A/N: This chapter was made possible thanks to My Heart of Blue. Thank you to all the supporters of this story: Hello2323, Sorry I Just Did, Evanescence456, Alix Jade, and RageRunsStill.

~Prologue~

Fiske Cahill, 1:55 pm Santa Barbara, California

As odd as his reputation was to most people in the outside world, Fiske Cahill held his breath and dunked his head into his swimming pool. Indoor and heated, of course. Although, it felt a bit strange to him, he needed some downtime from reality, like relaxing. And relaxing in his pool was something a Cahill of his power hardly ever did.

Weird was often the word any average stranger that's laid eyes on him used to describe a man of his age. Black clothing in the winter time, the summer time, fall, and spring. But they didn't know the half of it.

It was the Vespers. Actually, both the Cahills and the Vespers that have been tiring him out. While part of the Madrigals was trying to unite the family, the other part was constantly training and stopping only the most minor of Vesper attacks, which weren't that minor at all. Sometimes, both situations would happen at the same time. And Fiske, being the leader of the Madrigals, was always torn between which situation to attend to.

Fiske lifted his head out of the water and breathed deeply several times, forcing himself to calm down. Today was a day of relaxation, not fussing and worrying.

He thought again about his great niece and nephew, Amy and Dan. They were so much stronger than he. Even today. Amy even sometimes acted as the adult for him, while he shrank back into the shadows, where he was most comfortable. Where he belonged.

It was sad day to realize a couple of kids acted as better leaders. It made Fiske feel sorry for Amy and Dan, and angry at himself.

Fiske looked down at his own reflection in the water. He swatted at it, as if it would go away.

You utter failure.

A muffled voice sounded through an intercom speaker. Bob, his butler, spoke on the other end. "May I offer you some punch, sir?" he asked in his sophisticated and polite British accent.

Fiske punched the red little button on the wall and answered in a tired voice, "Well, what else is there to live for?"

"Very well, sir."

Fiske released the red button and rubbed his forehead. Somehow, he felt nervous. Today was not the right day for any type of relaxation.

Calm down.

He was not a child anymore. Grace is gone. The children have one more destiny to fulfill, and it was his job to make sure they do just that.

He submerged his head in the water once again, this time, concentrating on the sound of nothingness in his ears. Getting Amy and Dan through the clue hunt might've been a challenge, but relaxing seemed to be even more impossible.

Just when he thought he was finally relaxed, Fiske Cahill felt a hand tug hard at his hair that his head went out of the water and his whole body went flying across the room. He felt pain shoot up his head and his back as he hit the cold hard floor. He stood up weakly and blinked a couple of times to clear his vision.

A masked man was standing on the other side of the pool from him. Only now did Fiske realized that he was thrown across the room with one hand.

Suddenly, three masked people crashed through the windows and landed in front of Fiske. They charged towards him like the speed of lightning.

Vespers! Fiske thought in alarm.

But he reacted quickly. One Vesper that was charging towards him from his right had his foot in the air in a super kick that would land on Fiske's face in a matter of seconds. Fiske grabbed the Vesper's foot, and with all his might, threw him against the wall. Another Vesper coming from his left was the size of a giant boulder. He had his hand knotted into a fist, which was positioned to smash against Fiske's head. Fiske grabbed his arm and threw him down towards the ground. The Vesper landed on the edge of the pool and his weight tipped him towards the water. He landed in the water with a splash, just as another Vesper jumped across the swimming pool towards Fiske. Fiske kicked the Vesper the hardest he could manage. He landed in the water on his belly.

Fiske had managed to put down three of the Vespers in seconds, but there was still one more Vesper. He started towards the fourth Vesper agent in fury.

This. Has. To. Stop.

In the few moments he had before taking all the Vespers down, thoughts of Amy and Dan, the Madrigals, and Grace's hopes and dreams flew about in his head.

Then, a fifth Vesper hopped in front of him holding a gun. Fiske stopped running. The Vesper held up the gun to Fiske's head.

It was all ending here. Just when he started getting close to Amy and Dan, when he started doing something better with his life. He wish he could do more with his life.

It's up to Amy and Dan now.

The Vesper put his finger on the trigger.

And pulled.

In the kitchen, Bob heard several splashes in the water. Seems like Master Cahill has finally tried to enjoy himself and went swimming. He poured some punch into a pitcher and into a glass and placed them on a tray.

As Bob carried the tray and made his way to the indoor pool, he heard a loud bang, like a gun firing. Bob quickened his pace. He turned a corner and saw the giant canopy doors that led to the indoor pool.

Bob opened it and found shattered glass all over the floor. But it wasn't as horrrific as what was floating in the water.

Blood. And Fiske's body.

Bob widened his eyes. Then he smiled. He took his bowtie and put it to his mouth. He spoke into the microphone hidden inside it.

"Mission accomplished."