The night was still. The air thick with the scent of gunpowder and blood.
Ochieng stood over The Raven's lifeless body, the crimson pool beneath him reflecting the moonlight. The weight of what he had done pressed against his chest, but he did not waver.
Power was never given. It was taken.
And tonight, he had taken everything.
Jeff approached, wiping blood from his hands. "It's done. The Raven's men have either surrendered or fled."
Linet, standing at the edge of the estate's grand balcony, looked over the city. "Then what happens next?"
Ochieng turned to her, his gaze unreadable. "We rebuild."
Tielen scoffed. "That's it? No celebration? No grand announcement?"
Ochieng's smirk was sharp. "This isn't a game, Tielen. This is war."
A cold wind swept through the estate.
Ochieng knew that tonight had changed everything.
He had taken the throne.
But keeping it...
That was another battle entirely.
---
The news spread like wildfire.
The Raven was dead.
And in his place, a new ruler had emerged.
Within hours, Ochieng's influence extended beyond the city, stretching into the eight major provinces. Overnight, he had become more than a kingpin—he was a silent emperor, his name whispered in fear and reverence.
But power came with a price.
Enemies lurked in the shadows.
And some of them were closer than he thought.
---
Days later, Ochieng found himself in an unfamiliar setting—a grand ballroom, decorated with dazzling chandeliers and golden tapestries.
It was Linet's birthday.
She stood in the center of the room, breathtaking in an emerald-green gown that clung to her figure, her dark curls cascading down her shoulders.
Ochieng watched her from a distance, sipping his whiskey.
She caught his gaze and smirked. "Surprised you came."
Ochieng raised an eyebrow. "You think I'd miss it?"
She chuckled, stepping closer. "You don't seem like the type to enjoy parties."
His lips twitched. "I don't. But for you…"
He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll make an exception."
Linet's breath hitched.
For a moment, the world melted away.
But the moment was shattered when the doors swung open.
A man in a tailored suit stepped in, flanked by two bodyguards. His presence sent a ripple of tension through the room.
Jeff cursed under his breath. "That's Governor Malik."
Ochieng's eyes narrowed. "What does he want?"
Malik strode forward, his gaze locking onto Ochieng.
Then, he smiled.
"A word, Mr. Ochieng?"
The music stopped. The air grew heavy.
Ochieng set down his glass. "Let's talk."
---
The private lounge was dimly lit, the scent of cigars hanging in the air.
Malik sat across from Ochieng, fingers steepled. "You've made quite the name for yourself."
Ochieng leaned back, unfazed. "Get to the point."
Malik smirked. "You're expanding. But expansion brings problems. The government is watching you."
Ochieng's expression didn't change. "And?"
Malik chuckled. "I'm here to offer you protection."
Ochieng's eyes darkened. "And in return?"
Malik's smirk widened. "You work for me now."
Silence.
Then—
Ochieng laughed. A deep, chilling laugh.
Malik's smirk faltered.
Ochieng leaned forward, voice like steel. "I don't work for anyone."
Malik's jaw tightened. "Careful, Ochieng. Even kings can fall."
Ochieng's smirk returned. "Then let's see who falls first."
Malik stood, his expression unreadable. "You've been warned."
Then, he left.
Ochieng exhaled slowly, his mind already working.
The war wasn't over.
It had only just begun.
---
Days later, Ochieng sat in his penthouse, staring at an old photograph.
It was a picture of his parents.
They had died years ago. Murdered.
And now, he finally had a lead.
Jeff entered, placing a file on the table. "It wasn't an accident."
Ochieng's grip tightened. "Who?"
Jeff hesitated. "Malik."
Everything froze.
Ochieng's heart pounded.
The same man who had just threatened him... had killed his parents.
A slow, deadly smile spread across his face.
"Then it's time for revenge."
---
Ochieng's hands tightened around the file, his knuckles turning white.
Malik had murdered his parents.
The realization was a slow burn, igniting something dark within him.
Jeff shifted uncomfortably. "What's the plan?"
Ochieng inhaled deeply, his voice like steel. "We end him."
Tielen, lounging on the couch, smirked. "You do realize taking down a governor isn't the same as killing a gang leader, right?"
Ochieng's lips curled into a deadly smile. "That's why we won't kill him."
Linet frowned. "Then what?"
Ochieng stood, his presence filling the room. "We destroy everything he loves first."
The air grew heavy.
Jeff exchanged glances with Tielen and Linet.
Ochieng had declared war.
And there would be no mercy.
---
The first move was subtle.
A series of anonymous leaks exposed Malik's financial corruption, triggering a media frenzy.
Then, one by one, his allies began to fall—business partners arrested, secret accounts frozen, his power crumbling.
The governor was cornered.
And Ochieng wasn't done.
He sat in the back of his Maybach, watching as Malik's house burned. The flames danced in the night, consuming everything.
Jeff turned to him. "He'll come after you now."
Ochieng exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I'm counting on it."
---
Days later, Malik did exactly what Ochieng expected.
He came for revenge.
The ambush was supposed to be flawless.
A secluded warehouse. Armed mercenaries. A guaranteed kill.
But Malik had underestimated him.
The moment he stepped inside, the lights cut off.
Gunfire erupted, but Ochieng's men were already in position.
By the time the dust settled, Malik was on his knees, his bodyguards lying lifeless around him.
Ochieng stepped forward, towering over him.
Malik's face was twisted with rage. "You think you've won?"
Ochieng crouched, gripping Malik's chin. "No. I know I have."
With a single nod, Jeff pulled the trigger.
The governor fell.
Ochieng wiped his hands. "Clean it up."
And just like that, his past was avenged.
---
With Malik gone, Ochieng's reign solidified.
He wasn't just a shadow ruler anymore.
He was the ruler.
The leader of the eight major provinces.
The silent trillionaire.
And no one would dare challenge him again.
But deep down, he knew—
This was just the beginning.
---