Standstill Bonds

Chapter 39 ~ Into the Lion's Den

In the gloomy back halls of the church, Hiroshi and Giorno slipped through stealthily. The distant echo of Pucci's sermon provided a haunting backdrop to their search. The first rooms offered no sign of Josephine's stand disc, nor her memories.

Giorno, glancing around yet another room, asked, "Anything in here?"

Hiroshi shook his head, "No, let's keep moving. We need to check every possible place."

As they continued their search, Jotaro's voice crackled through their earpieces, seeking an update. Hiroshi, tense but focused, replied, "Nothing yet. We're still looking." The reminder of the passing time was no help to his anxiety.

The clock was ticking as Hiroshi and Giorno pressed on, frustration built with each room that yielded no results. As they continued, the distant voice of Pucci's sermon still ecchoed around them, persistently reminding them of the perilous nature of their mission.

Then, Hiroshi abruptly stopped in front of a door, his eyes narrowing. Giorno, momentarily unaware, halted and turned back, "What is it kid?" He asked curiously.

"This office is reserved only for the appointed Priest, so right now, it's Pucci's. It's locked though, I don't have a key."

Giorno told Hiroshi to step aside and with a quiet command, Golden Experience Requiem manifested, and as it touched the door handle, a transformation occurred. The latch morphed into a small snake, causing the door to gently push open. Hiroshi, freaked out by the transformation, stumbled backward and to prevent any unwanted detection, Giorno swiftly grabbed the snake.

Giorno, via the earpiece, updated Jotaro on their progress. "We're inside Pucci's office," he reported, "We're checking it now."

The office revealed itself to be a compact yet meticulously organized space. Shelves lined with religious texts and documents, a polished desk with neatly arranged papers, and an imposing, yet exquisitly carved crucifix hanging on the wall. The air inside had a distinct smell of old wood and jasmine.  Minutes felt like fleeting seconds as the two of them scrambled desperately in continuance of their search. An anxious Jotaro pressed for updates. "Time's running out." he reminded them.

Giorno, tense but determined, replied, "We're doing our best."

They opened every drawer opened with cautious hope, every corner was examined for a hidden compartment. Hiroshi's eyes darted around with pulsing anxiety, they needed to find Josephine's discs soon, or their window of opportunity would close, with the possibility of it not returning again. In a moment of mounting frustration and desperation, Hiroshi found himself grappling for a solution. In an internal prayer, he directed a silent plea to the divine, seeking guidance. His forehead furrowed and he pressed his fingertips to his temples, as if trying to extract an answer from the recesses of his mind.

With a sudden realization, Hiroshi's eyes snapped open. "Wait a second," he uttered, a spark of hope lighting up in his eyes. Giorno, sensing a breakthrough, inquired, "What is it?"

Hiroshi's gaze shifted upward to the large crucifix hanging on the wall. "Do you think you can reach that Crucifix? Be careful with it though, this might be Pucci's office now but we must be respectful, it's still the house of God."

Giorno nodded, ensuring he showed a respect for the sacred surroundings and for Hiroshi's faith. As he carefully reached up and removed the crucifix from its fixture, he found a softer section of the wall lay concealed behind it. A stretch of wallpaper, meticulously matching the colour of the surrounding surface. Hiroshi and Giorno exchanged glances before Giorno gingerly extended his hand, pushing through the disguised section, discovering a small horizontal crevice. Prying his fingers inside, Giorno retrieved a square package wrapped in delicate fabric.