"I didn't know she could do that!" Ruby whispered excitedly as she glanced down at the dart in her hand.
"Neither did I!" Mia smiled. "I've been playing these games for as long as I can remember, and I'm still surprised by the things that she's able to do," admitted Mia. She really didn't like praising Mary like this.
But there really was no denying that the humans could handle magic amazingly. They might be cruel, heartless creatures (except for Robert,) but they did have amazing powers and abilities. Mia would be lying if she said that she wasn't slightly envious of their power and their strength.
"As you have probably figured out, today we will be playing a game of giant darts!" said Mary cheerfully. Mia glanced down at her dart and then back up at the giant targets. They were hovering several feet above Mia. She was really going to struggle with this. Mia had decent aim. Ivy had made sure of that. But getting the darts to reach the targets was going to take most of her strength.
As she watched, Mia realized that the targets were starting to move. They were drifting around, this way and that. As they moved, they became faster and faster. Soon the sky was a blur of targets that went whizzing by. This was going to be much more difficult than Mia had expected.
"If only Ivy were here," Mia whispered to herself for the millionth time. Not only did this game look like it was going to be a real challenge, but it also looked like it was going to be very dangerous for everyone. Mia had been hoping for a safer game that wouldn't involve murder. But giant darts plus rapidly moving targets didn't sound like the world's safest combo. But things could always be worse. This was much better than the list game. Mia was glad that she hadn't had to play that game for a little while now.
"Points will be counted up at the end! Now, are you ready? Let's go!" Mary called out. Mia fixed her gaze on the sky above. There was no time to hesitate. Mia's eyes fixed themselves on an approaching target and she tossed her dart up at it, right as the target passed by overhead. The dart shot through the air and buried itself right in the heart of the target. The target froze for a split second, before shattering into several extremely thin shards. The shards drifted down to the ground softly. They landed gently without making the slightest sound. Then Mia's dart flew down, nearly hitting her in the face.
She leaped back just in the nick of time to avoid it. But in leaping back, she nearly leaped into the path another dart. This game was going to pure chaos. The air was filled with shattering targets and shouts and darts. Mia grabbed her target and began frantically looking around for another target to aim at.
"Great shot, Mia!" Ruby exclaimed. Mia couldn't help but beam with pride at her words.
"Thanks! Ivy helped me improve my aim!"
A fearful look crossed Ruby's face as she ducked back. Several more darts came flying down through the air. "She tried to help me out a couple of times. But I'm afraid that my aim is still awful. I-I just don't want to hit a doll by mistake."
Was it Mia's imagination or were the targets becoming even faster? Everything seemed to be blurring around Mia. Dolls and darts and targets spun all around her. Ruby raised her hand to toss her dart. When suddenly, another dart came whizzing through the air. It struck Ruby's arm. Instantly, Ruby dropped her dart and dropped down to the ground, clutching at her injured arm.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
"Ruby!" Mia screamed. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, I-I broke my wrist and my health is draining, but it's not too bad. Maybe- look out!" Ruby yanked Mia to her side with her good hand. A dart whizzed past Mia's ear and tapped her cheek. Mia winced as a tiny crack broke out across her cheek. Now Ruby was dragging Mia away from the center of the square. They shoved their way through the panicked crowd, shoving everyone in their path away. This was insane. Dolls and targets and everything were shattering around Mia.
Ruby and Mia weren't the only dolls fleeing the crowd. The extra points didn't matter the least bit now. Mia just wanted to stay alive. Her eyes fixed themselves on the edge of the crowd. How wonderful it suddenly looked. She quickened her pace, trying to keep up with Ruby's long strides. A hand on Mia's shoulder made her scream suddenly. A doll pushed Mia aside and charged past her. Just like that, Mia lost her grip on Ruby's hand. Mia stumbled to the ground. Ruby vanished as the crowd swallowed her up.
A scream of terror escaped Mia. She hadn't even known she could scream so loudly. But even her screams sounded faint and soft compared to all the noises around her. Fresh bursts of pain shot across Mia's body as she was knocked this way and that by the crowd. Cracks exploded across Mia's skin like fireworks.
Her arms looked as if they were covered in spiderwebs. The noise, the pain, the fear, it was all growing more and more intense with each second. For a moment, despair took control. Mia's vision blurred. Then one thought filled her mind. What would Ivy do if she were here? Ivy would cover her head and chest. That was what Mia needed to do. Mia needed to protect her core. She curled up into a tiny ball, trying to protect her vitals.
Ivy wouldn't panic. Ivy never panicked. Mia couldn't let the pain make her lose focus. Then Mia's thoughts turned to Lu. Lu needed her. If she died, who was going to be the messenger? Yes, Mia couldn't die and leave all her friends alone. She wasn’t going to die. Bit by bit, inch by inch, Mia edged her way forward, in the direction that she had been going. Her health was draining quickly. Teeth gritted, Mia pushed herself to go faster. Now she was almost there. A bright red dress caught her eye.
"Ruby!" Mia screamed.
"Mia!" Ruby's voice sounded faint and faraway. "Where are you?"
"I'm here!" Mia followed the sound of Ruby's voice. Closer and closer, she was almost there now. Mia kept calling as she headed through the crowd. Her poor legs could hardly move. Then, at last, she felt a hand grab her gently but firmly. She was lifted out of the crowd and into Ruby's arms. She had done it. She was safe. She would live to see another day.
"Hold still, I'll get you all fixed up," Ruby whispered. Mia could see that Ruby’s hands were shaking. "You'll be okay, don't worry." A wonderful warmth washed over Mia's body as Ruby cast her spell. Then all the pain melted away, taking most of Mia's fear with it. "D-do you feel okay, Mia?"
"Now I do," whispered Mia.
"Thank goodness. I don't know what I would I'd do if I lost you too," whispered Ruby. "You'd think losing people would get easier. But it just hurts more and more each time."
"Don't say that! You're here. I'm here everything is okay!" said Mia. She rested her head on Ruby's shoulder. If only for a little while longer, they were both alive. If nothing else, they were still together.
Level
14
Xp
68
Strength
5/100
Stamina
45/100
Health
30/100
Spells/Powers
Montus