Episode 16: Walking into the Fire

Season 1: Rise of the Villain

Episode 16: Walking into the Fire

The clock was ticking.

Every second that passed was another second Isabella remained in Salazar's hands. Damien had spent his life tearing through enemies without hesitation, but this time, the stakes were different. This wasn't about business. This wasn't about power.

This was about her.

Nikolai worked his magic, calling in every favor, digging into every contact. In less than an hour, he had an answer.

"They took her to an abandoned factory on the east side," Nikolai said, sliding a phone across the table. A satellite image showed a massive structure, surrounded by nothing but desolation. "Security will be tight. Salazar isn't playing games anymore."

Vega loaded his rifle. "Neither are we."

Damien's hands were steady as he checked his weapons. Two pistols. A combat knife. A single goal.

"Get in. Kill them. Get her out."

No one argued.

The black SUV stopped a few blocks away from the factory. It was an old steel mill, its rusted exterior illuminated by dim floodlights. Armed men patrolled the perimeter, their breath visible in the cold night air.

Damien and his crew moved like shadows. Silent. Deadly.

They took out the first two guards without a sound—one bullet to the head, one slit throat. The bodies dropped into the darkness, unnoticed.

Step by step, they infiltrated deeper.

Then, through a broken window, Damien saw her.

Isabella.

Tied to a chair in the center of the factory, her face bruised, her wrists bound. Salazar's men stood around her, laughing, drinking, waiting.

And at the back of the room, standing with an amused smirk, was Diego Morales—Salazar's new right-hand man.

Damien's blood turned to ice.

Morales had been a ghost for years, a man with a reputation worse than death itself. If Salazar had sent him, it meant this was more than just a kidnapping.

This was an execution.

Damien didn't hesitate.

A silenced bullet found its mark in the first guard's skull. Another fell before he could even react.

But then—

A shout.

"INTRUDER!"

The factory exploded into chaos. Bullets ripped through the air. Nikolai and Vega opened fire, cutting down guards as Damien sprinted forward, dodging behind rusted machinery.

Morales didn't flinch. Instead, he grabbed Isabella by the hair, yanking her head back.

"Damien Cross," Morales called out, his voice mocking. "I was hoping you'd come."

Damien stepped into the open, gun raised. "Let her go."

Morales chuckled. "Or what? You'll kill me like you killed Victor? Like you killed Reyes?" He shook his head. "You're running out of men to kill, Cross. But Salazar—he has an army."

Damien didn't waste words.

He fired.

Morales dodged, using Isabella as a shield. The bullet grazed his shoulder, but he barely flinched.

Vega and Nikolai kept the guards busy, but Damien had only one target now.

Morales grinned. "You want her?" He pressed a knife to Isabella's throat. "Come and get her."

Damien didn't hesitate.

He moved fast—too fast for Morales to react—closing the distance in a blink. He grabbed Morales' wrist, twisting it violently. The knife clattered to the ground.

Then Damien drove his fist into Morales' face.

Once.

Twice.

A third time, until blood smeared across his knuckles.

Morales stumbled, coughing, but he laughed through bloody teeth. "You think this changes anything?"

Damien's answer was simple.

A bullet to Morales' knee.

The man screamed, collapsing. Damien turned away, cutting Isabella free. Her eyes met his, filled with relief and something else—something she hadn't felt in years.

Trust.

But before Damien could say anything, Morales chuckled one last time.

"You think you won?" He grinned through the pain. "Salazar isn't finished. You have no idea what's coming."

Damien's voice was ice-cold.

"I don't care."

Then he pulled the trigger.

Morales' body hit the floor.

The factory was silent now, except for Isabella's ragged breaths. Damien gently cupped her face, checking for injuries.

"We need to go," he said softly.

She nodded, gripping his arm like he was the only thing keeping her upright.

As they escaped into the night, Damien knew this wasn't the end.

Salazar had made his move.

Now, it was Damien's turn.

And this time, he wouldn't stop until Salazar was nothing but a memory.

To be continued...