The week passed in a blur of peace—a rare luxury for someone like Alex.
Kuoh had returned to its calm rhythm after the chaos with Kokabiel. The Gremory household was buzzing with activity, preparing for the trip to the Underworld. Invitations had gone out, formal attire was discussed, and even Issei was getting fitted for something less... dragon-themed and more devil-appropriate.
Alex, however, treated the upcoming journey like he would a trip to the convenience store. For someone who'd faced cosmic dragons and stared down primordial beings, mingling with spoiled noble brats ranked fairly low on his "threat level" scale.
But Irene... she had other plans.
He found her lounging in his room again. Human form. Crimson hair cascading like a waterfall across his couch. She was dressed simply—a tight black tank top and fitted shorts—but her presence commanded attention. She looked like temptation personified.
"You know," Alex muttered, brushing past her toward the window, "for a cosmic being who once existed in the very fabric of the Dimensional Gap, you're really comfortable invading my personal space."
"You never complained when I saved your ass," she said with a smirk.
"I didn't need saving. You just wanted an excuse to hold me."
"That too," she admitted without shame.
Alex sighed, pulling the curtains open, letting the golden rays of afternoon sunlight warm the room. "You know I'm not the dating type."
"I'm not asking for dates," she said, rising gracefully from the couch. "I'm offering destiny."
He turned, eyebrows raised. "That's a heavy word."
"I was alone in the void for eons," she said softly. "I never felt anything. No hunger. No pain. No love. Then I felt you. I don't know why, but it was like gravity. Like I was being pulled toward something inevitable."
She stepped closer.
"And now I want more."
Alex met her gaze. There was no trickery in her eyes. No games. Just... longing. That was more dangerous than any battle.
"Maybe," he murmured, "we'll see."
She smiled. A small victory.
Later That Night — Gremory Mansion
The portal shimmered in the living room, a swirl of violet and gold.
"Ready?" Rias asked, dressed elegantly in a custom crimson ensemble, clearly designed to stand out among the other young devils.
"Let's get this over with," Alex muttered, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.
Irene walked up beside him, now cloaked in a glamour that hid her identity. "Do I look intimidating enough?"
"You look hot," Issei said without hesitation.
"You look like trouble," Alex corrected, offering her a smirk.
"Good."
Underworld
The moment the group arrived, the atmosphere shifted.
Elegant halls built from obsidian and violet crystal stretched out around them, glowing with infernal runes. Dozens of noble devil families had already gathered, their heirs chatting, scheming, comparing magical lineage like Wall Street investors comparing portfolios.
Alex immediately hated it.
He leaned against a pillar, watching as Rias and Sona were immediately swept into polite conversations and sly political jabs. Issei tried to follow Rias but quickly got distracted by a few busty heiresses who found his awkwardness... charming?
That was when he showed up.
"Rias Gremory," a voice called out with polished arrogance. "It's been a while."
A man in sleek gold and white robes stepped forward—Diodora Astaroth.
He was all charm on the surface: smile perfect, posture regal. But Alex could see past the surface. The guy had the soul of a weasel.
"And you must be... Alex," Diodora said, turning toward him. "The one who erased Riser. How dramatic."
"Better than letting him walk around embarrassing the entire noble structure," Alex replied dryly.
There were murmurs. Some of the devils clearly weren't fans of how casually Alex dismissed Riser's death.
But Diodora only smiled. "Of course. Efficiency is... admirable."
Alex raised a brow. "You're staring too hard. Something on your mind?"
Diodora held his gaze. "Only curiosity. And admiration."
The air between them tightened for a moment before Irene stepped between them, her smile cold. "He doesn't like being flirted with. And neither do I."
Diodora blinked, thrown off by her presence.
Alex chuckled. "She's touchy."
"Possessive," she corrected, flashing a sharp grin.
Diodora bowed slightly and excused himself, clearly thrown off his rhythm.
As the night continued, Alex and Irene kept mostly to themselves, drawing eyes from other young devils who whispered and speculated. But none dared approach. Something about Alex—and the unnamed beauty at his side—felt untouchable.
Near the end of the night, Alex caught sight of a gathering in the shadows. A few cloaked figures speaking with a devil in a red-gold cloak.
A Phenex.
Alex's eyes narrowed.
"Looks like not all ashes stay buried."
Irene followed his gaze. "Chaos has a scent," she murmured. "I smell it."
He didn't act. Not yet. Let them plot. Let them believe he was distracted.
After all, he was finally enjoying himself.
But if they ever tried to take that away?
They'd burn all over again.