Chapter 20 - The Shadow's Betrayal

Rome's Colosseum—rented for $2 billion, emptied of tourists—glowed under floodlights. 1,247 Reaper council members gathered from every continent, scythe pendants gleaming. Satellite trucks encircled the ancient arena. Leo's jet touched down as the opening chants echoed.Elena gripped his arm on the tarmac. "Leo. This many killers in one place—even yours."Sophie scanned her tablet. "Security's insane. 18,000 guards. Surface-to-air missiles. They expect attack."Leo adjusted his apron over the bulletproof vest. "Dinner first. Talk second."The Global SummitVincenzo led Leo to the central platform—ancient stone carved with new sigils: crossed knives, olive wreath. 1,247 bosses knelt as one. Drone cams captured the human sea bowing to a chef."Reaper!" Vincenzo boomed. "Rogue cells crushed. Franchises feed 4.2 billion. Your shadow... contained?"Leo raised a hand. Silence absolute. "Progress. But leaks persist."Don Morelli from Naples stood, gray-faced. "Don. It contacted me. Last night. Says you suppress true prophecy."Murmurs rippled. Leo's shadow twitched at his feet—subtle, but Sophie caught it.The Holo-RevelationVincenzo activated the central holo-screen. Feeds from 189 hidden cameras worldwide: secret meetings. Rogue leaders wearing identical scythe pendants—not Leo's gold, but obsidian. Chanting in Latin."The vessel weakens. The shadow reclaims."Sophie whispered, "Dad... they have your face. On banners."Leo remained stone. "Imposters."The holo shifted—grainy footage from the Chicago mill fight. Not Leo's jet cam, but internal. Shadow fully manifested, battling Leo. Audio clear:"Choose, vessel! Me or vermin!"Council gasped. Vincenzo paled. "It... recorded against you?"The Traitor UnmaskedLeo snapped his fingers. Spotlights hit the upper tier. Emil Voss—Leo's trusted lieutenant—stood exposed, flanked by 200 hardliners. Obsidian pendants. Black chef coats.Vincenzo drew. "Traitor!"Guards leveled weapons. Voss laughed, raising a hand. Every holo-screen flickered—showing Leo's shadow detaching, bowing to Voss."My true vessel," the shadow voice boomed through every speaker. "This chef serves death pure. Marchetti dilutes me with mercy."Chaos. Half the council drew weapons. The other half knelt toward Voss.Leo stepped forward, voice cutting stone: "Stand down."Even his own men hesitated. Voss smirked. "They see truth, Leo. Blood over broth. Conquest over calories."Sophie clutched Elena. "Dad!"The Shadow's MoveVoss's pendant glowed black. Arena lights died. Darkness absolute—then red eyes ignited across the Colosseum, dozens. Shadow fragments. Possessing lieutenants.Screams. Gunfire. Leo's shadow leaped free—full manifestation, scythe solid. It swung for Vincenzo—Leo intercepted with his cleaver. SPARKS."You delay the inevitable," shadow roared, voice shaking marble. "I birth empires. You serve soup!"Leo parried, driving it back. "My empire feeds billions."Voss chanted in Latin, shadows coalescing around him. Colosseum trembled. Cracks spiderwebbed ancient stone.Elena grabbed the mic. "Council! Choose—life or this?"Sophie broadcast live to 7 billion phones: "Real Reaper fights imposter NOW."The FractureHalf Voss's men broke ranks, kneeling to Leo. The rest charged. Blades clashed. Bullets ricocheted off shadow-smoke.Leo fought like water—sidestepping, countering, never wasting motion. Cleaver severed shadow arms. Boiling consommé from his thermos scalded red eyes.Voss hurled a black olive—explosive. Leo caught it mid-air, crushed in fist. Smoke, not fire."Impossible!" Voss shrieked.Leo closed distance, apron unstained. One chef's knife to Voss's pendant—CRACK. Obsidian shattered. Shadow fragments screamed, sucked into Leo's own shadow.Voss collapsed, human again. "Mercy... please..."Leo loomed. Shadow whispered urgently: "Kill."Instead, Leo offered his hand. "Join. Feed people."Voss spat. Vincenzo executed him with one shot.Dawn VerdictColosseum silent. 1,089 surviving council members knelt—not to shadow, to Leo. The fractured ones executed by their own.Elena hugged Sophie. "It's over."Leo stared at his shadow—normal again. Submissive."For now," it whispered, faint.Sophie streamed finale: *"Reaper purges shadow. World safe." 9 billion views.Leo retied his apron. "Dinner. Rome style."As council dispersed—loyal, chastened—Leo noticed the Colosseum floor. Where shadows fought, grass grew. Olive trees sprouted from cracks.Nature reclaiming death's arena.Elena kissed him. "My chef. Actual god."Leo smiled faintly. "Needs pruning."But deep within, the shadow waited. Patient. Plotting.Empires fall. Knives stay sharp.