Chapter 12: The Son of Shadows

**Chapter Twelve: The Son of Shadows**

---

Jayden stood in the hallway of the Lexington Global tower, fresh from a victory most thought impossible, and yet Leona's whisper felt heavier than the boardroom itself.

**"Brandon's building an army."**

He didn't ask how she knew.

He just nodded and followed her into the elevator.

They rode in silence until the doors slid open on the sub-level—a restricted access floor Jayden hadn't visited before.

Beyond two steel doors was a war room.

Digital maps.

Facial recognition grids.

Tracking feeds from satellites.

The Legacy Guard's true base of operations.

Leo stood at the center, pointing to a glowing map of Nairobi with red dots scattered across the outskirts.

"These are confirmed warehouses," he said. "Brandon's father has been stockpiling weapons. Not just handguns. We're talking assault rifles, explosives, tactical gear."

Tariq added, "We also intercepted blueprints of Eastview High. They're planning something. A hit, a hostage situation, maybe worse."

Jayden exhaled, rubbing his temples.

"This isn't business anymore," he murmured. "It's war."

Leona's voice was steel. "And wars need generals."

Jayden looked up, his jaw tight. "Then it's time we fought like one."

---

Over the next week, Jayden mobilized everything he had.

The Legacy Guard expanded its reach—building intel cells in Mombasa, Kisumu, even Kampala. Every private investigator worth their salt was offered double to switch sides. Brandon's social media accounts were hacked. The shell companies funding his father's operations were exposed.

But it wasn't enough.

Because while Jayden moved in silence, Brandon moved in shadows.

Rumors surfaced of underground recruitment drives—boys from rich families, private militias, even expelled cadets from national defense colleges.

Jayden stared at the screen.

Brandon's photo glared back at him—perfect hair, smug smile, and now, a deadlier ambition than ever.

"I don't think this is just about the company anymore," Brian said one evening. "He's not trying to win. He's trying to erase you."

Jayden nodded. "Then we don't just defend. We dismantle him—completely."

But his plans were disrupted by something worse than strategy.

Emotion.

---

It began with a phone call.

Unknown number.

Jayden answered anyway.

And froze.

"Jayden," the voice whispered, broken and tired. "It's Sasha."

His hand trembled.

For a long time, he said nothing.

"I… I know you don't want to hear my voice," she said, "but they're using me. They forced me to speak at that press conference. Brandon has something on my father. I tried to run. They found me. I'm not safe."

Jayden closed his eyes.

"So why are you calling me?"

"Because… despite everything… I still trust you."

He almost hung up.

Almost.

Then she said three words that changed everything.

**"They're planning Friday."**

His eyes snapped open. "What happens Friday?"

"I don't know everything. But it's big. Something about the school. And you. He called it The Blackout."

Jayden's mind raced.

Blackout.

Students.

Explosives?

He swallowed hard. "Where are you now?"

She hesitated. "A safehouse. But not for long."

"Send me a pin. I'll send someone for you."

"No. I don't trust anyone. Just you."

Jayden's pulse quickened.

It could be a trap.

But if it wasn't… and something went wrong…

"I'll come myself," he said.

Leo objected instantly. "This could be a setup."

"I know," Jayden said. "That's why I have to go alone."

Two hours later, under the cover of heavy rain, Jayden walked into an abandoned apartment complex on the edge of Nairobi West. The hallway smelled of mildew and fear.

Sasha stood at the far end, thin and shivering, her hair tied up in a scarf.

She looked nothing like the girl who once mocked his shoes.

"Jayden…" she whispered.

He held up his hand. "Start talking."

And she did.

Tears streaming.

Trembling hands.

She told him everything: about Brandon's obsession with legacy, about the Serpent agents in the school's faculty, about the plans to detonate a fake device during morning assembly to discredit Jayden as a 'threat.'

"They want to blame you," she said. "Frame you. Say you built the bomb yourself out of revenge for what the media did."

Jayden's blood ran cold.

He stepped back. "You're coming with me. Now."

But as they turned, a bullet shattered the window.

Jayden dove, pulling Sasha down as a sniper's laser passed inches from his shoulder.

"We've been followed!" he shouted.

Gunfire erupted outside.

He pulled Sasha into the hallway, weaving through dust and debris. His phone buzzed.

**Leo:** *Five hostiles. East alley. We're en route.*

Jayden dragged Sasha to the basement.

Seconds later, the building shook from a concussive blast.

Smoke. Screams. Fire.

But they made it out.

The Legacy Guard arrived in armored vehicles, surrounding the snipers and chasing off the attackers. Aida grabbed Sasha and pulled her into a van. Leo covered Jayden with a shield as they sped away.

Back at the estate, Sasha collapsed into a couch, sobbing.

Jayden stood over her, conflicted.

"You saved my life," she whispered.

He didn't reply.

"You still hate me, don't you?"

He nodded. "Yes. But hate doesn't mean I let people die."

She closed her eyes, ashamed.

He turned away.

"We're moving you," he said. "You'll be safe. But after that—we're done."

---

Friday came too fast.

Jayden stood on the rooftop of Eastview High at 6 a.m., overlooking the school like a watchman. Legacy Guard operatives were disguised as janitors, teachers, even parents. Every bag was scanned. Every entrance watched.

By 7:15, they found it—a small device wired inside a student locker with a black serpent painted on the inner wall.

It was a fake bomb.

But had it gone off… the chaos would've been real.

Jayden disabled it himself.

And when the students assembled at 8 a.m., he stood on stage with the principal and said just one thing:

"There are people who want to keep you afraid. They want you divided. They want you to believe I am your enemy."

He paused, holding up the device for all to see.

"But I am not your enemy. I am your classmate. Your brother. Your protector."

Silence.

Then applause.

Then a chant.

**"Jayden! Jayden! Jayden!"**

---

Back at Lexington Estate that night, Leo found him staring at the stars.

"You okay?"

Jayden didn't answer.

Then said quietly, "I think I'm becoming someone I won't recognize."

Leo smiled sadly. "Maybe. Or maybe… you're just becoming the man you were born to be."

---

**End of Chapter Twelve**