Retaliation of the God of War

Chapter 4: Setting the Trap

As Damien drove away from Holly and Jeremy, he headed straight for his last work place, his emblem formerly hidden, now on display for all to see. 

Soon, Damien stood before the National Bureau of Security, a massive building that still impressed him no matter how many times he saw it. The NBS logo on the entrance shone brightly, stirring up past memories.

Three years had passed since he last visited the place, but the building looked exactly the same. The same modern design, same well trimmed lawn, and the same busy atmosphere bustling with people.

Memories flooded his mind as he admired the building: working late nights, high-risk tasks, and going on missions with his fellow agents. Damien felt a strong sense of belonging and made his way into the building, wondering why in the world he gave all this up for a woman like Holly. 

Damien quickly climbed up the steps that led into the main hall, expecting to blend into the background, but that proved impossible. As he entered the lobby, the casual looks on people’s faces turned into stunned stares.

Eyes widened, and their whispers spread, as the room's noise grew louder. The workers couldn't help but gaze at the legendary figure before them as he made his way through the crowd.

Some mouths hung open, while others exchanged disbelieving nods. The whispers grew louder: 

"Is that really him..?" 

"No, It can't be..." 

"Damien Murdock." 

Damien sighed and as he made his way to the front desk, upon seeing him, the receptionist didn't wait for him to get to her first. With her eyes shining with excitement, she swiftly rose from her seat and approached Damien. A bright smile spread across her face, and she extended a hand.

"Mr. Murdock! Welcome back, sir!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.

Damien's raised eyebrow as he took her hand in a firm handshake. 

"Just Damien, please. I'm not here on official business." He said, glancing around the lobby at the still staring employees. 

It was true that no one knew who he was. Well, with the exception of the people he worked beside for years. Although they knew who he was, his identity was on a need to know basis. It never left the NBS building unless it had to. So, he wasn’t surprised if people still recognized him even after all these years. 

The receptionist's smile only grew wider as he admired him. 

"Of course, sir... Damien. I'm Emily. You might not remember me but I was in the coalition department when you were still here. I have to say that it is an honor to have you here." She rambled on, her respect for him clearly showing.

The murmurs and whispers grew louder, their voices in hushed tones loud enough for anyone to hear as they spoke amongst themselves. 

"Is that really the God of War?" One of the people on the floor asked.

"Thought he had retired for good." 

"What brings him back?" Another continued.

Emily turned to Damien, her smile still shining brightly and her mouth freezing in realization that he had places to be. She quickly switched gears. 

"Can I get you something, sir? Coffee, or perhaps tea?"

Damien shook his head, his expression stoic.

“Would you at least like to sit down?” She asked but Damien shook his head again.

“No, I am only here for a short while.” He replied, his tone firm.

Not taking no for an answer, Emily asked again, "Then how can I assist you today then, Mr. Murdock?" She asked, ignoring Damien’s request to be addressed by his first name.

Damien's voice was low and even. 

"I need to see Ivan Holt. Schedule an appointment for me immediately." He ordered.

Emily's chuckle was warm and knowing. 

"Appointments are for only the public, Mr. Murdock. People as important as you already have unrestricted access and do not need an appointment."

Her eyes sparkled as she continued to speak. 

"Follow me sir. I’m sure Mr. Holt would want to see you right away." She assured him.

Without waiting for a response, Emily turned and hurried toward a secure corridor which led to an elevator, beckoning Damien to follow. 

"Right this way, please." She said and he followed her immediately.

With a gracious gesture, Emily stepped aside, allowing Damien to enter the elevator and then she followed him in. 

The elevator halted and the doors opened onto the fifth floor, Emily quickly escorted Damien down the sleek hallway, its walls holding doors that all looked exactly the same. Soon, they stopped before a large, glass door at the end of the hallway, bearing a golden plaque with the words,

Head of Bureau

Ivan D. Holt

Emily’s fingers rapped twice on the door, her knock confident and firm. After that, she turned to Damien, her smile warm and confident as she gave a slight nod.

"Director Holt will see you now," she said.

With another slight nod, Emily turned around and walked away, leaving Damien alone before the door.

"You may enter," Damien heard Ivan's deep voice call from inside the office.

Damien calmly pushed open the door and stepped inside. Ivan's eyes, fixed on a document in his hands, looked up to see who it was but his expression changed into one of shock when he saw who stood before him.

His face froze as his pen hovered above the paper before he managed to let a word out. 

"Damien?" Ivan's voice trailed off. He was not expecting Damien’s sudden visit.

He dropped his pen, the papers slipping from his fingers as he rose from his chair, his gaze locked onto Damien's, a mix of shock and happiness.

"Damien, it's been far too long," Ivan said, his voice filled with sincerity. "Welcome back." He said.

Ivan stepped away from his seat and rounded his desk, extending a hand. A handshake that Damien accepted without any hesitation. They retracted their hands, allowing Ivan to speak up, his expression turning sour.

"I heard about the failed anniversary... and the divorce. I'm sorry about that, Damien."

Damien's eyes narrowed at him. 

"How did you know that I just got a divorce?" He asked.

Ivan chuckled and replied, 

"You've been gone for three years, Damien, but you should remember how the bureau works. We have people watching everything and everyone - including you." He reminded.

The joke didn't make Damien smile as his expression stayed serious and his eyes kept studying Ivan. He wondered if they also knew about the kind of man his wife left him for.

Seeing that Damien wasn’t having any of it, Ivan's smile disappeared immediately, and he cleared his throat. 

"Never mind," he said. "I know you didn't come here to reminisce about old times or to catch up on the things you’ve missed. What brings you to my office, Damien?" He asked.

Damien nodded, his expression resolute, indicating he was prepared for the conversation on the reason for his sudden appearance. Ivan immediately returned to his desk and settled back into his chair, gesturing for Damien to take the seat across from him, before urging him to proceed.

Once they were both seated, Damien cut directly to his request, his voice firm and authoritative. 

"I need you to arrange the Reclamation Ceremony," he stated, his words devoid of any form of hesitation.

Ivan's eyebrows arched in surprise, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the weight of Damien's request. 

"Are you sure that you are ready to have the reclamation ceremony and go public with your true identity? Revealing the reality behind the legend isn’t what you wanted when we asked you to do so all those years ago." he asked, his tone measured.

Damien's jaw clenched and his determination was evident. 

"I think It's time the world knows the truth about who I really am and what I have done; that I am not just a myth or a legend, but a real person who deserves recognition for my sacrifices and achievements. Don’t you think so?" He asked as he remembered Holly and Jeremy’s belittling words and his fists tightened. He could feel the rage start to form again and his blood boil.

Ivan nodded and leaned back in his chair, a calm smile spreading across his face as he nodded. 

"Of course, you don't need to worry, Damien. I'll make all of the necessary arrangements. The Reclamation Ceremony will be set up in three days." He told Damien, already having an inkling of why Damien was going this route. 

Damien nodded to show his gratitude and immediately stood up, signaling the end of their meeting. Ivan also rose from his seat, his expression serious once more as he watched Damien make his way to the door.

“See you in three days.” Ivan called out to him, a bit sad that they could only speak about business at the moment. 

“Till then” Damien replied before he exited the office.

Once he was outside the building, Damien took a deep breath, inhaling the warm air and feeling a mix of relief and contemplation. He strolled back to his car, his mind already drifting toward home, where he could process the events that had just happened and think about what was awaiting him after the Reclamation Ceremony. Also, about how Holly and her bastard lover would react when he put them in their place. When he revealed himself to the world as the fabled God of War.