The Damned Path: Chronicles of Damien

The fire's glow faded behind us as we slipped into the night. But even as the factory burned, I knew this was only the beginning. Kross wouldn't take this quietly.

Ghost walked beside me, silent, his sharp eyes scanning every alley we passed. I could tell he was thinking. Planning. But for me, the only thing I felt was a growing fire inside—one that matched the flames devouring Kross's warehouse.

We stopped in a back alley, tucked between two abandoned buildings. Ghost leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette of his own.

"You made a statement tonight," he said finally, blowing smoke into the cold air. "Problem is, Kross will answer back. Loudly."

I gave a grim smile. "Let him. I'm done hiding."

Ghost looked at me, eyes narrowing. "You've got a death wish, Damien?"

I laughed, but there wasn't much humor in it. "No. But I'm done running. Kross took everything from me. Now, I'm taking it back—one piece at a time."

Ghost flicked the ash from his cigarette. "You really think burning one warehouse is gonna hurt him? He's got dozens more. Protected. Hidden."

I stepped closer, my voice low. "That's why you're still here, isn't it? You know where the rest are."

Ghost held my gaze for a long moment before finally nodding. "Maybe I do. But going after them... that's a war, Damien. A real one. You sure you're ready for that?"

I didn't hesitate. "I've never been more sure."

He smirked, shaking his head. "Alright, man. If you want a war, I'll give you a war."

A sudden noise made us both tense—footsteps. Quick, desperate. Ghost was on guard in an instant, hand on his gun. But when the figure emerged from the shadows, it wasn't one of Kross's men. It was a woman—young, her clothes torn and dirty, her face pale with fear.

"Help... please..." she gasped, stumbling toward us before collapsing to her knees.

Ghost and I exchanged a look. I moved first, crouching beside her. "What happened?"

She clutched my arm, her eyes wide and wild. "They... they took my brother. Kross's men. They said if I didn't pay... they'd kill him."

My jaw tightened. Another life ruined by Kross. Another name to add to the list of people I owed vengeance for.

"Where?" I asked sharply. "Where did they take him?"

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Somewhere near the old docks. I—I don't know where exactly. Please, you have to help him. They'll kill him if I don't come up with the money."

Ghost exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated. "The docks are crawling with Kross's people right now. After what we just pulled, security will be doubled."

I stood, helping the woman to her feet. "Then we'll hit them before they expect it."

"Damien—" Ghost started, but I cut him off with a look.

"We let this go, we're no better than Kross. You with me or not?"

Ghost hesitated for a beat, then nodded. "Alright. But we do this smart. No running in blind."

"Fine," I said. "But we move fast. Before they decide to make an example out of him."

The woman gave me a trembling smile of hope. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

I turned to Ghost. "We need gear. Weapons. And a way to get close without being seen."

Ghost gave a half-smile. "Lucky for you, I know a guy."

As we moved out, the night seemed darker, heavier. But the fire still burned behind me—both in the city, and inside my chest.

This wasn't over.This was war.

And I was just getting started.