Chapter 1- Prologue

So you think being a mafia boss and having full control of the ins and outs of this town would make you absolutely untouchable? Well, in most cases, you would be right. Money is never an issue, you have loyal men who would die for you knowing you would do the same, and a powerful business which branches to every end of the world with you sitting on top. But everything comes with a price. You see, this business has another side to it. Seven generations worth of deep history filled with devastating battles over territories. However, my father and the other famiglias came to an accord to stop the needless loss of life by signing a peace treaty among the top famiglias. So now in the ninth generation things have been calm between all the famiglias for many years. It was a prosperous time. With no blood being spilled in those battles more time could be spent furthering our business. But this illusion of peace was broken last night when Enrique, my right hand man brought word that my son, my only son, who turned five last week had been taken. So no, no one is truly untouchable even as a mafia boss, it only puts those close to you at risk, especially against those who want to see your world burn.

“Enrique, are you sure they have him?” I couldn’t believe it. For them to take my son in the middle of the night in my fortress of a home was seemingly impossible. “How did they get in and out without being noticed? When there should’ve been at least ten of my men guarding that part of the house.”

“I am sorry boss, I don’t know how they got in, no one saw any signs of a break in, but when they went to check on him and your wife she was fast asleep and your son was gone.” as he said this he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to me. “This was on his bed boss.” It was a note.

* §

If you are reading this then you should already know that your son is gone without a trace, you must be dumbfounded at how this has happened right under your nose. It must be driving you mad.

Well I will let you figure that one out on your own but if you ever want to see your son again you will go to this location alone. (See back)

* §

On the back of the note there was a map with an address that led to Pier 38, just on the outskirts of the Vongola’s territory and influence. “It had to have been a mist user, and a good one at that if they got past my guards.” I let out a deep sigh realizing we did not have time for this. “But we can figure out who did this later. My son's safety takes top priority!”

“This has to be a trap, they want you to go alone. At least allow me to accompany you, with my skills they will never see me.” Enrique told me the worry and concern was blatant on his face.

“No, you must stay here. Whoever is behind this is no pushover and will know of our plan. It’s too great of a risk, especially with my son’s life on the line. You must stay here and look after things while I am gone.” With that said I gathered my things and set off with only one thing on my mind, I will bring hell to those who took my son.

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It was black as the soul of a demon this night sky, not a star in sight and nothing but a few dim street lamps to light the path into the pier. It was quiet, not a soul in sight, the whole set up screamed TRAP but there was no turning back. I went through the door marked on the map. It led me down a long dark musty corridor that reeked of death. At the very end, I found myself in a small room with no windows or doors; it was a perfect square and the ceiling was so low you could touch it without fully stretching out your arm. The room was lit by a single standing lamp in the center. Next to it was the only other thing in the room; a small table with a phone upon it. Just as I noticed the phone, it started to ring. I rushed over to pick it up.

“Hello.” The voice that answered back was deep and booming in my ear.

“It seems you know how to follow instructions, Giovanni.” He chuckled. “Well, your son’s life is on the line or is it just the sheer pride in your strength that made you come here alone knowing full well it was a trap.”

Something about his voice was familiar but I could not place it. “I have done what you asked of me, now tell me where my son is!” I was in no mood for this idle chit chat.

“Relax, you will know in due time...but first, don’t you want to know why you are here?”

“I don’t have the patience for this”

“Neither did my father and that’s what led to his death. But if you really want to speed things up I could just kill your son now.”

“Fine!! So why am I here?” I said through gritted teeth.

“I’m glad you asked.” I sucked my teeth at those words. “Well you see, I did not pick this place at random, this pier holds a history, one that links the two of us.”

“History?” So I do know him, but from where? If he was connected to the mafia I would've known who he was right away.

“Yes history, if you remember I said why my father died, but do you know how and where? Well at this point you should know where. Well he was--” But I did not let him finish for I had just remembered it all.

“Gambino!” I spat out the name in disgust with anger welling up inside me. “Moriarty Gambino. The man who almost single handedly destroyed all my father tried to build. The man who brought war to the streets and killed hundreds of men and women in all the famiglias that wanted peace. That man is your father?”

“Yes.” He answered simply.

“So what? Because my father killed him, you are here to do the same to me?!”

“No, not because he killed my father, but how he killed him! He did not fight him man to man, he didn't even try to talk it out, not that it would've worked but that's beside the point. No, your father tracked him down to this exact pier, which used to be our personal restaurant where we would come to eat as a famiglia. Then, without warning, your father stormed in and gunned everyone down and burned my father alive. He killed my whole famiglia for his peace, did not want any of the kids following in Moriarty Gambino’s footsteps.” He let out what sounded like a sob, but just as I heard it, it was gone. “But lucky for me I took ill that day and could not go out for dinner, and now here I am ready to exact my revenge upon you and your famiglia.”

“Why? It was my father who wronged your famiglia. I am not him and he has long since passed away.” If only I could trace this call, if only Verde was here. This talking is aggravating me, but I need to keep calm, don't let your anger lead to your son’s death, Giovanni.

“True, but they always say ‘the sins of the father are passed down to the son.’ If that's not enough, in the Vongola Trial of Succession, you took on the sins of the Vongola itself, am I right?”

How could he know of the Vongola Trial? “Yes I did.” I said as my anger started to reach its boiling point.

“Good, that's just what I wanted to hear. Now you can die but don't worry, your famiglia will be joining you soon enough.”

“Wait, what? You said you would free my son you bastard!!” Boiling point reached.

“Oh, I said nothing of the sort, I said you would see him again so if you take a look under that table, you will.” He started to laugh and then the phone cut off.

I took a look under the table to find a picture of my son. Yeah, it was time for this man to die. Just then, the entrance to the room closed shut. I turned to head to the door but before I could take one step... ‘Click’ and just like that the whole place exploded and my vision went dark.

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When I came to, I was in a dark tunnel. The smell of rats, dung, and dead fish filled the air. Just before the bombs went off, I had time to reach my spear and make a hole in the ground. I must've landed in the sewers under the pier, but what is this pain? I look over to my left arm only to see nothing. It was gone; must've been caught in the explosion. Just my luck. Well, at least the heat from it seems to have also cauterized the wound and stopped me from bleeding out. But this won't hinder me, I need to save my son. Wait, he said my whole famiglia, he could not mean that…!? Just then I felt a vibration. It was my phone. With all that is going on, I forgot I had it, but who could be calling now of all times? It was in my left pocket. I reach down to get it only to wince in pain and anger for forgetting that my left arm was gone. I reach over with my right to pick up just before the last ring.

“Boss, is that you, are you okay?” It was Enrique. He seemed panicked and out of breath.

“Don’t worry about me, what is going on at the base?” I could hear gunshots in the background.

“I am sorry Nono sir they showed up out of nowhere, must’ve been that damn mist user.” He cursed under his breath. “We were overrun; more than half your men are dead and one of the intruders, well...he has your son.”

“What! You mean to tell me he never left!?!? He was there the whole time watching us, making us look like fools!!” That was it, this Gambino was going to know a pain far worse than his father's. “Hold them off as long as you can, Enrique! I will be there shortly, and keep Jasmine safe.”

“Boss, I will fight to the last breath to keep her safe.”

“Thank you.” I hung up and started to make my way through the sewers. Luckily for me, I installed many secret passages under my base and some connected to the sewers so it took me no time at all to find my way. I made it to one of the secret entrances of the base. It pains me that I have to sneak into my own home, but I have no choice. This entrance was least known and traveled, which made it an ideal way to sneak in. I opened the door and was instantly hit by a wall of heat. It was like I stepped out of the freezer and into an oven. When I got my bearings back and adjusted to the heat, I could see the source. My home, passed down for generations from one boss to another, which held the history of the Vongola, was now burning to the ground.

I almost could not recognize that the room I had entered was the cellar. The ceiling was caved in and you can now see the main floor from here... or what's left of it. As I made my way through the rubble and debris while climbing up to the main floor, I was filled with a mix of emotions: sadness, guilt, worry, but mostly rage. All around me lay the bodies of my men, my famiglia, killed by this Gambino. Seeing this erased any hesitation and doubt I had left. When I got to the main floor, I took out my spear and made my way to the back of the house. If Enrique was going to keep Jasmine safe and also secure a way for us to escape if worse comes to worse, that's where he would go. I was almost outside when I spotted two guys who must’ve been Gambino’s men. As they turned towards me, guns raised, I cut them down in one swift motion, and they couldn’t even get a shot off before they were dead on the ground. I kept up the pace and made it out to the back in no time. It seems like those were the only ones inside, but as soon as I saw what was going on outside, I knew why. There had to be at least thirty guys all armed with blades and guns and they had Enrique, Jasmine and five of her personal guards surrounded just a few yards away from the hidden passageway to my collection of vehicles. They seemed to be holding out but not for long; Enrique had been shot and one of the guards had a broken arm. I had to do something but brute strength was not going to work now...wait a sec.

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“Enrique! Medusa’s Pit!” I took off towards them not looking to see if he heard me because some of the men were already turning to face me. I stopped just a few feet away as they started to rush me. I stab my spear into the ground and release my flames under all of them, activating its properties and turning the ground to stone. Now I just hope Enrique remembered this old move. When they saw nothing happened, they began to laugh and charged toward me. I steeled myself; this was not going to be easy. Just as I cut down the first of them, the ground began to glow red and started to crumble into dust. Gambino's men all looked at me with pure confusion as they fell into my trap.

I rushed over to Jasmin and pulled her into my arm as I began to kiss her. Having her with me, still alive after all this filled me with new strength. After a few seconds she pulled away from me. I winced as she rested her hand where my left arm used to be.

“Honey...” she gasped tears filling her eyes. “You look terrible, and your arm. Baby are you okay?” Tears ran down cheeks as she spoke, and I knew they were not just because of my condition.

“I’m fine dear, don’t worry about me. I will get us out of this, just stay close to your guards and Enrique while I go get our son.” I kissed her one more time and made my way over to the pit. Enrique was there waiting for me, it seemed some of the men had survived our attack.

“Sorry I took so long, boss. I could not produce that much flame in such a short amount of time so I needed one of the guards to help me out.” Enrique seemed a bit out of breath but he looked ready to keep fighting.

“Better late than never, ok let's take these guys out.” I jumped down, landing on one of them and plunging my spear straight into his gut, killing him instantly. I looked around and saw that about ten of them had landed ok and were on their feet but the rest had either broken something, were unconscious or were dead. “Enrique, I will take the ones still standing. You and the guards make sure the rest of them stay down for good. They messed with our famiglia; none of them leave here alive.”

With that said, I got to work. The ones still standing were already on top of me; they seemed to have lost their guns and were now sporting cusped falchions, a short one handed sword with a single edge. They all wielded them with practiced ease, but even with one hand, this would be easy. The first two strike at me together, one aiming at my neck from behind the other at my midriff. I dashed forward with a boost of flames from the end of my spear, sending it right through his chest and then flung him into the other. Afterwards, I quickly thrusted my spear through both of them and slammed them down. It happened so quickly the others looked on with disbelief. They began to back away, but then they all stopped in their tracks. I thought they might have been getting ready to strike again but then they shattered. Then I heard it; the sound of a demon with a sense of humor. A sinister laugh followed by a slow clap and then a man appeared at the top of the pit with someone next to hi-- MY SON!!

“I have to give it to you, Giovanni, you are as strong as they say you are. We were seconds away from finishing this, then BOOM you show up alive, somehow surviving my trap, and then taking out almost all my men, scaring them shitless even and you pulled it all off with one arm. Oh man, if the rest of your guardians were here I would probably be dead too.” A huge grin spread across his face at those words. “It’s a good thing they are away on business but by now, they should all be dead.”

“What have you done!?”

“Oh, did I not say your whole famiglia would die or was that not clear?” His grin grew and he began that sinister laugh again. This man has a death wish. But I can’t just attack him, he still has my son. I have to think of something quick.

“Your men are dead, some by your own hand, so let's end this without any more needless bloodshed. Just you and me, or are you also afraid of me?”

He gave me a once-over as if calculating his chances “Why should I? I have already killed your precious Vongola and I have your son, who will be a great Gambino, and I still have more men on standby who are far stronger than these cowards. Soon you will all be dead so I have no need to fight you.” Turn my son into a Gambino! He is just dancing on what's left of my restraint now, but I must stay calm for my son.

“Did you not say that my father didn’t even try to fight your father man to man? Well here I am, offering you what my father never did for yours and you turn it down. Are you that afraid, are you that weak or are you just not a ‘true’ Gambino?” I could see that last line hit home. He stared me down, rage building up in his eyes as he gripped his dagger, white knuckling it.

He let out a ground shaking laugh that echoed through the pit. “You question if I am a true Gambino? You question the blood that courses through my veins. Well let me show you what a true Gambino looks like.” He stepped forward, vanished and then I heard a scream behind me. I turned around to see the guards dead. “Sorry, I needed a bit of a warm up. You, woman, take the boy I don’t need him getting in the way” he tossed my son to Jasmine, she glared at Gambino with pure hatred in her eyes as she began to cradle our son in her arms. With that, we are all that's left of the Vongola here. I pray that the others are safe, but I have no time to think about them. Now that my son is out of harm's way, I can let loose.

“Get ready Gambino, for now you will know what hell looks like.”

“Ha, you may be stronger than me Giovan---”

No more talk!, I got right under him and launched him into the air with a kick to his midriff before he had time to react. I propelled myself with my flames up to meet him and drop kicked him down then launched myself after him again faster than before and drove my spear right through his heart and created a small crater underneath us. Just like that it was over...but something felt wrong, this was too easy.

“---ni, but what I lack in strength, I more than make up for in skill, cunning strategy and deception, as you can see.” He was back at the top of the pit with that stupid grin on his face again. Looking down on me like you would a bug in the dirt.

The Gambino whose heart I impaled with my spear dissolved into a mist that spread throughout the pit, turning into a horde of Gambino clones. They all charged me at once, each of them were dual wielding deadly looking daggers. They slashed and stabbed at me with great precision and skill. It took a lot out of me to parry, dodge and attack this many foes at once, and with one arm I might add. Even though some would manage to graze me here and there, I was still able to bring them down with no major wounds. But for everyone one I took out, four more took its place; they just kept on coming like a wave of sadistic murders. I tried to cut a path to the real Gambino but as soon as I made any headway, I was overrun by his clones again. At this point I must’ve killed around thirty six of his clones. This was getting me nowhere and I was beginning to run out of steam.

“Come on, Giovanni, you can do it. I am right here! Where did all that strength from before go? This many clones should be child's play. Well, you did go full throttle to kill the first one, but in your defense you did think it was me.” Again that damn grin, makes me want to smash his teeth in. As I cut through another clone, I lost my footing and my grip on my spear loosened. One of the clones took that chance to rip it right out of my hand, sending it flying out of the pit and out of my reach. I caved his head in to let out my anger, how could I slip up like that, with what's on the line I should be laser focused. But now with one arm and no weapon, I could see no way of getting out of this alive, time for plan B.

“Enrique!! Take my wife and son and get out of here, I’ll clear you a path.”

“No sir that's suicide, I will not leave you here alone! I can still help.” I could hear the worry in his voice. Part of me wanted to listen to him but he was in no shape to continue fighting and I wasn't losing him too.

“We have no time for disagreements!! Just be ready to go when I give the signal. I will be right behind you.”

“Then at least take this.” He threw a long dark object at me. It took me a second to realize what it was but when I did, I couldn’t help but smile. I dove for it just before a clone could get to it. (Enrique my friend thank you for this gift but you need to work on that aim.) I held the object in my hand and marveled at its beauty. The clones backed away, they must not be sure what to make of this new development. How long has it been since I last wielded Liontarioú ólethros (Greek for Lion’s Bane): the glaive crafted for me by my dear friend Métis. It was fully black, nine feet long and had a deadly sharp nineteen inch single edged blade. Just by holding it I could feel my flames begin to regulate far better than before. With this, I can unleash my full strength.

“Enrique, my friend, be well and Jasmine, my love, take care of our son.”

“Wait, why do you sound--” I did not stay to listen, I turned to the clones and lit Lion’s Bane ablaze with my flame. It was time to turn the tide. I lunged towards them, landing in the center of the pit, and took out as many as I could to create a clearing before they could reform. When the clearing was big enough, I kicked the last clone in the clearing back into the rest of them, then followed up with a straight thrust, sending out a torrent of flames that burned everything in its path and opened a hole into the hidden passageway.

“GO NOW! I will hold him off.” Enrique grabbed Jasmine, who was still holding our son and dashed through the opening I made. All the remaining clones rush toward me, but even as I cut them down they just kept on going, not even trying to fight me.

“Oh how cute, you really think I would just sit back and let them go? While it would be amusing to hunt them down, it will be more satisfying to let you watch as I kill them one by one.” Gambino had jumped down into the pit and was now making his way to me while his clones went after Enrique, this was not good.

“As long as I am still breathing you are not killing anyone else” I about-faced then dashed right after the clones at full speed, using my flames to boost me. When I got to the first clone I used his face as a stepping board to jump over the horde, landing me right in front of the entrance to the passageway. I could see Enrique; he is at the end of the passageway but seemed to be having trouble with the door there. But I had no time to worry about them, for that split second I looked away one of the clones had driven his dagger right into my thigh. The pain was excruciating. I quickly stabbed him and slammed him into the ground to stop him from opening the wound any further. As he dissolved into mist, I pulled the dagger out then cauterized the wound close to stop the bleeding. But something was wrong; they had all stopped attacking me. They just stood there, watching. Then I realized why, the real Gambino was now at the front of his clone army, staring me down.

“Well, it seems we’ve come to the end of our battle Giovanni, with one arm and now a brutal leg injury.” He let out a deep sigh. “I just don’t see you making it out of this alive. But don’t worry, I won’t kill you just yet, you still need to watch me kill your best friend and the love of your life. I will make this as painful as possible though,” At those words the clones charged towards me.

As they inched closer it felt as if time had slowed down to a crawl, while hundreds of thoughts filled my head. But one thought rang clear through the others, HE WAS RIGHT! My stamina was running out; I could barely walk let alone run with this leg wound, and he didn't even have a single scratch on him. This was the end…

No! I could not let it end like this, my friend, my wife and the best thing I ever put into this world, were all counting on me. It was time to place all my bets on my trump card. With Lion’s Bane helping me regulate my flames better, I could pull off a move passed down for generations from one boss to another, but I-- no I can’t think about that now I have to use it, I have no choice.

“GAMBINO!! Let me show you why everyone fears and respects the Vongola famiglia.”

He looked at me still grinning ear to ear. “Funny thing to say while the home and the legacy of the Vongola famiglia burns to the ground, but by all means, show me.”

He must think I’m bluffing and just wanted to buy some time for Enrique to get everyone out of here, but this is no bluff. I am ending this here and now. I charged right at him using my flames to propel me forward, but just before I could reach him a clone cut me off, but that was just what I was hoping for. I stabbed him and brought him to the ground; my knee on his abdomen and my glaive in his chest. I began to pulse my flames out waiting for the right moment.

“This is your plan, to give me a light show? I am disappointed in you Giovanni. Well, I guess it’s about time we finished this.” the clones swarmed me on all sides--not yet. They dived at me, daggers raised, thirsting for blood--not yet. Pain shot through my entire body as the daggers drove into me--not yet. “Still with that pulsing light show” he let out a sigh and inched closer.

“Your right Gambino, it is time to finish this.”

“What--” his grin was gone.

I extinguished all of my flames and unleashed ZPB, a move that can freeze flames, and since Gambino’s clones were all made of mist flames, there's going to be a lot of ice. The ice quickly spread, encasing everything in its path. The only downside is that my ZPB is a bit different from the one passed down over the generations. While they made the move to trap or subdue those who misused the power of flames, mine killed any organic life caught in it in a matter of seconds. You would think that was great because Gambino was caught in the ice, and you would be right, but being that I was at the center of ZPB surrounded by mist flame clones, I was also trapped in the ice.

They say when you are about to die your life flashes before your eyes but for me, I saw nothing except all that I was losing. The chance to watch my son grow up, getting to see my grandkids, and growing old with my wife. This was all lost to me now. I tried to turn my thoughts to the positive side of things. My famiglia would survive, Enrique would keep them safe and when the time was right, and my son would rebuild the Vongola. It would be a hard life for them but they had a future and if the price for that was giving my life, I would give it gladly. It was all up to the next generation now; they could do it and if not the Vongola’s best tutor could help. Now, as my vision fully faded to black and I began drifting off out of this world, I made my peace; it was time for me to rest. Good luck my son, and know that I will always love you and your mother.