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Back The Wishing Game Save as PDF
Chapters (66)
  1. PREFACE
  2. Full Page Image
  3. ONE
  4. TWO
  5. One week ago
  6. THREE
  7. Present day
  8. FOUR
  9. FIVE
  10. SIX
  11. SEVEN
  12. EIGHT
  13. NINE
  14. TEN
  15. ELEVEN
  16. TWELVE
  17. THIRTEEN
  18. FOURTEEN
  19. FIFTEEN
  20. SIXTEEN
  21. SEVENTEEN
  22. EIGHTEEN
  23. NINETEEN
  24. TWENTY
  25. TWENTY-ONE
  26. TWENTY-TWO
  27. TWENTY-THREE
  28. TWENTY-FOUR
  29. TWENTY-FIVE
  30. TWENTY-SIX
  31. TWENTY-SEVEN
  32. TWENTY-EIGHT
  33. TWENTY-NINE
  34. THIRTY
  35. THIRTY-ONE
  36. THIRTY-TWO
  37. THIRTY-THREE
  38. THIRTY-FOUR
  39. THIRTY-FIVE
  40. THIRTY-SIX
  41. THIRTY-SEVEN
  42. THIRTY-EIGHT
  43. THIRTY-NINE
  44. FORTY
  45. FORTY-ONE
  46. FORTY-TWO
  47. FORTY-THREE
  48. FORTY-FOUR
  49. FORTY-FIVE
  50. FORTY-SIX
  51. FORTY-SEVEN
  52. FORTY-EIGHT
  53. FORTY-NINE
  54. FIFTY
  55. FIFTY-ONE
  56. FIFTY-TWO
  57. FIFTY-THREE
  58. FIFTY-FOUR
  59. FIFTY-FIVE
  60. FIFTY-SIX
  61. FIFTY-SEVEN
  62. FIFTY-EIGHT
  63. FIFTY-NINE
  64. SIXTY
  65. SIXTY-ONE
  66. SIXTY-TWO

"The Wishing Game consists of five trials." As Inara speaks, the screen behind them lights up, showing five empty panels, each containing a question mark. "Each trial will be announced after the previous one is completed. The trials will become increasingly harder, and the last one will declare our winners. If more than five people pass the fifth trial—although that's unlikely—there will be another round to decide the winners. If not, you will get your wish upon the fulfillment of the fifth trial."

"And the rules are..." Inu pauses, a mischievous smile pulling at his lips. "That there are no rules."

Murmurs echo through the crowd.

"Yes, it's exactly as it sounds. You can use any means to win—even cheating."

"However," Inara intervenes, "you may not quit at any point during the game. Once you stepped foot into this venue, you officially entered the game. There is no way out except if you pass to the next round."

Inu nods.

"Once you've passed a trial, there will be a break before the next one starts. That is the only time anyone is allowed to withdraw. Of course, the gift we've offered tonight will be taken back, and your memory will be wiped of any knowledge of the game," Inu continues in a nonchalant manner—as if he didn't just say he'll erase the memory of anyone who wants to leave the game.

My mouth drops open in shock, but somehow I can't tear my gaze away from the stage.

"If you die at any point during the game, you forfeit your right to any future incarnations," Inara casually chimes in.

EIGHT

"What does that mean?" I turn to Thea since she seems to have more knowledge on this than me.

"Are you familiar with the concept of reincarnation?"

"Somewhat?"

"The short version is that the soul is immortal and goes through many cycles, incarnations if you will. Forfeiting your right to reincarnation means your soul will simply cease to exist."

"But that's⁠—"

"A steep price to pay." She smiles sadly. "The risk must be equal to the reward. When you make that wish, you'll be gambling with your soul."

I stare at her, my mind a whirlpool of confusion.

There's only so much a person can take in, no?

Not an hour ago I was running from the police, and now I suddenly find out there are deities out there, with powers, who actually healed my broken body, and who expect me to wager my soul for the chance to fulfill a wish.

But...if there are deities, that means that nothing is impossible, doesn't it?