The Damned Path: Chronicles of Damien

Getting past the fence was easier than I expected. Kross's men were lazy, too used to owning this part of town.

Inside the yard, the trucks were still being unloaded, but no one was watching the rear entrance. Ghost gestured for me to follow, and we slid along the wall, avoiding the flickering lights overhead.

Once inside, the smell hit me—chemicals, sweat, oil. It was worse than I thought. This wasn't just a warehouse. It was a factory, cooking up drugs by the pound.

Ghost motioned to the nearest crate. I crept over and pried it open just enough to peek inside. Packs of pills, all stamped with Kross's insignia.

Ghost's voice was a low whisper at my ear. "We destroy this batch, it'll cost Kross millions."

"Good." My grip tightened on the knife. "Let's make sure he feels it."

Ghost pulled a small charge from his jacket—nothing big, just enough to set the place on fire. He set to work placing it as I kept watch.

But then I heard it—voices. Two guards coming down the hall, laughing about some girl they were harassing earlier.

Anger surged through me. I stepped back into the shadows, waiting until they were close. Ghost glanced up, but I raised a hand to stop him.

"Let me," I mouthed.

As they passed, I moved fast. The first man didn't even see me coming—my arm snaked around his neck, blade pressing into his throat. A quick pull, and he was down without a sound.

The second spun around, but I was faster, slamming him against the wall, knife to his gut.

"You work for Kross?" I whispered.

The man nodded, fear wide in his eyes.

"Good," I said, before driving the knife in deep. "Send him my regards."

As he slumped to the ground, Ghost looked at me, unreadable.

"You're not just here for Kross's money, are you?" he asked quietly.

"No," I said, wiping the blade clean. "This is personal."

Ghost gave a slow nod. "Fair enough."

The charges were in place. It was time to go.

As we slipped back into the night, the first crackle of fire began behind us, and soon flames were licking the sky.

I lit another cigarette, watching as Kross's empire went up in smoke.

"First blood," I murmured to myself. "But not the last."

Ghost glanced at me. "You sure you're ready for what comes next?"

I exhaled smoke, eyes on the fire. "Let them come. I've been waiting a long time for this fight."