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

Chapter 48: Two Stands of a Similar Nature

Raymond (Gladius) POV

It must have been utter pandemonium up there! After Kakyoin was killed, I saw both Joseph and Gyalzen retreating with DIO in hot pursuit. I could do little more than follow them on the ground.

What came next was presumably the fight between them. I wasn't able to make out anything from down here. However it soon took a turn for the worst. 

I saw a cloud of steam form atop the building, definitely from Gyalzen's Stand. However as quickly as it formed, it was disbursed. My eyes widened as I saw Gyalzen being flung from the top of the building, he had a bleeding wound from his head.

He was barely saved by Joseph's Hermit Purple pulling him back up. Only a few seconds passed before it was Joseph's turn to be flung from the building. He just about managed to recover himself with Hermit Purple, but even so, it was clear he was injured. Some bystanders thought it was pretty funny.

I called out "Mr Joestar!" And was about to help when I noticed DIO leap from atop the building, in addition to that, Jotaro showed up as well, calling out "Old man!" Upon noticing us both though, Joseph went into a panic, relaying a warning.

"STAY BACK BOTH OF YOU! Don't come near me! The World controls TIME! It's a Stand that can stop TI-!" He didn't even get to finish his sentence as DIO called out "THE WORLD!"

What happened next went by in an instant.

Before Joseph could finish what he was about to say, DIO had gone from descending from above us, to right in front of him. A knife suddenly appeared from no where, stabbing into his THROAT! 

Joseph collapsed to the ground, for a moment I was too shocked at what had suddenly happened before I was finally able to move. As did Jotaro as he once again called out "Old man!" And tried to approach, only to be stopped by Joseph.

His voice was weak, however I just barely heard his warning to his grandson. "S-stay back! R-run! J-Jotaro! Don't go near him... K-keep your distance..." As he spoke, I saw the remnants of Hermit Purple extending from his hand. 

As he continued "S-stay away. S-stay away... H-he's invincible..." The vines withered away into dust and he fell limp. His eyes rolled back and it was clear what had happened. DIO stood grinning at Jotaro as he explained.

"I've already taken care of Kakyoin and Gyalzen. Polnareff must be hiding somewhere. But it doesn't matter." He raised his hand and pointed "You're next Jotaro. And after that, I'll dispatch you, Raymond."

I tensed up in anger, thinking about Joseph's warning. If I was interpreting it right, we were dealing with a time-manipulating Stand. It made sense given everything I'd witnessed up to this point.

The stairs, the coffin, how he'd defeated Kakyoin, Gyalzen and Joseph was no difficulty whatsoever. What could I do? To say my fear had returned was an understatement, but I wasn't about to heed Joseph's warning.

I snapped "You BASTARD!" And had Ace of Swords throw a knife in DIO's direction. The World effortlessly deflected it, it stabbed into the ground at my feet. 

It seems Jotaro wasn't going to heed the warning either as he was heard roaring "DIO!" As DIO's attention remained on him, he mocked "Oh? You're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me. Even though your grandfather Joseph told you the secret of The World."

Jotaro retorted "I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer." To this DIO laughed. "Oh? Then come as close as you'd like." With that, he stepped forward as well, I was about to intervene however Jotaro spoke.

"Stand back Raymond, this is a personal fight now." DIO remarked "Yes, stay back. It makes it all the more amusing when you come at me one at a time. It's as if Joseph and Gyalzen were the only two smart enough to fight me together. A lot of good that did them."