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

Chapter 34: Gladius VS Gyalzen

Gladius POV

"So, we meet face to face once more Gladius. This time though, I will not let you escape."

"Who's running? I aim to finish this once and for all."

Without waiting for a reply, I had Ace of Swords summon a handful of knives which were promptly thrown at the elderly monk. His Stand appeared in an instant and managed to deflect each of my projectiles.

Of course, he'd seem me use my knives numerous times before. He was a sharp one, it seems. I scowled at him, before saying "Seems you knew what to expect from me in this situation. But I assure you, my Stand is well equipped."

Gyalzen didn't flinch, instead his eyes remained trained on me. Not that this was a problem, I wasn't about to be intimidated by an old man! I conjured a pair of axes and just like I'd done with Avdol, I threw both of them in a boomerang motion.

Old Gyalzen managed to evade them as well, flipping backwards and actually managing to kick them both in mid-air sending them both off course. He regained his composure and maintained his firm stare.

Slowly he assumed a stance, resembling Kung Fu. His Stand mimicked his movements, coming to the same stance, steam slowly emanating from his body. He spoke coldly.

"I'm ready for you. Shall we begin?" 

I snarled, spitting angrily "There's nothing I'd like better." At this, I manifested a rapier similar to that of Silver Chariot and wasted no time thrusting the pointed blade forward!

Much to my anger though, he parried. Both user and Stand moved in perfect sync with one another. Lashing their palms out. The point did hit its target, causing a narrow trickle of blood to appear in Gyalzen's palm.

This didn't matter though, as soon as the rapier collided with his palm, a jet of steam was shot out in retaliation. The jet was so strong, it launched my Stand back, I narrowly avoided being flung from the building. Suffice to say, the weapon was blown from my hand, promptly disappearing.

It was instantly replaced by a pair of scimitars which I lashed out with. Gyalzen's Stand had rapid reflexes though, it managed to dodge and evade each attack, only occasionally parrying by striking with its arm.

With each missed attack, my anger only increased. That was until I got lucky. I swung one of the blades around, which of course, he dodged. However the second slash came around and managed to catch the Stand on the arm.

The damage was reflected on the user, a similar cut appeared in the same place. Again though, this only served to make me more angry as Gyalzen, this elderly monk didn't show any sign of anger or fatigue himself. Instead he just remained calm, with his eyes trained on me.

I snapped "How, how are you keeping so calm?!" To this, he responded bluntly but not necessarily rudely. 

"In my youth, I faced the ultimate being. A mortal who possessed the genes of every living creature. In that encounter, I experienced true fear. I have nothing to fear from you Gladius. Don't take that as an insult. It is merely my truth."

His words did anger me, however I didn't react with rage. My anger had blinded me in the fight up to this point. Just this once, I closed my eyes and began to chuckle. 

"I see. That makes sense. I'll level with you, I nearly got carried away for a second. Rest assured, I won't make that mistake again." Gyalzen maintained his stance as he spoke "Very good. Let's get this over with."

If that's what he wanted. The scimitars vanished and were replaced with a spear which I thrust forward, aiming right at Gyalzen's face! Page of Cups moved to the side to avoid it before countering with a kick aimed at my Stand's stomach area.