Opening Notes: the rule of Stands being visible only to Stand Users will not be in effect here.

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"This... this is a small fortune." Tatsumi gaped at the bounty Night Raid's latest customer had given them.

Leone grinned and nodded. "It took me a while to get proof, but yeah, women go into that hellhole, and nothing leaves. The guy who gave us this oh so generous donation says his girlfriend is dead because of some guy named DIO."

Najenda took a huff off her cigarette. Why so much just for one man's life? Losing family, I can understand but this is enough to buy a small castle... Exhaling, she came to her decision. "Night Raid will accept this offer."

Leone was ecstatic. She looked at the payment like one would the pearly gates.

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Books had always been an interest of DIO's, ever since he was still human. Part of him wondered how long it would take him to finish every novel in the library of his abode.

The words currently in front of him called themselves legends. But he knew they were so much more. "Red Stone of Aja..." For the briefest of moments, his eyes darted to the Stone Mask on the wall... and the indent on the forehead.

As he sat in his bed, turning the pages illuminated by candles rather than accursed sunlight, the voice of most loyal followers came from the other side of the door.

"Your Excellence..."

"Enter." His eyes did not drift from the printed words as the barriers gave way and a falcon flew through the opening and landed on his shoulder. Two men followed it in.

Ice, ever the sycophant, genuflected with his eyes to the floor, while D'Arby bowed deeply.

"We have visitors, master," the butler informed him.

Ice, per his own norm, was quick to jump into action. "Shall I eliminate them?"

DIO paused for a moment. He didn't read another word, nor did he look away from the book. "No."

The duo looked at him, D'Arby with curious surprise, Ice with utter shock.

"Lord DIO?"

The blonde vampire closed his tome and looked to his guard bird. "Make sure none of them leave, Pet Shop."

The right end of the avian's beak twisted upward into what could be seen as a smirk before flying off through the open doors.

DIO stood up and addressed his servant and zealot, both of whom looked at him with anticipation.

The would-have-been usurper of the Joestars brought both his index fingers to his teeth, and bit down on them.

D'Arby raised an eyebrow, curious to see where this was going. Ice looked horrified at his master being injured, even if it was by his own hand. DIO liked that about Ice. Loyal even past the grave. Perhaps... too loyal.

DIO removed his digits from his molars and showed the wounds. Already, they were healing.

"Look closely."

The two men obeyed. It took a moment, but it became clear. The left wound was closing slightly slower than the right.

"This body, biologically speaking, is not mine," DIO explained. "A century ago, my adoptive brother and I, DIO, had a... falling out. His name was Jonathan Joestar, and this body was his. For the last hundred years, I've been gaining control, perfecting myself. Now it seems I'm closer to that than ever... why not see just how close."

Ice did not like the idea of his master consciously going into danger... but he obeyed nevertheless.

DIO's amber irises drifted to the soul-stealer. "D'Arby. Show our guests the way inside. Nothing more. Nothing less."

The gambler's brother smiled and nodded.

"And Ice..." DIO walked over and placed his book back on its shelf. "Keep them... entertained."

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Mine looked through the scope of Pumpkin. Tatsumi and Leone had taken the precaution of activating their Teigu beforehand, so as not to avoid drawing attention with the screaming and the fire.

"Moron..." her sights focused on the caped armor. "... be careful." Not seeing any immediate danger, she removed her eye from the scope, giving her vision a momentary rest. Before she could do so much as blink, something caught her eye. Out of one of the mansion's windows flew a large bird. Was it a pet? A wild animal he had caught and then let go?

Mine shrugged, deciding that it hardly mattered.

Leone cracked the knuckles of her claws. "Looks like we're... climbing?" The front door opened, revealing nobody on the other side.

Akame gripped Murasame. "He knows we are here."

Leone shrugged. "Then let's go make ourselves at home." The trio walked to the door. "This is a very, very long hallway..."

Tatsumi pointed with one and readied his spear with the other. "Somebody's coming! But there's no killing intent..."

Sure enough, there was a person coming towards them, but as the stranger closed in, they all noticed something. He wasn't walking, but floating. As he smoothly approached, the three assassins took in the details. He wore a white suit, black shirt, and gold rings over his dark shoes. His hair, tall and green. The most offputting detail about him was on his face. From his forehead to his nose, and on his chin, were grey patches. Whether they were tattoos, body paint, or some sort of skin disease, none of them were sure.

Does he have a Teigu? Tatsumi wondered.

After a few moments, the man levitated to a spot in front of them and ceased his course.

"Are you DIO?" Akame demanded.

The man glanced at her, and gave a smile. "I give you greetings." He put a hand on his chest. "My name is D'Arby. Some call me D'Arby Younger but that won't be necessary. I am the butler of this mansion."

Leone laughed. "With that flying trick and crazy hair of yours, I'm surprised you aren't in a freak show."

D'Arby, it seemed, took no offense to that remark. "So... with Akame here... you all must be Night Raid. And you're going to attack me?"

Rather than a verbal response, the swordswoman gripped her blade with both hands and thrust it forward. Just as it was about to pierce and poison him, it stopped. Akame took a moment to put her surprise aside and notice something. From D'Arby's right shoulder, apparently, a third arm had sprung and gripped the broad sides of Murasame in its fingers.

"Such haste to attack a man who means you no harm," D'Arby said politely. "If you think I'm here to fight, or even stop you, I'm afraid you're sorely mistaken."

Tatsumi stared at the extra limb. So he does have a Teigu.

D'Arby's third arm casually flicked the venomous sword away before retreating back into him and he looked at the new wielder of Incursio. "That armor, you must be Bulat?"

Tatsumi gave no reaction, verbal or physical.

"No. Then you you stole it from him?" D'Arby asked, but his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

Tatsumi was thankful his helmet concealed his face, as it was then contorted with shock. How can he know I'm not Bulat?! Anybody who could is either me or dead! He has to be bluffing...

Leone was getting antsy by the lack of violence her evening had presented so far. "Listen, beehive. Why don't you just show us where your boss is, eh?"

D'Arby kept his friendly veneer, but inside his sadism was flaring up. Lively, the lot of them. Their souls will make fine additions to my collection after Lord DIO is finished with them. Their stories of killing will make Doctor Elliott's recollections as boring as paint drying.

DIO's butler gave them all a small bow. "By all means, you're guests of Lord DIO. Make this place your own."

Akame, despite still feeling no bloodlust from D'Arby, remained skeptical. "You're just going to let us in?"

Beneath D'Arby, the floor seemed to give way, revealing what the Night Raid trio thought was a dark vortex. "You all have no idea what you have gotten yourselves into," he said as he sunk into it. "The sun has set, on both the day, and your lives."