-TERRARIA, THE SPIRIT REALM-

Tanner’s spirit stared shockingly towards the green earth pony stallion standing before him within the realm between life and death. All while Terra and Zalgo stood nearby, their massive forms towering above the duo.

The earth pony, or Yog-Sothoth in equine form, rose from his recent kneeling gesture and awaited Tanner’s coming words. Incidentally, Yog knew what was coming, for he is Yog-Sothoth. One who knows all and sees all. The unsolvable riddle and the greatest riddler. The keeper to all gates and the key to open them. He is will; he is consciousness. He is thought; he is curiosity. Simply put: He is knowledge. But what many don't realize is that knowledge branches off into other things that it often intermingles with. One of the best, if not the best, examples is magic.

Tanner breaks out of his momentary shock, and with gritted teeth and clenched fists, he roars out:

“You?! You’re responsible for that despicable freak of nature?!” Tanner takes two steps closer to Yog, “You are the reason Cthuhlu was ever a threat in the first place?!” The Guide now stood close enough to strike out against the pony before him.

“The answer to that, Tanner, is yes and no.”

A sudden flash of green lights is let loose from the pony’s eyes, causing Tanner to shield his vision with a raised arm. It was a strange event, seeing as Tanner is currently a spirit, and one would think such a physical phenomenon wouldn’t affect a spirit. Then again, the being who created this light was one who hails from forces beyond understanding.

The lights vanish, which causes Tanner to let down his arm and open his eyes. What now stood before the Guide was both strange and… unexpected? The earth pony now sat on a chair with a small round table present before them. A tea set is fashionably present as hot steam leaves the largest pot, undoubtedly filled with hot water. On the opposite side of the table, just across from Yog, another chair offers itself, literally, beckoning the Guide to come to sit down.

“Join me, Tanner,” Yog starts, waving his right forelimb. “I’d rather we settle this like gentlemen,” The pony ponders with a forehoof to his chin, “Or would that statement be ‘Gentleritch’ in my case?” He chuckles, lowering his appendage before shrugging, “The whole ‘edgy approach’ is Zalgo’s thing. I, in particular, prefer a more leveled interaction. You know, the old timer vibe.”

Zalgo can be heard chuckling nearby, Terra giggling in tandem. In truth, these beings often liked to make cracks at each other.

Tanner hesitantly takes his seat, pulling the chair back with his right hand before planting himself in place. The Guide shuffles the chair closer to the table, and before Tanner could continue with his ever-present anger, a cup sat on a saucer manifests before him.

The large pot in the center of the table begins to float over to Tanner’s cup before tilting towards the dish. A stream of hot water fills the cup, and a small net filled with ferns manifests afterward.

“I know all about your past, my good Guide, and you have quite the taste for tea. Earl Gray, in particular, is your favorite. I trust you still partake?”

The small net of greenery lowers itself into the hot liquid. Said liquid slowly taking on an orange/red coloration as a result.

Tanner eyes the beverage before him and raises a brow, “You realize I’m a spirit, right? Pretty sure sustenance is null and void in the afterlife.”

“An obvious assessment, my boy,” Yog responds with a small chuckle. “But I assure you, that batch of Earl Gray isn’t ordinary, and I made some slight adjustments to it. Despite your current form, well, let’s just say that my concoction simulates the pleasantries of consumption.”

“This is bullshit!” The Guide roars out, ignoring the tea-filled cup before him. “Do you think this is a game?! My anger will not fade, and do you think this is some kind of peace offering just because you offered me tea?!”

……….

All the while, Zalgo seems to be speaking with someone in his mind. The conversation ceases, and upon noticing this, Terra asks:

“Beloved?”

“That was Sunset Striker. She has informed me that Cozy Glow has returned, and Excalibur is placed exactly where I want it to be. As such, I must take my leave, sweet Terragaria.”

Terra nods before placing her right hand onto Zalgo’s right shoulder, “Creation travels you swiftly, my love. And, please, send my warmest regards to my fellow bride.”

One of Zalgo’s tentacles embraces Terra’s hand, “I shall. Fate moves you, my lullaby.”

With those words, Zalgo dissipates into a twisting vortex of red and black. But if one were to look closely, a vial filled with unknown green liquid could be seen within Zalgo’s grasp. A small notelet is attached to it which reads:

From: Yog

To: Zalgo

Eldritch sickness curative.

……….

Back at the table, Tanner has just roared out another set of infuriation. As for Yog, the earth pony didn’t seem to be angered in the slightest. In fact, his current composure is more akin to a patient elder awaiting for the rantings of a youngster to reach their epilogue, taking a few sips of his tea while listening attentively to the angered Guide.

Tanner finishes his last words, his chest simulating his heavy breathing as the Guide tries to compose himself. All of his built-up anger is let loose as a feeling of lifted weights overcomes his senses. The Guide lowers his head into his two palms, muttering:

“This is all your fault…”

Yog absorbs the Guide’s words and places his cup onto the saucer before him. “I do hold responsibility for my son’s actions. However, at the same time, I do not.”

Tanner raises his head, “The hell’s that supposed to mean?! Just answer me straightly, Terra damnit!”

“A child shouldn’t be judged for the sins of their parents,” Yog responds, causing Tanner to look on attentively and expectantly. “This is a saying that you have in Terraria. Funnily enough, it’s also present in many other possibilities throughout the omniverse. However, the opposite side of that spectrum is also correct.”

Tanner finally takes a sip from his own tea, awaiting for Yog’s coming words. However, the Guide was momentarily stunned by the beverages effects. Despite being a spirit, being dead, Tanner felt as if he had just consumed the liquid in the living world. It felt so real that he would think he hadn’t died at all.

“Sometimes, Tanner, the parents are not to blame,” Yog states after a momentary silence. “I have given my son everything and anything he could desire, even my full attention. But despite this, despite having an upbringing that would make many envy him… my own son still betrayed me.”

“And, what?” Tanner responds with an arched brow. “I’m supposed to feel sorry for you? What exactly is the point you’re trying to make?”

“I’m not seeking your sympathy, Guide. Only your understanding.”

“And what would I be understanding?” Tanner emphasizes while forming quotes with his fingers.

“In order for me to do that, I must pass onto you knowledge that only Outer Gods possess,” Yog closes his eyes for a moment, then opens them with a draw of breath, “The events that transpired between myself and my son, Cthuhlu.”

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

The large Mass of Flesh now gazed upon its’ newly enhanced foes. The abomination could see every last one of them donned in the same Molten Armor Daedalus wore. However, there was something different about this apparel as even the newly arrived beings from Equus admired their new armor. Said armor seemingly burned away the weapons and apparel they had crafted from the Corruption.

……….

Both Celebes the Dryad and Venomous Sting stood side by side, looking upon their own set of the armor, but standing on a cliff which stood before the large Mass of Flesh. A large gathering of their allies readying to attack the flesh entity once more.

“This Molten Armor,” Celebes starts. “It’s different from the ones made in the distant past. I can’t explain it, but this armor practically adapts to you.”

Venomous could feel the energies of the GrimDark being amplified. Somehow, the armor adapted to it, but rather than remove it, the apparel considered Venomous’s makeup and saw fit to empower him.

Wielding the Bloody Edge, Celebes takes on a combative pose and glances towards Venomous.

“How’re you feeling, son?” She inquires, using the word ‘son’ as she knew it annoyed him, but she genuinely cared about the son of her lover. It didn’t matter to her who the mother was, GrimDark or not. Or, as Celebes had come to calling his mother: psychotic ex-girlfriend.

“Pissed off and ready for round two!” Venomous responds. “And stop calling me that! Pisses me off even more!”

However, it wasn’t just those two, as many others had felt the same enhancements throughout the battlefield. Mages could feel their magical reserves being amplified, Rangers felt their weaponry became more powerful, and melee-based fighters felt their physical attributes increased tremendously. Even rogues and assassins felt more agile than before, more in tune with the stealth of their crafts.

Among the battlefield, both Tzana and Tempest Shadow stood back to back, staring down several demons and Crimson horrors that surrounded them—donned in the Molten Armor while wielding weaponry from the same makeup.

“Heh, well then,” Tempest starts with a smirk. “Tell you what, Jojo, I’ll take the five hundred on the right, and you take the five hundred on the left.”

Tzana chuckles, “Screw you,” A devilish grin appears on her muzzle before the duo rushes forth with their weapons at the ready, “I’ll take five hundred and one!”

The two mares cut into their enemies with their Fiery Greatswords in a display of flurrying blades. So honed are their skills that it looked like the duo were performing a ‘meat-cleaving-tango.’

Tzana bowed as if she had just finished dancing with her dance partner. Said partner, a Face Monster, literally falls apart following the scorched slicing indents present all over its’ body. The flesh entity’s head rolls and stops in front of the half utopian.

“I know we’re all under a lot of pressure here,” She starts. “But let’s try to keep our heads on our shoulders, mmkay?” She brings her blade down upon the dismembered head.

“Always double-tap. It’s the best way to be sure.”

……….

Tempest fires up her horn as the utopian gathers energy all around her. With a war cry, a pulse of energy emanates from her body which causes her enemies to be sent flying away. But the utopian wasn’t done yet as she floated her weapon in a magical light-blue aura, willing the blade to dice up her foes as they were sent aloft.

Following her attack, the utopian takes in a deep breath, “Oh, sweet Twilight, yes! It’s so good to have a horn again!”

Suddenly, a pillar of flames emerges before the duo, but thanks to their Molten Helmets, there was no need to shield their eyes from the commotion. A small pentagram forms in front of them, and as the pillar of hellfire dissipates, a demonic bipedal figure stands before them. Most notably, this new demon is female.

Thanks to the demon’s appearance, the other demons fell back while Crimson monstrosities were burned in the process. The demoness spreads her wings, and with a growl, she scornfully comments:

“That stench… it smells like, Inigo's!” The demon looks towards Tzana, “YOU!”

Tzana raises an eyebrow, “Umm, have we met before, Miss…? Wait, did you just mention my old man?”

Tempest also shares Tzana’s confusion.

The demoness growls furiously, “You have his stench all over you!” She sniffs once again, a look of realization taking over her. “Wait, no… his blood runs through your veins,” A condescending expression overcomes the demon, “You must be his offspring.”

Tzana shrugs, “I literally just told you that, but, yeah. Guilty as charged…?”

The demoness starts to laugh gleefully before conjuring two blades in both of her claws, causing both Tzana and Tempest to brace themselves in response, tightening their grasp on their Fiery Greatswords.

“Allow me to introduce myself, daughter of my most hated enemy,” The demoness spreads her arms apart, both blades seemingly pulsating in response, “I am Sheeraiah! Demon general of Lord Infernon’s forces! But with him now gone, I shall take his place!” She points both blades towards Tzana, “And bathing my blades in your blood will make for a nice treat for my ascension, don’t you think?”

Tzana whistles, “Nice blades you’ve got there.”

Sheeraiah chuckles, “Ah, a warrior’s eyes, I see,” She lifts her right claw, “These are gifts from my former lord, Infernon. In my right hand, I hold the Old Lord Oathsword!”

Sheeraiah lifts her left hand, “And in my left, I wield the Bladecrest Oathsword!”

The demoness crossed her blades across her chest, “With these, I shall claim your head and mount it onto my new thrones’ wall! But don’t fret; I’ll make sure that your daddy joins you afterward!”

Tzana rears up onto her hind legs and shifts her position, her Fiery Greatsword wielded with both forelimbs.

“Thanks for introducing those babies to me, Sheeraiah,” She smiles. “They’ll look nice on me when I take them from you.”

The two combatants roar out before lunging towards their opponent, blades ready to clash into each other.

The Mass of Flesh slams down one of its’ countless flesh tentacles onto a gathering of adventurers and guardsfolk. The many eyes on the entity focus on airborne opponents and unleashes a relentless barrage of lavender laser-like projectiles. All while its’ ferocious roars, let loose from countless opened maws, echoes across the landscape.

……….

Princesses Celestia and Luna, the alicorns donned in the Molten Armor just like everyone else, are seen blasting away chunks of flesh that tried to reach out and grasp them with their alighted horns. The two are fighting on ground level.

Luna catches her breath, “How art thou faring, dear sister?!”

Celestia grits her teeth and unleashes another energy blast, “It’s been quite a while since I’ve fought like this, but I will not allow this creature to win! I’ll fight to my dying breath!”

The two sisters suddenly concentrate with closed eyes. Then, two weapons appear before them, but in entirely different and dramatic ways:

For Celestia, her weapon manifested after it spun around in a swirl of flames and rainbow-colored energy. An ever-present aura of light emanates from the weapon.

“Shine bright and burn with your embrace! Come to me, Breaking Dawn!”

As for Luna, her weapon rises from a pool of darkness that forms mere inches away from her forehooves. The dark-blue alicorn gazes upon her weapon as it finally exits the darkness before seizing it within her dark-blue aura.

“Adhere to our will, o’ darkness. Step into the moonlight, Blade of Night!”

The newly summoned weaponry seemed to respond to their owners in a very particular way. The appearances differentiated, but both reinvigorated their wielders as an aura of dark-blue is absorbed into Luna’s body, a white and gold aura doing the same for Celestia. The sisters open their eyes and shout in unison:

“Now you face the daughters of the Equinox Duo!”
“Now thy face the daughters of the Equinox Duo!”

Here we go! Unleashed is a 5-part event, almost similar to the Cthorator conflict back in Book 1. Things really pick up from here.