Gladius POV

It seems the old monk was already on to me. I can tell he'd be difficult to fight. I'd focus on him afterwards, the fact that him and Avdol had split up gave me the perfect opportunity. Cornering the fortune teller in a nearby alley, I placed one of my Stand's knives to his throat from behind and spoke.

"So, Lord DIO was right. Muhammad Avdol lives. It's been a while..."

Avdol turned to give me a wide-eyed sideways glance. "Gladius?" I let out a low laugh, "In the flesh. Though I must admit, when I first heard you were still alive, I was surprised. I'd thought Hol Horse and J.Geil could have been trusted for at least ONE task. But no."

My face shifted to a snarl "I could slice your throat now, fulfil what they could not. But... Where would the fun be in that?" I got rid of the knife and stepped back, allowing Avdol to face me properly.

I summoned Ace of Swords, had it conjure a scimitar which it pointed at Avdol as I ordered "Summon your Stand. I want to make this interesting. I've heard Magician's Red is quite destructive. I want to put that to the test."

Instead of obeying though, Avdol asked "You were following us in Aswan. How did you get here?" I replied with a malicious grin. 

"How else do you think? I came aboard the same boat as you. You know, my first encounter with another Stand user was the Stand Dark Blue Moon? I took a leaf out of its user's book, killed one of the boat's crew and assumed his role. No one batted an eye. Even your perceptive monk friend."

Avdol asked another question "How long have you been following us?" My grin only grew wider, almost Cheshire Cat-like. "Oh, I just happened to arrive in Aswan, tailing those annoying Oingo Boingo brothers. And they lead me right to you all."

"Oingo who?" Was all he asked to that, I replied "Exactly. Pathetic assassins, but they did their job. Now I can finish up what they started. Beginning with you. All for Lord DIO."

Avdol looked at me confused "Lord? From what I've been told, you never showed this sort of devotion before. Where did this come from?" This question was phrased weirdly as if he already had an answer. Yet he was asking anyway.

I spread my arms out, grinning "Lord DIO granted me the gift of his mercy. I failed him time and again and yet he chose to let me live. He told me I was still an asset to him. I cannot let him down! Now then. If you won't call your Stand..."

As I said this, Ace of Swords conjured a knife and prepared to throw it. This provoked Avdol to call out "MAGICIAN'S RED, RED BIND!"

With a screech and a burst of flames, his Stand manifested. Instantly raising its arms in the air. A swirl of fire built up around me, catching me off guard for a moment. The shock didn't last long though, soon being replaced by a returning grin.  

"Lord DIO told me you were the one who fought Polnareff when he was one of us. You must think that because you've beaten one sword-wielding Stand, you can beat the rest. Is that right?"

Avdol spoke "No, I'm well aware of how formidable you are. Mr Joestar got me up to speed on all his encounters with you. I know winning this fight won't be easy." To this, I glared at him from within the wisps of fire, saying "You won't be winning at all."

A scimitar was conjured in each of my Stand's hands. With a swift swipe from both, I caused the flames surrounding me to scatter. As soon as I was free from the flame prison, I dismissed the blades, instead throwing a flurry of knives.

Avdol countered by having Magician's Red shoot a barrage of fireballs from its mouth. The projectiles collided in mid-air. The fire burnt the knives to ashes which were blown away in the wind. This left us now stood face-to-face, our Stands active over our shoulders.

I spat on the ground before ridiculing the man. "Come on Avdol! Is that all your Stand can muster? A few weak wisps of flame? Feeble, pathetic! Show me what you can really do!"

Avdol's eyes narrowed as he made a faint "Tsk, tsk..." Before he spoke "You may regret saying that Gladius. I don't WANT to kill you or even badly injure you. But if you are so keen for my flames to engulf you and your Stand, very well."

As he said this, fire began gently emerging from Magian's Red's mouth before both Stand and user formed a cross motion in front of them. The fire concentrated together as Avdol yelled "CROSSFIRE HURRICANE!"

The fire took the shape of an ankh, an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph before it shot out towards me! I didn't falter though. Instead I kept both my grin and my footing.

"HA! I'm sure Joestar told you about my fight with Polnareff, you'd be surprised how similar our Stands are. And unless you count him removing his armour, our Stands are just as fast. I'm sure this may be familiar to you."

I summoned a two-handed battle axe into my Stand's grip. In a quick movement, it swung down cutting right through the flames. Due to speed of the swing, I not only cut the flame, but also the pocket of air in a thin streak.

The fire was sent off to the sides as well, doing little more than add light charring to the walls on either side of us  as well as incinerating some nearby litter. I used this flash of fire to make a move. My Stand leapt up and behind Magician's Red.

As the fire cleared, Avdol noticed this, looking around asking "Where did it go?!" He noticed it straight away, however before he could order Magician's Red to attack, the axe was gone, in its place was a knife with a long rope attached to the tip of the handle.

Ace of Swords twirled the rope around like a lasso before throwing it. Keeping hold of one end, the rope with the knife lanced out, going in for a stabbing attack. Magician's Red easily avoided it, however I spoke calmly "I was hoping you'd do that."

I hadn't intended for the knife to hit, however I had thrown the rope in a way that it began to curve. Wrapping around Magician's Red's body, effectively tying it up. The force in which I'd thrown it with also caused it to wrap around my opponent a few times.

My Stand returned to the ground as I laughed "HAHAHAHAHA! Like my new trick? Before now, I wouldn't have thought to use this trick. But thanks to Lord DIO's advice, I will do anything to achieve victory! Now..."

Ace of Swords kept one hand on the rope, the other raised up and conjured a knife. I explained "In just a moment, I'll throw this knife right between your eyes. I shall succeed where Hol Horse and J.Geil failed."

As I threw the knife, I yelled "DIE AVDOL!" Avdol didn't panic though, instead he looked me straight in the eye and spoke calmly. "Surely you didn't believe a piece of rope could hold me."

Before I could even react, Magician's Red let out a shriek! Fire burst out and within an instant, the rope was burnt to cinders! The knife still hit its mark, but not head-on. Instead of being a lethal blow, it now only skimmed the Stands cheek, reflecting the injury on Avdol.

He wiped the blood away with his hand, complimenting "Your Stand's precision in incredible. I could tell that you were caught off guard by my actions and yet even with that loss of focus, you still managed to hit me. An inch to the left have been lethal."

I glared at the fortune teller before snapping "I'm glad you're impressed. But rest assured Avdol that it will not happen again." I'll admit, Avdol's next comment caught me off guard. 

"I must ask you Gladius, why do you still serve DIO? Normally I wouldn't ask this of an assassin. But after everything that's happened, you continue to serve him. What happened when you went back to question him?"

For a moment, I closed my eyes, my forehead began to sting. However I made no indication of it to Avdol. Instead I replied. 

"What happened was that Lord DIO opened my eyes to the truth. I failed him time and time again. Failed to kill Kakyoin, failed to kill Polnareff, Jotaro as well. And yet, he let me live. Gave me one last chance. I can't face him again with failure. Not after all he's done."

Avdol sighed "I see then. Shall we end this?" I snapped "With pleasure." At this, I instantly had Ace of Swords conjure two axes, one in either hand. Avdol wasted no time going on the offensive. Calling out "RED BIND!"

The flames swirled around, engulfing me once again! However I instantly disbursed them by spinning the axes around. Avdol crossed his arms and again, I knew what to expect as he yelled "CROSSFIRE HURRICANE!"

I asked rhetorically "Is your Stand so predictable?" As the blazing ankh shot out, I threw the axes like boomerangs. They criss-crossed and collided with the blames, cutting through them and causing a burst of fire.

Avdol ducked to avoid being decapitated by my projectile weapons, I did the same to avoid my face being burnt. As soon as we both recovered, not a moment was spared before we sprung right in to attack once again.

I had Ace of Swords summon and throw a bunch of knifes, Avdol had Magician's Red launch another blast of fire, at first I thought he was going for the same trick again, calling "CROSSFIRE HURRICANE!" However before I could comment, he added "SPECIAL!"

The ankh shot out like normal for a moment before splitting off into several. They spun around before launching towards me. Avdol took this moment to explain. 

"My Crossfire Hurricane attack comes in more than one form. My Stand Magician's Red allows me to control the flames it creates freely. I was able to divide the single larger ankh into multiple smaller ones. With them, I'll be able to counter your knives and strike your Stand."

Not only did my Stand need to dodge, but I had to move out of the way myself to avoid one of the ankhs. Avdol's attack had certainly done its job. However in his movement, he'd left an opening, and a chance to strike.

My Stand conjured a sword and lunged forward at Magician's Red. The fire-based Stand did manage to have a reaction, it turned as let loose a small burst of flame. I narrowly managed to summon a shield. 

Even so, my arm began to develop a burning feeling. I quickly slashed the blade out, cutting Magician's Red across its lower side, not inflicting a lethal injury but enough to tip things in my favour. 

Both our wounds were reflected on our bodies. I clutched my arm as the burning feeling continued, while a cut appeared across Avdol's side. He placed both hands on the injury and glared determinedly at me.

Briefly looking to the injury, I turned to my opponent. "Well done Muhammad Avdol, you've managed to inflict a greater injury to me than Polnareff and Kakyoin combined. For that, you have my praise."

My expression then twisted, I felt like my eyes were bulging from my skull as I grinned "I shall take great pleasure in telling Lord DIO of your demise! There's no escape this time, DIE!" I lashed out with the sword one last time.

Only for my Stand to abruptly be struck in the face by an unknown attacker!

It wasn't Avdol, no, it didn't do as much damage as an attack from his would. This was a weaker Stand. Looking up, I was given my answer.

The elderly monk Gyalzen stood opposite me. Both him and his Stand had their palm extended in a palm-thrust attack. He soon shifted his attention off me and addressed Avdol.

"I could see your flames glowing in the alley. Are you alright Avdol?" Despite the wound in his side, Avdol replied calmly. "Yes Mr Gyalzen. I'll be fine." The monk nodded before shifting to me again. 

His glare felt like it was piercing my soul as he spoke "So, you are the assassin Gladius. The one I'd been warned about. Judging by Avdol's state now, I can see those warnings were well-placed. Your Stand must be formidable."

Both him and his Stand entered mirrored stances, resembling snake-style Kung Fu. My eyes widened as steam hissed and spewed from all around his Stand. Soon the alley was clouded in a veil of it.

"I will be your opponent now. Come at me and show me what your Ace of Swords is capable of."

Normally, I'd have done exactly that. However instead I weighed my options. Avdol wasn't completely out of the fight, there was a chance he'd intervene. And his Magician's Red was already proving difficult to fight. 

True, I had the upper hand against him alone. But partnered with this Gyalzen and his unknown steam-related Stand. My chances were slim. I wouldn't go back to report failure, but I would be biding my time. Waiting to strike again.

I spoke "Perhaps another time. But for now." I instantly threw out a barrage of knives aimed at both Avdol and Gyalzen. The monk's Stand wasted no time, countering. It seemed the monk didn't even care as both his and his Stand's arms were cut as they deflected the blades.

This was my only chance, as I had many times before, I ran as fast as I could. My breath was laboured as I still held on to my slightly burned arm. It would recover, but what really got my angry was that I was once again forced to retreat. All because of that wretched old man!

No more! This would be the last time! I would follow, watch and wait. Gyalzen would leave their side at some point. And the next time he did, he would be my target of focus. 

Mark my words. I would not fail Lord DIO! Gyalzen would be the first to meet his end by my hand!

Gyalzen POV

As the assassin vanished out of the alley, Avdol stepped forward. "We have to get after him! If he escapes he'll just ambush us again later down the line! MAGICIAN'S RED!" His Stand manifested and instantly extended its hands out.

Flames manifested, taking on a bizarre shape, pointing out in six directions. Avdol explained "Behold, my life detector flames. With this, I should be able to track Gladius from here." He began guiding the flames out of the alley and straight away, they went haywire.

Avdol grimaced "Damn, there are too many pedestrians. I can't single him out." I approached alongside him, speaking calmly "Then we wait, if he returns then we shall cross that bridge then. No sense worrying now."

To that, Avdol nodded "I suppose you're right. Come, let us regroup with the others. We need to tell them what has happened." I agreed with a hum.

I had a feeling this wasn't the last time I'd be meeting this 'Gladius'...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. I may as well say now, this will be the last time Gladius retreats from a fight with the Crusaders. We will also be going back to Gyalzen's POV for the time being now. I really hope you enjoyed and as always, thank you for reading.