Alessia stands in the hotel she booked, where the portal opened, where she met the princes of the underworld. Donn brought her back to the world of the living after explaining things about Mania.
It felt nice not to be kept in a room like an animal. Now Alessia's mind is racing with thoughts. Recalling the conversation with Donn, he told Alessia to keep doing what she does best: get rid of any demons she finds. In the meantime, they'll focus on discovering why the portals are opening.
Taking off her clothes and checking the bandages on her wound that she got a day ago, she turns on the shower in the bathroom. What Alessia keeps replaying in her head are the words, "Protect Zagreus." Why would the future king of hell need her protection, and what does Mania want her to do?
That's what is bugging Alessia the most. Sure, she doesn't mind fighting demons. But mingling with the Gods isn't what she signed up for. Zagreus seems like he wants to kill Alessia anyways. Why must she work with them? Can't she just seal and kill demons on her own?
The scolding hot water doesn't bring Alessia the satisfaction of trying to relax her tense muscles. Instead, she can feel her heart beating faster than she would like. Her head feels like it will roll off on its own with how badly it's throbbing. She would love nothing more than to take a nap. The demons rampaging across the globe are not slowing down, so the rest Alessia wants will have to wait.
Stepping out of the shower, she wraps a white towel around her slim body and steps out of the bathroom.
A scream escapes her lips as she sees Zagreus leaning against the window in the room, his long black hair shining against the moonlight slipping through the curtains. He has his arms crossed and his sword relaxing on his waist.
"What are you doing here!?" Alessia yells while clenching her towel tighter across her body.
She isn't sure if the way he rolls his eyes or the fact that he doesn't acknowledge that she is naked under the towel, but one thing Alessia knows is she feels assaulted about his reaction to her.
"Are you just going to stand there and look pretty, or will you tell me what brings you here unannounced?" Alessia scans the room and spies her bag. With her quick reflexes, she gathers her clothes. At the same time, she is keeping her eyes on Zagreus, who remains mute.
"Fine, don't say anything. I'm going to get dressed." Alessia walks back into the bathroom and slams the door. What is his problem? Donn promised that Zagreus wouldn't harm her, though Alessia probably shouldn't trust someone who lives in the underworld.
She quickly throws on some clothes and walks back out of the room. Zagreus looks impatience while leaning against the wall.
"Now, can you please explain why you are here?" Alessia wants him to go away.
He finally moves and steps away from the wall. He eyes Alessia and walks closer to her.
"I am going to leave Donn in charge of investigating. As for me, I am keeping you close to me. I don't trust you, human, and I refuse to let you out of my sight." He towered over Alessia, glaring down at her with cold blue eyes. When Donn told him he let her leave, he was angry that his brother had let this woman go.
Silence falls between them as they battle it out with their eyes, not words. Leaving Alessia rubbing her temple.
Alessia's first encounter with him made her uneasy; she thought that day would be her last. Yet, now she is standing toe to toe with him, and he seems less scary than he once did. Now, he looks annoying and ignorant. Which, recalling when he tried to kill her. The ignorance that seeps from him it's sickening,
"Listen here Zagreus. I was fighting demons by myself, and hell, I've been fighting my demons my whole d*mn life. I, for one, can do this solo, and for two. I d*mn sure don't need some God in my life keeping his eye on me because his lover decides to leave her power with me." Alessia crosses her arms and lifts her head to challenge him. Screw him if he thinks he can storm into her life, try to kill her, and force himself to stick around? Well, he has another thing coming. Alessia, won't be the pushover he thinks she will be.
His eyes blaze with anger, the way this little human dares meets his gaze. Zagreus steps another inch closer. He reaches out and squeezes her cheeks. He told his brother he wouldn't harm her, but she is getting under his skin. He wouldn't mind teaching her a lesson or putting her in place. Zagreus was soon to be a king, a God, and this little girl dares to address him as her equal or, worst, below her? Humans have become too bold.
"I am doing what I must, and I have no plans on leaving. So, it's in your best interest to treat me respectfully, little human." He smirks down at her.
Swatting his hands off her face, she jabs a finger into his chest. "Listen here, you demon, you can do whatever you please, but if you want me to respect yourself, you better respect me too. I don't care about having these powers. If you want, you can even take them out of me. But I won't tolerate your attitude." Alessia shoves passed him, her head pounding with annoyance.
She cannot live like this, having a shadow falling her around and dealing with his snarky attitude. Alessia knows she can't run away from him, either. She is stuck with him now.
Walking towards her laptop, she opens it up and ignores Zagreus's gaze that is on her. If he wants to follow her around, so be it. But right now, she needs to focus on protecting the people of the earth.
The words left by Mania about protecting Zagreus, well, she can do it her d*mn self.