Chapter Text
Without a second's warning, DIO's attack smashed through him, hurling him backwards into an unknown structure as Hierophant's tendrils, simultaneously slashed, fluttered like emerald ribbons out of view. Even as his vision blurred and his stand flitted across his line of sight, racing to brace for the impact, Kakyoin could see the smirk of his enemy, just as snide as their first meeting had been.
Hierophant reached their user too late, curling around him only a fraction of a second too late, as icy water gushed from the hole Kakyoin's body made in what they could now identify as a water tower. The clear liquid mixed with blood as the man gasped, shock setting into his bones as he spluttered for air. He dared not to look down; DIO had used his stand, and Kakyoin needed to discover the stand's ability; all he knew so far was that it was short-ranged and dangerous. But his eyes, still damaged from the desert, betrayed him as he squinted in the direction of the vampiric monster. It was no use; he'd have to analyse the facts he already had, rather than hoping for any new hints. And he'd have to be fast; he could feel the blood draining from his body, knowing he was moments from certain death. Think, Noriaki, think.
But his thoughts wandered to his family; to his parents, back in Morioh, who were hopefully asleep, not searching for their missing son still. To Ryoko, who he last saw only minutes before the fateful encounter with DIO, who was more a little sister than a cousin. Even to his aunts and uncles, horrid as they were, who'd be spending their time bitching about him in his absence. If he could turn back the clock, he'd never ditch his fellow crusaders, but he'd want to finally say goodbye.
Time was running out.
Time was running out.
Even with his blotchy vision, darkness setting in at the corners and tugging him to eternal rest, Kakyoin could make out the looming shape of the clock tower. He could hear the concerned whirring of his stand, but it had to be done; charging up a final attack, Kakyoin spluttered and spasmed, but Hierophant held steady as they could, firing off their final emerald splash, hitting straight into the target of the clock hands.
Bullseye.
His thoughts were of the crusaders as he faded from consciousness in the chilling embrace of his fading stand. He hoped to see Avdol and Iggy soon. But Jotaro, Polnareff and Mr Joestar? He could only hope he wouldn't be seeing them for a very long time; they were the last hope for the Joestar legacy.
He awoke to unfamiliar voices, a rhythmic mechanical beeping, and someone scribbling on a notepad. His eyelids were red thanks to some bright light overhead. Strange, that wasn't what he'd expected of an afterlife. He also didn't expect to hurt so much. Maybe, he thought, this is my punishment for all the lives we took along the way.
The people were still talking, muffled as they were, and Kakyoin was sure one of them called his name. He tried his best to pry open his eyes, only to shut them again as he made direct contact with a fluorescent ceiling light. He certainly wasn't expecting so much technology in the afterlife. Maybe there'd even be an arcade.
'... awake, potentially responsive...' Kakyoin couldn't focus on the words, already feeling his consciousness dipping again. Such a strange afterlife, he mused as his mind slowed to sleep.