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Setting: Joseph "JoJo" Joestar, fresh from a stand battle in Morioh, finds himself inexplicably transported into a new world. A strange realm filled with magic, fantasy creatures, and mystery. It's the Kingdom of Lugnica in the Re:Zero universe.
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A New World
Joseph Joestar's sharp, calculating eyes opened slowly, feeling an odd texture beneath him. He glanced around, a bustling medieval market stretching out in all directions. Carts, stalls, and merchants surrounded him, each clamoring to hawk their wares. The architecture was distinctly old-world, with cobblestone streets and towering buildings of wood and stone.
The warm afternoon sun felt familiar, but everything else was profoundly alien. JoJo clenched his fists, summoning the purple vines of his Stand, Hermit Purple. He channeled his focus into his Stand's power, hoping to summon any image that would tell him where he was.
In an instant, visions flooded his mind, as if he were being fed fragments of history and knowledge from the air itself. He saw images of a strange city with towering walls, a colossal mansion on a hill, and the faces of several unfamiliar characters. Then, something else hit him: the concept of Return by Death. The idea felt strange and jarring. Return by Death? What kind of power would send someone back to a moment before death itself?
As the visions faded, JoJo whispered to himself. "Looks like I've ended up in a world crazier than anything I've seen before. Just what is going on here?"
He brushed himself off, standing tall. Despite being a man in his late 20s, JoJo's build and athleticism made him stand out among the crowd. His lean, muscled frame and determined eyes turned more than a few heads as he surveyed the bustling square.
"Guess the best way to figure this out is to start walking," he muttered, chuckling. "As Grandpa Joseph always said, 'Go with the flow!'"
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The Marketplace
Joseph hadn't taken ten steps into the marketplace before the voices of merchants filled his ears. People were shouting about their wares, offering everything from jewelry to strange vegetables, foreign fabrics, and rare magical artifacts. JoJo observed with interest, though his mind was still reeling from the revelation of this new world.
Suddenly, a panicked shout rang out, breaking through the chatter.
"Thief! Thief! My insignia! Someone stop her!"
JoJo turned his head, instantly locking eyes with the chaos unfolding. He saw a figure—a petite girl with a hood and agile movements—bolting through the crowd, clutching something shiny. The object glinted in the sunlight, clearly valuable and, perhaps, magical.
His instincts as an adventurer kicked in. Without thinking twice, JoJo darted forward, maneuvering through the dense crowd with agility that rivaled even the best athletes. He didn't need his Stand to predict her path—he'd faced far trickier opponents before.
As he closed in, he saw her glance over her shoulder, eyes widening when she realized he was chasing her. She tried to veer to the right, weaving between the stalls, but JoJo was faster. With a final burst of speed, he blocked her path, his imposing figure looming over her.
The girl skidded to a halt, her small frame trembling as she realized she had no escape.
"Running off with someone else's belongings?" JoJo asked, his voice firm but curious. "Not exactly the wisest choice, young lady."
The thief glared back, clutching the insignia protectively. "Leave me alone! You don't know anything about me!"
"Maybe not," JoJo replied, folding his arms. "But stealing's never the answer. Why don't you hand it over before things get messy?"
The girl's defiance faltered, but she kept her grip tight, her breathing rapid. JoJo couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Her eyes held a mix of fear and desperation—she was more than just a common thief. JoJo had seen that look before in people who were pushed to the edge.
But before he could say more, a second figure emerged from the crowd. A young woman with long silver hair, dressed elegantly with an air of nobility, walked forward, her gaze steady and focused. Her outfit, along with the insignia's design, hinted at her importance.
"Please, if you would," the silver-haired girl addressed JoJo with a serene, slightly tense expression. "That insignia is mine, and I need it back."
JoJo glanced between the two, piecing together the situation. The thief's expression was bitter, her grip loosening ever so slightly.
"Looks like I found the rightful owner," JoJo said, gesturing to the young woman. "Why don't you hand it over to her?"
The thief looked at him, defeated, and finally released the insignia. The silver-haired girl gracefully accepted it, her eyes softening as she held it in her hand. She turned her gaze toward JoJo, her lips curving into a small smile.
"Thank you for helping me. I'm… actually not used to receiving help from strangers," she admitted, a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she looked JoJo over. "Are you new to this city?"
JoJo chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Something like that. Name's Joseph Joestar, but people call me JoJo. And you are?"
"My name is Emilia," she replied, her tone gentle yet guarded. "I'm grateful to you, JoJo. It's rare to find someone who acts so decisively for a stranger."
Just then, a small, cat-like creature appeared beside Emilia, floating with an amused expression. "Oh my, Emilia-tan's already making new friends! And who is this strapping young man?"
JoJo's eyes widened as he looked at the creature. "A talking… floating… cat?"
The creature chuckled, giving JoJo a cheeky grin. "The name's Puck. Nice to meet you, JoJo!"
JoJo chuckled, though he kept a guarded stance. "Alright, so we've got talking cats, magical artifacts, and thieves. Anything else I should know about this place?"
Emilia looked at JoJo, a touch of mystery in her gaze. "Perhaps… but for now, all you need to know is that you've done me a great favor."
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An Unseen Threat
As they spoke, JoJo felt a strange sensation, as if someone were watching him. He narrowed his eyes, instincts kicking in. Years of battles had taught him to recognize when he was in danger. He glanced around, searching for anything out of place.
A dark figure emerged from an alleyway nearby. His clothing was ragged, his eyes filled with a cold malice that sent a chill down JoJo's spine. The man carried a twisted blade, moving silently toward them, his intent clear.
Emilia's face paled as she saw him. "No… not him!"
JoJo clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of power as Hermit Purple activated, the purple vines crackling around his hands. He stepped forward, blocking Emilia and Puck.
"Stay behind me," he said, his voice calm but fierce. "Looks like we've got company."
The man lunged at them with surprising speed, his blade slicing through the air. But JoJo was faster. His Stand whipped forward, vines lashing out to intercept the blade. The man stumbled, surprised by the unexpected resistance.
"Looks like you picked the wrong fight," JoJo growled, his Stand wrapping around the attacker's arm. With a quick flick of his wrist, he sent the man flying backward, crashing into the side of a building.
Emilia gasped, watching JoJo with awe. "That… that was incredible. How did you…?"
JoJo simply smirked. "It's called a Stand, my own kind of magic. Trust me, it's got a few tricks."
As the attacker slumped unconscious, JoJo turned back to Emilia, dusting off his hands. "So, Emilia, any idea why this guy was after you?"
Emilia hesitated, her expression shadowed with worry. "There's… more going on than I can explain right now. But I promise I'll explain everything if you come with me."
JoJo nodded. "Alright, I'll tag along. But you owe me some answers."
With that, Emilia and Puck led JoJo toward the safety of a nearby inn, and the strange journey in this new world had only just begun.