The cathedral stood still. The scent of blood and gunpowder hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning incense from years past. Kieran's breath was uneven, his eyes darting between the blade at his throat and the merciless gaze of Ochieng.
A man who had once been a shadow, forgotten, left to die—now stood before him, a force unstoppable.
Ochieng didn't speak immediately. The silence was more terrifying than any threat he could have uttered.
"You think you've won?" Kieran finally rasped, forcing a smirk despite the blade pressing against his skin. "You think killing me will change anything?"
Ochieng's grip on the knife tightened. "You misunderstand something, Kieran."
He leaned in, voice softer than a whisper but sharper than any weapon. "I didn't come here to kill you. I came here to make you watch."
Kieran's smirk vanished.
Ochieng turned slightly, his sharp gaze flickering towards Jeff. "Bring her in."
From the darkness of the cathedral's side entrance, heavy footsteps echoed.
Then—Sierra.
Bound. Gagged. Eyes wide with fury and… fear.
Tielen shoved her forward, making her stumble onto her knees in front of Kieran. The once-powerful woman, always composed, always untouchable, now trembled beneath the weight of her own choices.
Kieran's jaw clenched. "You wouldn't dare."
Ochieng crouched beside him, speaking slowly. "You took everything from me, Kieran. My home. My name. My past." His voice darkened. "I'm about to show you what that feels like."
A single nod from Ochieng.
Tielen drew his gun.
A sharp gasp from Sierra.
Then—
Bang.
Kieran screamed.
---
The bullet hadn't hit Sierra.
It had hit Kieran's leg.
He fell to the marble floor, his scream of agony reverberating through the vast cathedral. His hands clutched at the wound, blood pooling beneath him.
Ochieng rose to his feet. "I want you to live, Kieran." His voice was cold, emotionless. "I want you to crawl, to beg, to be reminded every day that you lost."
Kieran's breath came in ragged gasps. "You think I'll just—let this go?"
Ochieng smirked. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
He turned away. Tielen and Jeff followed.
Sierra, still bound, was dragged to her feet.
As they walked away, Kieran's broken voice echoed through the cathedral.
"Ochieng! This isn't over! I will come for you!"
Ochieng didn't turn around.
"You already lost."
And then he was gone.
---
The streets were silent as Ochieng stepped out into the cool night air. The chaos had settled. The city belonged to him now.
Tielen lit a cigarette. "So? What now?"
Ochieng glanced at the bloodstains on his sleeve. "Now?"
His gaze lifted to the skyline.
"Now we take everything."
---