Author's Note
This chapter is a little different. The Final Night Approaches is all about the quiet before the storm—the tension, the fear, and the bonds that hold us together when everything feels uncertain. It might not have the usual action or spectacle, but I hope those who read it will find something special in its stillness and emotion.
If you're here for the big battles, feel free to skip ahead. But if you stay, I promise there's a quiet kind of beauty in these moments—one that means the most when the night feels darkest.
Thank you for reading and for sharing in these quieter, braver moments with me.
***
The room was thick with silence, broken only by the soft flicker of candlelight. Elara sat on the edge of her bed, knees pulled close to her chest, trembling hands clutching a thin blanket. Her eyes, wide and bloodshot, were fixed on the swirling mist outside the window, a living shroud pressing against the glass. The sweet, cloying scent of lilies, once just a fragrance, now felt like a suffocating presence. This wasn't just another night; it was the new moon. Tomorrow, the Bride would come for her. The thought sent a fresh wave of icy dread through her, making her teeth clatter.
Enma lay quietly at her feet, muscles coiled but calm, while Regalus stood guard near the door, his crystalline antlers casting a faint, protective glow that pulsed almost imperceptibly, mirroring the frantic tremor in Elara's spirit.
Around her, the team gathered tightly, an unspoken vow to not leave her side. Yume stood by the window, arms crossed, his sharp gaze cutting through the swirling mist outside. Even his usual stoicism seemed brittle; a deep shadow lay in his eyes, and the muscle in his jaw worked subtly. He was Batman, yes, but even Batman knew fear when the lives he protected hung by a thread.
Cana sat close to Elara, Sea, the immense black wolf, curled protectively at her feet, its fur bristling slightly at unseen currents in the air. Cana's usual carefree swagger was gone, replaced by a grim set to her jaw. Her fear was a hot, protective anger, a desperate need to shield Elara from what was coming. Viperion—too massive to fit inside—coiled silently in Cana's shadow, his glowing eyes the only sign of his presence, a low, guttural rumble occasionally vibrating from his coiled form.
Levy perched on a chair nearby, notebook forgotten as she watched Elara with concern. Her mind, usually a fortress of logic, felt frayed, exhausted by the relentless search and the chilling discoveries. Her fear was the dread of the unknown, of the pieces they still missed, of failing a friend. Sky paced softly around her, its low whines almost inaudible, and Croakus rested close, alert to every sound, his skin prickling with the oppressive stillness of the manor.
The tension was suffocating.
Elara's voice was a ragged whisper as she finally broke the silence. "Tomorrow… the new moon. That's when she'll come for me. I... I can't... I don't know if I can do this." Her body shook uncontrollably, the raw terror evident in every line of her frail frame. "What if she takes me like she took the others? What if there's no escape?"
Cana's fingers tightened around Sea's fur, her own hand reaching out to squeeze Elara's trembling one. "We won't let her, Elara. We're ready. Whatever happens, we face it together. You're not alone. None of us will let you face this by yourself. You're stronger than you think."
Yume's voice, though low, was firm, cutting through Elara's panic. "The curse needs a living link. We've found the family, but not the name. Time is running out, but we are closer than ever. We will find it."
Levy's eyes, though heavy, flickered with determination. "We have to. There's no other option."
Yume stepped closer to Elara, sensing the storm of fear beneath her fragile calm. He knew words alone wouldn't cut through it. He needed a different kind of strength. He lowered his voice to a soft, steady tone. "Elara, do you want to hear a story? Something to take your mind off the darkness, even if just for a little while?"
She blinked, hesitant, then nodded—a small, fragile motion.
Yume glanced at Elara, seeing the stark terror in her eyes as the night pressed in. He sat a little closer, voice low and steady, drawing the others' attention. He met Levy's anxious gaze, Cana's fierce worry, and offered a subtle nod of reassurance, a silent promise to see this through.
"You know, Elara," he began, "there's a series of legends I always found strange and inspiring. They're about a family called Joestar. Every generation, they faced curses, monsters, and enemies that seemed unbeatable. Fate itself tried to crush them—over and over again."
Levy looked up, curiosity flickering in her tired gaze, a welcome distraction from the weight on her shoulders. Cana paused her restless shuffling, her eyebrows raised, curiosity piqued. "Curses and monsters, huh? Sounds familiar."
Yume nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "They called their adventures bizarre for a reason. No matter how hopeless things got, they never gave in. One JoJo fought a vampire who could stop time. Another challenged destiny itself, refusing to let his friends or family fall. Even when the world seemed stacked against them, they found a way—through courage, wit, and the bonds they shared."
Yume's voice settled into a steady, storytelling rhythm. "This is a saga, a multi-generational battle against the bizarre, but it's always about one thing: how friends help you defy fate."
***
The Joestar Legacy
"It all starts with Part 1: Phantom Blood. You have Jonathan Joestar, a true gentleman, whose life gets twisted by his adopted brother, Dio Brando. Dio becomes a vampire, and Jonathan has to master Hamon, a sunlight-based energy, to stop him. It's the beginning of a long, bizarre conflict."
Cana's lips curled into a grin. "Vampires and sunlight punches? Now we're talking. Sounds like our kind of chaos."
"Next is Part 2: Battle Tendency, where Joseph Joestar, Jonathan's grandson, takes the stage. Joseph's a quick-witted trickster who finds himself up against the Pillar Men, ancient beings responsible for the Stone Masks. He uses his unpredictable nature and Hamon to outsmart seemingly invincible foes, always relying on his sharp mind and allies like Caesar Zeppeli."
Levy nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Brains over brawn. I like this Joseph already. Strategy over brute force – that's something I can appreciate."
"Then comes Part 3: Stardust Crusaders. This is where Stands —physical manifestations of one's fighting spirit—are introduced. Jotaro Kujo, Joseph's grandson, discovers he has a Stand, Star Platinum. He has to travel across the world to defeat a revived Dio, who now has his own incredibly powerful Stand, The World, that can stop time. It's a journey fueled by vengeance and the desperate need to save his mother."
Elara leaned forward, eyes wide, a flicker of understanding in them. "He went across the world for his mother? Even if it meant facing something that could stop time?" Her voice was still fragile, but the terror had a momentary pause.
Yume nodded. "He did. And he wasn't alone."
"After that, it's Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable. We follow Josuke Higashikata, Jotaro's illegitimate uncle, in his quiet hometown of Morioh. But Morioh isn't so quiet; it's filled with Stand users, and Josuke and his new friends have to find a dangerous serial killer named KiraYoshikage who's hiding in plain sight, wanting nothing more than a peaceful, murderous life."
Levy's brows furrowed. "A killer hiding in a small town… That's the scariest kind. The invisible threat, lurking where you least expect it."
"Then we go to Italy for Part 5: Golden Wind. Here, Giorno Giovanna, Dio's son—but with Jonathan Joestar's body as his father—dreams of cleaning up the Italian mafia. He joins a gang to take down its mysterious boss, Diavolo, whose Stand, King Crimson, can erase time itself. It's a brutal fight for control and ideals within the criminal underworld."
Cana let out a low whistle. "Taking on the mafia? That's guts. My kind of fight. No holding back."
"Finally, there's Part 6: Stone Ocean. JolyneCujoh, Jotaro's daughter, is framed and sent to prison. She awakens her Stand, Stone Free, and must fight against EnricoPucci, a fanatical follower of Dio, who seeks to create a new universe based on Dio's twisted vision, accelerating time to achieve his goal. It's a desperate race against fate to protect humanity itself."
Elara's fingers tightened on her sleeve. "Even in prison, she kept fighting… to protect humanity?" A spark of admiration in her voice, pushing back the despair.
Levy's eyes lit up. "A race against time, rewriting reality… That's incredibly high stakes. The ultimate paradox."
"Now, things get truly bizarre with a new universe in Part 7: Steel Ball Run. This is a cross-country horse race across 1890s America, where JohnnyJoestar, a paraplegic former jockey, learns about Spin and Stands from GyroZeppeli. They hunt for scattered holy relics, facing off against the President of the United States, Funny Valentine, who can manipulate parallel dimensions. It's a story of redemption and finding purpose."
"And currently, we're in Part 8: JoJolion. This takes us back to an alternate Morioh, where Josuke Higashikata (a different one!) is found with amnesia and strange physical traits. He tries to uncover his identity and solve the mystery of a miraculous fruit called the Rokakaka, all while battling enigmatic 'Rock Humans' who manipulate a unique form of Spin. It's a complex, family-driven mystery."
Cana gave a mock shiver. "Amnesia, monsters, and weird fruit? That's about as bizarre as it gets. Sounds like a Tuesday for us. We've seen worse."
***
"Now, while every part of JoJo is incredible, some journeys truly show just how far courage and friendship can go. Let me tell you about Stardust Crusaders, Golden Wind, and Steel Ball Run."
"First, Stardust Crusaders." Yume's voice grew more intense. "This is where Jotaro Kujo, stoic and unbreakable, travels from Japan to Egypt to save his mother's life. His enemy? Dio Brando, returned from the depths, now wielding the ultimate Stand, The World, able to stop time itself! Jotaro isn't alone. He's joined by his grandfather Joseph, the loyal Avdol, the clever Kakyoin, the wild dog Iggy, and the brave swordsman Polnareff. What makes this journey so special isn't just the sheer variety of Stands they face – powers that could do anything from controlling water to manipulating luck – but the way every battle is a puzzle.
Jotaro wins not because he's the strongest, but because he's the calmest under pressure, always thinking one move ahead. The team faces betrayal, loss, and the truly bizarre, but their unwavering bond carries them through. Their journey is about friendship, sacrifice, and the sheer will to stand up to evil, no matter how terrifying. Each fight, a strategic dance of death and ingenuity."
Elara's posture eased, hope flickering in her eyes. "They kept going, even when it seemed impossible… like we have to. For each other."
Levy's voice was soft, her gaze warm as she looked at Yume and Cana. "I'd travel to the ends of the earth for you guys, too. It's always the bonds that truly matter."
Cana gave a lopsided grin, nudging Levy gently. "Just don't make me fight a vampire dog. Though I probably could, if you needed me to."
"Then there's Golden Wind," he continued, a hint of passion in his tone, his eyes reflecting the unwavering resolve that defined the story.
"If you want to know what it means to stand up against the entire world, look at Giorno Giovanna and his team in Golden Wind. They weren't just fighting a corrupt mafia—they were fighting the very system that ruled the streets of Italy, a world where evil had already won and everyone else had given up."
He leaned forward, voice low and fierce. "Giorno and his friends—Bruno, Mista, Narancia, Abbacchio, Fugo, and Trish—knew the risks. Every step they took was against the flow of fate. Their enemy, Diavolo, could erase time itself, making all their efforts meaningless. The world was stacked against them, every ally a potential traitor, every victory paid for in blood."
"But what set them apart was their resolve. No matter how impossible things became, they refused to back down. Bruno led with compassion and courage, inspiring loyalty even in death. Mista faced his fears with a smile. Narancia fought for the family he'd found. Giorno, with his dream of a better world, turned every loss into fuel for hope. Even when they stood alone, hunted by the very organization they once served, they chose to move forward together."
Yume's voice softened, but the conviction in it was unmistakable. "In the end, Golden Wind is about staring down a world that says you can't win—and answering, 'I refuse.' It's about fighting for your ideals, even when the world itself tries to erase you. That's the power of resolve: to face the storm, to challenge fate, and to change everything—simply because you refuse to give up."
Levy's eyes glistened. "I wish I was that brave. The idea of fighting for an ideal against everything… it's powerful. It's truly inspiring."
Cana nudged her. "You are. We all are, when it counts. It's just a different kind of fight, Levy. One we're in right now."
"And finally, Steel Ball Run," Yume's tone became almost reverent. "This is perhaps the most profound of all. It's set in a whole new universe, following Johnny Joestar—a broken, paraplegic jockey—who enters a cross-country horse race across 1890s America. His companion is Gyro Zeppeli—a flamboyant master of the Spin technique, a mentor, a friend, and the one who teaches Johnny to believe in himself again.
Their primary enemy is President Funny Valentine, who can manipulate parallel worlds, and the mysterious Diego Brando. Steel Ball Run isn't just about the race or the incredible Stand battles—it's about redemption, profound sacrifice, and the very meaning of moving forward in life. Johnny starts out lost and bitter, but through Gyro's guidance and the relentless trials of the race, he finds his own strength and learns what true courage means. The battles are as much about the mind and spirit as about any Stand or Spin technique. Every ally, every rival, every loss shapes Johnny into a true hero, showing that sometimes, the greatest victory is simply finding your purpose."
Elara let out a shaky breath, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips, dispelling some of the fear. "He found hope, even when he thought he was broken… that's like what I feel now." Regalus's antlers pulsed, its glow intensifying slightly, as if in agreement with Elara's growing resolve.
***
The Antagonists—The Forces of Fate
Yume glanced at Elara, seeing the lingering fear in her eyes. He spoke softly, his words weaving through the candlelit gloom.
"You know, in those Joestar stories I mentioned, the odds weren't just bad—they were impossible. The enemies they faced weren't just strong. They were the kind of evil that bends fate itself, just like this curse tries to twist ours."
Levy looked up, curiosity flickering. Cana set her cards aside, listening, her usual bravado replaced by genuine interest.
Yume continued, "There was Dio—a man who wanted to become a god. He started as nothing, but his ambition was endless. He turned himself into a vampire, stole another man's body, and gained the power to stop time. Dio was cunning, ruthless, and he always seemed one step ahead. But even he was brought down, not by strength alone, but by the Joestars' will to fight together."
Elara shivered, her fingers curling tighter around her sleeve, but she didn't look away. The memory of the Bride's whispered threat in her ear from Chapter 19, "Your love will be mine, just as hers was. Soon." resurfaced, a cold dread.
He glanced at Enma, then back to Elara. "Then there was Kira, a man who wanted nothing but a quiet life—but his idea of peace was twisted. He hid in plain sight, destroying lives with a touch, always slipping away just when you thought you had him. But Josuke and his friends never gave up, never stopped searching for the truth, and that's what ended Kira's reign."
Cana grinned, a dark edge to her amusement. "I'd like to see that guy try to hide from us. He wouldn't last a day."
Yume's eyes narrowed, remembering. "Diavolo, the mafia boss, could erase time itself—make his enemies' actions meaningless. He ruled from the shadows, terrified of being discovered. But Giorno and his crew fought through betrayal and death, turning the enemy's own power against him." Viperion, from Cana's shadow, let out a low, guttural rumble, a sound of primal aversion to such manipulative power.
Levy's jaw set with determination. "Sometimes you have to fight darkness from the inside out. Uncovering the unseen strings is vital."
"Enrico Pucci," Yume's voice grew grave. "He wanted to create a universe where everyone knew their fate—no surprises, no hope. He could accelerate time, bring about the end of the world. But Jolyne and Emporio refused to let him decide their destiny. Even when everything seemed lost, a single spark of hope changed everything."
He leaned forward, voice steady. "Valentine, the president, could move between worlds—he believed only he deserved victory. But Johnny Joestar, broken and desperate, found the courage to stand up, again and again, until he won."
Cana let out a low whistle. "Standing up to a president? That's next level. Hope he had a good lawyer, or a lot of luck."
"And Toru…" Yume's voice dropped, a hint of unease. "He was different. He hid behind others, using unseen forces to twist fate. No one knew who he really was until the very end. But Josuke, lost and searching for himself, never stopped fighting for the truth, no matter how strange or hopeless things became." Sky let out a soft, almost imperceptible whine, pressing closer to Levy's leg, as if sensing the unseen threat in the story.
***
The Allies—The Heart of Every Victory
Elara's eyes widened. "How did they do it? Against all that?"
Yume smiled gently. "They never fought alone. There were friends."
Yume's voice softened as he continued his story, the candlelight flickering across his thoughtful expression.
"It wasn't just the Joestars who fought against fate. They had allies—friends who stood beside them, no matter how bizarre or hopeless things became."
He glanced at Elara, then at the rest of the team, as if drawing strength from their presence.
"Take Speedwagon, for example. He started out as a street thug in London, but after meeting Jonathan, he became one of the Joestar family's most loyal friends. He never had supernatural powers, but his courage and loyalty never wavered. Even when he couldn't fight on the front lines, he built the Speedwagon Foundation—an organization that supported the Joestars for generations, always working behind the scenes to help them survive."
Cana grinned, a spark of admiration in her eyes. "Sounds like the kind of guy you want in your corner. The ultimate backup, always there."
Yume nodded. "Then there was CaesarZeppeli. He was proud, stubborn, and sometimes reckless, but he fought with everything he had. He and Joseph clashed at first, but their rivalry turned to deep friendship. Caesar's sacrifice gave Joseph the strength to keep fighting. Even in death, his resolve lived on."
Levy smiled softly, squeezing Elara's hand. "Even the bravest need someone to believe in them. Someone to make the ultimate sacrifice, if necessary."
Yume smiled softly. "Polnareff. He lost his family to evil, but he never lost his sense of justice—or his sense of humor. He traveled the world with Jotaro and the others, facing danger with a laugh and a sword. No matter how many times he was knocked down, he stood up again."
Yume's eyes warmed. "Koichi was one of the youngest, but he had a heart bigger than anyone. He started out timid, but he grew into a hero—always standing up for his friends, no matter how scared he was. He helped Josuke uncover the truth about their town's darkest secrets."
Yume's voice deepened slightly, a knowing, almost reverent look in his eyes as he spoke. He seemed to be seeing something beyond the flickering candlelight, perhaps the unwavering spirit of the capo he admired.
"Bruno Bucciarati wasn't just a leader; he was the very heart of his team. As a mobster in the powerful Passione gang, he held a deep sense of justice and was fiercely against the drug trade that plagued his city. He treated his squad members not just as subordinates, but as his family, offering them a meal and a chance to join him when they first met. Even when his body was failing him, he pushed through sheer willpower, demonstrating an incredible resolve to protect his friends and fight for what was right. His Stand, Sticky Fingers, allowed him to create zippers on anything, making him incredibly strategic and versatile in combat. He was always thinking, always planning, and never backed down, even when the odds were impossible and he literally had to defy death."
Yume nodded. "Emporio was just a boy, but he survived horrors most adults couldn't imagine. When everyone else was gone, he found the courage to stand up to fate itself. Sometimes, the smallest spark can change everything."
A faint, almost wistful smile touched Yume's lips. His gaze softened, reflecting the warmth. There was a hint of amusement in his expression. "And then there's Gyro Zeppeli. He was a flamboyant and often arrogant individual, a royal executioner from Naples, who entered the Steel Ball Run race for a very personal reason: to free a young boy from execution. He was a master of the Spin technique, using steel balls with mysterious, powerful properties. While he might have seemed rude and cocky at first, Gyro had a strong sense of justice and a surprisingly goofy side, often making puns and silly songs. He became Johnny Joestar's mentor and closest friend throughout the grueling race across America. Gyro didn't just teach Johnny how to use the Spin; he taught him how to overcome his own despair and believe in himself. Gyro's strength wasn't just in his formidable skills, but in his profound ability to inspire and make others stronger, proving that guidance and belief can be as powerful as any physical ability."
Yume looked around at his own team, his voice steady. "These allies weren't always the strongest or the bravest at first. But they became heroes because they never gave up on their friends—or on themselves. That's what makes the difference, when fate tries to crush you."
Cana grinned. "That's the kind of crew I want. Ride or die."
Levy smiled, squeezing Elara's hand. "It's always the bonds, isn't it?"
Elara nodded, her fear melting into hope. "So… as long as we stand together, we have a chance?"
Yume smiled, the tension in the room easing just a little. "Exactly. That's the real legacy of JoJo's allies. No one wins alone."
***
The Curse of Dio
Yume's voice grew thoughtful, his gaze distant as he addressed the heart of JoJo's saga—a truth that shadows every generation:
"You can't talk about the Joestar legacy without talking about Dio. He's not just a villain—he's a curse. Dio Brando's ambition and hatred didn't die with him; they echoed across time, shaping the fate of every JoJo that followed."
Elara's eyes widened, a shiver running through her as the weight of those words sank in. She instinctively gripped Levy's hand tighter, seeking comfort.
He looked at Elara, letting the weight of the tale settle in. "Dio started as a man, but he became something more—a force that refused to disappear. He stole Jonathan's body, twisted the Joestar bloodline, and with his Stand, The World, gained the power to stop time itself. Even after he was defeated, the scars he left—on the Joestars, on the world—never truly healed."
Levy's brow furrowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "A curse that never dies… it's like a shadow over everything."
Yume's tone darkened, "But Dio's curse didn't end with his death. His influence warped destinies. In Golden Wind, his own son, Giorno, inherited both the Joestar spirit and Dio's ruthless ambition—fighting to turn that darkness into something good. In Stone Ocean, his most devoted follower, Enrico Pucci, tried to finish Dio's 'Way to Heaven'—a plan to create a new universe where fate was absolute, and hope was erased. Pucci's Stand, Made in Heaven, could accelerate time itself, threatening to rewrite reality in Dio's image."
Cana's usual bravado faltered for a moment, her eyes narrowing with a mix of awe and unease. "A curse that tries to rewrite reality… that's the kind of nightmare you don't wake up from."
Yume paused, letting the silence linger, the room heavy with the truth. Then he looked around at his friends, voice steady but full of resolve.
"That's why every JoJo story is about more than just fighting monsters. It's about breaking free from Dio's curse—about standing up to fate, no matter how many times it tries to pull you down. Every journey, from Jotaro's battle across Egypt, to Giorno's rise in the mafia, to Johnny's race across America, is a fight to prove that destiny isn't written by evil men like Dio. It's written by those who refuse to give in."
***
The Lesson
Yume looked around at his friends, his voice steady and proud.
"The Joestars and their allies show us: it doesn't matter how bizarre or impossible the fight. What matters is standing together, thinking ahead, and refusing to let fate decide who you are. That's the real legacy—one we carry, too."
He paused, meeting Elara's eyes. "What I always admired was that they didn't win because they were the strongest. They won because they refused to accept defeat. They believed that, even if fate says you're doomed, you can write your own ending if you have the will to stand up one more time."
Elara's breathing slowed, her grip on Levy's hand relaxing just a little. "Did they ever get scared?"
Yume's voice softened, meeting Elara's eyes. "Every JoJo faced something impossible. They were scared. They were hurt. But they never let fate decide their ending. They wrote their own story, together with the people they trusted."
He gave a small, reassuring smile. "That's what we're doing now. No matter how bizarre things get, as long as we stand together, we can challenge any fate."
He finished with a subtle JoJopose, a playful glint in his eye.
"So, no matter how strange our story gets, we face it together. That's how we win."
The team chuckled, the story settling over them like a shield. Elara's fear faded, replaced by hope and resolve—ready to face whatever comes next.
Cana nudged Elara with a wink. "See? We're in good company."
Levy smiled, her voice gentle. "Maybe we're writing our own bizarre adventure right now."
Cana gave a dramatic thumbs-up, her usual swagger returning. "Damn right. We're writing our own bizarre adventure, aren't we?"
Levy smiled, her voice gentle. "Maybe we're not so different from them after all."
Elara's fear faded, replaced by hope and resolve—her eyes shining with new courage. Her previous vision of the Bride's malicious whisper, "Your love will be mine, just as hers was," now resonated with a desperate need to defy that fate. A flicker of something new, a quiet determination, hardened her gaze. "Let's face it together."
Yume nodded, his gaze steady and reassuring. "No matter what this curse throws at us, we'll face it together. That's how you challenge fate—and win."
The shadows outside still pressed close, the oppressive silence of the manor broken only by the distant drip of water. The grandfather clock downstairs remained silent, its broken mechanism a grim herald of midnight, but now, a quiet resolve settled over them. Elara, her fear still present but no longer consuming, finally unclenched her trembling hands, her fingers slowly relaxing from their tight grip on the blanket. Beside her, Regalus's crystalline antlers pulsed with a steady, brighter luminescence, casting a defiant glow against the encroaching darkness.
They would face it together. They had to. They could keep moving forward, no matter how strange or dark the night became. The true challenge, and the new moon, awaited.
End of Chapter 21