The ruler of the supercolony suddenly feels something breach into her mind as she falls onto the floor. In response, the entire planet reacted to her plight as various continents began to break apart on the surface. As her faithful children try their best to tend to her, The Empress could see Razeem’s form within her psyche. It was as if the eldritch was a ghostly figure that now called her mind their own.
-YOU… YOU ARE WORTHY OF SPEAKING TO. I AM RAZEEM, AND I HAVE COME FOR YOUR WORLD. ANSWER MY CALL, IT IS INEVITABLE.-
The Empress was naturally horrified by this intruder to not only herself but her entire world. She responds to him in her native tongue, much to the confusion of her children as it looked like she was talking to herself, but the Moon Lord’s eye that was placed on his forehead flashed with a green light.
-SPEAK.-
“Wh… what did you do just now?” The Empress responds. “Who… w-who are you?”
-I AM BEYOND YOUR COMPREHENSION. AS FOR MY LIGHT SHOW, I HAVE LEARNED YOUR LANGUAGE IN A MERE NANOSECOND. I ALSO KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR KIND’S HISTORY, CULTURE, ORIGINS… AND IF YOU PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT, IT WILL DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE.-
“Please… don’t hurt my children… We simply want to live in peace. Please, just leave us be, I beg of you!”
-YOU SAY THAT LIKE I’M GIVING YOU A CHOICE, EMPRESS. I’M NOT ASKING YOU, I’M TELLING YOU THAT THIS WORLD BELONGS TO ME. THE QUESTION IS: WILL YOU SUBMIT WILLINGLY? OR SHALL I DISPLAY MY POWER AND GIVE YOU… INCENTIVE?- Razeem chuckles, -BOTH OPTIONS ARE FINE BY ME.-
“No! I do not fear you, and I will not submit my children to your tyranny! I care not for what you are, and seeing as you fully intend on not leaving us be… We shall stand against you, monster!”
-THE OMNIVERSE IS A LARGE BOUQUET OF OPPORTUNITY, EMPRESS. THERE ARE OTHER WORLDS TEEMING WITH LIFE FOR ME TO USE FOR MY OWN DEVICES. YOUR WORLD DOES INTEREST ME, BUT IT WON’T BE OF ANY CONSEQUENCE SHOULD I DECIDE ITS POTENTIAL IS MOOT.-
“As much as it would break my heart… I’d rather die alongside my children than ever have to watch them serve you. If a fight is what you seek… very well. We will not go down so easily!”
-VERY BRAVE. STUPID, BUT BRAVE… JUST LIKE THE DENIZENS OF THE LAST WORLD I CONVERTED INTO WHAT I CALL: THE SOLAR PILLAR. GATHER YOUR FORCES, EMPRESS, AND DO TRY TO PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT.-
Some time passes by, and high above the planet’s atmosphere, The Empress and the entirety of her hive stood at the ready. The sheer number of this swarm, her beloved children, blocked the world behind them from the Moon Lord’s eyes. All who called this world their home were ready to fight alongside The Empress as she says:
“If you truly know what I am capable of, then I shall not hold back, Razeem,” A powerful pressure seems to build up all around them, “My psychic powers can reach to the outskirts of the known cosmos itself. You underestimate my kind’s willpower, and you shall pay dearly!”
“YOUR WORDS BORE ME, EMPRESS. COME, SHOW ME WHAT THIS ‘WILLPOWER’ OF YOURS CAN DO.”
In a unified display of power, The Empress and all the denizens of her hive began to surround themselves with a vibrant green aura. Then, in an absolutely spectacular display, one of the most powerful occurrences in the universe literally conjures itself behind the Moon Lord: A Black Hole. The conjured event began to draw in not only Razeem’s form but large chunks of the emerald planet; even its moon, as The Empress comments:
“The combined prowess of me and my children allows us to bend the ocean of space itself. We could throw a planet at you, a whole belt of asteroids, but I think a Black Hole will suffice. Our home world may be severely damaged in the process, but you shall not survive! Farewell, abomination!”
The eldritch nightmare was now being pulled into the Black Hole; along with the varying debris of the ring that surrounds the alien planet, parts of the planet itself, and the moon. The vibrant green aura that surrounds the insectoid race vanishes soon after, as does the Black Hole, its gravitational pull ceasing as a result.
In what seemed to be their race’s version of celebration, a loud series of rapidly buzzing wings and clicking mandibles sounds off, followed by The Empress’s words:
“My children! We have triumphed over the would-be tyrant who-” Suddenly, both her words and the celebratory actions of her children were cut off as what looked like green electricity crackled before their very eyes. Where the Black Hole once stood.

A loud series of laughter hauntingly echoes from a new breach as the hands of the Moon Lord could be seen literally pulling reality itself apart. Wider and wider, the arms tore open a ‘hole’ large enough for Razeem to re-enter the battlefield as the eldritch comments:
“DID I GIVE YOU FALSE HOPE? I MUST COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR PROWESS, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY I CHOSE YOUR WORLD FOR MY NEXT CREATION,” Razeem then snaps his fingers as a ball of searing flames manifests seconds after. This ball begins to take on the shape of a very particular prize he claimed from his last victory: The Solar Pillar itself.
“THE BEINGS I USED TO CREATE MY SOLAR PILLAR COULD CONTROL THE POWER OF THE SUN. THUS THE NAME I CHOSE. THEY EVEN UNLEASHED A SUPERNOVA IN AN ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ME. IT FAILED, OF COURSE.”
The Empress and her children were absolutely stricken with bafflement and fear as she responds:
“I-It can’t be! How did you survive being thrown into a Black Hole?!”
“I AM THE STRONGEST INCARNATION OF CTHULHU. A BLACK HOLE IS NOTHING BUT A SIMPLE BREEZE TO MY GREATNESS!”
The Empress’s eyes widened even further, “N-no… It can’t be… Y-you were born from the High Priest of Azathoth?!”
“AH, IT’S GOOD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH MY KIND. I COULD CARE LESS FOR AZATHOTH, AND WITH MY NEW PLAN IN MOTION, I SHALL BECOME EVEN GREATER THAN THE RULER OF THE OUTER GODS. WITH EACH PILLAR I CREATE, MY POWER GROWS EXPONENTIALLY! I SHALL RISE UP AND BECOME THE NEW RULER IN THEIR STEAD!”
Not wanting to be anywhere near this creature for a second longer, The Empress turns to her hive and shouts:
“Children, you must flee! This creature is far too- AURGH!” She cries out in pain, aligning with all of her children present, as the Moon Lord extends a hand towards the swarm. A mental assault seems to be taking place upon the denizens of the emerald planet. Then, Razeem generates a flow of energy and primordial prowess as the eldritch says:
“THANK YOU FOR PLAYING MY GAME. AND AS THE VICTOR, IT’S TIME TO CLAIM MY PRIZE.”
In a horrifying display that looked similar to the actions that would take place in the Crimson Biome, the entire swarm of the alien insectoids was torn apart as their gore and body parts began to mesh together. Like a ball of clay, a new object composed entirely of alien flesh was starting to form, but this event was far from over as the Moon Lord pointed a finger towards the emerald planet.
“I REQUIRE MORE MATERIAL. FORTUNATELY, YOU HAVE A WHOLE PLANET FILLED WITH YOUR PRECIOUS LARVAE, GRUBS, EGG SACKS, AND ANY OTHERS WHO THINK THEY CAN HIDE FROM ME.”
Using a powerful invisible grip, or even psychic prowess akin to The Empress’s, Razeem pulls forth every last shred of life that still remains on the planet. Larvae, grubs, eggs, Queens, and all other hierarchies of the once alien race were now floating before the eldritch entity. In a brutal and savage fashion, they all began to combust as their body parts and gore were added to the ever-forming object.
Once the process is done, the Moon Lord tears off a huge chunk of flesh from his own form and adds it to his latest creation. A sudden pulse of energy fluctuates from his body as Razeem raises his arms up, and roars out into the blackness of space. The eldritch’s power was now even further increased from his newest accomplishment.
“YES! WITH THIS PILLAR IN MY POSSESSION, I NOW HAVE ACCESS TO EVEN GREATER HEIGHTS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, MY ARMY GROWS WITH EVERY WORLD I CONQUER, AND SOON, I SHALL RETURN TO TERRARIA!”
The Moon Lord lowers his arms and takes in the form of his newest creation, a writhing mass of flesh, one that he would now call:
“I BELIEVE THEIR RACE WAS CALLED, VORTEXIANS. VERY WELL, I SHALL APPROPRIATELY NAME THIS: THE VORTEX PILLAR.”
With both the Solar and Vortex Pillars in tow, the Moon Lord turns towards the emerald planet that was once home to its former inhabitants. A haunting laugh escapes from the eldritch as he begins to charge up a powerful series of energy in front of his eye positioned on his forehead.
“IT WOULD BE RUDE OF ME TO LEAVE WITHOUT CLEANING MY PLATE.”
With clenched fists, the Moon Lord thrust his head forth as the powerful energy blast is hurled towards the planet. A searing rise in temperature is caused by the projectile as it continues to approach the large sphere. Upon breaching its atmosphere, Razeem’s energy blast was covered in green flames in a similar fashion to any other object that would normally catch aflame during this process. However, this only added even more killing potential to this beam of death and destruction.
The blast made contact, and the results were immediate as large chunks of planetary debris were hurled into orbit. The planet began to shake violently, the destruction loud enough to be heard for great distances out in space. A barrier seems to form around Razeem and the two pillars as the planet finally give way to the eldritch’s attack.
Razeem simply relished this planetary destruction and even imagined it to be Terraria. The eldritch was preparing to go to war against the universe he was born into. Come Pony, Ancient, Terrarian, and any other force Terraria had to offer, he would face them all. For he had a master plan in mind, and when all was said and done, he was determined to make all bend to his will... For he was:
The Moon Lord.
“AND, IN TIME... RULER OF ALL THAT EXISTS.”
-2 DAYS LATER-
-TERRARIA, CAMELOT-
The early morning rays of the sun beams down as a large gathering of guardsmen and adventurers are currently forming defensive positions behind the Order of The Guide. They had prepared themselves over the course of these last two days, but something caused the demons to stir up as they were banging, clawing, and striking in all forms against the protective shell that was erected by Excalibur. Said barrier covering a certain Hellevator shaft.
Among these defensive bystanders was Linn who oversaw the processions; mounted upon her steed, Ves.
“Give me a sitrep, immediately!” She exclaims.
One of the guards turns towards her, a female terrarian donned in Silver Armor, “Ma’am, the barrier seems to be holding up well, but those demons are relentless. A couple of them even DIED from slamming against the barrier so hard.”
Linn nods, “That’s a demon for you. Why fear death when you can just rebirth yourself in that hell pit down below,” She waves her hand to the guard, “Well done. We must remain vigilant, and be sure to inform me immediately should any of those things somehow manage to get through. I’m authorizing ‘kill every damned demon on sight’. No exceptions.”
The guard saluted in response, “Ma’am, it shall be done!”
As this plays out, and at a safe distance away, a small quadrupedal figure donned in a brown cloak snuck a peek from around a corner.
“It’s just like you said, Mr. Zalgo, sir,” Cozy Glow comments. “Oh golly, that’s a lot of demons.”
-Hmmm? Oh, yes, yes... Demons and Nyarlathotep and all that,- Replies Zalgo internally, seemingly distracted.
Cozy tilts her head sideways and flickers her ears, “H-hey… are you playing with something?”
-Hm? No, no. Continue on your mission, my dear,- He responds as some form of clicking noise intensifies.
The pegasus filly narrows her eyes and pouts, “That sounds an awful lot like one of those video game thingies…”
-Your job is not to ask questions, Cozy. Please mind your own business.-
The pink pegasus shrugs, “Eh, you’re probably coming up with an amazing plan again.”
Cozy Glow considered taking flight, but a sudden thought came to her, “I could fly… but then everyone’s gonna point at me and say: ‘Oooh, look! A pony!’ I need to be super sneaky-”
“Look mommy, a pony!” A little girl shouts from nearby as she takes notice of the filly.
“Zalgo damnit!” Cozy Glow shouts in frustration.
-You already failed the mission, didn’t you?-
“N-no, go back to planning your amazing planning stuff. Uh, everything is fine here,” Cozy Glow responded.
-Payday 2. Lovely game, lovely universe.-
Cozy tilts her head sideways, “What’s a Payday 2?”
-Shush, Cozy, back to work. If I find out you failed I shall pluck your feathers out one by one.-
The filly winces, “P-please don’t do that…” She then takes on a confident expression as if a switch was flicked, “I won’t fail!”
Unfortunately, due to Cozy Glow’s momentary loss in focus, the child from before had managed to approach the filly as she bends down and says:
“I snuck away from my mommy to meet you. You’re such a cute pony, what’s your name?”
-Oh joy, here we go.- Says Zalgo.
Cozy Glow smirks, “Hey there! Name’s Cozy Glow! Say, would you like to become… frieeeends?”
-Ugh, so cliche…- Groans Zalgo as a sound equivalent to a pause screen opening is heard, along with the sound of a dropping controller.
A pink aura flashes within Cozy Glow’s eyes as that same aura seemingly manifests itself into the terrarian child’s. The child then raises up to her full stature and begins to chant:
“Friendship is power… friendship is power…”
“Yeah, yeah, anyway,” Cozy Glow interrupts.
-Yes, no one at all is going to notice zombies, Cozy. No one at all.-
“I’m getting to that, Mr. Zalgo,” She responds to the eldritch, then turns back to the child, “Looky here, snap out of that zombie phase and act normal. I took your will, not your emotions.”
-If only you were this smart when you were alive.-
The filly’s ears perk up as she cuts herself off from berating the child, “Wait, what did you just say?”
-Nothing! Nothing at all, my dear, move on.-
Cozy blinks twice, and looks back to the child, “Anyway, where were you and your mommy going, friend?”
“Mommy and I were going to visit the castle, the big shiny castle.” The child responds with a small bit of trance in her voice.
The filly facehooves, “Ugh, we’re gonna need to adjust that zombie mentality of yours. Hold on a second,” Her eyes flash pink once more, “There, now speak.”
The child jumps up into the air with excitement, “Yaaaaay! The pony can talk! The pony can talk!”
-...Do I have to solve everything for you?- Asks Zalgo in annoyance.
Cozy grits her teeth in frustration, “Rgh, no, I’ve got this…” Her eyes flash pink once again, “Now, what are you going to do next?” She questions the child.
The child giggles, “I’m going to pretend this never happened and snatch that blade for you, while you wait just outside of the castle.”
Cozy claps her forehooves together, “Atta girl!”
-Congratulations, Cozy. You managed to waste enough time to get found out by the mother.-
“Exactly, Mr. Zalgo, sir. I-wait... what?”
As was revealed, the mother of the child began to approach them as she grabs her daughter’s right arm and says:
“Oh sweet Terra, you made me worried sick!”
“S-sorry, mommy…” The child responds then points to Cozy Glow, “I was petting the cute pony.”
The gears within Cozy Glow’s head turn as she devises a plan. She trots happily towards them and says:
“Oh golly, I’m so sorry for worrying you. I was just making a new friend!” Her eyes flashes pink, “Would you like to be friends, too? It’d be fuuuun.”
…………
Both the mother and her child were currently traversing throughout the streets of Camelot. They greeted and spoke with various individuals while making their way towards the castle. Incidentally, the mother had a very particular purse draped over her shoulder. Perfect size for the transport of pets, or in this case, a certain pink pegasus filly.
They approached the guards at the gate, and as if destiny was dangling itself, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight were currently leaving the castle. In addition, Tanner the Doll was sat on Twilight’s back.
“Come on, everyone. The others are waiting for us at the Cakes N’ Bake,” Twilight comments.
Pinkie Pie was hopping merrily, “Ooh! I can’t wait to meet this world’s version of The Cakes! Starlight told me all about it when she went on her datey date with Slim-Shady!”
Rarity flickers her mane with a forehoof, “Well I personally would love to meet this world’s version of me, darlings. Starlight told me all about her, and I just can’t wait to meet the pinnacle of beauty such as moi.”
Peeking out from the bag, Cozy Glow comments:
“Hey… I feel a strange sense of familiarity from those three.”
-You do not recognize them,- Says Zalgo internally as a near-transparent black aura passes over Cozy Glow.
As a result, Cozy Glow seemingly forgets all about the trio, unbeknownst of the otherworldly destiny between them. She then shoots her gaze forward as, during this time, the mother had finished speaking with the guardsmen who gave her access to the castle’s inner courtyard.
………...
As they got closer to their objective, Cozy Glow speaks to their minds and says:
-You, girl, pretend you have to tinkle and take the bag with you. Drop me off around the corner over there.-
“Mommy, I have to pee,” The child said.
The mother passes her the bag, “Here you are, dearie. The wipes are in there.”
The youngster takes the bag and happily skips around the nearby corner of the castle’s entrance. A secluded area soon came into view which, incidentally, was the same one that was once used by Mena and Calamitas some time ago.
“Put me down he- Wait, no!” Cozy Glow exclaims as the child throws the bag onto the ground harshly. “Ow! I said ‘put me down,’ imbecile! Not throw me!”
-I believe you deserve that for nearly failing the mission immediately,- Zalgo comments.
The filly grumbles to herself as she spreads her wings apart and floats into the air. She points a forehoof towards the child and says:
“You two will go in there to keep an eye on things while I go to Excalibur’s Chamber. You got that?”
The child salutes, “Got it! Mommy and I will do as you command, Empress.”
Cozy nods in response as she looks upward and flies to the precipice of the castle.
-You... seriously insist on them calling you Empress? Isn’t that a bit tacky?-
Cozy shrugs, “What can I say? Friendship is power, after all.”
-Forget not who decides your fate, Cozy Glow.-
She winces, “Sheesh, I was just saying. I wasn’t being mean by it.”
-I apologize for my aggression, but you nearly failed this very important mission, force me to interrupt my time off, and you expect me to be nice?-
The pegasus lands on the roof of the structure, “I promise I won’t fail you. I proved myself with the Murasama in The underworld, so please trust me here.”
-...Hmph. Don’t die in the half-hour I shall be gone, then.-
“I promise, Mr. Zalgo, sir. I will have that blade and take it to Home Town per your instructions.”
-TERRARIA, TERRARIUM-
Within the emerald biome of Terraria’s heart, in the literal sense, the emerald tree that was Terra's form lets off a green aura as a humming sound emits from it constantly.
“I can sense you coming, my love. Your mind is troubled, let us speak.”
“You know me all too well,” Zalgo calmly says, having abandoned his protogen host in preference of his original form.
Terra giggles, “You know that you’re appealing to me in any form, my love. You need not be shy,” She chuckles, “If anything, I wish I could be more presentable… rather than my current state.”
“Your voice is like music, speaking to the core of my being, Terragaria.”
“And your voice warms me to my core. The world itself seems to get warmer with your presence, Za’lgatoth. Tell me what plagues your mind, beloved?”
“...For resets upon resets, I have been able to destroy most of our kin. But one continues to elude us… Azathoth. Is my power not strong enough? I cannot understand what I am doing wrong… I see all future possibilities, and yet this singular one eludes me still…”
Terra seems to ponder on this, and lets loose a warming sigh, “I suspect that a few things have changed immensely. Something that even Azathoth didn’t see coming. This world, our current reset, is filled with abnormalities and I believe that more ‘unforseen’ individuals and events will appear.”
“I know who and what you refer to, but what do they have to do with my continuous failure?”
“Failure? No, my sweet. You are the biggest reason as to why this will be our final reset. And it all has to do with the greatest gifts you gave me.”
“I cannot see that possibility, my dear… Perhaps all these eons have caused me to… what is the term… ‘give up’?”
Terra’s tone becomes even more loving than ever before, “You gave me two gifts, my love. Two gifts that have steered the events that we currently find ourselves in,” She giggles, “The very same two gifts who own a certain Omniversal Tavern, hmm? Our precious Tavernkeepers.”
“Xhamen-Dor and Shub-Niggurath… I am proud of them. They have grown strong.”
“As am I, dearest. They have ensured that the ponies from Equus entered this reality, thus kickstarting a series of events that must take place. Those beings are the progenitors of a new era. One that will draw out our ancient foe from their hiding place.”
“Perhaps I should request their help even further… I fear this reset will be much, much more difficult than any other.”
“It will be... but know this, my beloved,” A green stream of energy elongates itself from the tree as it takes on the form of a hand. The hand sets itself onto Za’lgatoth’s right ‘cheek’, “I have a strong feeling that this will be our last reset. And when that time comes, we shall go together.”
Zalgo sighs deeply, wrapping a tendril around the hand gently.
“Terragaria… I want nothing more than to fade with you.”
“Then let it be so, my love.”