DISCLAIMER: I do not own JoJo's bizarre adventure or Rising of the shield hero
*SWISH*
Raphtalia swung her sword with tremendous strength, cleaving through the air without resistance. She had been doing this for hours, hoping to finish before breakfast. She was currently trying to master a sword stance, but all the ones she has tried have only inconvenienced her. Then again, that might be due to her not being used to her new body.
"Lady Raphtalia, breakfast is ready!"
One of Raphtalia's maid servants called out to her, standing near the entrance to the mansion.
"Coming!"
Raphtalia quickly examined her blade, smiling at it as she recalled the day DIO gave it to her, 'Pluck' is what he named it. Raphtalia sheathed her blade and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She looked to the rising sun and smiled as she walked towards her home.
Raphtalia entered the large mansion, she confidently made her way to the dining room. As she edged closer to the dining room, she could smell an extravagant meal that would surely pleasure her taste buds. Once she entered the dining room, she was met by the one and only DIO seated at the table. DIO anticipated her arrival and greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Raphtalia. I heard you were exercising the sword stances I suggested," DIO motioned for her to sit.
"Yes, actually, they were all very good, but..." Raphtalia stopped mid-sentence.
"They did not suit you, hm?" DIO calmly inquired as he held a cup of hot tea. Raphtalia felt a bit bad about that, seeing as DIO was the one who suggested them for her.
"Well...yes. I'm not sure why, but they didn't fit me at all," Raphtalia explained, feeling dejected.
"Worry not. Crafting one's own stance takes many years of dedication and self study," DIO said without worry, adding sugar to the bitter drink. DIO was trying a new herb the villagers had received days before.
"Years!?" Raphtalia gasped with a trembling voice.
"I am certain for you, it will only be a matter of weeks."
DIO's words lifted her spirit, if only a little, as the Waves Of Catastrophe were soon to arrive. She had hoped her stance would be perfected by then, but it seems that was just wishful thinking.
"I requested the chefs prepare you something special," DIO motioned to the tray on the table. Raphtalia uncovered it and found the best steak she had ever seen in her life. Her tail wagged as she sub-consciously drooled at the sight of it; it was almost magical. The slightly raw meat, while looking delicious, also brought back memories of when they first arrived here.
A Few Weeks Ago
Raphtalia jumped from building to building, following DIO as they fled from the inn. DIO had burned nearly everything within his room, leaving no trace of his stay. DIO remained quiet throughout, his face appearing as if it were made of stone. At one point, a dog laid in DIO's path, and he nearly crushed it.
"DIO!"
Raphtalia called out to DIO, prompting him to stop dead in his tracks.
"Where are we going," Raphtalia asked with worry. DIO looked over his shoulder at Raphtalia, his gaze was sharp and cut throat.
"To further our goal."
"What goal?"
"Building heaven."
DIO did not elaborate further and continued on, leaving the dog to sleep peacefully. Raphtalia was stunned for a moment before quickly following after DIO.
"Wait!"
DIO and Raphtalia slipped out of the castle town of Melrowmarc and travelled through the wilderness. The sun rose and beamed upon the two in excess. DIO had kept a constant pace all throughout, yet when he witnessed the sun, he stopped and watched it.
"Raphtalia, let us stop for now!" DIO shouted over to Raphtalia who had fallen behind hours ago.
"If *pant* you're tired *pant* sure!"
Raphtalia gave DIO a thumbs up and slowly dragged her fatigued body over to where DIO stood. When Raphtalia reached DIO, she stood in awe at the sight of the sun shining over the horizon.
"I never saw it like this!"
"?" DIO raised a brow at this statement, but soon understood what she meant: her body was in her developed form. DIO wished to ask her about it, but refrained.
"Listen, Raphtalia. When we were within the dreamscape, I could see your resolve, your passion, your wish to change the world."
DIO turned to look Raphtalia in the eye.
"Most of all, I saw your compassion. Together, we could not only reform Melrowmarc, but the entire world."
While DIO's words resonated with Raphtalia, she could not help but feel unsure.
"After what happened...why would you continue?" Raphtalia wondered as to the motivation behind DIO's actions, she did only know him for less than two days, and throughout all that time, DIO has been illusive and mysterious. All this in addition to what recently happened.
"All I seek is a purpose, a purpose grander than all others, to forge a proud legacy, one built upon the ideals of power and salvation for all. One capable of redeeming my previous...mistakes," DIO's eyes averted when he uttered those last few words. Raphtalia could hear the pure sincerity behind those words, and just like that, her trust in DIO had been restored. And DIO's words were indeed genuine: he hopes through his achievements, he can erase his failures, which he views with great shame. Raphtalia felt that if anyone was fit to correct the wrong of this world it's DIO, but she also felt that she was unfit. She stepped away from DIO, holding her shoulder with her gaze lowered to the ground.
"I can't, not after what happened. I can never trust myself to make the right decision. I can barely stand the sight of blood, let alone to hold the responsibility to end someone's life," Raphtalia confessed, all her previous mental strength having greatly diminished, making it even harder to use this new body.
"All that power, all that potential, all that passion! And you wish to merely throw it away! What happened was not only not your fault, but proof to the amount of sheer evil that exists throughout not only this universe, but all others!" DIO scolded Raphtalia for her decision, viewing it as her choosing to be useless.
"We can not withdraw now, that would make everything we have done useless!"
That's when it hit her: the DEATH 16 incident had not broken DIO's ideals, it had strengthened them. It was inspiring how DIO effortlessly bounced back from such a thing, he understood his mistake, and wished to put in the time to rectify it. She grit her teeth in frustration. She was conflicted and afraid.
"Please."
Raphtalia's eyes went wide, did DIO just say 'please'. No, she must have heard wrong, and it sounded genuine too. Damnit, DIO just knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Raphtalia turned to face DIO and clenched her hand into a fist, lifting it up to her chest and proclaiming.
"DIO, I, Raphtalia, swear on the lives of all those before, I will not rest until all evil has been eradicated! I will stand by your side no matter what!"
"Such vigor, unnecessary, but welcomed," DIO could see that his words got through to her. She was going to prove a valuable asset and potential sparring partner. Recently, DIO has picked up an affinity for overcoming great challenge, and Raphtalia was no different, he even learned plenty martial arts and fighting techniques with various weapons from reading many books. One thing that always interested DIO was the language used here, he seemed to understand it easily, and apparently, same with Jouta. He wonders if that is due to something unique about them or an inherit ability possessed by even the cardinal heroes.
"Though...where do we start?"
Raphtalia was curious considering the Melrowmarc situation.
"Well, a new base of operations is crucial and I have considered a few options, but I think the most optimal location would be Riyute village," DIO stated while pointing to the place in question.
"There is an abandoned coal mine nearby, it is filled with monsters, a perfect training ground and good leverage."
"What do you mean by leverage?" Raphtalia asked.
"You shall see soon enough."
The people of Riyute village trembled at the sight of DIO. His aura far more confident and powerful than normal. He walked through the town with authority. He soon approached a merchant on the street, his shadow covering the man's entire body.
"Sir, please inform your governor that DIO has arrived."
The man shuddered in fear, quickly obeying and running away. DIO smiled and continued to the coal mines. Raphtalia had been speaking to the locals and saw DIO scare the merchant. She approached DIO, following him.
"Did you have to do that? Hypnosis would have been more effective."
"Hypnosis is no permanent way of manipulating others. That is why breaking one's psyche is more effective."
After some time, the locals would believe those strange visitors were long gone and continued on with their daily work. However, the governor, who appeared quite young, soon arrived with a small force of soldiers. He begged the king for an army, but the king believed that it would be a waste since it might not even be true. The governor had all the inhabitants stay in their homes. The governor waited at the center of the town while the soldiers stood ready for battle. Suddenly a trumpet was sounded as two figures were spotted approaching the town. The soldiers gathered together with their swords and shields ready. The two figures slowly made their way into the town, it would seem the soldiers defending the entrance had done nothing to stop the two.
"I remember strictly commanding you to take the viper."
"So you could have the lion all to yourself."
The two people spoke, they were both giants within the 190 cm range. Both muscular and curvy, but it was definitely a man and a woman. The woman was a demi-human judging from the tail. The worst part about their appearance was the fact that they were both drenched in blood. The female had a lion's head on her head, while the male wore a large snake around his neck like a scarf.
"I told you he would not send an army, and yet they still attempt to resist. Humorous."
"It's a bit sad."
The two walked through the soldiers, who moved out of their way without hesitation. They soon reached the center of town, the man approached the young governor.
"I appreciate the welcome party, but I was hoping to speak with you alone."
The man known as DIO snapped his fingers and in an instant the entire group of soldiers were knocked out on the ground. The governor died a little at the sight, but attempted to keep his composure for the sake of the people.
"What do you want?"
"I merely wish to propose a deal."
"What deal?"
"Well, as you can see, the king could care less about this place. Even when it concerns the most dangerous terrorist in Melrowmarc, let alone the Waves Of Catastrophe."
"What's your point?"
"I could protect you, if you can accommodate me and my associate."
"Why would I help a terrorist! That's treason," The governor argued.
DIO took out a piece of Light Metal from his pocket.
"This material is extremely rare, a valuable resource for this community. Me and my companion have cleared the entire mine of monsters. You can now mine there to your heart's content," DIO explained as used that shard of Light Metal and cut his wrist. Blood spilled on the ground beneath them. DIO then dropped two seeds onto the ground, and in a few moments, two Elderberry plants grew.
"I have also found that this town lacks medicinal resources, and I know of many solutions to any illness or injury, not to mention an army."
The two plants then became twisted and corrupted, appearing dark and demonic. The two plants fought each other and sucked the life from the other, killing both in the process. To further prove his point, the snake around DIO's neck awakened and slithered to the ground, devouring what was left of the Elderberries.
"So, to conclude, Riyute could become an independent state?" The governor deadpanned.
DIO nodded his head and withdrew the snake, and it returned to his neck.
The governor was shocked by this strange man, he was saying he wished to provide incredible advancements to Riyute just for a place to stay. The deal was too good to be true, but DIO has shown how powerful and knowledgeable he is. But the governor still could not take DIO's offer.
"Why should I trust you?"
"Governor, if I truly intended to hurt this town's people," DIO grinned, "I would have slaughtered all of them in an instant."
The governor and DIO stood in a cold silence, both glaring at the other, as they exuded their authorities onto each other.
"Hey!"
Raphtalia interjected in their contest of wills.
"Just take the deal."
To convince the governor, Raphtalia standing with her arms folded over her chest, emanated her own aura, but not of authority, but pride. The governor was overwhelmed by the purity and strength of her aura; it was so good in nature, it generated a spiritual light that nearly blinded him. The governor scowled.
"I have one more question: why?"
DIO would be the one to answer.
"Simple, we believe in Riyute. That it could be a great nation. And all we want, is to help it reach that status."
"But why rebel against the country?"
Raphtalia stepped forward, tired of being quiet. She lowered her collar, revealing scars.
"We want you to help us unite humans and demi-humans, something the king won't agree with. To save other demi-human children from slavery, and continuing the cycle of hate. So please, help us, help them."
The governor was touched by her words. He then remembered someone he tried to bury within his memories. He spoke just like her. He was a true hero that gave his life for the governor.
"Fine. I'll help."
Raphtalia's face lit up and she jumped in joy, the blood on her spilling on the governor.
"Okay. Okay! How about we clean up first!"
"Oh, sorry," Raphtalia apologized.
DIO smiled and stretched out his hand to the governor for a handshake. The governor felt as though they were messing with him, but he shook DIO's bloody hand anyways.
"By the way, my name is Robert Eli Olds Stallion, but just call me Eli."
"That is quite the name."
"Sure, DIO."
"Fair enough."
It would seem our heroes were able to form an alliance with Riyute, meeting quite the interesting man as well. However, DIO had one odd thought floating around in his head.
"DEATH 16 stated that he took over the body of his DNA's equivalent. Does that mean there are carbon copies of people across the multiverse. If that is true, is there another DIO within this world?"
