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

Chapter 29: The Hospital Visit, Taking the Next Steps

Gyalzen POV

After that eventful car trip. I was glad to finally have arrived at the hospital. Seems Avdol was up and about at least, Kakyoin, not so much. He wasn't blinded, that was a bonus. But he wasn't fit to leave yet.

As we, including the REAL Jotaro, not a fake one, crowded around his bed, he asked "Any improvements to your injuries Avdol?" To which, he replied "Yes, but I'm relieved to know you will be alright Kakyoin." 

Kakyoin shrugged, informing us "Well, luckily my cornea wasn't damaged. So they expect me to make a full recovery." I smiled "I'm pleased to here that Mr Kakyoin." He began telling us a story from when one of his classmates got hit in the face with a baseball. A funny tale. But he also told us something more relevant.

"The bandages will come off in a few days. I'll catch up with you later. It's eight hundred kilometres to Cairo, and DIO... Everyone, you must be vigilant." It was him saying this that triggered my memory of what I'd seen an hour or two ago.

Going back down to the main reception, Polnareff asked in annoyance. "What language is this hospital bill, Arabic? It's so confusing!" He continued complaining about the numbers all looking different, causing Avdol to take a look and explain. 

"The amount we owe is-." He didn't get to finish his sentence as he was abruptly cut off as Polnareff cried "46,350 Egyptian pounds?! That's insane!" It was now that I finally chose to speak what was on my mind.

"Listen, all of you. I need to tell you something." Joseph looked at me confused "Huh? What is it?" I leaned forward, saying "Please sit down first. I'll tell you." Once we'd done that, I began my explanation.

"When we chased Iggy from that café, I saw someone. A man, probably around Polnareff's age. Watching us from the side of the road. He didn't blink and when he knew I'd seen him, he walked away. I thought not much of it at first but what Kakyoin said reminded me. We need to remain vigilant."

Avdol asked "What did they look like? That way we'll know to look out for them." I paused for a moment, remembering the man's features as I described them. "He didn't dress like the others here, he looked English, maybe American. He had short black hair and wore a long black coat, similar to Jotaro's jacket, just not as detailed."

It was with that last detail, that I got a strange reaction. Polnareff went ghostly pale, Jotaro's eyes widened, Avdol muttered "What?" And Joseph asked "Are you sure?" I nodded "Yes, I remember it clear as day now."

They all looked at one another, before Avdol asked. "Mr Gyalzen sir. Did the man give any indication to his motive? Any facial expression or body language that could give any clues?" 

This time I shook my head. "No, his face seemed vacant, his eyes holding no signs of life. That's what it seemed at least. I only got a glimpse though, he left before I could see for certain." For a moment we went into silence. Avdol spoke up again "This could mean many things."

They all turned to me with Joseph explaining "It seems Gladius may already be following us again." I thought back to what I'd briefly heard before "He was one of DIO's assassin's yes?" Joseph nodded.

"Yes, and he wasn't one you could underestimate. His Stand, Ace of Swords had the ability to create a wide array of weapons that could be used for either close quarters combat or for throwing. He followed us all the way from Singapore to Pakistan. Jotaro, Kakyoin and Polnareff have all fought him already."

I asked "And what makes him so dangerous if I may ask?" Joseph answered "Because, in one on one fights he actually DEFEATED Kakyoin and Polnareff. Had we not intervened, they may have been dead by now." Polnareff scoffed and rolled his eyes at this.

This lead me to stating "And he may be here right now." Joseph nodded "Exactly. Though I didn't think he'd find us this soon." Avdol was the one to now ask "But didn't Kakyoin say on the submarine that you left on pretty good terms?"

Joseph responded "No, he offered to bury the hatchet for one night and by morning he was gone. According to Kakyoin, he'd gone to question DIO about that diary of his, I'd like to know what it meant myself, but none of us know how that confrontation went."

After that, the conversation ended with him saying "My point is, if he is still after us, then he's just as much of a threat as the nine Egyptian Gods." I nodded in understanding, finally caught up to speed as I said "I see, thank you for explaining."

That's when we were caught off guard by a bunch of people crowding around Iggy outside, Polnareff tried to intervene only to be lunged at again. With that happening, the conversation was dropped however I noticed Joseph and Avdol share a glance...

Timeskip...

After the visit to the hospital, we travelled by boat, along the River Nile to the town of Kom Ombo. Once there, Polnareff moaned "Do we really have time for this place?" Avdol sternly told him "Quit moaning, they've allowed us passage on their ferry. We must show them respect."

Polnareff continued to complain that he was hungry to which Joseph gave him some of that coffee gum. Joseph turned to the rest of us, asking "By the way, where can I find a bathroom?" To this Avdol replied "Shall we investigate?" 

I nodded in agreement, saying "That would be best, yes." With that plan on our minds, we all walked away from the dock area. I'd only realised we'd left Polnareff alone with Iggy... And he had gum... I felt bad for him.

After walking for a few moments, we reached a T-junction Joseph suggested "How about we break off in pairs. Me and Jotaro can go left, Gyalzen, you and Avdol go right. We'll meet back at this junction in an hour." Avdol agreed "Sounds good." Jotaro added "No complaints here." I just bowed and said "Very well."

And that's how I ended up with Avdol, walking the streets of an unfamiliar town. Though that wasn't what made me uncomfortable, no, from the moment we split up, I got the nagging feeling we were being watched. 

After a few more minutes of this, Avdol noticed "Are you alright?" I decided to be straight to the point. "We're being followed. I suggest WE now go our separate ways." Avdol looked at me surprised asking "What, why?!"

I explained my reasoning "Whoever is following us is more likely to make a move if we are on our own. Make sure not to stray too far though, that way we can quickly back each other up." Avdol smirked "You've thought this out, I'm impressed. Okay, I'll follow your lead."

That was all we said, I kept walking straight, Avdol however ducked into an alley. It was now a matter of seeing what would happen...

Avdol POV

Walking into an alley, I knew I had to keep my wits about me. Gyalzen was a trusted friend of Mr Joestar. He wouldn't lie about something like this. I just had to trust  that his plan would work.

And I knew it had, when suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could turn around, I felt a knife being held to my throat. From the knife's design, I could tell who it belonged to. There voice gave it away, it seems Gyalzen's warning was worth it.

"So, Lord DIO was right. Muhammad Avdol lives. It's been a while..."

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter, the next chapter will hopefully be a fun one. I really hope you enjoyed and as always, thank you for reading.