“Not one but three rays came forth in response, each splitting to strike at Zak and at Galathae.

The first made him feel heavy, as if his limbs were wrapped in thick metal.

The second made him realize that he couldn’t win and should flee for his life.

The third showed him the truth of the world, that the real monster here was Galathae, and so he should strike at her! But he looked at her, bathed in holy light, serene and yet focused in her efforts to resist the rays—the same rays that had hit him.”