Episode 25: Ghosts of the Past

Season 1: Rise of the Villain

Episode 25: Ghosts of the Past

The fire in the cabin crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls. Inside, Isabella tucked Elena into bed, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face. The girl had fallen asleep quickly, exhaustion finally overtaking her small frame.

Damien watched from the doorway, arms crossed, his mind restless.

Elena was safe. For now.

But safety was a fragile thing. And Damien knew better than anyone that peace never lasted.

Nikolai leaned against the kitchen counter, pouring himself a drink. "We should talk about what happens next."

Damien sat across from him, rubbing his temples. "I already know what happens next. I stay with Elena. I give her the life she deserves."

Jean, who had been studying a map on the table, scoffed. "That's admirable, but let's be real. Salazar wasn't the only threat. His empire was big, and now that he's dead, others will fight to take his place."

Vega, cleaning his gun, nodded. "The power vacuum will bring out the worst of them. Someone will come looking for revenge."

Damien clenched his jaw. He had known this was coming.

"You want me to go back," he said.

Jean lit a cigarette. "I want you to finish what you started."

Damien exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the bedroom where Elena slept peacefully.

"I can't," he said, his voice firm. "Not anymore."

For years, he had lived in the darkness, embracing the monster inside him. But now? He had something to lose.

Something worth living for.

Outside, a pair of headlights cut through the trees, stopping just short of the cabin.

Vega was the first to notice. He moved to the window, his grip tightening on his pistol.

"We expecting company?" he asked.

Damien was on his feet in an instant. No one should have been able to track them here.

Jean grabbed his rifle. "I'll check it out."

Nikolai followed, staying in the shadows as they approached the vehicle.

Damien stayed inside, gun drawn, eyes locked on the front door. If this was an ambush, they wouldn't take him by surprise.

Jean knocked on the car window.

No response.

Carefully, he opened the door—only to find no one inside.

Instead, there was a single envelope sitting on the driver's seat.

Jean grabbed it and stepped back toward the cabin.

"Someone left us a message," he muttered, handing it to Damien.

Damien tore it open. Inside was a single photograph.

His blood ran cold.

It was a picture of Elena. Taken from afar. Recently.

Scrawled in red ink at the bottom were three words:

"You can't hide."

The air in the room grew heavy. Isabella, seeing the look on Damien's face, rushed to his side. "What is it?"

He showed her the picture.

Her face paled. "No. No, Damien, I thought—"

"I know," he interrupted. His voice was steady, but inside, a storm raged.

They weren't safe. Not even here.

Jean ran a hand through his hair. "Who the hell could've found us this fast?"

Vega exhaled. "Salazar had allies. People who wouldn't just let this go."

Damien stared at the picture, his fingers tightening around it.

He had wanted to leave this life behind.

But the past wouldn't let him go.

And now, his enemies knew about Elena.

That was their first mistake.

Because now?

Damien was ready to remind the world why they once feared his name.

To be continued...