Great… And this time I can't just go inside and barricade the doors… Greg thought to himself, drawing his sword. A few zombies approached him, which he cut right through. Then a few more took their place, along with some demon eyes flying at him. He jumped into the air, driving his sword through one demon eye while kicking another one which was flying towards him. He then took note of the zombies surrounding him, and spun around in a circle with his sword out, cleaving through each of them. Then, bloodier looking enemies started coming towards him. Five blood zombies, five dripplers, and about fifteen demon eyes accompanying them.

This is going to be a long night… He reached into his inventory, pulled out a bomb, and threw it at the blood zombies, which exploded them. Then he drew his platinum bow and let out an onslaught of arrows, piercing right through the demon eyes, but some merely sticking to the approaching dripplers. He immediately drew his platinum broadsword and cleaved through one. The other four all flew towards him, which he sliced through.

His efforts to defend the camp seemed to be in vain, as for each monster he killed, more took their place. He wasn't tired out, he was just growing annoyed. Does night really have to be this long?

Regardless, he saw a horde of blood zombies and regular zombies coming at him. He chucked a few bombs into the horde, explosions causing their blood and guts to go flying everywhere…

Alice was getting restless in her sleep… These loud noises, which sounded like explosions, woke her up eventually…

"Kya?!" Alice immediately jumped at seeing the parts of zombie remains on the floor, shivering like a child. "What the hell is going on?!"

"Blood moon." Was the man's simple answer. She looked at him, and saw that his sword was stained with blood… Not only that, but he was fighting a bunch of zombies, flying eyeballs, bloody-looking zombies, and floating masses of flesh. "Afraid?"

"N-No! Why would someone like I be afraid of a few zombies?!"

"If you insist. Are you just gonna go back to bed?"

"N-No! I have a few questions for you, human! And you're going to answer them!"

"Alright, alright, calm the fuck down… What do you want?"

"What is a blood moon?"

"Alright… So imagine a moon. Imagine it turns red. Imagine something about it makes monsters swarm the ever-living shit out of you. And there you go."

"But t-these don't LOOK like our monsters! Our monsters are c-cute girls, not these abominations!"

"What can I say? Welcome to Terraria." Greg said calmly as he sliced through another few blood zombies, then being backed up against a tree by some others. He simply pulled out an axe, chopped down the tree, and jumped backwards over the stump, firing arrows right into the blood zombies' heads as he fell to the ground.

"W-Well… When does it end?"

"Use your brain. A blood MOON. When does the moon disappear?" He said. She seemingly got the message, saying,

"Daytime?"

"Precisely. Then the zombies just shamble off, never to be seen again until the next ni-"

"They come back the next night?!"

"Of course they do. When have monsters NOT swarmed you at night?"

"Never! They never have!"

"Well, as I said. Welcome to Terraria."

"You still have more to tell me about Terraria!"

"Listen, before I answer anything else right now, help me defend, because you distracted me… And now a horde built up."

"Fine…" She sighed, getting ready to fight. A blood zombie approached her…

Only to have its head punched off.

The hell is with her strength?! Greg thought to himself in surprise. A few demon eyes flew towards her, only for her to punch them, sending them flying into trees, killing them with the sheer force. At the same time, many zombies were approaching Greg. He slashed at one, then punching another approaching zombie with his free hand, causing it to stagger. He drove his platinum broadsword through it, then turning to attack the others, but were quickly frozen solid and fell to the ground. He looked to see that Alice was the cause of this…

After an hour or so of helping Greg defend against the blood moon, Alice went to sleep, and left Greg to defend for the remaining hours of the night…

When it was day, Greg took out a bucket of water, dipping his sword in it to remove the blood stains, then digging a hole, pushing all the remains into it, and filling the hole up, hiding the remains from whoever would come to this spot.

"I… Ilias!" Luka shouted as he woke up, jumping out of his sleeping bag. "Alright! I can do it!"

"Uhg, what's with all this noise so early in the morning…" Still coiled around a tree, Alice rubbed her eyes. "Whatever… Make me something to eat."

"Hold on a second. Who the hell is Ilias and what is 'it'?"

Luka stared at Greg with a look of disbelief, and Alice with a look of amusement. Luka explained that Ilias was their goddess, and Alice said that Ilias was a petty, annoying bitch.

"…Okay then, I guess. Just make breakfast for her. I'm not eating."

"You sure?" Alice asked him. "He does make good food… And you must be pretty hungry from last night…"

"No, I'm not hungry at all…"

"…Alice, don't tell me you did what I think you did…"

"No, far from it." Greg replied.

"If you say so…"

"Ahh… That was tasty." Luka said, after finishing breakfast.

"Hm. I agree." Alice replied. The two finished their breakfast of bread, salad, and fried eggs.

"Oh great Ilias… Please give me your blessing today, as well." Luka said.

"Already saying stupid things so early in the morning?" Alice said.

"I'm just giving my thanks to Ilias. One of Ilias's five commandments is to be dutiful in your prayers… You understand, right Greg?"

"…Luka, do I look like some religious dimwit to you? I don't survive by praying to some god for their blessing…"

"But… Ilias's commandments…"

"I don't care." Greg said.

Alice then commented, "Five commandments, huh? Ilias likes to force people to do stupid things, huh? And to do those stupid things so happily… Do you really like being her slave?" She had a hate-filled expression on her face as she commented. "Besides, doesn't Ilias hate monsters? Doesn't that go against what you believe in?"

"Even if that's the case…"

"Luka, what do you even believe in?"

"I… Want monsters and humans to coexist." Hearing that, Greg just snorted.

"Please. All monsters want to do is kill you and make you suffer."

"T-That's not true!"

"Yes it is. Zombies, demon eyes, slimes… And much more. They want you dead." Luka raised an eyebrow at hearing that, but shrugged it off.

"But, as I said… Even if that's the case…"

"Besides, what's with her prohibition on relations with monsters? Most monsters can't breed if they don't mate with humans. So for as many monsters as there are in the world, that means the law was broken that many times."

"Ah! That's true…!"

"Did you just realize that now? Idiot."

"Are there really that many people out there who have broken her commandments?"

"Wait… Wouldn't following that be effectively exterminating monsters by not allowing any offspring…?"

"Wouldn't that be an issue for you? If everyone follows that law, the world you dream of will collapse. Do you still think it's something good?"

"…I'm sure Ilias has some sort of plan."

"Geez, you can't think for yourself, huh? Must be convenient to blindly follow a goddess like that…"

"You don't need to say it like that… Shall we head out? If we waste too much time, we won't make it to Iliasburg before nightfall."

"Hm… That would be troublesome." Alice said, as they packed up and headed off. The three traveled, uninterrupted until a random plant was sitting in the middle of the road. Luka tried to pull it out, but Greg just dragged him away.

As the sun started to set, Iliasburg appeared before them. Greg stared at the massive city in awe.

"…It's amazing, isn't it?" Luka said.

"I've never seen a civilization…" Greg replied.

"…What?" Alice asked. "You never saw a civilization?"

"Not at all. I lived by myself for… How long? I dunno. Let's just keep going…" Greg said as they entered the town, only for it to look… Strange.

"What the…? Why does the city look so strange?" Luka asked himself. It seemed like everyone was barricaded in their homes, with a tense feeling filling the air. "What's going on?!" He started to run down the city's main street until he reached the city plaza. Noticing some sort of commotion in the plaza, he jumped behind a tree on the side of the road. Greg decided to hide as well, digging a hole deep enough that he could jump in and fit entirely inside it, his head poking up to watch what was going on…

"That's…!" Luka stared in astonishment, at a dragonkin standing in the center of the plaza…

"How boring. Is there not a single strong person in this entire city?" The dragonkin beckoned.

"D… Damn it…" A soldier said.

"She's so… So strong!" Another added.

"Guh…" Another soldier grunted. It appeared three soldiers were fighting her…

"Luka, who the hell is that?"

"Y-You don't know?! T-That's Granberia, the Heavenly Knight of Fire!"

"…That sounds tough. She looks strong as well…" Greg commented, seeing dozens of strong looking soldiers, collapsed on the ground. Did… Did she beat them by herself?

"You three… Are you going to fight or not?"

"Guh!" One soldier grunted. With the situation as it was, it seemed impossible for the three to win…

"Only you three are left… Are you just going to watch while I take control of this city? Or is one of you gonna try to be a hero and face me?! Well? Hurry up and decide!"

"D-Damn you!" One soldier shouted, another saying, "I won't let a monster like you do whatever you want!" Two of the remaining three soldiers faced Granberia, running towards her… The third one was cowering in the back, unable to move.

"That's the spirit… But even if you have the spirit, it's meaningless!" Flames surrounded Granberia's sword, given off a scorching heat. It's as if it was covered in the fires of hell itself. Luka quietly yelped at the insane aura coming from her. Granberia easily overwhelmed the two soldiers, and then looked at the remaining one.

"Amazing…" Luka muttered. He probably couldn't have stood up to one of the guards, and she just crushed them like insects! The difference in power was huge…

"Well then… What are you going to do?" She asked the last soldier. He promptly screamed and fled. "That's a wise choice… But in the future, you can't call yourself a soldier, or a hero…"

"This isn't good…" Luka muttered.

"Is that it?! Having your city taken over by a monster? Are there no complaints?!" Granberia shouted, her voice echoing throughout the entire city… However, everyone remained barricaded in their rooms. They must have meant to surrender to her…

What should I do? There's no way I could beat her… As a Hero I can't just… Err, as someone aiming to be a Hero, I can't just sit here and do nothing! Luka thought to himself.

As if reading his mind, Greg said, "Luka, if you try to face her, I'm not going to interfere until I need to. I have your back, but I'm not as suicidal as you are."

"Well then, I've taken control of this city. Next, I'll…"

"Ho-Hold it!" Luka shouted, summoning his courage and stepping out from behind the tree.

"What was that, boy?" Granberia turned her head to face him. Just from her stare, a crushing sense of oppression filled him.

"A… u…" Luka started shaking. His heart was throbbing in his chest, his mouth drying up. I shouldn't have done that… I'd be lying if I said I didn't instantly regret calling out ot her. He thought to himself.

"Oh, you're carrying a sword? Then I'll treat you as a warrior, not as a boy. You have no problem with that, do you?"

"O-Of course not!" Luka shouted, drawing his sword.

"I understand… Well then… The fire swordswoman Granberia will be your opponent!"

"Guh…!" Luka grunted, standing in front of her enough to turn his legs into jelly.

"Now… Give me your best shot!"

"Uhg… Take this!" Luka pulled back his sword, and attacked with all his strength! But Granberia vanished… Then, she tripped him. "Damn it!"

While trying to stand back up, she stepped on his groin. "You're too green."

"Auu…" Falling on his ass, he could do nothing but stiffen his body when she stepped on him.

"You challenged me when the adults were hiding in cowardice. I can respect that… You're young, so a mistake like that is to be expected. But there won't be a second time."

Luka just felt angry at that… Being given pity by your opponent… Dying in battle would be better!

"I-It's not over yet!" He picked himself up and drew his sword again.

"Are you going to ignore my advice? I won't overlook it again."

"Prepare yourself!" Luka said.

"If you insist… You won't regret this, will you boy?"

"There's no way I will!" Luka shouted.

"What… This technique?"

"Take this! Demon Decapitation!" Luka shouted, jumping up and slashing towards her neck, only for her dodge... "No way…"

"Why do you know a monster's technique? Your swordplay is sloppy, and you're still immature. There's no way you thought that up by yourself. Who taught it to you?"

"W-Why should I tell someone like you?!"

"I think I already know who it is… In fact, I'd like to have a duel with that person. Is that person your master or something?"

"That is… I won't say."

"Is that so? Then…" She swung at Luka, bringing him to the very edge of his life. "I held back my attack to make sure you didn't die. Well, are you going to talk now?"

"U… Guh… Even with that… I won't say."

"Is that so? I don't like using my sword on the weak, but in that case…" Granberia raised her sword… Only for an arrow to hit her in the back of the head. She immediately twisted around to see who did that, and saw Greg standing there, bow drawn.

"Another challenger? It's unhonorable to interrupt a battle… I suppose I'll have to knock you out…" She said, approaching him.

"That's not a battle. That's an outright unfair kill. And I'm not about to allow that to happen." Greg said, drawing his platinum broadsword.

*Playing MGQ OST: 4 Heavenly Knights Battle theme…*

She started off by slashing at him, only for him to parry her attack, although it did take a bit to parry. She then cleaved forwards, only for him to duck. She then spun in a circle with her blade extended, causing him to jump back, throwing a few bombs at her, which exploded on impact.

Granberia merely winced, but then saw Greg rushing towards her, sword ready to pierce. He swiped at her, managing to wound her slightly.

"Ah… It has been a long time since I've felt my own blood in battle… But no more playing around!" She said, her sword being engulfed with flames.

"Gah!" He immediately jumped back, as Granberia rushed towards him. He immediately built a wall made of stone, which Granberia crashed into, causing the stone to break into pieces. She then smiled, using Death Sword Chaos Star, her sword flashing like a chaotic shooting star. He was forced to take the attack, being sent skidding back into a building. He quickly got back up, downing a lesser healing potion and preparing for another strike. He started building a staircase, rushing up it and using gravity to attempt to plunge his sword into Granberia's head, only for her to block his sword, and swipe at him, causing his armor to crack.

"Fucking hell! Do you know how long it took finding that much platinum?!" He shouted, enraged. "Normally I wouldn't go for a kill on a sentient being, but since you're taking over this town, AND damaging my armor, you deserve it!"

"Hmm? Then come and strike me down!" She shouted, then pulling her sword back, and… "Serene Demon Sword!" She suddenly slashed at him, her sword seeming to be aided with the power of water. He was hit, and sent back again, his armor cracking some more. He threw a few more bombs at her, but she just winced, and then he rushed in to attack again. "That trick won't work twice!" She then swung her sword at him. He was slow to dodge, causing his armor to break.

"Seriously?!" He shouted in a mix of anger and astonishment, stepping back. His survival instincts kicked in as he quickly side-stepped a downwards slash, then throwing down an anvil. Granberia looked confused, until she saw that he just threw some bars on them, which turned into a new set of his armor. He put back on his platinum armor, drawing his sword again. "Enough!" He rushed towards her, aiming to pierce right through her chest, although… His sword wasn't tough enough to go through her armor.

"Impressive. I've never seen a human fight as valiantly as you…" Granberia commented, seeing the sparks sent flying from his sword grazing her armor. "But that won't be enough to drive me away! I've never had to use this move on a human… Vaporizing Rebellion Sword!" Her sword was engulfed with flames again, and she swung her sword around, which all hit him, breaking through his armor again and sending him to the ground.

He laid on the ground, panting. He just barely managed to inch towards his anvil, crafting more platinum armor, and put it back on. However, the second he stood back up, Granberia tripped him, and then slashed at him, causing him to be knocked unconscious. "You fought well, human." She said to herself. "We will meet again, eventually. But…" She looked towards Luka, only for Alice to appear.

"A-Alice?!" Luka said in surprise.

"You?!" Granberia stared at Alice, with a face of astonishment, petrified for a couple seconds… Then she slowly got down on one knee.

What the hell is going on? Luka thought to himself.

"Granberia… What are you doing? Who ordered you to do such a thing?"

"I decided by myself. To get rid of those annoying Heroes, I…"

"Go away, you annoyance." Alice declared flatly.

"B-But! If I leave now, even more Heroes will show up!"

"I told you to go away. If you go berserk like this, how am I going to eat the Ama-ama Dango?"

"If you want something like that, just let me take control of the city first... So…"

"How can I sightsee with such an unsightly even like that going on? Idiot. Having to say the same thing three times… Is that how you show your loyalty? I told you to go away."

"…At once. If it's your will. Then, if you'll excuse me…" Granberia vanished, withdrawing from the city plaza.

Thus, Granberia was driven away…