What He Chose
War was easy.
Choices were not.
Gunfire echoed outside.
Explosions shook the walls.
Men screamed.
But inside the room—
Everything was still.
Damian stood in the center.
His daughter in his arms.
Snipers locked on him.
And Elara…
On the screen.
Weak.
Waiting.
"Choose," Victor's voice echoed.
Damian didn't move.
Didn't rush.
Because rushing—
Was exactly what Victor wanted.
His eyes shifted.
Not to the snipers.
Not to the exits.
But to the screen.
"Elara."
Her name left his lips quietly.
Her head lifted slightly.
Her eyes finding the camera.
"Damian…"
Her voice weak.
But alive.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Then—
Damian spoke.
"Close your eyes."
Elara froze.
Confused.
"Do it," he repeated.
Something in his voice—
Made her obey.
Her eyes slowly shut.
Victor laughed softly.
"You think this is a game?"
Damian ignored him.
Instead—
He looked down.
At the small life in his arms.
Seraphina.
His expression shifted.
Just slightly.
Not darkness.
Not rage.
Something deeper.
"I'll come back for you," he whispered.
Then—
Everything happened at once.
Damian moved.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
He threw something to the ground—
A small device.
Flash.
The room exploded in white light.
Gunshots fired wildly.
But Damian was already gone.
He moved through the chaos.
Using the darkness.
Using the confusion.
His body shielding the baby completely.
A bullet grazed his arm.
Blood spilled.
He didn't stop.
Another shot—
Missed by inches.
Then—
The window.
Damian crashed through it.
Glass shattering everywhere.
Landing hard outside.
Rolling.
Still holding her.
Lucas turned instantly.
"Boss!"
"Take her!" Damian snapped.
No hesitation.
Lucas grabbed the baby carefully.
"She's safe," he said quickly.
Damian stood up slowly.
Blood running down his arm.
His chest rising heavily.
Then—
He turned back.
Toward the building.
Lucas froze.
Because he already knew.
"Don't…"
Too late.
Damian's eyes were no longer empty.
They were alive.
Burning.
With one purpose.
"Elara."
He walked back toward the building.
Not running.
Not rushing.
Because this time—
He wasn't reacting.
He was hunting.
Inside—
Victor watched the screen.
His smile fading slightly.
"Well…"
A pause.
"That wasn't the choice I expected."
Because Damian didn't choose one.
He chose both.
And now—
The real nightmare was about to begin.