_ A few hours before the Falcon Conference_

Lady Laverè was lounging on an ox-blood chair. Her fly-away hair was lose, streaming down her bony shoulders. Haven Grand Central hotel was located on one of the richest streets in Seoul. Its luxurious private balconies, million dollar penthouses and stunning architecture boasting the rich flow of income. This suited her just fine...

Infront of her sat Ventura, his face set to a severe look. Besides him sat the formidable man who was simply referred to as the 'Captain'. On her other side; with her eyebrows etched in worry, sat Maria Luciano.

The conference room was the best the hotel could offer. And the tell-tale signs of grandeur were stubbly shown across the space with it's stark dark wood table with pretty guilt edges and inbuilt protectors. Yet all these were useless to the Cosa Nostra...

"He is late!" she slithered, snapping her cigarette into two.

"Give him a few more minutes" said Maria, also snapping her hand-fan shut. "He will come"

"And give us good news.. I hope" said the Captain, charring his face into a smile.

Donghae's mother opened her mouth to retort, but she was cut off when the double doors were opened by the Cosa Nostra guards outside.

"Donghae.." breathed Maria, taking in her son's appearance. He looked drained, and the bright colour of his eyes were dull and dark. The hard line of his mouth suggested that he was somehow detached from all emotion. He somehow looked.. older

Without a second glance at his mother, he walked towards Laverè, who stared back at him coldly.

"Well?" She said, impatiently drumming her red painted talons on the table.

"The exchange is going to happen in 3 days at the All Hallows church. Maranzano will be there including the Falcon Army. Its scheduled at 2.15 in the morning" said Donghae in a voice that sent chills around the table.

"Very well" crooned Laverè, a smile escaping from her lips. "I'm surprised that you decided to cooperate for once"

A vein pulsed in Donghae's neck, "I am surprised that you could ever doubt me"

There was a chilling silence. The battle of wills between him and Laverè was becoming unbearable. He hated her very existence. And Laverè looked as though she was calmly judging him. He was right, she would never buy this story.

But Donghae controlled himself and bore down at her dark pit-less eyes, willing himself not to break eye contact even for a millisecond.

"Scared Laverè?" He whispered, ignoring his mother's warning looks

"No" said Laverè smiling, "I was wondering what changed you after... you know.." she raised her eyebrows delicately.

Donghae clenched his fists. But he said nothing.

"Maybe you did" said Donghae with a modest shrug, "who knows"

"We can finally rage our vengeance upon the Falcons!" relished the Captain interrupting them. "I've been waiting for this day for years! Imagine the bloodshed! His eyes glowed crazily.

Ventura remained silent. He twirled his glass of vodka delicately as though he was deep in thoughts.

"Interesting how the devil tries to enter a hallowed ground" he mused, putting down the glass with a soft chink. "The little cunt is trying to dodge hell again"

"But he will miss this time" said the captain with a sickening smirk, "Once we are done with him"

"Or will he?" Mused Laverè, "The devil becomes stronger day by day"

"And more vulnerable" said Donghae. All heads turned towards him. "He trusts me too much, more than Luca. And when the time comes, I will plant bullet after bullet through him and watch him squirm like his father did" he said, his voice rasping with pure malice. "I will wipe the Falcon Circle from the face of earth and make him watch while it happens!"

Maria Luciano was looking at her son as though she had seen a ghost. This was not the Donghae she knew, his voice was dead, his eyes and cheekbones hollowed out... his body held no regrets, only the crazed pleasure of killing hung about him like a smoky black veil. She was torn between pride and fear...

Laverè's eyes widened in shock. She took a deep breath and leaned back on her chair.

"Come here, Aiden Luciano" she commanded, gently wafting her hand-fan. When Donghae walked towards her, he was revoked by the murderous intent to kill Laverè then and there... his hands shook with the temptation on closing around the Title 18 strapped to the back of his belt.

But Donghae closed his eyes. He had promised Jake, to wait till the end...

He stood next to Laverè, looking at her bony face with no sign of recognition and stony blandness. She slowly got up from the head chair which she had been occupying and smiled coyly at Donghae.

"Your right hand please Donghae" she said, and he raised his palm without question.

All of a sudden, a sliver dash flicked through the air. Warm, crimson-black Blood sprouted and gushed thickly out of the razor-sharp wound that had been made by the metal hand-fan of Laverè's, staining his hand till it dripped scarlet on to the carpet. But Donghae barely even flinched at the sight. She did the same to her own hand before reaching out and clasping his. Their blood mixed together in an eerie symphony... locking the blood oath.

Everyone watched the two of them intently, not even daring to breathe.

"Lee Donghae" said Laverè smiling, "Do you swear your allegiance to the Cosa Nostra?"

"As it's true leader, I do" said Donghae without a moment of hesitation.

Laverè simply smiled at this open threat.

"You seem intent... fighter" she whispered, while the others closed in to eavesdrop. "Or are you not attracted to the devil anymore?"

Donghae let out a laugh that resonated fear through the rest of them. He took a step towards Laverè. His eyes searing into her face which was close enough for their lips to be touching. Laverè watched him... her coal black eyes betraying a flash of fear

Delicately, he brought up his bloodied hand and cupped her face; lifting her chin up to face him. With slow deliberation, he slid his thumb across Laverè's lips, till he drew a curved trail of blood up from the corner of her mouth. She now resembled a smiling skull...

"I'm attracted to anything that is dangerous Lav" he whispered, his hands griping her slim body in place, "and my attraction would be their downfall"

****

"Aiden! Wait!... DONGHAE!"

Sighing, he came to a stop. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face his mother who was hurrying down the hallway. Her eyes were etched with fear, and she was shaking. Donghae tried to feel pity towards her, but it wouldn't come. If it weren't for her greed, none of this would have happened...

"What?" He snapped, with the same blandness he had used for Laverè.

His mother took a shuddering step back, shock etching on her face. He had never seen her look so afraid. Finally, she picked up her courage and walked towards him. Donghae watched her as she hesitatingly laid her hand on his shoulder. She slid her fingers up his face, tracing his features, and running them across his silky brown hair.

"Who are you?" she whispered after an eternity. "What did you do to my Donghae?"

Donghae gave a bark of laughter. His eyes darkened humourlessly as he looked at her. For a moment, tears threatened behind his eyes. He wanted to give in and cry at her shoulder. But a small voice at the back of his had a completely different idea about his situation. It was YOU, it was BECAUSE of you! You wanted all this! And now you suddenly care about what happened to me?!

Anger raged inside him

He flipped her hand away from his face, ignoring the gasp that came out of his mother's every atom. Donghae just stared at her, before his face broke into a wide smile that was an inch too wide.

"Aiden Luciano" he said, his voice sounding almost manic, then added viciously, "Your precious Donghae died the moment you shattered his heart with your greed! the only thing that remains inside me is the crave for revenge from the Falcons... which is what you dearly wanted"

"Donghae-" said his mother, an edge note of panic colouring her voice, but Donghae silenced her with a look,

"Once upon a time my mother valued family honour over her only son"

He couldn't bare to stand next to her. His mother, his worst nightmare...

He turned to leave when a sudden, mad impulse took over him. Turning towards his mother who was still looking stricken behind him, he gathered up his courage. Once and for all...

"And you know what? I loved Jake... still do"

♡♤♡♤

3 days later : 2.01 a.m, Outside the gates of All Hallows Church_

The gleaming black Rolls was parked outside the lichen infested gates of the old tumbled down church. Behind the car, a midnight black truck that was disguised as an army carriage vessel was idling soundlessly... waiting for orders.

Luca, who was in his usual driving seat, glanced through the rear mirror at his young charge. Jake was merely observing the old church, while Tanaka; who had been sitting next to Jake, shifted uncomfortably.

Old age had definitely affected the state of the church. It's walls were covered with ivy and the rusting iron gates were stuck half open since the grass had grown wildly over the hedge. It was the best place that Luca could think of, since it was secluded and it would cover most of the army.. but the place also held a number of downs...

"Do you think they are here yet?" Asked Luca cautiously, glancing down at the shadowy driveway.

Jake sighed. He missed Donghae...

"There's only one way to find out" he muttered, and gave a small glance at Tanaka, "If his son values his life, I think he should be here by now"

Luca got out of the car and came around to open the door for Jake, when a flicker of a movement back at the church caught his eyes. Frowning, he opened the door with a soft click.

"Trouble?" asked Jake as he got out, and the big bodyguard's frown only etched deeper...

Out of the truck, the Falcons armed with rifle guns jumped out and immediately stood in a line infront of the gate. 5 of the selcted majors came and saluted directly at Jake.

"You know what to do" said Jake in a low voice, "Hold control, keep minimum resistance.. until the signal"

"Yes signor" they muttered in a low voice and disappeared inside the church with their men.

Luca glanced at Jake,

"Where's that brat?" He hissed, his fingers going to the rifle he was holding, "I swear if he-"

"He'll be here" said Jake lightly, a sudden lump forming on his throat with choked emotion,

"Let's hope" grunted Luca.

Jake glanced at his watch before turning towards Luca.

"Bring Tanaka, his son is here"

When Hyukjae entered the church, he was suddenly reminded of his parents teaching him; for the first time, what a catholic church was. He had been facinated by the elegant statues of angels, and the rows upon rows of pews that everyone was supposed to kneel while praying. Most of the memories he had were happy ones... But after his parent's death, he woved never to believe in God again...

The ancient altar was crumbling and the ivy and rose creepers had taken territory among the walls, the pews were smashed, with some missing entirely. Hyukjae glanced up to see a foggy multi-coloured glass dome from which a muffled ray of moonlight entered the hall. This place was an utter mess, but it did have a sinister kind of beautiy...

He was brought back to earth when he heard some one yelling,

'Apollo!' He thought unconsciously

"Signor!" Said one of the Falcon guards running over, "we found four captives"

Suddenly the ancient light system flung into life. It flickered inside the church in an eerie orange glow, enough for him to see who were caught by the Falcons. Jake glanced at Luca who was standing next to the rusting lever.

"Good work" he said and Luca simply grunted in acknowledgment. He was still sore about how risky Jake's plan was, but so far it seemed to be running on point... Luca let himself breathe a little.

Jake Maranzano walked towards the altar and stood before the glowering faces of Hisui, Clara and Kenz. The only person who looked happy enough to see him was Apollo.

"Jade!" Whispered Tanaka, struggling in the lead like arms of the Falcon holding him.

"Father!" Yelled Hisui Tanaka, almost going feral at seeing his father alive, "let me out Maranzano!"

Jake glanced at the old man and back at Hisui, Clara, Apollo and kenz, a slight smile escaping from his lips.

"Glad to see you to too" he said cheerfully, while Hisui just growled. Jake guessed that Hisui must've murdered him a couple 1000 times in his mind by now..

"Let's get this over with Tanaka" said Jake, "it's not just you I have to deal with today"

"Oh really?" Said Hisui, his voice dripping with sarcasm,

"Really" said Jake, suddenly serious, "we don't have much time, so better to do this quickly"

Luca cast Jake a worried glance.. who else is he going to deal with? He looked as if he was expecting trouble, getting all the Falcon troupes to come here. And WHERE WAS THAT dratted BOY?!

Suddenly, with cold dread, Luca realised what was happening, Donghae should be here by now no matter what, he might be waiting for Jake's orders, or...

Luca desperately hoped it was the former thought and that his mind was just overthingking, but Donghae's continuous absence, and that fact that he was Aiden Luciano, rightfully the leader of Cosa Nostra... Luca spat on the floor.

"Hyukjae" said Luca, and Jake turned with an incredulous look on his face becuase Luca rarely ever used his true name if he can help it

"Where is Donghae? I've a bad feeling about this" demanded Luca, clutching his gun more tightly. He wanted to know! Or else he would evaporate into space with anxiety!

Jake just cast him a sad little smile,

"Quit pretending Luca" he said tiredly, "you know exactly who Donghae is"

Luca was completely taken aback

"You mean you knew!?" He asked, shock coating his words. Jake nodded, much to Luca's growing amazement.

"Before you did actually" he said lightly and Luca shuffled closer towards him, out of earshot from everyone else

"It is not the time for this conversation Jake, but let me ask you one thing" rasped Luca in his ear, "why did you let him live if you knew he was Aiden Luciano?"

Why did I let him live... a slow smile appeared at the corner if Jake's mouth, THAT part was the hard one to explain... especially to someone ruthless as Luca.

"Let's put it this way Luca" whispered Jake, and Luca knew in an instant that he'd lost his argument, even before Jake spoke,

"Why did you?"

"Maranzano!" Yelled Hisui, who was still held by one of the burly Falcon guards, "Are we going to stand here all day till you have your little chitchat with your bodyguard?!"

Jake turned sharply towards him, his eyes glowing luminous in the dim light,

"Careful what you say Tanaka" he said in a low voice, "We don't want your family name out of exsistance do we?"

Apollo gulped nervously while Clara and Kenz glared at him.

"Release them" commanded Jake and the Falcons eased their grip on the four prisoners. Hisui was the first one to take a step forward, but he halted in his tracks when he saw Jake pointing the gun at him. Immediately, all the Falcon guards had the weapons trained on them.

"The pendant" said Jake.

Hisui nodded and slowly took another step forward, his hand clutching the circular pendant that glowed green in the dark yellow light.

Jake glanced at his watch, it read a quarter past two in the morning. He nodded towards Luca who; with a slight jab with his gun, sent Tanaka on his way towards Clara and the rest.

Hisui met his father halfway through his walk, although it was unbearable to be this close to his father yet so far away at the same time, Hisui did a good job on keeping his eyes trained at Jake.

Once when Tanaka was safely embraced by Clara did Hisui give the Luciano Jade pendant to Jake. He placed it carefully on Jake's outstretched palm, where the gold chain slipped through his fingers in a glittering cascade...

Jake had owned many Imperial jade pieces in his life... the instant he saw it, he knew exactly what this piece was...

He wanted to thank Jade, but his pride kept him from opening his mouth...

"It's upgraded" whispered Hisui,

"Run... get out of here" interrupted Jake, it was so unlike him to say things like this, but Hisui had seen this Jake when they first met. It was the best to obey him.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Apollo, Kenz and Clara escorting Tanaka away. Hisui glanced back at Jake, a gave him a slight nod, turning away to leave...

When the guard behind Jake fell dead at his feet. It was only a sound of a polite cough, but Jake new the sound of a muffled sniper gun when he heard one..

"What the-" exclaimed Hisui when Jake suddenly grabbed him by the neck and pushed him away like a rag doll. The ground exploded where he'd been standing a second ago.

"Laverè's always on time" grined Jake. Hisui stared at him, Maranzano already had the crazy look in his eyes, the same look he had the first day they met.

Gun shots echoed through the hall, as the Falcons formed a protective semi-circle infront of Jake. Luca stood directly infront of him. Shielding Jake's slender frame from all angles.

"Please tell me you planned this Jake" hissed Luca, while he rapidly reloaded his rifle..

Jake didn't answer, instead, he calmly walked forward, while the Falcons allowed a path through their ranks.

It was still dark near the entrance, and it was impossible to get a clear shot. Silently, he slid the short blade he was carrying into his palm

"Good lord!" said a voice Jake knew only too well. Laverè materialised a good 20 feet away from where he stood, behind her, to her left stood grim-faced man carrying a gun who was escorting a regal looking woman, and to her immediate right...

Jake's blood ran cold as he saw Donghae with his gun trained straight at his heart, with no sign of recognition in his clear brown eyes... once he clicked the bullet on to place, an entire squodron of Cosa Nostra guards trained their weapons at the Falcons...

"God damn it!" Swore Luca in Italian as he scanned a couple hundred Cosa Nostra guards, this was going to be a massacre!

Laverè's laughter drifted across the old tumbled down chamber as she stood beside Donghae,

"Aiden!, look who we caught!"