A/N: Sorry about the delay. I was busy planning the next Part. That, and getting swept up by Pokemon GO.

I swear, some of those people haven't come out of their mother's basement since the NES came out.

Part Two - Fear not the Crimson

Chapter 11: Aftermath

After a long, well-deserved rest, Mark and Naomi inspected their loot from the Eye of Cthulhu.

They got 67 Crimtane ore, a Crimson Seed, 7 Lesser Healing potions, and 3 Gold.

Mark immediately made the Blood Butcherer and Naomi made a Tendon Bow.

"Okay, I know this is powerful, but I kinda regret making this thing." Naomi said. She held her bow at arm's length.

"What's there to regret?" Mark asked. He lazily batted a Green Slime out of his way. It exploded.

"Think about it: I'm using body parts to shoot arrows! It's gross!"

Mark shrugged. "But it's a really good weapon."

"Hey, guys!" Garret called from his door. "I see you won!"

Mark pumped his sword in the air. "Yeah! We showed that Eye what's what!"

"I did most of the work." Naomi muttered. "And lost a hundred arrows."

"Come inside, I got to tell you something." Garret ducked back into his house.

Mark and Naomi went in and leaned against the wall. There was only one chair and Garret was sitting in it.

"You guys did great, defeating that Eye," Garret said. "I think you guys are ready."

"For what?" Mark asked.

"The Crimson."

"Wait," Naomi said. "You mean the place you said we should never go?"

"Yet. The implied message was 'Don't go there YET'. You weren't strong enough at the time."

"So what's over there?" Mark asked.

"I don't know. I've never been there. It's too dangerous for a lowly Guide."

"But not for us?"

"You proved yourself on that bridge. I can tell by the weapons you have right now."

"But we don't have to go right now?"

"Of course not!" Garret scoffed. "You two deserve some rest and relaxation after that battle." Garret looked up thoughtfully. "In fact, I do believe a celebration is in order."

Mark and Naomi looked at each other, excitement on both of their faces. Everyone loves a good party, and these two are far from being the exception.

"Hey," Edmund said, poking his head into the open door. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, but did you say 'celebration?' "

"Why yes, I did." Garret said with a smug expression. "So?"

" 'So', what?"

"Aren't you gonna help these two prepare?"

Edmund's smile could not have been wider. "Aye aye, cap'n!" he said with a salute. He then ran off.

"What are you two still doing here?"

"Where's the party going to be?" Naomi asked.

"Your house, of course. But, you might want to make that main room bigger."

They both ran off to make the necessary adjustments. They also made a keg and a bunch of pint-sized glasses. Edmund and Helen brought the tables and chairs from their houses. Garret went for a walk that afternoon and when he left, Mark stole his table. Three is an awkward number of tables.

When Garret came back, he went up to Naomi and said, "Hey, before we start the party, we need to make another house." And by "we", he meant "you and Mark."

"Who's coming this time?" Naomi asked. She started for the material shed.

"A dryad."

Naomi paused. "A dryad?" She pulled the Living Wood furniture from a chest. "Dryads are wood creatures, right?"

"Yes. Although this one doesn't need anything special." Naomi showed him the furniture. "Ah, I see you went inside a Living Tree." He walked back to his house. "Nice call."

With all of the materials ready, she found Mark and they both began construction. Mark flinched when he heard Garret yell, "Hey! Where's my table?!"


They partied all night. The ale flowed like water, and by the time the sun came up, nobody could tell what's going on right in front of their faces.

It was awesome.