Chapter 7: The Chains of Fate

The forest was silent after the stranger disappeared, but Luis's mind was anything but quiet. The man's cryptic words, the revelation of a larger force behind his transmigration, kept gnawing at him. The truth… something darker and more complicated than he'd imagined. Luis clenched his fists as the weight of it pressed down on him.

Why me?

He thought back to his old life—before he had been thrown into this chaotic world filled with devils, angels, and gods. He'd accepted his new existence because he'd been given power, freedom from the weak life he had led before. But now, the idea that his life wasn't his own, that he had been chosen for some hidden purpose, stirred a deep anger within him.

The storm was coming. Azazel had said as much, and now this stranger's warning only confirmed it.

Luis took a deep breath, calming the whirlpool of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't let this throw him off course. There were more pressing matters to deal with—factions were moving, and he wasn't going to be caught unprepared. If they thought they could control him, manipulate him, they were wrong.

The stranger had said Luis would seek him out for answers. Maybe, Luis thought, but not yet.

Two days later, Luis found himself in the heart of the city, wandering through the bustling streets of Kuoh. It was strange how normal everything seemed here, how ignorant the people were to the war brewing between the supernatural factions. Luis's red eyes scanned the crowd as he walked, his tall, imposing figure making people instinctively move out of his way.

But it wasn't peace he was after today. He had business to attend to.

"There's a storm coming…" The stranger's words echoed in his mind again, like a warning that wouldn't leave him alone.

Suddenly, Luis felt a familiar presence approaching, and he stopped in his tracks. A small smirk tugged at his lips as a devilish energy brushed against his senses.

Rias Gremory.

It wasn't surprising. After his fight with Diodora and the attention it had drawn, he had expected the heiress of the Gremory clan to come knocking sooner or later.

He turned toward the alleyway, where the energy was strongest, and there she was—Rias, standing at the edge of the shadows. Her long crimson hair swayed gently in the breeze, and her striking blue eyes were locked on him, studying him carefully.

"You've been watching me for a while," Luis said casually, his voice cutting through the tension. "If you wanted to talk, you should've just approached me."

Rias stepped forward, her expression calm but serious. "You've made quite a name for yourself in a short time, Luis. And not just with Diodora."

Luis raised an eyebrow. "I tend to have that effect on people."

Rias's eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept her composure. "I'm not here to challenge you. In fact, I'm here to offer a warning."

Luis's smirk faded. Another warning. He crossed his arms, waiting for her to continue.

"There's more going on in the Underworld than you realize," Rias said, her voice dropping lower as if she didn't want anyone to overhear. "Diodora's family is preparing to make a move, and they're not the only ones. The Maou, the Grigori, the Church—they're all paying attention to you now. It's only a matter of time before someone makes a more… direct attempt."

Luis's expression darkened. He had already expected this, but hearing it confirmed was irritating. He didn't like being the center of attention, especially when it came to the political games of devils and angels. But if they wanted a fight, he would give them one.

"Let them come," Luis said coldly, his crimson eyes gleaming. "I'm not afraid of a challenge."

Rias sighed, clearly frustrated by his attitude. "You're powerful, Luis, but you can't take on the entire Underworld alone. You'll be overwhelmed if you keep going like this."

Luis met her gaze, unflinching. "I don't need help, Rias. I'm not interested in alliances or politics. I just want to be left alone."

Rias stepped closer, her eyes softening slightly. "I understand that. But the way things are going, you won't be left alone. Not by devils, not by angels, not by anyone. You need to think about your next move carefully."

Luis stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. She wasn't wrong. The weight of the supernatural world was closing in on him faster than he could keep track of. But still, he wasn't ready to play by their rules.

"I'll figure it out," Luis said finally, his voice low but determined.

Rias sighed again, but there was a hint of resignation in her eyes. She had done her part. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Luis standing in the alley, the weight of her words hanging over him.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Luis found himself wandering again, lost in thought. He knew Rias was right. He couldn't keep fighting off entire factions forever, but every part of him rebelled against the idea of joining forces with anyone.

As he passed by a small café, his senses flared again, but this time, it wasn't a devil or fallen angel. It was something different. Something human.

Luis stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. There, sitting alone at a table, was a young woman with short black hair and sharp, calculating eyes. She looked ordinary enough, but there was something about her that set off alarms in Luis's mind.

She glanced up and met his gaze, her eyes gleaming with recognition. Then, without hesitation, she stood and walked toward him, a confident smile on her face.

"Luis, right?" she said, her voice smooth and relaxed.

Luis tensed slightly but nodded. "And you are?"

The woman's smile widened slightly. "My name's Suzaku. I'm with the Himejima clan."

Luis's eyes narrowed. The Himejima clan—one of the major exorcist families. That explained the human energy he was sensing. But what did an exorcist want with him?

"What do you want?" Luis asked bluntly.

Suzaku chuckled softly, clearly amused by his straightforwardness. "I'm not here to fight you, if that's what you're worried about. In fact, I'm here to help you."

Luis's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Help me? Why would an exorcist want to help a monster like me?"

Suzaku's smile faded slightly, her expression becoming more serious. "Because I know what's coming. You're not just a random anomaly in the supernatural world, Luis. You're part of something much bigger. And if you're not careful, you'll be caught in the middle of a war that's been brewing for centuries."

Luis felt a chill run down his spine. This was the second time someone had hinted at something bigger, something darker. First the stranger in the woods, now this exorcist.

"What do you know about it?" Luis asked, his voice tight.

Suzaku glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening, then leaned in closer. "There are forces at play that go beyond the Underworld, beyond the angels and devils. You were chosen for a reason, Luis, and if you want to survive, you're going to need more than just brute strength."

Luis stared at her, his mind racing. The chains of fate were tightening around him, and he didn't like it. But if there was more to his existence in this world than he realized, he couldn't afford to ignore it any longer.

"What do you know?" Luis demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Suzaku met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Meet me tonight at the Himejima shrine. I'll tell you everything."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Luis standing there, once again confronted with the weight of an uncertain future.