A Goddess Called Infinity

Calamity pt. 3

Pearl valiantly leads the way even though the two preteens trailing behind her were groaning and complaining the whole time. Particularly the not-as-fit Steven. It didn't help that large portions of the old structure were broken, uneven, and at some parts destroyed. Still, the vigilant pearl was rather stubborn.

"I knew we should've brought lion," Steven groans. They left him at the house to keep guard. Plus, he didn't seem that interested in coming, and it's near impossible to convince the large feline to do anything he didn't feel like doing.

"Now now Steven, this is good for you," Pearl reassures, "Besides, we'll be out of here in no time! It's much more discreet this way too." She earlier explained that since this is a gem-made passage, they wouldn't be spat out into the heat of battle. She wanted to keep them safe after all, especially if this battle is like any she fought all those thousands of years ago.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Connie huffs, getting increasingly tired from carrying around her sword, "I mean, maybe it's changed—"

"These caverns don't just change," Pearl scoffs, "they've just been... Damaged. Yeah, a little damage won't stop us now will it?"

Steven and Connie exchange glances. Silence settles as they trek on a bit longer.

"Peeaarrll..."

"Yes, Steven?" She sighs.

"Can't we just rest? For like 5 minutes?" He asks before plopping down against a rock. Pearl turns to reply when the caverns suddenly begin to violently shake. Steven shoots back up to his feet, "I didn't do anything!"

"Run!" Connie yells as stalactites begin falling. They blindly follow Pearl as she leads the way. She summons her spear to clear away debris in their path with elegantly calculated swings. Steven summons his shield and holds it above his and Connie's head like an umbrella.

A large boulder crashes in front of them, causing Steven and Connie to skid to a halt. Pearl, however, continues to charge forward. She leaps up into the air and slashes downward with her spear. A wave of energy projects from the spear in the direction she cut, splitting the rock cleanly down the middle. Steven and Connie hurry through.

"Light!" Connie shouts, pointing to an opening where sunlight poured into the cave. They divert course to the exit of the caverns. The walls begin collapsing faster and faster behind them and the escape would be close. Even the incline they were running on began to crumble and descend. "We're gonna have to jump," Steven notes urgently. Pearl is already well ahead of them and out of the cave, but she had her hand reached out to them.

They jump in unison as the incline fully collapsed. Arms interlocked, they reach out to Pearl.

Pearl grabs onto them at the last moment.

"I... Got you," she says, straining heavily to pull them up.

Thankfully, they were able to help and pull themselves up. Once they're in the clear, Steven and Connie collapse in exhaustion. Soon, the cave and their surroundings are still.

"See, I told you we'd be out in no time," Pearl says, trying to remain optimistic as she rises to her feet and dusts herself off. She looks down at Steven and Connie, still on the ground of course, and frowns. "Ok, I suppose a rest is in order."

After they caught their breath, Pearl urges them to trek onwards. They reach an overlook where they had an expansive view of the battlefield.

"Wow..." Steven comments breathlessly as the carnage unfolds. There is more apprehensiveness in the statement than actual wonder. All of those people and aliens dying and spilling blood and running each other through; it was a barbaric sight... Why did he insist on coming again?