Face of the Enemy
War had rules.
And Damian had just broken all of them.
The mansion stood silent again.
But it wasn't peace.
It was the calm after bloodshed.
Bodies had been cleared.
Guards replaced.
Security doubled.
Yet…
Damian knew one thing.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Inside his office—
Dark.
Quiet.
Damian stood by the window.
A glass untouched in his hand.
His mind wasn't on the attack.
It was on something worse.
Elara.
And their child.
For the first time in years—
He had something to lose.
And that made him dangerous.
A knock came at the door.
"Enter."
Lucas stepped in.
"Message came in."
Damian didn't turn.
"From?"
A pause.
"Victor."
Silence filled the room instantly.
Heavy.
Then slowly—
Damian turned.
His eyes already darkening.
"What does he want?"
Lucas placed a phone on the table.
"He didn't say."
A pause.
"He said you should answer."
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Damian picked it up.
Held it to his ear.
"Speak."
A low chuckle echoed from the other end.
"Well…"
"That's not how you greet an old enemy."
Damian's grip tightened slightly.
"Careful," he said coldly.
"You're still breathing because I allow it."
Victor laughed.
Amused.
"I see nothing has changed."
A pause.
"Except one thing."
Damian said nothing.
But his silence was sharper than words.
"You have something to lose now."
That hit.
Exactly where it was meant to.
Damian's eyes darkened completely.
"Say her name," he warned.
"And I end you."
Victor chuckled again.
"Relax."
A pause.
"I'm not here to threaten."
Another pause.
"I'm here to invite."
Silence.
Even Lucas shifted slightly.
"What game are you playing?" Damian asked.
"No games," Victor replied smoothly.
"Just business."
A pause.
"Meet me."
Damian didn't hesitate.
"Location."
Victor smiled through the phone.
"That's the Damian I know."
The line went dead.
Minutes later—
Lucas stood in front of him.
"You're not seriously going alone."
Damian grabbed his coat.
"I am."
"That's a trap."
"I know."
A pause.
Lucas exhaled sharply.
"Then let me come."
Damian stopped.
Looked at him.
"No."
A beat.
"Stay here."
Lucas frowned.
"And Elara?"
Damian's expression softened slightly.
"Protect her."
Night fell quickly.
The city lights flickered below.
And somewhere far from the mansion—
A meeting was about to happen.
An abandoned building.
Dark.
Empty.
Perfect for something dangerous.
Damian walked in alone.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just silence following his steps.
Then—
A slow clap echoed.
From the shadows.
"Well… well…"
A man stepped forward.
Tall.
Calm.
Eyes filled with something cold.
Victor.
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
Just stared.
Years of hatred hanging between them.
"You've gotten softer," Victor said finally.
His gaze sharp.
Damian didn't react.
"You've gotten bolder," he replied.
A pause.
"For a man who almost died today."
Victor smirked.
"I had to test you."
A beat.
"And you passed."
Damian stepped closer.
Slow.
"Say what you called me for."
Victor's smile faded slightly.
Now serious.
"Let's end this."
Silence.
But not the peaceful kind.
The dangerous kind.
"How?" Damian asked.
Victor tilted his head slightly.
"A deal."
A pause.
"You walk away…"
"…and I walk away."
Damian laughed.
Low.
Cold.
"You attacked my home."
"You came for my family."
His voice dropped.
"And you think I'll walk away?"
Victor's eyes darkened slightly.
"You think you can protect them forever?"
That was it.
The final line.
The final mistake.
Damian stepped forward—
Fast.
Grabbing Victor by the collar.
Pulling him close.
"Listen carefully," he said.
His voice no longer human.
"If you come near them again…"
A pause.
"I won't just kill you."
His grip tightened.
"I'll erase everything you've ever touched."
Silence.
Victor didn't flinch.
But for the first time—
There was tension.
Real tension.
Because he saw it.
The truth in Damian's eyes.
This wasn't a threat.
It was a promise.
Damian released him.
Stepped back.
And turned.
Walking away.
Because the war—
Was no longer about control.
It was personal now.
Behind him—
Victor smiled slowly.
Because this…
Was exactly what he wanted.
A war where the Devil had something to lose.