While Rias was trying to control the ritual, she realized that what was happening was beyond her expectations. The ground began to tremble beneath her, and the magic circle she had drawn shifted from a calm red light to a dark energy buzzing with power. The chess pieces started to glow intensely, as if they were melting into an absolute energy that fueled Leon's body.
Rias (with a worried voice): "What's happening here? The energy... it's not from this world."
Then, suddenly, the entire atmosphere changed. Pillars of shadows and light appeared, colliding with each other as if in an eternal struggle. Leon's body rose slightly from the ground, his eyes wide open now glowing with a deep golden hue.
The System (coldly): "Ah, this is interesting. It seems the pieces aren't enough to bind his power. Rias, perhaps you've created a new monster."
Rias (muttering): "What's happening? This wasn't part of the plan... the energy is escaping him instead of merging with him!"
Leon, who had been unconscious moments ago, began to regain consciousness slowly. The first thing he felt was a tremendous flow of energy filling his body, not just Rias's energy or the chess pieces' power, but something deeper, something that seemed to have been hiding inside him all his life.
Leon (whispering): "What is this feeling...?"
His awareness suddenly opened, and his inner voice, the system, became clearer than ever.
The System: "Welcome back, Leon. Looks like you woke up at the perfect moment. Don't let this opportunity slip by."
With the flow of energy, Leon's appearance changed dramatically. His eyes became like mirrors reflecting the starry sky. Black lines appeared on his arms and face, like tattoos pulsing with mysterious energy. His body now radiated power, a power that made Rias look at him with a mixture of astonishment and fear.
Rias (whispering): "This... is not an ordinary sacred gear. It has surpassed even a high-ranking gear. Has he reached a level like Longelos?"
Before there was time to understand what was happening, a black portal opened behind Leon. It was enormous, swallowing the light around it. Ancient symbols glowed in crimson on the portal, and at its top was a clear inscription: "Gate of Gluttony." Next to it, another gate appeared, shining with bright white light, covered in other engravings, bearing symbols of pride.
The System (amused): "Oh, how dramatic. Gluttony and Pride together? It seems your depths have shown a new side of you, Leon."
Leon (in a deep voice): "Gate of Gluttony... and Gate of Pride...?"
A voice emerged from the first gate, like sharp whispers and distant screams, while the sound from the Gate of Pride rang out with pride and challenge. Suddenly, shadowy figures rushed out from the Gate of Gluttony, spirits that seemed to have been starving for centuries, searching for anything to devour, while the light from the Gate of Pride began to wrap around Leon, as if elevating his status.
Rias (with horror): "What is this madness?! Stop! You'll destroy everything!"
Leon turned slowly toward her, his face stern, his eyes looking at her as if piercing through her very depths.
Leon (in a calm, majestic voice): "I didn't ask for this, but it's now a part of me. Rias Gremory, you tried to use me, but you've opened something you can't control."
The spirits began to move toward the lifeless Renari. They drained all the remaining energy from her body, leaving behind only scattered ashes. Then, they turned toward Rias, as if recognizing her as the next target. Meanwhile, the light from the Gate of Pride increased, as though it was trying to highlight Leon's position in the universe.
The System: "Leon, these spirits are servants now, but they're very hungry. And the Gate of Pride? It calls you to rise, but if you don't control it, it will devour everything."
Leon, feeling the power of the Gate of Gluttony flowing inside him, knew he had to make a decisive choice. The energy was immense, but it was like a double-edged sword; it could either give him power or consume him entirely.
Leon (in his mind): "This power isn't just a gift. It's a test."
He slowly raised his hand, and with a single gesture, he commanded the spirits to stop. For a moment, the spirits hesitated, but then they obeyed. They returned to the Gate of Gluttony, which began to close gradually, while the light from the Gate of Pride continued to glow around him, proud as if supporting him.
Rias (in astonishment): "How did you do that?"
Leon looked at her coldly, then said:
Leon: "Because I've learned not to be anyone's victim. Not yours, not anyone else's."
With the two gates closing, Leon returned to his normal state, but the traces of the battle were still clear on him. His wound began to heal slowly, but his mind was filled with questions.
The System: "Gate of Gluttony and Pride? If this is just the beginning, things are about to get exciting."
Leon (in a low voice): "The end is near, but not in the way you expect."
Rias, who felt both regret and fear at the same time, could only silently follow Leon as he stood up and walked away. She didn't know whether she should thank him or fear him.
As Rias watched Leon with her eyes, her thoughts tangled between awe and regret. She never imagined that her ritual, which was meant to give her control over Leon, would open dark gates and secrets she might not be able to control. The atmosphere surrounding her was heavy, and the energies flowing from the Gates of Gluttony and Pride clashed in her mind as she watched Leon slowly regain his balance.
Rias (in a choked voice): "What have I done? What have I unleashed in this place?"
Leon didn't look at her but continued walking slowly toward the closing gate. He knew that this battle was only the beginning of something greater. He felt the energy flowing within him, and the sensation had become part of him now. It was an incomprehensible power, but it represented a part of his new identity, an identity that grew with every step he took.
The System (in a quiet voice): "Things are getting more complicated, Leon. Gluttony and Pride? Along with anger, greed, and envy. But now, thanks to absorbing those pieces containing strong dark power that Rias placed inside you, you have the ability to manipulate these forces... you just have to be careful."
Leon (to himself): "I've learned that power isn't what it appears to others. It's something deeper, something that feeds on my inner desires."
As Leon approached the gate, which was slowly closing, he felt something strange. The energy of Pride, now merging with him, drew a part of his mind upward, toward a place of pride and grandeur, while the energy of Gluttony pressed on his heart, urging him to seek more. He knew that if he used these powers carefully, they could give him the strength he needed, but if he lost his balance, even for a moment, they might consume him.
Rias (in a trembling voice): "Leon... stop. You don't know what you'll face if you continue down this path."
Leon paused for a moment but didn't turn to her. He kept his gaze fixed on the Gates of Gluttony and Pride, which began to open partially with the increasing dark and white light.
Leon (in a soft voice): "You've led me down this path, Rias. I didn't ask for this, but I won't run now."
He then gestured toward the gates, which began to shine even brighter, and commanded the spirits to move away from Rias. The spirits froze for a moment before retreating into the gate. This moment was a turning point, as the Gate of Pride suddenly blazed with an intensity never seen before, as though Leon had reached the peak of his power.
The System: "The path you've chosen may open up other worlds to you. These gates are just the beginning."
Leon (in defiance): "The end will be when I decide it."
Before the gates closed completely, Leon turned toward Rias, who stood, shocked and terrified. She watched as an invisible force manipulated him, pushing him toward a place no one else could reach.
Leon (in a deep voice): "You thought you were in control, but you only unlocked chains of power that you can't control. Now, you'll have to face the consequences."
Rias, who felt helpless and regretful, tried to gather herself. But deep down, she had a strong feeling that she had made an irreversible mistake. She knew that the power controlling Leon now was greater than anything she could ever control.
Leon (in a low voice): "I no longer need anyone. My power... my power is now a part of my being."
As the gates slowly closed, Rias remained where she stood, unable to act. Leon had chosen a path with no return, a path filled with forces that no one understood, not even him. As he walked away from the ritual site, his mind was filled with questions. What would happen now? Could he control these dark forces that had become part of him?
The System (in a soft voice): "Everything is about to change, Leon. This world is still full of secrets."
Leon, his eyes glowing with dark golden light, turned toward Rias one last time and said quietly:
Leon: "The end is near, but not in the way you expect."
Then, with soft whispers from the System in his ear, he left the place without looking back, leaving behind Rias, who was still trapped between her fear and regret for what she had done.