The first gunshot echoed like thunder, followed by a volley of bullets that cracked through the air. Chaos erupted on the edges of the compound as Richard's men stormed in from every direction. Smoke and fire blanketed the perimeter, turning the early morning into a warzone.
Dylan stood tall in the heart of the battlefield, black trench coat billowing as bullets zipped past him. His eyes were locked ahead—on Richard.
Their eyes met across the open field, two kings of the underworld, born of the same blood but shaped by very different fires.
"Richard," Dylan muttered under his breath.
"Big brother," Richard smirked darkly, stepping forward, flanked by guards. "Didn't think I'd come knocking this hard, did you?"
"You're not going to make it past this night," Dylan replied coldly, cocking his weapon. "I promise you that."
Without another word, the first wave of combat began.
---
Inside the Compound – Heaven's Vigil
Heaven sat in Michael's room, holding his hand tightly. The walls trembled with each explosion. She could hear the screams, the gunfire—but she didn't flinch.
She had promised Dylan she wouldn't get involved. And for Michael's sake, she had to stay.
But her heart twisted every time she thought of Dylan out there, facing a brother who wanted his head. Despite everything, she couldn't stop the silent prayer on her lips: Please, come back to me...
---
The War Outside – Betrayals and Reckonings
Jayden fought at Dylan's side, shielding him with precision and loyalty, but deep inside, Dylan still hadn't forgotten Jayden's past betrayal. It lingered like a shadow behind every move.
Richard, on the other hand, moved with vengeance. "You took everything from me," he shouted as he ducked behind a truck. "I should've been the heir! The name, the legacy—it was mine!"
"You never earned it," Dylan shouted back, launching a grenade over the barricade. "You ran when it mattered. You let greed turn you into this!"
Richard growled and stepped into the open, face-to-face with Dylan.
The two brothers clashed—fist to fist, gun to gun. Years of buried rage unleashed between them.
"I'll end you tonight!" Richard snarled.
Dylan, bloody but unbowed, smirked. "You can try, little brother."
---
Back in the Compound – Heaven's Breaking Point
The walls shook again—louder this time. Then silence.
Heaven sat upright, heart pounding.
Suddenly, the door burst open—Jayden stood there, breathing heavily. "Heaven—come. Now. It's Dylan."
She didn't even ask. She rushed out after him.
---
The Aftermath – Smoke and Ash
The battle had ended, bodies strewn across the battlefield. Victory was Dylan's, but it came at a heavy cost. Bloodied and bruised, he stood over Richard's unconscious form.
He hadn't killed him.
Not yet.
He turned as Heaven approached. Her eyes locked on him—scanning for injury, for signs of life. She ran to him, threw her arms around him.
"You came back," she whispered.
"I told you I would," he replied hoarsely, resting his forehead against hers.
And in the silence that followed, as dawn broke through the smoke, the war between brothers came to an end—at least, for now.