The Blade's Edge (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders x Male O/C)

Chapter 5: The Hierophant's Web

Gladius POV

I knew my way to the pool from my earlier search for an employee uniform. So it didn't take me long to find my way back there. Upon pushing the doors open, I saw him, there he was sat on one of the sunchairs with his eyes shut.

Noriaki Kakyoin, the first the Joestar group to meet their end by my hand. I almost felt bad for the guy. However that didn't stop me from approaching him and speaking up, still playing the role of a member of hotel staff. "You found it, good. Is everything to your liking sir?"

Kakyoin's eyes opened to see me stood there, my hands behind my back. I had summoned a knife into one of them, not allowing my Stand to fully manifest though. On the chance he noticed it.

It seemed only Stand users could see Stands so if I approached with Ace of Swords at my side, he'd see right through me. Instead I simply used its ability to have a dagger appear in my hand behind my back and tucked up my sleeve.

Kakyoin smiled "Yeah, thanks for the directions." I bowed "No problem. You and your friends seem to have had a busy day." Kakyoin chuckled "Oh you don't know the half of it. Lots of travelling. Takes it out of you. You understand right?" That made me chuckle as well, not because it was funny, but because I knew the real reason he was tired.

"Yeah, I can understand. Especially when it feels anyone could be out to get you." As soon as I said that, my eyes widened, I went red and I nearly used the knife in my hand to stab myself in the head! How could I be so stupid?!

Internally, I was bubbling with anger at myself. However it slowly dissipated when Kakyoin appeared not to notice my slip-up, he just continued to laugh a bit. I had to revaluate my plan. Catch him by surprise. I hastily said "Right, just wanted to be sure you'd found your way here. Enjoy your stay."

With that, I was about to leave when Kakyoin suddenly called "WAIT!" Turning to him, I saw his expression was now one of scepticism. "You mentioned feeling like anyone could be out to get us? What did you mean by that?"

I stammered for a response, eventually settling on "When you arrived, you all seemed a bit tense. Like you expected someone to jump you. That's all." DAMN IT! That's the best I could do?! Of course it didn't work. Kakyoin continued to eye me "I'm sorry. But I know none of us looked tense when we arrived. How did you know we were being pursued?"

With that, I had no choice but to drop my façade. My expression turned to a blank, emotionless one as I asked "Why else do you think?" In an instant, the knife I'd tucked up my sleeve was flung in Kakyoin's direction!

He just about managed to dive out of the way causing the projectile to hit the sun-bed and destroy it. Kakyoin quickly got to his feet again and turned to me to see Ace of Swords appear over my shoulder. His expression became one of shock as he asked "You're a Stand user?!"

I tossed the hotel uniform aside, thankful I'd kept my usual attire on underneath. My tone of voice was my usual serious one. Though not a cruel as it was speaking to Devo. I gestured to my Stand and spoke.

"Allow me to introduce myself. You may call me Gladius, my Stand represents the Tarot card Ace of Swords and it named as such. As for its ability, you shall get a good look at that shortly. Heh heh." I laughed to myself before continuing. 

"You know, I was a bit anxious that I wouldn't be able to get one of you alone. Devo already got Polnareff, however I knew I couldn't take the rest on myself. I had to wait until one of you was separated. You just happened to be my first target." 

Kakyoin seemed focussed on a particular part of my statement. "Polnareff-." I finished "Another Stand user is in his hotel room. Waiting to strike." Kakyoin seemed panicked and took a step forward, as if he was about to rush to help his friend. However I wasn't going to let him retreat.