Page 191 of The Wishing Game

"Why?" I frown.

"There is a hierarchy in Aperion, like in any other world. S’Aperiotes are at the bottom, and because of that, they're often treated as such. Aperion is a meritocracy, but that merit is based on power. The hierarchy is based solely on who has the most power. The Supremes are at the top, followed by the monarchs of each Royal House, then the nobility, the military, and the minor deities. These are the classes that have abilities. S’Aperiotes are last, even though they make up the majority of the population. No one really knows why they lack abilities. Some say it's because of migration patterns eons ago. Others say it's because they've been bred out to be powerless since the other classes mate strictly with each other. The law specifies that it is illegal for someone with abilities to mate with someone without. For that reason, the five classes have to get approval from the House of Moirai if they want to mate with someone. S’Aperiotes do not need this."

"I didn't realize your society wasthatstrict," I note.

"You haven't heard half of it." She rolls her eyes. "To a degree, I understandwhy, but it doesn't make it any less constricting. Deities might be immortal, but most are not impervious. That means if one dies, another has to be ready to take that place so that the universe is in balance. Because of that, the fates check all potential futures and decide on which mate would be most suitable to produce offspring that could benefit the society—and the entire universe."

"If you don't like it that much, why don't you go somewhere else? You clearly have no trouble traveling between worlds, and compared to Ze and Cer, you're much more social."

A sad smile pulls at her lips.

"Alas, that is yet another law. Some classes are forbidden from ever leaving Aperion. You must always notify the military legal office of your departure and return plans. Otherwise, the Trackers would come for you." She sighs. "Because how could Aperion waste its precious resources?" She rolls her eyes at that.

"I see," I mumble. It seems utterly insane that deities would have so many rules. But I guess it's the wholewith great power comes great responsibilityspiel.

"Anyway, what I meant to say is that since s’Aperiotes are at the bottom, they're often mistreated. You have to be careful and only go out with me or Cer. You don't want to be mistaken for a s’Aperiote by a minor deity or one of those military pricks. They always like to pick on people," she explains.

"Got it." I nod, though the more I hear, the more I wonder how this could be a godly realm when it's rather ungodly.

Aperion really doesn't seem like a great place so far, despite the lively and bustling ambiance or the beautiful blue skies and the dual suns. If anything, the outside might be pretty, but the inside seems rather rotten. For one, Thea has made her dislike of it quite clear, and it's so sad to see the change in her demeanor now that we're here. Somehow she's more subdued, a sadness underlying even her usual smiles.

"I'm sorry you're stuck here," I whisper as I pat her lightly on her back.

"It's fine." She shrugs. "At least I have my family. I don't know what I'd do without them."

"You're lucky." I smile fondly. "I've seen the way you and Cer care for each other, and I am quite jealous. I'm all alone. I've never had siblings, and I can barely remember my own mother. My husband is all I have."

She takes my hand, giving it a light squeeze as she turns to look at me.

"It's why I want to help you win this. You deserve to know happiness. No matter what Ze says or does, you deserve to win. At least one of us should get a happily ever after," she adds sadly.

"Thank you," I murmur, tears of gratitude stabbing at my eyes. "I really appreciate this, Thea. You're a good friend."

She has a wistful expression on her face as she tips her gaze up to look at the horizon line.

"If only." She sighs, pressing her lips in a tight, sad line. She doesn't say more, but it's enough for me to realize this has something to do with the secret Ze was threatening her with. Considering how many rules there are in their society, her transgression could be very minor and still get her a dire sentence.

The mood changes, and Thea seems lost in thought as we continue walking. Every now and then, I notice her lifting her hand to her face and rubbing moisture out of her eyes.

There's a marked difference between the carefree Thea I knew outside of Aperion and the one now, and her words only serve to reinforce the fact that she's entirely unhappy about being back home. She's also remarkably quiet for someone who's always chatting about this and that.

I don't speak either, not wanting to intrude. But that doesn't mean I'm not sad about it, and I wonder if there's something I can do to help her.

Releasing a deep sigh, I turn my attention to the road, taking in our surroundings.

Now that we're out of the popular area, there are fewer and fewer people walking around. Every now and then, I see carriages being drawn around by something akin to a horse, but with the body of a human.

The suns climb up the sky, hitting their highest point and suggesting we've been walking for a while. Yet the capital is still nowhere near. The tall towers remain a dot on the horizon, and the more we venture out of the previous town, the more derelict the buildings by the side of the road look.

There are houses, but they're in poor shape. They are made of thin brown wood, and they all seem to be a similar size—a one-bedroom. The design is the same for the entire row, and that makes me wonder if these were not built by the state—otherwise, who would go for the exact model?

People go about their day, working on their gardens or drying their clothes in their yards. The families aren't small, certainly too big for a one-bedroom, but it quickly becomes clear this intermediary area isn't particularly well-off.

Isn't it hypocritical that a godly realm would have such poverty? When one thinks of deities, there's a rather romanticized version of perfection—not only are they powerful, but they are also wise and well-intended.

The evidence in front of me speaks of the opposite. The treatment of s’Aperiotes as the scourge of society makes it even more clear that nothing is perfect here.

Despite Thea's assurances that this is a meritocracy, I don't see it. How could it be when s’Aperiotes are never even given a chance? The upper echelons intermarry and preserve their wealth, powers, and status, creating new gods and new Supremes, while the others are stuck in a continuous cycle of suffering.

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