Chapter 3: Chapter 3: 7!! Wishes!!
The void seemed to deepen as the announcement of their names reverberated through the space—Order and Chaos. They were like two halves of the same coin, one serene and methodical while the other was jittery and unpredictable.
"Alright, kid," Chaos said, practically vibrating with excitement. "Here's the deal: you're dead. Poof. Gone. And rules are boring, so today we're doing something… different."
"I already don't like where this is going," Order muttered, their cool tone rolling in like a breeze, quiet but immense.
Chaos continued, undeterred by its counterpart's grumblings, "Normally, we just shuffle people off to their afterlife or reincarnation or whatever. But today, we're in the mood. So here's the game—pick a number from 1 to 10."
I blinked—or at least I thought I blinked. Was this some kind of twisted cosmic joke?
"What do you mean, 'pick a number'? Is this some test?"
"Oh, kid!" Chaos replied with a voice like fizzing soda. "EVERYTHING is a test! Life, death. Breathing. Learning to ride a bike. It's all one giant cosmic pop quiz! NOW. Pick a number."
Order interjected, their voice as smooth and steady as steel. "The number represents your… allowance in this little experiment. Wishes, to be exact. Choose wisely, as every number comes with a price."
I hesitated. My mind, trapped as it was in the fog of death and disbelief, struggled to comprehend this. But what did I have to lose?
"Seven," I said finally. It felt like a safe number, not too greedy, not too modest.
Chaos exploded into laughter. "SEVEN! Oh boy! That's my favorite number. Congratulations, kid. Seven wishes, just dripping with chaotic potential!"
"Seven it is," Order confirmed, though their tone was more measured. A thread of something else crept into their voice—curiosity, maybe? Or concern? Whatever it was, I didn't have time to dwell on it.
"So... seven wishes," I said, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "Anything at all?"
Chaos grinned—or at least I could feel the grin radiating through the void. "Anything, sweetheart! You want an army of rainbow cerberuses? Done! A planet made of chocolate? Easy-peasy!"
"As long as it fits within the 'rules,'" Order interrupted sharply. "There are limits. You can't wish to undo your death. You can't wish to become God. And—"
"—no smuggling dinosaurs into post-apocalyptic universes. Again," Chaos added with a snicker. "That got way out of hand last time."
"Great…" I muttered. "So infinite loopholes but a fine print. Got it."
But then, without warning, Order and Chaos spoke in perfect unison: "One wish, however, is predetermined. You must select a universe in which to be placed. Your new… life begins there."
Now my head really spun. "Wait, life? I'm getting another chance at living?"
"Sort of," Chaos replied. "Think of it like booting up a new video game. Create-a-Character mode. But cooler!"
"And more meaningful," Order added, their tone softer now. "You are to exist in this chosen reality. With this comes your other wishes, but with responsibility. It is not mere play."
I tried to process everything, but the sheer enormity of it all made me dizzy. Still, one name rose to the surface like a beacon in the dark—a world I'd always dreamed of, filled with magic and danger.
"Alright," I said. My voice was surer this time. Whether I was ready for this or not, I was committed now. "I want to go to the Harry Potter universe."
Chaos clapped enthusiastically. "YES! I knew you were going to pick something good! Hogwarts, broomsticks, baddie wizards with bad haircuts. This is going to be amazing!"
Order sighed but didn't protest. "The Harry Potter universe it is. Now, your six remaining wishes. Be cautious—or be foolish. But choose… wisely."
I clenched my metaphorical fists, my mind running at warp speed. The possibilities were endless. But if I was going to live in the wizarding world, I had to be prepared.
"My first wish," I began carefully, "is for Occlumency to come naturally to me, to the point where I'm an expert without needing to practice."
Chaos whistled, impressed. "Starting strong, huh? Brain shields. Keep those creepy Legilimens wizards outta your head. I like it."
Order nodded approvingly. "Granted. Your mind will be fortified, resistant—nigh impenetrable. The skill is yours, though you must still choose how to wield it."
Feeling a little confidence at this success, I pressed on. "My second wish: I want an almost infinite memory. Like… total recollection. I never forget a thing."
"Ah, an optimized brain," Chaos said with a mocking chuckle. "You tech bro wannabe."
"Granted," Order said smoothly, ignoring Chaos's jabs. "Your memory shall function beyond mortal limits. Every detail absorbed, retained, and recalled at will."
"And now," Chaos cut in, sounding like they were practically vibrating with excitement, "don't make your next wish something boring. Spin the wheel of insanity! Ask for a dragon! A chocolate phoenix! A wand with Wi-Fi!"
"Actually," I said, ignoring Chaos's rambling, "my third wish is for a wand perfect for me. One that adapts to my magical growth and doesn't require Ollivander to carve it. And basically doesn't listen to any other owner. "
Order hummed thoughtfully. "A unique wand—one well-suited to its master and eternally attuned. Very well. Granted."
"Yes, yes," Chaos grumbled. "But B-O-R-I-N-G!"
"Fourth wish," I fired off, finally getting into the flow of this, "for magical talent to come naturally to me—like an affinity for all branches of magic, but not… overpowered. I don't want shortcuts. I want true potential."
Now that got Chaos whistling again. "Oho! Look at you playing the long game. Respect. You're still boring, but I respect it."
"Granted," Order declared, their voice pleased. "You will have raw potential. However, as requested, you must develop it, control it, and overcome the risks it brings."
I grinned to myself—or as much as you can grin without a body. "Fifth wish, I want a magical map of wherever I am, enchanted to show secret passages, hidden dangers, and even people. Like make it inside my brain"
Chaos practically cackled. "Hogwarts is gonna hate you for this. I love it. Gimme five!"
"Granted," Order agreed, though their tone was reserved. "A map that reveals the unseen yet respects the laws of magic. Ofcourse in-built. "
Chaos cut in before I could consider my sixth wish. "Alright, hold up now—last two wishes. Make 'em wild. I mean it! If they're lame, I'm coming for you, kid!"
I took a deep breath—metaphorically—and prepared to push the boundaries further. If I was going to live in a magical world, I would be ready for whatever came my way.