Episode 2: Baptized in Blood

Season 1: Rise of the Villain

Episode 2: Baptized in Blood

The streets of Blackhaven had their own gods—crime lords, gangsters, and corrupt officials who ruled with fear. Damien Cross was just another soldier in their war, but he had no intention of staying in the trenches. He was meant to be a king.

At 18, Damien had already built a name for himself. He was known for his ruthlessness, his ability to survive, and his complete lack of fear. But respect in the underworld didn't come from words—it came from blood.

Salazar, his mentor and the man who had saved him from the streets, gave him a test. "There's a rat in the Vultures," Salazar said, sliding a knife across the table. "He gave information to the cops. If you want to prove yourself, handle it."

Damien tracked the man to a rundown warehouse near the docks. The so-called traitor was a middle-aged man, trembling as Damien cornered him. "Please, I have a family," the man begged.

Damien hesitated. Not out of mercy, but because, for the first time, he held another man's fate in his hands. It was intoxicating. He wasn't the weak, abandoned boy anymore. He was the one who decided who lived and who died.

Without another word, he slit the man's throat. Blood splattered onto his hands, warm and thick. It wasn't just a kill—it was his rebirth.

When Damien returned to Salazar, there was no praise, no congratulations. Just a nod of approval and a new mission. The world didn't stop for death, and neither would he.

From that night on, Damien wasn't just another enforcer. He was a rising force, a ghost whispered about in the alleys, a name that carried weight. But deep inside, something darker was growing. Killing was no longer just a necessity—it was an art.

He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was taking control.

To be continued...