DxD: Curse Devil

As Alexander walked through the grand halls of the Gremory estate, his thoughts focused on the journey ahead. But before he could make his way to the exit, he was halted by a familiar voice.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" The voice was calm, yet there was an unmistakable weight to it.

He turned to see Sona Sitri, standing just a few steps away from him. Despite her royal lineage and her closeness to Rias, she was the only person in the estate who never treated him as an afterthought. Instead, Sona had always been a quiet, steady presence—a stark contrast to the rest of the family.

Her fingers, delicate yet knowing, traced the lines of his abs through his shirt, her eyes never leaving his.

Alexander simply nodded, his gaze briefly flickering toward her. "I have no reason to stay."

Sona's eyes softened, but she didn't try to stop him. She knew better than anyone the weight of what he was doing. She knew how much he had suffered—how much he had endured in silence.

"You won't come back, will you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "No. But it's not like anyone will miss me."

Sona's hand lingered for a moment longer on his shirt, as if to say something more, but she didn't. She understood more than anyone the deep loneliness he carried within him.

"Take care of yourself," she said, her voice a mix of quiet concern and unspoken understanding. "And if you ever need anything... I'll be there."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, leaving Alexander standing alone, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

Sona's footsteps faltered as she turned back to face him. Her eyes, usually so composed, were filled with a depth of emotion that Alexander hadn't seen before. Before he could react, she closed the distance between them, her lips pressing softly against his.

The kiss was gentle, hesitant at first, as if she was unsure whether she should even be doing it. But the moment it happened, a surge of warmth spread through Alexander, catching him off guard. His heart raced, his thoughts briefly scattered, unsure of how to process the unexpected gesture.

Sona pulled back slowly, her eyes not meeting his immediately. "I... I couldn't let you go without at least saying goodbye properly," she whispered, her voice carrying a soft vulnerability that she rarely showed to anyone.

Alexander stood still, the kiss lingering in his mind. For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of something—something he hadn't allowed himself to feel. It wasn't love, not yet, but it was the first time in a long while that someone had truly cared for him, and he couldn't quite ignore the warmth it brought.

He was silent for a moment, the weight of the kiss settling within him. "Thank you," was all he could manage to say.

Sona didn't say anything more. She simply nodded, turning away and walking down the hallway, her steps echoing faintly in the silence that followed.

As Alexander watched her leave, he felt a strange tug in his chest—a feeling he wasn't quite ready to name, but one he knew he couldn't ignore.

Sona turned back one last time, her gaze softer than before. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but it was laced with concern. "Don't die," she said, her voice quiet but filled with sincerity. "I don't want the only boy who ever won chess against me to die."

Her words hung in the air between them, and for a brief moment, Alexander's heart skipped a beat. The simple, unexpected care in her tone pierced through the walls he had built around himself. He nodded, a small but genuine smile forming on his face.

"I won't," he replied, his voice steady. "I'll make sure of it."

With that, Sona turned and walked away, disappearing down the hallway. But Alexander stood there for a moment longer, his thoughts racing. For the first time, he felt a connection that went beyond strategy and survival—a reminder that, despite everything, there were people who cared, even if he hadn't realized it before.

And as he turned toward the path he had chosen, with the weight of his mission ahead, he felt a quiet determination rise within him. He wouldn't let Sona's words be in vain. He would survive.

Alexander stepped out of the Gremory estate, the weight of the grand gates closing behind him a reminder of everything he was leaving behind. He wasn't sure when or if he would return, but there was no turning back now. The human world awaited him, and with it, the path to finally sever the curse that had haunted him for so long.

His steps were firm as he walked down the long, winding path leading from the estate. The air was different out here, not suffocated by the oppressive weight of his family's expectations or the coldness of the mansion. There was a freedom in the breeze, a new beginning that whispered possibilities.

The night sky stretched above him, the stars just beginning to twinkle in the darkness. He had prepared for this moment for years—trained his body, sharpened his skills, and gathered the courage to step outside of the world that had confined him. But still, as the distance between him and the estate grew, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and unease.

His mind wandered back to Sona's words. He hadn't expected her to say anything, much less something so heartfelt. It caught him off guard, but he found himself grateful for her concern, even if he hadn't known how to respond properly. It was strange—he didn't even know if he was capable of feeling like a part of something. But Sona had been a constant, a rare example of someone who had never looked down on him.

Shaking his head, Alexander focused on the task ahead. He couldn't afford to dwell on emotions. He had work to do.

Soon enough, the familiar sights of the estate were far behind him. His destination was the human world, but his first step would take him to the borders of the Underworld and beyond. The journey ahead was dangerous, but he was prepared. He had learned enough magic to defend himself, and his newfound strength would carry him through. But most importantly, his mind was sharper than ever, and that was his greatest weapon.

As the path ahead unfolded, Alexander felt an unfamiliar sensation well up within him—hope.