Raymond (Gladius) POV

I was honestly caught off guard when Joestar approached me with a camera. I guess I should refer to him as Joseph now that we'd joined forces. Either way, he spoke and gave a strange suggestion.

"Say. Since you're part of our group, how about I take a photo of you. That way you can remember this little adventure." I raised an eyebrow and asked "Are you sure that's necessary?" 

Joseph blurted out "Of course, I'm going to take a spirit photo to find DIO's location anyway so we may as well." I sighed and said. "Fine."

The photo was taken of me in front of the hotel in Luxor. I just gave a thin-lipped smile as it was snapped. I looked at the photo for a moment before slotting it in my ancestor's diary.

Content with the result, Joseph finally got to work producing the spirit photograph. Our next breadcrumb...

Timeskip...

Cairo, at last! While I knew this, the spirit photo gave the others the final proof they needed. DIO was held up in a lavish mansion. We knew what it looked like, we just didn't have the location. So, that's what we'd have to find out.

Along the way, I conversed with the group. Looking into which of the nine Egyptian Gods were still left. N'Doul, Anubis and Mariah were instantly ruled out. Turns out Alessi survived mine and Mariah's tests but was taken out by Polnareff and Jotaro. I informed them about  Oingo and Boingo, seems they didn't even know they'd defeated them.

That left three more. Two of which I had encountered. Osiris and Horus. Used by a gambler and a falcon respectively.. The third I'd only heard about vaguely.

Our search lead me to a bar, the name of which I didn't even bother to find out. To say we were all on edge was an understatement. We were getting too close, DIO was unlikely to let us get any closer. 

Gyalzen waited outside with Iggy while the rest of us went inside. Even as the bartender asked us if we'd like anything, Joseph simply placed the pictures he had on the counter and said "There's something we'd like to ask you. We're looking for this building. Any idea where it is?"

The bartender refused to answer unless we ordered drinks so we got four iced teas. The man took one look at the photo and instantly said "Never heard of it." Everyone else said the same. We were about to leave when someone spoke. 

"I know where that building is. I'm rather familiar with it actually."

We turned to the source of the voice to see a man sat at the back of the bar. He laid out playing cards face down in a circular motion before flicking them upright. Joseph blurted out "Did you just say something? I thought I heard you say you know where this building is."

As soon as I got a good look at the man though, my expression fell into a scowl. He looked up at us, clarifying "I do know where that building is." The group stepped forward, excited as Polnareff said "Yes! I can't believe we just stumbled upon someone who knows where it is!"

And it was here I spoke, instantly pulling the attention of the group. "Don't even bother asking. He won't tell you just like that." I stepped forward, eyeing the man as I added on coldly. "Isn't that right. Daniel D'Arby."

Image of Daniel D'Arby:

D'Arby turned to me, giving me a calm yet smug grin as he said. "Hello Gladius. I wasn't expecting to see you here. Then again, I'd heard that you'd fallen in with a new crowd."

Polnareff asked me "You know this guy?" I nodded "Daniel D'Arby, gambler, card player... Stand user." As soon as I said that, the others' eyes went wide. D'Arby just continued to look between us.

"Well, there goes that reveal. I suppose the cat's out of the bag now. Yes, I am a Stand user. My Stand is the Egyptian God, Osiris. And as our mutual friend just said, I am also a gambler first and foremost. It's how I make my living. Tell me, are any of you gamblers?"

None of us answered except Joseph who said. "I don't understand what you're talking about." To this D'Arby held up a card and eyed each of us before proposing. 

"What I'm saying is, would you like to play a little game? If you win, I'll tell you the location of your building." To this, I snapped "I know your trick D'Arby, I won't let you sucker us in with another of your schemes!"

D'Arby ignored me, saying "It doesn't have to be poker, a bet can be anything. It won't take long. For example, take a look over there. See that cat?" He pointed to a grey cat a short distance away from us. I looked back to him, sceptical of his plans.

I knew of D'Arby and Osiris, I just didn't fully know what it did. I'd only met D'Arby the one time, only caught a glimpse of Osiris. Yet, I knew it was related to his gambling. D'Arby held up two pieces of dried fish and threw them out to the cat. 

It was now that he asked. "Two pieces of dried fish. Which will the cat eat first?" Before I could interject further, Polnareff blurted "We don't have time for your games! Just take thirty pounds and tell us already, bastard!" 

I sighed, "You're trying to bribe a Stand user." Joseph said "Raymond's right, if this guy is a Stand user. He's not going to tell us anything that easily." This made Polnareff cave in. He slammed his hand on the table and snapped "Fine, I'll take the bet. I pick the one on the right!"

D'Arby smirked, "Good! Then I'll bet the one on the left." Polnareff "And if I lose? What do I owe you?" At this, D'Arby's whole aura changed. I felt a shiver as I heard him saying "I don't need money. How about your soul? Yes, your soul will do fine."

At this, I remembered something. I once worked as a bodyguard for a businessman who was an avid gambler. Once he went out to play poker and never returned. I received a cheque for my service and never thought anything of it. Until now. 

Before I could complete my train of thought, D'Arby spoke again "It seems the cat has taken notice of the fish." The feline ran forward, at first it seemed like it was going to for the right piece, however at the last minute it darted to the left! D'Arby had won the bet.

He turned to us saying "Well, you all saw it. He took the left, then the right then ran. I win." Joseph lectured "Smooth moves Polnareff, now how are we gonna get information out of him?"

I said "Here's one way." I summoned Ace of Swords and had it draw a knife threateningly. D'Arby didn't flinch, nor did he even look at me. Instead he said "Now then, as per our agreement. Time to pay up."

Polnareff asked "Pay what?" To which D'Arby's expression became cold and malicious. "Your soul. That is what you wagered is it not? Gladius was right, I am a Stand user. One who steals souls. It's much easier to take people souls when they lose a bet. That's when my Stand swoops in to take its prey!"

It happened fast, in an instant a massive green figure emerged above Polnareff! It reached down and began to pull a blue translucent version of Polnareff from his own body! This had to be his soul! The ability of the Stand Osiris.

Image of Osiris:

Power: E

Speed: D

Range: D

Stamina: C

Precision: D

Development Potential: D

Me and Jotaro both stepped forward, preparing to attack however D'Arby warned "Hold it! I wouldn't kill me if I were you! It's too late! If I die, Polnareff will die too!"

The others rushed over to Polnareff, Joseph informing us "Polnareff! He has no pulse!" Our attention turned back to Osiris. It began to grip Polnareff's soul like dough, moulding it until all that remained, strangely enough, was a single poker chip, showing Polnareff's face.

D'Arby explained "THIS, is Polnareff's soul. Now, Lord DIO has one less enemy to get in his way. Fool should have listened to Gladius' warning." As if I didn't dislike him enough as is, something hopped onto his shoulder. The cat from earlier! With his smirk returning he said "Oh, by the way. This, is my cat."

Normally, I'd have said "What a lovely cat." I did love cats after all. However at this point, I remained silent, even though I didn't quite like Polnareff, D'Arby's dishonour angered me. Not as much as Avdol though who roared "You bastard!"

He rightfully accused D'Arby of cheating, however D'Arby was quick to justify that Polnareff was a fool for not considering all the options. He called gambling a 'dance of deception' again, not entirely wrong. He also reminded Avdol that killing him would resort to Polnareff's soul being lost forever. Which lead to me speaking. 

"And, hypothetically, could we win Polnareff's soul back?" D'Arby gave a chuckle. "Well, what do you know? Big scary Gladius already sucking up to his new friends." Rolling the Polnareff chip in his fingers, he said.

"How else? Make another bet with me. Win, I'll gladly return him to you. Lose, well you know what'll happen next. Here, let me show you something." He reached down and pulled out a large ring binder. The contents of which made me even more shocked than I already was.

Rows upon rows of poker chips! Each presumably containing a soul. D'Arby told us the story of one in particular, a man, his father and wife all of which he took at the same time. He then said to me. "Does this one look familiar to you Gladius?"

Looking to the one he was pointing at, I instantly recognised as the same businessman I'd once worked for. D'Arby said "I had fun collecting his soul. We had a likeminded way of thinking. A shame you couldn't be there. In his last moments, he boasted that I couldn't harm him because he had 'Gladius' as a bodyguard." His gaze shifted to all of us, as he said.

"As I said before, if you want Polnareff's soul back, you'll have to keep playing. You're all welcome to go, if you're scared. I'll just keep Polnareff here for safe keeping. Have a drink, think about it."

I was about to intervene, challenge D'Arby to a game of my own. However Joseph beat me to it. Stepping forward, he knocked D'Arby's binder off the table before placing a glass and a bottle down in front of him! He filled the glass up until it was almost overflowing. Almost.

Avdol asked "Mr Joestar, what are you doing?" I added "This isn't the time for a drink." Joseph quelled my doubts by pitching a game. Surface tension played a big role here, Joseph and D'Arby would take turns dropping coins into the alcoholic beverage. The first to make the liquor spill loses.

Avdol interjected "Y-you can't mean, Mr Joestar!" Joseph however remained firm, declaring "I bet my own soul!" D'Arby simply said "Good." Avdol warned Joseph "You know he cheats!" However Joseph reasoned "He can't cheat, I decided the rules! Jotaro, Raymond. Keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't try anything." We both nodded in agreement.

D'Arby inspected both the glass and the coins before agreeing. Promising to return Polnareff's soul on 'Gambler's honour'. He did however, ask "May I drop more than one coin?" Joseph nodded "Sure, as long as you drop them all at once."

What I don't think any of us expected was for him to pick up FIVE coins! With caution, he gently lowered the coins towards the liquid before dropping them in. The liquor rippled however ultimately, none overflowed. He'd survived that round.

On Joseph's turn, he chose to only deposit one coin. Upon doing so, I did notice that he'd squeezed a cotton bud between his thumb and the side of the coin, squeezing a small amount of stored liquid into the glass. Perhaps Jotaro also noticed, since we were both watching for cheating. I didn't expect him to cheat through.

I had to admire his plan, with that added liquid another coin meant it was sure to spill. Joseph had spared himself that, but it was D'Arby's turn now. Seems he'd noticed his odds as well as he clearly was stressed now. 

It didn't help that Joseph riled him up by calling him names like Barbie and Obi. The flustered gambler began chomping on chocolate as I asked "Are you alright D'Arby? Looking a little flustered my friend." My tone laced with false pity. D'Arby knew this, just like I wanted him to. It would pour salt in the wound.

D'Arby snapped "I'm fine." Before getting up "The shadow makes it difficult to see from here. I'll drop the coin from the right side of the table." Joseph replied "Drop it from wherever you want." D'Arby moved around and prepared to drop the coin. Before doing so though, he spoke.

"You're thinking the glass has reached its limit, that it's impossible right? Well you're wrong."

At this, the coin was dropped and we were shocked when true to his word, the liquid merely rippled. No spilling. The coin sunk to the bottom along with all the rest!

Joseph shot from his seat exclaiming "T-that's impossible! No! Why didn't it spill!" D'Arby asked with feigned innocence "What do you mean 'why didn't it spill'? I dropped the coin in." Jotaro even confirmed "He made no suspicious moves. I was watching with Star Platinum." I nodded, saying "Indeed. Perhaps you miscalculated."

Joseph stammered "N-no I-I..." D'Arby went and sat down at his seat. Pointing out in front of him and saying in a stern tone. "Go ahead, Mr Joestur. Hurry up, or are you trying to wait until it evaporates?"

Joseph reached for the next coin however you could tell he was shaken completely. His hands were tremoring and his breathing was ragged. He prepared to drop the coin only to retract his hand several times. Inspecting the glass over and over. 

And that's when it happened AGAIN!

Osiris manifested above Joseph's body, grabbing onto his soul. The game didn't seem to have ended but D'Arby shed some light on what had happened. "In his heart of hearts, Joestar realized he had lost. That is why his soul emerged. I, D'Arby have won this bet!"

It was just like with Polnareff, Osiris began melding Joseph's soul like dough. Avdol exclaimed "Mr Joestar!" Jotaro added "Old man!" I yelled "Sir!" 

With a clap of Osiris' hands, two chips now rested on the table. Each baring a different face. "Two down, now let's continue our game. Unless you'd rather leave these two behind and crawl off with your tails between your legs."

This riled Avdol up as he bellowed "You BASTARD!" He grabbed D'Arby and pulled him out of his seat! Even now, the gambler didn't even flinch, instead he spoke in the same composed tone "You still don't get it do you? If you kill me, your two friends die too!"

Jotaro spoke "Avdol stop!" Even the bar owner came over, saying "Hey, if you're going to cause trouble! I'll have to ask you to leave!" Jotaro shut him down saying "You stay out of this!" His words scared the bartender away. 

And it was now, that I spoke. "Wait Avdol, let me handle this."

Both him and Jotaro were caught off guard by this even D'Arby gave me a look of interest asking "What do you have in mind?" I simply smirked as I looked down at him.

As Jotaro figured out what I meant "This is none of your business, Gladius, Raymond, whatever the hell your name is!" I turned to him, giving him a fierce look as I spoke.

"Jotaro, you don't trust me. Neither does Polnareff. Make no mistake, we aren't friends. Not yet at least. However we aren't enemies anymore. You can trust me, and I aim to prove that by defeating this schemer."

Jotaro was silent, he stared at me for a moment, presumably reading me. Then he stepped back saying "Good grief. Fine, if you mess this up though I'll beat the crap out of you myself". I calmly nodded saying "Thank you Jotaro." I looked to D'Arby, I coldly said.

"Now then, what shall we play?"

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. Next will be Raymond (Gladius) vs Daniel D'Arby. I wanted him to fight at least one of the Egyptian God Stand users and D'Arby made the most sense narratively in the context of the book. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and as always, thank you for reading.