The realization of her actions had just hit her.

“I-I killed two men. I killed them. I just did it.”

“Are you back to normal now?” X huffed “What a shame, I liked the other you better.”

Akilah just sat there in silence without replying, to engulfed in her own thoughts to even hear anything.

*SLAM*

Akilah looked up, something just shook the entire room.

“It is RUDE to ignore someone when they are speaking to you Akilah!”

“Leave me alone” Akilah replied putting her head down in defeat.

“Oh what, feeling guilty over your actions? Want me to sprinkle some salt on your wounds?” X said with amusement.

Akilah froze and slowly looked up “W-What do you mean...?”

“You see the first man that you killed was a father of five that had gotten arrested for stealing food to feed his starving family.”

“No... please no” Akilah said while covering her ears 'No it's not true he's lying'.

“He is set to be released tomorrow,” X paused “Weeelll WAS seems more accurate now.”

“STOP IT! YOU'RE LYING” Akilah shouted with a horrified look on her face.

“Yes, I’m lying,” X answered in a calm voice “In fact none of this is real, not the people, not the room, not the blood that you're soaked in.”

Akilah was stunned, she could not find the words to respond to what he had just said. Before she could say anything, the room was swiftly filled with the same thick fog as before, and she was transported back into the dark space.

“Congratulations, you passed the test.”

“A test?”

“Yes, to be honest with you I did not believe you had it in you to kill those men. I mean the first one was shocking but the second one was just brilliant.” He said sounding very amused.

“Although I had made them especially weak just for you. After all I did not need you to prove your strength, just your determination” X continued.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“So those people that I killed they weren’t...”

“Real? No, Akilah they were not real” He answered, somewhat annoyed.

A sense of relief hit Akilah.

“I just needed to check if your actions matched your words before taking you in.”

“Taking me in?” Akilah asked.

“Yes taking you in as my henchman, that is a part of the deal” X replied.

“What? But the grimoire did not-”

“Be damned the grimoire Akilah! Here is the real deal, the grimoire is complete and utter trash. It barely has any useful or factual information.”

Akilah was baffled by his words “Not factual...”

“No not factual. Meaning it is a lie”

Akilah just stared in confusion. 'What is he saying?'

“Then was it all a lie?”

“Well not all of it. The truth is that you were betting your soul for the opportunity to meet me. If I like you then you will become my henchman; for however long I please, and in return I grant you one wish. That is why it is called a fool's wish, because only a fool would do this.” He said gleefully.

Akilah did not know what to say, she was getting overwhelmed by all this information. First it was that the men she killed were not real. Now she is finding out that the spell she was betting her life on was not even close to what she had originally thought.

“They re-made the spell in an effort to make it more…compelling, so that more people would buy it.”

“What are you talking about, who's 'they' and why are they remodeling your spell? Don't speak in codes, speak properly so that I can understand you” Akilah stated irritated.

“Oh, feisty” X said jokingly and then cleared his throat before saying in a serious voice “No but do remember to mind your temper with me.”

“Now!” X said in a cheerier tone “I do not need to go through all the details, essentially the spell was not properly written down. However, since you did complete the ritual and summoned me, OUR deal still stands.”

“So what happens to me now?” Akilah asked hesitant.

“Well now the fun part begins” X replied.