The city had become a skeleton of itself. Rubble and scorched asphalt stretched for blocks. Broken streetlights flickered in the dusk, casting long shadows across streets littered with debris. Dust rose in swirling clouds with every movement.
Jovian walked slowly, Vital Mirage hovering beside him. The Stand's energy hummed, pulsing with anticipation. Every step he took had to be measured. One wrong move could cost them everything.
Lucien moved along the rooftops, Midnight Sontana flickering through walls and shadows, trying to find the enemy's blind spots. He was cautious but precise. Alaric held the center, Golden Cavalier radiating a calm, defensive aura that acted like a living barrier. Iggy darted unpredictably, weaving between broken pillars and debris, sniffing for any trace of hidden threats.
They weren't alone. New enemies had emerged from the ruins. Masked figures with cloaks and hissing energy surrounded them. Each radiated Stand power, sharp and irregular, warping space subtly with every movement.
"…They're more organized than before," Lucien murmured.
Jovian's eyes narrowed. Vital Mirage pulsed in response, almost like it could sense his thoughts. "They've learned from the last fights. But so have we."
The first attack came without warning. A shadowy wave of energy swept across the square, warping the air, making even breathing feel difficult. Vital Mirage surged forward instinctively, intercepting the attack. The energy slammed against the Stand, forcing Jovian to take a step back.
Lucien leapt from a rooftop, Midnight Sontana phasing midair, striking a cloaked figure that materialized from thin air. The attack connected, throwing the enemy back into a pile of rubble, but dozens more moved in unison.
Alaric braced the center, Golden Cavalier absorbing blows that would have shattered concrete. Iggy darted unpredictably, striking at the edges, forcing the enemies to split their focus. Every move was a test, every strike a calculated gamble.
"…They're coordinating perfectly," Jovian said, voice low. "We need to split their attention."
Vital Mirage pulsed violently. It lunged forward, its blade slicing through a wave of attacks. Jovian mirrored its movements. Strike after strike, block after block—they fought as one.
The enemies adapted. Their Stands moved with a strange fluidity, bending space slightly, warping perception. Some attacks came from above. Some from below. Some seemed to emerge from shadows that didn't exist.
Lucien was forced to change tactics midair. Midnight Sontana phased repeatedly, striking where the enemy's focus faltered. Alaric countered multiple attacks at once, shielding the others from harm. Iggy darted unpredictably, striking weak points no one expected.
Jovian's chest ached. Every step burned. Every block drained him. But he pressed forward. Vital Mirage pulsed, responding instantly to threats he couldn't even see yet.
The masked enemy stood still for a moment, observing. Then they struck. The air itself seemed to bend around them. Energy lines fractured and reformed mid-strike. The attack was precise, deadly, and designed to disorient.
"…It's not just raw power," Jovian said. "They're testing us. Learning our limits."
Vital Mirage shifted, its form rippling with energy. It deflected the strike, countering in a way that left a faint crack in the enemy's energy field. Lucien and Alaric noticed it immediately.
"…There," Jovian muttered. "That's the opening."
Midnight Sontana and Iggy attacked simultaneously. Lucien followed with a series of strikes from above. Alaric reinforced the center, Golden Cavalier glowing as it absorbed the remaining pressure. The enemy staggered, but only for an instant.
"…Too fast," Lucien muttered, reading the opponent's counter-move in real-time.
Jovian didn't respond with words. He reacted. Vital Mirage surged, shifting from defense to offense in a heartbeat. The Stand's blade sliced through multiple lines of energy, cutting a path toward the masked enemy.
The enemy's Stand reacted instantly. Space warped violently. Strikes deflected, energy pulsed back at Jovian, forcing him to step back. Dust and debris flew in all directions. The ground cracked under the sheer force of their Stand battle.
Lucien, Alaric, and Iggy adapted seamlessly. Lucien struck from above again, Midnight Sontana phasing unpredictably. Alaric reinforced with Golden Cavalier, absorbing blows that could have shattered half the street. Iggy darted around the enemy, striking at weak points, creating chaos that the enemy couldn't ignore.
"…They're splitting their focus," Jovian observed. "We can push now."
Vital Mirage pulsed violently. It lunged forward, moving faster than before. Every strike was precise, every motion calculated. The enemy staggered. Just a fraction—but enough.
The first major crack in their defense appeared. And Jovian knew the real fight was about to begin.