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

Chapter 49: The Endgame Play...

Raymond (Gladius) POV

"Ah Raymond, you finally act. Very well, I shall humour you..."

In an instant, DIO appeared on the ground a short distance from me, a malicious smirk across his face as he spoke "I had wanted to finish off Jotaro first, given the similar nature of our Stands. But if you're so eager to die, I won't stand in your way."

I said nothing, instead I summoned Ace of Swords and began preparing my Iron Maiden attack. My Stand began conjuring and juggling an assortment of bladed weapons. Gladius swords, rapiers, scimitars, axes, knives and spears, all bouncing between its hand.

DIO noted my silence. "Not a word out of you? So, you want to go quietly then. Can't say that I blame you, in the presence of me, DIO and The World. I can imagine you're pretty speechless. HAHAHA!" He let out a laugh before he began to walk.

Why didn't he just stop time now and attack? Why did he waste time building suspense? It was clear he was toying me. Each step only made my nerves more on-edge.

He drew closer and it was now my life flashed before my eyes. I once again wondered if it had been chance that I was born a Stand user. Or was it fate, planned from the moment I was born. 

Perhaps it was the actions of DIO's brother all those years ago that ensured I would be here now. Facing down the very Vampire who'd try to have my ancestor killed. Had my bloodline's fate become intertwined with the Joestar's.

Then again, it had taken me this long to get to this point...

Flashback...

I'd first awakened my Stand when a man tried to rob me in the street. I'd wanted the man to go away and my Ace of Swords answered, stabbing him through the head. I never told anyone what had happened that day, but it was an event that stuck with me.

I was haunted by his bloodcurdling screams. Ace of Swords appeared many times in my life before I gathered that it was seemingly an extension of myself. I spent time learning what it was capable of.

As soon as I was old enough, I left home and travelled England, looking for work, looking for possible answers. I started small, helping small-time gangs with my talent before moving on up. Though I often refused assassin jobs due to my memory of that thief's death.

A few years ago, I found myself working for a major crime syndicate in Las Vegas. I'd been hired as a bodyguard by the group's leader, an irritating and cowardly man who ran an underground operation. It was on this job I met, HER.

She was around my age, wasn't one of his employees. Just a patron at the establishment my employer owned. Suffice it to say, we got talking. 

"Aren't you a little young to be working security for some big-shot?" That was literally the first thing she asked me. I'd had people comment on my age before so that wasn't new. I even came up with a default response for it.

"You'd be smart not underestimating me ma'am." Usually, my stern demeanour would be enough to deter people, but not this woman. Instead she remarked "Oh really. Then perhaps you'd be willing to buy me a drink then."

And that was how I met Sylvia, we became friends quite quickly and agreed to stay in touch. Which we did, for a good three years. Occasionally meeting up, even long after that job had ended. Until one time, I received a letter from her.

Inside was a picture, a picture of a new-born baby boy. 

I didn't need to be told, I knew what she meant. I flew back to America to see her and the baby. I learned that he was named Sylvester. Fitting, Sylvia naming our son Sylvester.