Iolite

Chapter 2

Garnet followed the whispers down the rocky path. The soft voices echoed, encouraging the gem to walk further. When the whispers stopped, Garnet snapped out the strange hypnosis she was under. She shook her head and closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them, a bright, red floating flame revealed itself. She approached it slowly, taking caution. The flame duplicated and there were two. They hovered deep into the darkness. Garnet tracked them down and ended up in the heart of the cave. There were many red flames that circled around the walls. They were like torches. Garnet stood on top of a stone seal with the carving of a blazing fire on it.

"What is this place? I have to get out of here," She said, analyzing the arena-like space. She noticed that the way she entered was blocked by a stone wall. She ran up to it and began smashing her red, iron fists against it in an effort to break it down. Not a single crack was made, but Garnet didn't let up. She continued on even though it was causing a great disturbance to the enormous beast hidden in the cave walls.

"The beast was infuriated when it was awoken. It barged its way into the arena, knocking aside boulders and giant rocks alike.

Garnet turned her attention to the monstrous brute. It roared violently, pushing back Garnet into the stone wall behind her. The four-footed terror stomped its feet, calling for giant rocks to fall from up above. Garnet dodged several of the descending boulders. She even smashed through one, demolishing the slab into a thousand pebbles.

She caught one of the boulders and hurled it at the vicious red beast. She grinned as the beast stomped back from the hit. "Come on big guy, let's go."

Meanwhile, back in the grassland, Amethyst was completely oblivious to the absence of the other gems. She was busy trying to catch the will-o-the-wisp.

"Ha, I got you! Nothing can get away from..." She trailed off as she saw fog appearing around her. "What the?"

The fog became dense, making it hard to see anything. She looked up and the sky was hardly visible. The whispers showed up again and blew through Amethyst's pale lilac hair.

"Huh, who's there? Just because I can't see you doesn't mean it won't stop me from getting you!" Amethyst summoned her whip, ready to attack. The whispers fell silent and for a moment it was eerily quiet. "Okay, now this is creepy."

Amethyst moved through the fog, aimlessly wandering. She tried to remember what happened when she got here and why she was in this realm to begin with. Soon, her memory of Steven, Garnet, and Pearl were vanishing. The whispers were circling around the drifting gem. They were sweeping her off from the ground, removing the whip from her hand. A cloud formed from the fog and cradled Amethyst. She yawned and laid down on the plush puff as it carried her up into the air, ascending into the sky.

"Ugh, stay down!" Garnet shouted, punching the restless beast for the hundredth time. No matter how hard her hits or kicks were, the beast would not fall without getting back up again. She landed onto the ground and jumped back up into the air to strike again. The beast lashed his tail at the gem and sent her flying across the arena. She landed deep into the rock solid wall. She was hurting and overwhelmed with fatigue. She didn't know how much more fight she had left in her.

She's fallen to the beast countless times, but always got back up despite the pain that shot through her aching body. This time, however, she crashed onto the ground and didn't budge. The beast stood over her, raising his arm so he could crush the small gem and end her once in for all.

Before the beast's paw could crush her body, Garnet held up a defense by putting up her fists. They transformed into larger versions of themselves. She rose slowly, but steadily to her feet and fought back the beast. She pushed it away from her and swung once more at it. Breathing heavily, Garnet went for the final blow. She charged towards the staggered beast with a battle cry that vibrated throughout the cave. She landed a fierce hit on its head, knocking out the beast.

She watched as it collapsed onto the floor. The arena shook and began rising out of the cave setting. Garnet saw a hint of light coming from the top. Great a way out.

The stone arena made it to the top with Garnet and the beast on the seal. They were up very high with only a thick fog and beams of sunlight to be seen. Garnet saw a floating cloud with a familiar figure lying on it.

"Amethyst," Garnet called out. "Amethyst, are you alright? I'm coming for you."

Garnet was about to leap off the platform, but the giant beast had got a hold of her. She tried breaking free from its clutches, but her body gave in. She was tired and couldn't fight anymore. She buried her head into the beast's paw, panting harshly. The beast held the defeated gem to his face and squeezed her mercilessly. She cried out in agony, feeling her iron fists crumble at her sides.

This is it, I've lost. I have been defeated.

"I-I surrender," She whispered feebly, shedding a tear underneath her glasses.

Thanks for reading. Chapter 3 will be here soon!