Chapter 104: The Devil’s Game

The night sky was painted with flames as explosions rocked the warehouse district. Smoke curled into the air like the fingers of a vengeful spirit, choking the streets of Emerald City. Sirens blared in the distance, but no one dared to interfere. This was a battle between ghosts—men whose names were whispered in the shadows.

Ochieng moved like a phantom through the carnage, his coat billowing behind him. Bullets whizzed past, but he was untouchable. A blur of motion. A force of nature.

Tielen and Jeff were right behind him, cutting through enemy ranks like a pair of relentless wolves. Blood splattered against the concrete, bodies fell, but there was no time to count. The only number that mattered was one—Kieran.

---

Inside an abandoned cathedral at the edge of the city, Kieran watched the battle unfold through live surveillance feeds. The flickering screens cast eerie shadows across his sharp features.

Sierra paced behind him. "Ochieng isn't holding back. He's tearing through our men like they're nothing."

Kieran smirked, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. "Good. Let him come."

She stopped, her expression hardening. "You're underestimating him."

Kieran turned, his eyes cold. "And you're overestimating him. Ochieng may be a legend, but even legends can be broken."

A low beep interrupted them. One of his men stepped forward. "He's here."

Kieran downed his drink, setting the glass aside. "Let's welcome him properly, then."

--

The cathedral doors swung open, and Ochieng stepped inside. His boots echoed against the marble floor, his expression unreadable.

Kieran sat in the center of the vast hall, perched on the altar like a king on his throne. The pews were lined with his men, their weapons trained on Ochieng.

"You took your time." Kieran's voice was smooth, taunting.

Ochieng didn't blink. "I wanted you to watch your empire crumble first."

Kieran chuckled, rising to his feet. "And yet, here you are. Alone."

Ochieng smirked. "Am I?"

The lights cut out.

A second later, the sound of suppressed gunfire filled the cathedral. Shadows moved among the pews, slicing through Kieran's men like ghosts.

Tielen. Jeff. Maggy.

By the time the lights flickered back on, Kieran stood alone.

His smirk faltered.

Ochieng stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You made a mistake, Kieran."

Kieran clenched his jaw. "And what mistake was that?"

Ochieng's voice was a whisper, a promise of doom. "You thought I was the same man you left behind."

A flash of silver. A blade at Kieran's throat.

And then—darkness.