All Chapters of Burning empire: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Chapter 81: Almost HomeThe moon sat high above the city, pale and watchful. The warehouse on the edge of the South Industrial District stood in silence, as if it too was holding its breath. Inside the convoy of black vehicles, Dominic’s team waited for the signal.Dominic stood just outside his car, eyes locked on the building ahead. He held the comms to his ear."Pietro, any movement inside?""None," Pietro's voice came through. "Thermal shows no activity on the ground floor."Dominic's eyes narrowed. "That means they're either hiding underground... or they’re already gone."Matteo stood by the SUV, watching him. He wasn’t allowed inside the building, but his heart was in there already."Dom," Matteo said softly. "Please... if they’re in there... bring them back. Both of them."Dominic looked back at him and gave a small nod. "I will. I promise."He turned to the team. "Move in. Quietly. No mistakes."---Inside the warehouse, silence greeted them. The air was heavy with dust and th

Chapter 83: The Boy Who Wouldn't BreakDarkness pulsed around Derek like waves in the sea. Cold air scraped his skin. Chains clinked softly whenever he moved. His arms ached. His legs felt like stone. The wound in his arm throbbed like fire.He blinked slowly. Above him, rusted pipes stretched across a low ceiling. The room swayed slightly. The air smelled like salt and rust.A ship.He was on a ship.He tried to sit up but groaned. Pain shot through his side. He looked down at his arm—bandaged roughly. Blood had soaked through.He was still alive.Footsteps.The door creaked open, revealing a tall man in black, with cold eyes and a scar over his lip."You’re awake," the man said.Derek didn’t answer.The man stepped forward, crouching in front of him. "You’re a brave little rat. Caused quite the mess."Derek looked him straight in the eye. "Where’s Leo?"The man chuckled. "Gone. Escaped. For now."Relief flickered in Derek’s eyes, even through the pain.The man tilted his head. "You’

Chapter 85: Blood and BetrayalThe waves slammed harder against the ship as the storm grew louder, wind roaring like a beast. Thunder cracked across the dark sky, flashing light over the deck. The salty spray stung the air, the sea churning beneath them. Derek sat chained to a metal chair, soaked, shivering, pale.His wounded arm trembled, blood trickling down the bandage. Every movement sent a sharp jolt of pain through his small body, but he clenched his teeth and stared ahead. His lips were dry. His skin was cold. But his spirit—though bruised—had not broken.Dominic and Matteo stood a few feet away. Unarmed. No guards. Just them. The rain soaked through their jackets, but neither of them flinched. Their eyes were locked on Derek.Drazen stood between them and the boy, his black coat billowing in the wind. In one hand, he held a pistol. In the other, he raised a flare to light up the deck. His eyes glowed with twisted satisfaction."Don’t move," he warned, voice sharp like ice. "On

Chapter 87: The Silence That FollowedThe sea was empty.No splash. No sound. No sign.Derek had vanished beneath the raging waves. His small body swallowed by the ocean’s dark mouth, leaving only silence in his place.Dominic stood at the edge of the deck, his clothes soaked, fists clenched, the cold wind blowing against his skin. His chest rose and fell, his face stone-like. But inside—he was crumbling.Matteo sat collapsed on the deck, his knees drawn to his chest. His hands trembled, covered in blood—Derek’s and his own. “He’s gone,” he whispered. “He’s really gone...”Dominic didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed on the waves.“No,” Matteo sobbed, shaking his head. “We have to find him. We have to do something—”“I already called the team,” Dominic said quietly. “They’re on their way.”“Call more! Call everyone!” Matteo stood, his voice rising in panic. “Send helicopters! Boats! Divers! You have the money—you have the power! Just... find him!”Dominic turned slowly. “Do you thin

Chapter 89: A New Name, A New Life2 Months Later:~~~The sun rose early over the small coastal village, casting golden light over rooftops and quiet paths. It was a new day, and for Derek—now Jonah—it felt like the first real day of peace.He stood outside the small wooden cottage, the sea breeze brushing softly against his cheeks. He took a deep breath. The salty scent of the ocean, the sound of distant birds, the laughter of children in the distance—it all felt strange but oddly comforting.Inside, Mama Sade stirred a pot of porridge. Her movements were slow and steady, like someone who had lived many years and learned to take life one moment at a time."Jonah! Breakfast’s ready, my boy," she called out warmly.Jonah turned and stepped inside. He still walked slowly, his back aching from the wound, but each step felt stronger than the last.He sat at the wooden table. Papa Remy sat across from him, already peeling fruit."Morning, boy," Remy said without looking up. "Sleep well?"