"Give back my magic!" Ruta called. She forced herself to get up.

"Oh, no. I won't. I'd much rather keep this. Look at how lovely it is!" She twirled.

Ruta attempted to catch her, and the girl bounced away.

"Let's try out these new powers, shall we?" She…

She was one of those monster people Ruta had heard of. She'd never actually seen one. She prepared an arrow and let it fly, but the small girl easily dodged.

Ruta shot several more arrows, but the girl dodged them, too. "Just let me hit you, you stupid th…

Ruta stepped through the portal and onto one of the scattered little islands. Her golden hair, clothes, and tiara all shimmered with each movement she made. She summoned a golden bow, and pulled back the string, and a golden arrow appeared.

She let it fly…