Chapter Text
In a split second, the outcome of the fight was determined. A split second was all Jotaro had to his advantage, yet it was enough to put an end to Dio for good. Star Platinum gathered all his strength into Jotaro's right fist, shielding it with his own and it finally struck the monster he was facing. Dio's counterattack missed. He was too badly wounded to recover, falling down to the ground.
But it was not over. Jotaro went after him immediately, wasting no time to finish the job. He could no longer think properly, hot, white and seething rage consuming his thoughts and burning in his veins. This was no ordinary anger. This was completely out of his control. Even if he wanted to, Jotaro would not be able to stop himself from going after Dio and killing him.
Never had he hated someone as he hated Dio.
But though he was furious, fear also threatened to overwhelm him. Everything depended on their group of friends, the fate of his mother and everyone else on the planet all stood at great risk because of this man Jotaro now tackled, forcing him down on the ground to deliver the final, killing blow. He was afraid. Maybe Dio was as well, but who cares? It was all his damn fault. Because of Dio, Jotaro could no longer sleep at night, pained by both physical and mental agony from the shit he had to endure just to get to Cairo in the first place. This anger was driving him mad, tearing him apart from the inside and out. This fear was becoming permanent in his heart, convincing Jotaro that it was too late, that he would die, that everyone else would die and it would be because he failed to end this fucking bastard's miserable fucking existence.
This thinking drove him closer than he should've gone. Right before Jotaro struck down, Dio grabbed the wrist of the other hand. The look in his eyes was furious, terrified, maddened all at once. Something was still driving Dio to fight for his survival. It was too late. They had moved faster than his Stand could, separating the two of them for a moment and leaving him vulnerable. It was too late to fight, so why wouldn't he just die…?
It all happened so fast that Jotaro scarcely noticed it. Dio was dead, truly dead this time. Jotaro had struck down with such strength that his enemy's head was crushed, unrecognizable. The sight made him feel sick, the feeling of blood and brain matter on his hands made the ground sway below him. Jotaro backed away in a daze, trying to control his senses and come back to reality.
It was over now. It had to be over now. He had somehow cheated the odds and survived. Dio was dead. They could all finally go back home.
As he thought this, the rush of adrenaline that had kept him fighting finally went away, making pain explode all across his body. Jotaro fell to his knees, groaning in pain as he hit the cobblestone. This was bad. Really bad. If he did not get this fixed soon, he would die as well. Was anyone going to find him before then? Kakyoin had been the closest, but they were quickly separated and there was no way for any of the others to keep up, not in stopped time at least.
Jotaro put a hand over one of the worser injuries, a stab wound in his side that was bleeding profusely. The smell was intoxicating, like poison in the air. It made him hungry.
Wait. Why would it-
Quickly removing the hand and looking down at the wound, there was no trace of the large cut left. The bleeding had stopped completely. It didn't make any sense, this was impossible. And why did the blood on his hands seem so vibrant, like Jotaro had never seen red before? Why was the city suddenly so loud in his ears, so bright and so alive with living beings that he could easily track down with his senses?
...This is not how I intended for things to end, but it is of no matter now. I will not die with my body! I shall live on!
The chill Jotaro felt was freezing the blood in his veins. That was Dio's voice.
"Where are you!? You fucking bastard, I'll end your life a second time! Come out and face me!" Jotaro yelled, getting up on unsteady legs to fight once more.
Jotaro, you fool. I am not "here". How could someone as moronic as you kill someone as great as I?
He spun around, eyeing each shadow, every perceived movement with suspicion. Everything seemed to be so unnaturally sharp and vibrant, giving him visibility in the dark, but Dio was nowhere to be found. His body still laid on the ground where he left it, unmoving.
Oh, why did it have to be my face? Such a gruesome sight. Look away, I do not wish to see this!
"Who the hell cares what you want? Show yourself! How are you still alive!?"
As he said this, Jotaro felt something sharp in his mouth. Stopping to feel what it was, and discovering what it was, it felt as if a ravine had opened up in the streets right below his feet.
It was fangs. Fangs like Dio's.
The voice was mocking him this time. Oh, did you not realize yet? I turned you into a far more suitable vessel for my soul, a vampire just like I. Hope you don't mind, because this is irreversible.
This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of illusion, a trick to confuse him. Jotaro was becoming disoriented from the panic swelling up inside his chest, restraining his breathing and his ability to think. This couldn't be real. How could this happen-
"Jotaro! You're alive!"
It was Kakyoin's voice. He was running towards the scene, relief drawn over his face and hope glimmering in his pale, violet eye as he saw Jotaro still alive, even if rather beaten up and disheveled. Did his eyes always radiate with color and detail like that? His bright red hair seemed to be on fire with colors, too, even at this distance. Kakyoin had a scent that was not physical, but still told him who he was, like it was a memory more than something you could actually smell.
Blood. Jotaro felt starved. He could practically feel the taste of still hot, fresh blood running down his throat as he took in the "scent". Something ferocious moved its head and demanded to be fed, to kill Kakyoin and drain him of all his blood.
"KAKYOIN! STAY BACK!"
Jotaro didn't mean to be so loud, but the thoughts in his head were scaring him, just like the physical urge to attack his friend.
Shame. His blood tastes delicioussss.
"Shut the hell up! What did you do to me!?"
"J-Jotaro? What's wrong?" Kakyoin said, seeing him act so strange and unlike himself.
At least he had stopped. That had probably saved his life. But now he looked at Jotaro with such heartbreaking concern, making him feel so guilty for shouting at him and demanding he stay back.
Did I not already tell you! You are a vampire, fool! Vampires need to drink blood in order to survive. You should tell him to get closer. It will make the pain go away.
"Kakyoin- I'm sorry, I-I have to go. You have to stay away, please! And everyone else too! Don't come after me!"
"Jotaro-"
Jotaro turned and ran with speeds he had never known before. It was not long before Kakyoin had lost him in the maze of the city. He did not realize he was crying until a teardrop hit his hand, finally slowing him down to a stop.
Where would someone like him go? And how could he do this, how could he run and hide like a coward?
...I really do not wish to help scum like you, but you ought to return to the mansion. It is safe from the sun's deadly rays. Hurry, it will be bright out soon.
Jotaro did not respond. So Dio was inside of his head, then. That feeling was the most horrible of them all. He felt like clawing at his chest, to reach inside and tear Dio out from wherever he was. Anger burned inside of him again. Jotaro shouted, turning to the nearest wall to punch it. The bricks cracked under his strength. Star Platinum didn't aid him this time, so that shocked Jotaro. For a long time he simply stood there, staring stupidly at the mark in the facade.
Are you deaf? Move, already! The sun will kill us both!
"...Then let it. I refuse to let you get away from justice."
Fine. If you intend to be this difficult, you leave me with no other choice.
Without warning, Jotaro's legs began to move against his will. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing! Stop this, right now!"
Do you long for death? Then maybe you should have died in my place! I want to live, and I shall live until the very end of time!
There was no strength left to fight. Jotaro was exhausted, both mentally and physically. Against his will, he headed back to the terrible, cold mansion Dio called a home.
Everything hurt so badly it was driving him insane.