Darker than Darkness

Prologue

There's a consistency developed in time.

Even as humans evolve, distinguishing themselves from other living organisms, the standard for which we operate revolves around the same thing.

Superiority

We reward it, gain validation from it, and must distinguish ourselves because of it. When in reality, the superiority complex is nothing but a defense mechanism, used to overcompensate for one's insecurity with feeling inferior.

It's an inherently human ideology, one that our world uses when it comes to rules.

Some create rules, some enforce them, and others abide by them. But there's a select few that are important enough to break the rules without breaking the system. They're the ones who hold the key to true human success.

Power

A good businessman knows when to use his power, when to mask it, and when to amplify it to get him what he wants.

Leonardo Ademaro was a good businessman.

He'd seen an opportunity and seized it, investing in a local business that spanned a small town in southern Italy. A business that'd grown and multiplied into the now infamous Galanti Mafioso.

What began as a low-level crime syndicate had formed into a powerhouse of connections and businesses, one with ties so deep and a rank so superior, that they were untouchable.

And it was all thanks to the hard work of three good businessmen.

Ricardo Galanti - the man who found the business and sat in the highest position one had in a mafia family. His right-hand man, Arturo Moretto - the man who got his hands dirty, and a third; Leonardo Ademaro - the man who maintained alliances.

Leonardo was the youngest of the three men, and oddly enough, one of the good ones.

He was likable, by many if not all, so he was sent to secure alliances and establish loyalties.

But that's merely where our story begins.

Since ancient times, India has been known to be a goldmine of resources.

The geographical location along the major water bodies allowed for the finest exported goods, the largest clientele of buyers, and the strongest economy.

They were the ideal business associates. This was why Leonardo Ademaro was sent to win over their king, one which existed even after Independence.

He was treated like royalty, and respected by all. With far more land, resources, and reach than any other world-class leader in his time.

To Leonardo's luck, the Indians were nothing but hospitable, their King or leader, whatever they would like to call him, was no different. He'd been offered a place to stay in the palace that was his home and served the finest of foods.

He'd gone from working tirelessly with mobsters and criminals to living like a God, where all his problems were solved by the people at his beck and call.

Only it was easy to veer off track in a life where time wasn't of the essence. And the excess time had not only given Leonardo the time to wonder what lay behind the life he'd been graced with for the duration of his trip, but it'd also given him the privilege to chase that curiosity.

He'd chased it until he stood before a large oak door one night, in the northern wing of the palace. A place where most were prohibited from visiting.

He'd pried open the door and climbed up the tower, stopping when he'd stumbled upon her.