Fate: Gremory [Remake] (ENG)

Translation: Word (Microsoft), there are probably errors in the masculine and feminine pronouns.

Interlude

The atmosphere in the first-class restaurant was elegant and refined.

Dim lights and classical music in the background created the perfect atmosphere for an important conversation.

At a private table, Alexander Gremory and Ravel Phenex were sitting face to face.

They both maintained impeccable manners, holding their glasses gracefully and cutting their food with precision.

But in the air...

You could feel the tension.

Ravel, with his long golden hair brilliantly groomed, took a sip of his tea before speaking softly.

"Alexander-sama..."

His blue eyes calmly analyzed him.

"Our parents have made a decision that affects both of us."

Alexander, with his red hair inherited from his Gremory lineage, set his glass down on the table with a serene gesture.

"The commitment."

It was not a question.

Ravel nodded.

"Yes."

An awkward silence settled between them for a moment.

Ravel took a deep breath before continuing.

"I guess we don't need to feign surprise."

Alexander smiled slightly.

"Ever since we were born, we knew this day would come."

Ravel looked away briefly.

"A commitment between our families ... sounds ideal on paper."

His voice was measured, diplomatic.

But his hands, resting on the table, were slightly tense.

Alexander noticed.

"But you don't think it's that simple."

Ravel stared at him.

"And you do?"

The Gremory leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

"I'm not naïve."

Ravel kept his elegant expression, but his gaze sharpened.

"So, tell me... do you really want this engagement, Alexander Gremory?"

The air became denser.

The Gremory son was silent for a moment, not taking his eyes off the blonde.

Later...

Smiled.

 "That depends... of you."

Ravel narrowed his eyes.

"That smile..."

He could have fooled anyone.

But not her.

Alexander Gremory smiled calmly, his demeanor relaxed and his tone collected.

But it was false.

"He has not the slightest interest in this commitment."

Ravel took his cup gracefully, but he didn't drink.

His eyes never left him.

"Alexander-sama..."

He gently rested the glass on the table.

"Your smile is fake."

Alexander blinked.

For a brief moment, his expression showed a slight surprise.

But it quickly faded away, giving way to a slight laugh.

"I see."

He took his wine glass and swirled it between his fingers.

"So you can read people so easily."

Ravel did not take his eyes off him.

"Only when someone doesn't make an effort to hide what they really think."

Alexander smiled, this time with a little more sincerity.

"True."

Ravel leaned forward slightly.

"Then tell me the truth, Alexander-sama."

His voice was firm, but elegant.

"You have no interest in this commitment, do you?"

Alexander lowered his glass.

"Yes. You're right."

His tone had not a shred of doubt.

Ravel was not surprised.

Alexander settled into his seat.

"This commitment is nothing more than a power play between our families."

He took a piece of meat with his fork, but he did not put it in his mouth.

"My father only looks out for his own interests."

His eyes met Ravel's.

"Just like yours."

Ravel did not deny it.

The commitment was not out of love, nor out of desire.

It was simply a political fusion.

Two powerful bloodlines coming together to strengthen their influence in the Underworld.

Ravel let out a slight sigh.

"At the very least, it's refreshing to hear it from someone who isn't trying to fool themselves."

Alexander cocked his head.

"And you?"

Ravel looked at him elegantly.

"What is your true opinion about this commitment?"

❅──────✧❃✧──────❅•

Finishing the "date" he had with Ravel Phenex, Alexander headed to a secluded place in the Underworld.

There, as always, Esdeath Leviathan and Sairaorg Bael were waiting for him.

A place that for many meant nothing, but for them, it was the only place that really mattered.

The training ground where they could ditch formalities, forget their last names, and focus on the only thing that mattered in their world: being strong.

Leaning against a rock, Esdeath looked at Alexander with her typical indifference.

"Uh. It looks like you ended your 'date' with Ravel Phenex."

His tone was uninteresting.

The relationships, the commitments, the politics of the Underworld...

None of that mattered to them.

And even less so for all three.

Because Alexander, Esdeath and Sairaorg shared something in common.

They were not like the other nobles.

They didn't follow the rules.

For this reason, they were known as 'The Three Troublemakers' of the Underworld.

And now, it was time to train.

The atmosphere in the training camp became tense.

Sairaorg Bael turned his neck, relaxing the muscles in his body. His mere presence already commanded respect.

Alexander took off his jacket, tossing it aside without concern. They didn't need formalities here.

Esdeath smiled slightly.

Without the need for a signal, the fight began.

Alexander was the first to move. He lunged at Sairaorg with fierce momentum, his fist shrouded in demonic energy.

Sairaorg did not dodge.

On the contrary, he received the blow directly in the face.

But he didn't even move.

Alexander frowned. I knew Sairaorg was resilient, but...

"Is that all?"

Before he could react, Sairaorg's fist sank into his abdomen.

Alexander was thrown like a projectile, crashing into a rock and splitting it in two.

But he didn't have time to complain.

The ground beneath him froze instantly.

Esdeath had raised a hand, his icy aura expanding unrestrained.

The temperature plummeted.

Sharp ice erupted from the ground, seeking to immobilize Alexander.

"Pretty unfair."

With a snap of his fingers, the black flames of Gremory power burned in his hands.

The ice melted in seconds.

But Esdeath was already upon him.

His leg slammed into his head, forcing him to dodge at the last moment.

However, before I could breathe...

Sairaorg appeared out of nowhere, throwing a devastating blow to his side.

Alexander managed to block it, but the impact made him retreat several meters.

The three of them paused for a moment.

Heavy breathing.

Fiery looks.

No one was holding back.

And that was how it should be.

No lineages.

No titles.

No rules.

Only force against force.

❅──────✧❃✧──────❅•

All three were resting, catching their breath after their training.

The atmosphere was calm.

Until a magic circle manifested in Alexander's right ear.

His expression changed immediately.

"Good..."

He listened earnestly to the information that was being transmitted to him, while in his mind he processed the details.

Esdeath, who was sitting with her arms crossed, looked up slightly.

"Did something happen?" She asked with little interest.

Alexander did not respond immediately.

When he finished listening, he turned his gaze towards them.

"A group of Fallen Angels began to mobilize."

His words broke the silence.

"It seems that his destination is Kuoh Academy."

Esdeath and Sairaorg exchanged glances.

"Hm..." They both thought for a moment, coming to the same conclusion. "The target should be Rias and Sona."

Sairaorg immediately stood up, ready to act.

But before I could take a step...

Alexander raised his hand.

"Stop."

Sairaorg frowned, surprised.

Esdeath, on the other hand, remained silent, watching Alexander carefully.

Finally, Alexander spoke.

"Let's observe what happens in Kuoh Academy."

Sairaorg raised an eyebrow.

"We are not going to intervene."

That surprised him even more.

"Why?"

Alexander looked up at the crimson sky.

"Because Rias trained with us." His words were firm. "He should be able to handle an attack from a group of Fallen Angels."

It wasn't arrogance.

It was not indifference.

It was a test.

Alexander wanted to see with his own eyes what his sister was capable of.

Sairaorg clicked his tongue, crossing his arms.

"Bah... how boring."

Deep down, he would have liked to face those Fallen Angels.

After all, very few were able to give him a decent fight.

But he accepted the decision.

And so, the three troublemakers of the Underworld decided to wait.