"You could have been so much more," I told him, my voice steady. "You had the same chances, the same opportunities. But you let fear hold you back."

Coward-Leon shook his head, his voice a shaky whisper. "I... I was scared. I didn't think I could do it. The cub was too strong. Please just let me go I never wanted this."

"That cub was a challenge," I countered, "but it was one we could have faced and overcome. You didn't even try. You let fear control you. How will you ever punish the scumbags who killed our family? Did you know that mother was pregnant and Mia was not able to have a life? You sicken me."

Coward-Leon flinched as if struck, his eyes wide with shock and guilt. The mention of our family hit him hard, and I could see the pain etched on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"Do you understand?" I pressed on, stepping closer. "Every moment you let fear dictate your actions is another moment you dishonor their memory. Our family deserves justice. They deserve more than your cowardice."

Tears welled up in Coward-Leon's eyes, and he looked down trembling. "I... I know," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I think about them every day. The pain, the loss... it never goes away. It eats at me every day that I can do nothing about it. I am too scared of failing again."

"But don't worry," I continued, my voice cold and unwavering. "Even though you are still a coward, I will seek vengeance for all of us who have died and failed. That will be my tribute to our family. Now us a favor and, kill yourself and make it right."

Coward-Leon's eyes widened with a mixture of fear and understanding. He knew this was the end of his journey, the final act of courage he needed to muster. But instead of facing his fate, he turned and tried to slither away, activating his shadow-melding skill to blend into the darkness around us.

"So running is all you can do," I said, my voice dripping with disdain. "I see. I expected more from you." Watching him flee filled me with nothing but disgust for this version of myself.

Summoning blood daggers into my hands, I felt a surge of determination. This cowardly version of me needed to be eliminated, not just for my sake, but for the sake of my family’s memory. With a flick of my wrist, I sent vampiric bolts hurtling toward his retreating form. The bolts sliced through the shadows, homing in on their target with unerring precision. Coward-Leon cried out as the first bolt struck him, disrupting his shadow melding and causing him to stumble. He tried to melt back into the darkness, but I was relentless. More bolts followed, each one hitting its mark, and the shadows around him dissipated, leaving him exposed and vulnerable.

"Stop running and face your fate!" I shouted, my anger fueling each attack. The blood daggers in my hands pulsed with power, and I hurled them one by one at Coward-Leon. Each dagger found its mark, embedding deep into his flesh and drawing forth a torrent of blood. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, the strength draining from his body. I approached him, my expression cold and unyielding. "This is the end," I said. "Your cowardice has no place here. Our family deserves better."

Coward-Leon looked up at me, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "I... I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I was weak. I am weak. I never wanted any of this. All I wanted was to live with them and have a normal and happy life." his voice filled with pain and sadness.

Creating a new blood weapon, a massive two-handed sword, I walked towards Coward-Leon as he lay there crying on the floor. As I approached, I caught a flicker in the corner of my eye—a movement in my shadow. My senses went wild, sensing danger from behind. Something speared towards where I had just been standing. Instinctively, I used my Hemoportation skill, vanishing and reappearing in front of Coward-Leon just in time to see dark red shadow spears impale the empty air where I once stood. Looking down at him, I felt less disgust than before. This time, he had fought back, trying to survive. Even if it was a trap, he had shown some courage. "Finally, you fought back," I said, my voice softer than before. "Even weak, you can't let fear control you. Now go and rest with our family. You're not made for this life. Even if your soul goes back to the demon we made a deal with, I will free you later on. So rest well."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I lifted the two-handed sword high and, with a swift motion, split him in half, killing him instantly. The other Leon's body dissolved into blood, which flowed towards my heart. I felt the soul pact that had separated from him join with mine, making me feel stronger. As I watched, I saw the ghostly form of Coward-Leon, not as a leech, but as a human boy again. Seeing the face I once had, small tears of blood ran down my face. Human-Leon looked at me and smiled, his gratitude evident even if I could not hear him. He then looked to my left, where a golden door appeared.

Out of the door walked a towering figure, at least nine feet tall, with eight whitish-grey wings and blond hair. His body was covered in armor encased in a layer of white fire. His helm had no holes for eyes or any at all, yet I could tell he saw everything.

The angelic figure exuded a powerful, overwhelming presence, and I felt a mix of awe and apprehension. He spoke, his voice resonating through the room like a harmonious blend of thunder and melody.

The angel looked at both of us and turned his head towards Ghost-Leon. "Seeing as your pact was broken with the demon and you have returned to being free from hellish essences, I can now bring you back to your family, young one, in the Garden of Healing. Go on through the door and meet with the angels on the other side. They shall take care of you, as you have been allowed back by God."

Watching Ghost-Leon step toward the golden door, I felt an overwhelming need and desire to see my family again. But I didn't want Mother or Father to see me like this—a creature of vengeance and darkness. Sadness crept deeper into my being, stirring Wrath within its cage, renewing its hatred and rage.

I knew deep in my soul that I would never be allowed into that warm, gentle embrace of those on the other side. So all I could do was watch as the now-human version of me entered the door, his steps light and filled with hope.

The angel turned his calm but troubled gaze towards me. "Young child, I cannot allow you into Heaven, nor can I break the pact to allow you to enter. But I can stay here and ensure that those you kill will pass on to Heaven. If you die, you may be allowed to enter, but I see that you would not allow yourself to enter even if you could. Stop hating yourself, child. I know you seek revenge, and I don't care if you get it, just know that you were not at fault for the deaths of your family."

He looked to the sky, his voice softening with a touch of humor and less sadness. "I see you have grown up, young man. Though you may not be innocent, you are not corrupted. But it is still wrong for this burden to fall on your shoulders alone. So forgive me for not being able to save the two of you. I shall take those who have been defeated back to Heaven to heal their broken souls from the trauma you all have endured, as this is the only thing I am able to do."

The weight of his words sank deep into my heart. The angel's compassion and understanding brought a flicker of warmth to my cold, hardened soul. I watched as Ghost-Leon disappeared through the golden door, a sense of peace surrounding him.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "For giving him that chance to be with them again."

The angel nodded, his voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and hope. "Remember, Leon, even in darkness, there is a light that never goes out. Seek it, and you may find a way to heal." The angel, not wanting to interfere with the trial any longer, turned and walked towards the golden door. He did not step inside but instead stood vigil, waiting for the last of us to face our fate, ensuring only the strongest version of me would remain.

With the angel not interfering with the trial, Pride began to manifest another version of myself. The air around me shimmered, and from the distortions emerged a figure that was both familiar and alien. This version of me stood tall and regal, his bearing exuding an aura of superiority and confidence. His eyes glowed with a haughty light, and his posture spoke of unyielding self-assurance.