Standstill Bonds

Chapter 40 ~ An Emotional Awakening

Jotaro, Giorno, and Hiroshi practically flew out of the car once it pulled into the Kujo residence driveway, the moment they burst into the house, their eyes found Holly and Polnareff in the lounge. Holly clasped her hands together, hopeful anxiety etched into her face, while Polnareff wheeled his chair closer, hope flickering across his face.

"Did you guys do it?" Polnareff asked with an anticipatory tone.

Jotaro nodded and without wasting a second, he made his way to Josephine's room, the others following closely behind. When they reached her door, the Speedwagon Foundation doctors were already present, quietly attending to her. At the sight of Jotaro holding her Stand and memory discs, they stepped back, aware of what was about to happen.

Jotaro knelt beside Josephine's bed, the others holding their breath in joint anticipation. He gently cupped the side of her face, his hand steady as he carefully pressed the discs to her head.

-

In the void that held Josephine and Jolyne's souls...

The scene of Jotaro reinserting Josephine's Stand and memory discs appeared before them, playing out like a distant memory in this ethereal realm. Josephine's soul swelled with relief, joy flooding through her as she realized she was about to return. But as that relief settled, a deep sadness crept into her chest, dimming her joy.

Jolyne, noticing the shift in Josephine's demeanor, stepped forward. Her hands settled firmly on Josephine's shoulders. "What's the matter, kid?" Jolyne asked gently. "They did it. You're going home."

Josephine looked up at her, eyes full of gratitude, but a shadow of sorrow lingered. "I'm... I'm so glad. But..." Her voice wavered, and she looked down, her hands clenching into fists.

"But what?" Jolyne pressed softly.

"I feel like... I'm losing a friend," Josephine whispered, "You've been here with me through all of this and now you'll be all alone again. I'm really going to miss you, Jolyne."

"Kid, I'll miss you too, more than you know. But thanks to you, I've got something now I haven't had in five years; hope." She squeezed Josephine's shoulders, her grip firm but comforting. "I'll be okay."

"And listen," Jolyne added, her voice turning serious, "I know it's a tough ask, but don't tell my dad about this place or about me being here. Not yet, he's got enough on his plate. Let him focus on the fight and after it's all over, then he can know."

Unable to contain herself any longer, Josephine pulled Jolyne into a tight embrace. Jolyne, caught off guard only for a moment, warmly accepted the hug. In her confident and tough voice, she told Josephine to make sure to kick Pucci's ass. Josephine promised, vowing to free her soul from Pucci's shackles. The bond between the two, forged in this strange and ethereal realm, was a source of strength as Josephine prepared to return to the world of the living.

"Oh, and Josephine, one more thing. When you face Pucci, will you give him a message from me..."

-

The transition was disorienting for Josephine, caught between sensations of weightlessness and a heavy anchor pulling her down. In the void of blackness that surrounded her, it was hard to tell where her body ended and the emptiness began. Slowly, the steady beeping filtered through her mind, first distant, then louder, each pulse tugging her further into consciousness.

As awareness returned, a wave of stiffness and discomfort crashed into her. Her muscles ached, her limbs felt like lead, and her head throbbed with a dull, relentless pain. Her body had been still for two weeks, and the sudden rush of sensation was overwhelming. Her eyelids fluttered, as though trying to fight against the weight of sleep still clinging to her. Blinking slowly, her blurred and stingy vision gradually came into focus.