Still trying to overcome their comrade’s death, our trio decided to attempt hitchhiking to continue their trip westwards to Perth. As Staz was waving for someone to stop at the side of the road, Balin was organising his bag.

“Do you really want to continue this?” – He asked.

“There’s no other way… We’ve come this far so we must do this.” – Answered Staz.

“I mean sure but… You saw how dangerous this journey really is, didn’t you?”

“I did. And that’s exactly why I want to risk myself to continue it.”

Silence fell upon the group as a car stopped right beside them. A white Mercedes from the 90’s. Quite new looking, the owner must’ve been rich.

“Y’all going to Fowler’s Bay?” – The driver asked.

“Where?” – Asked Staz.

“Just down south, Fowler’s Bay, it’s quite the spot for hitchhikers, hop in!”

“Staz, it’s a bit more westward so we could risk it. Also…” – Started Balin as he pulled out a map. – “If you look over here, if this guy takes us to Fowler’s Bay, which is right here…” – He pointed at a small town at the very south of Australia. – “Then we could eventually get on the A1 highway just going a bit up north and from there it’s a straight road to Perth except at this junction where we need to head back up north again!”

“Fuck it, let’s get in” – said Staz.

The road was quite bumpy with dirt paths and off-roading. It seemed like an eternity, sitting silently in the back of an expensive car with only the radio’s static playing.

“So…” – Staz broke the silence. – “You want to kill us too don’t you?”

“Excuse me?” – Asked the driver.

“I mean at this point we got used to all forms of transportation failing us and having some weird twist… Like a Stand User driving!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

“You’re an enemy Stand User!!!” – Screamed Staz as he slammed the driver out of the car using Hellraiser. – “Thanks for the ride!” – He said as he crawled to the front and drove off, leaving the driver behind.

“Staz… I don’t think that guy was a Stand User.” – Said ToTo.

“Where have you been this whole time?” – asked Staz.

“I was sleeping. Also, YOU JUST KICKED OUT AN INNOCENT GUY FROM HIS OWN CAR AND NICKED IT!”

“TOASTERS SLEEP?” – Asked Staz and Balin at the same time.

“I’m not a toaster, I’m a human being and humans require sleep!” – Answered ToTo. – “Now tell me, why did you do this?”

“He was going to attack us.” – Asserted Staz.

“But you cannot prove that he was a Stand User! Maybe he really did just want to give us a ride…”

“Well, we’re going to that Fowler’s Bay place either way… Maybe that’s where The Finisher is or someone important…” – Said Staz.

As they got closer to Fowler’s Bay the surroundings seemed more and more abandoned until they eventually reached their destination. A minuscule town in the very south of Australia with pretty much nothing of importance there. As Staz, Balin, and ToTo got out of the car they immediately felt the boiling heat of the Australian Sun.

“Staz why don’t you take off your jacket?” – Asked the panting Bali.

“Never… Man’s not hot.” – Answered Staz.

“Man I miss that AC already… Can I stay in the car?” – Bali asked again.

“No, if we suffer, you do too.” – Answered ToTo.

As the trio started looking around the village a strange-looking man started slowly following them. Quite tall but very skinny, the man was wearing a completely black suit, had messy brown hair and was wearing a strange-looking brown mask.

“Guys, this might be an enemy…” – Said Staz.

“Yeah just like that driver, right?” – Asked ToTo.

“If you ask me he looks more like the village idiot…” – Bali remarked.

No matter how much our heroes walked or tried getting away from this person, he just kept following them until they have gotten enough of it and decided to turn around and face this person they presumed was the enemy.

“Greetings, my brethren!” – Said the person delightfully.

“Who are you and why are you following us?” – Asked Staz aggressively.

“Wow there, no need to be angry! The name’s Bean Joe, my friends just call me Benjo. I can assure you that I’m not a threat.” – Answered the man. – “Hey! Cool bucket, do you mind if I…” – He said as he took Balin’s bucket off his head and placed it on his own, revealing Balin’s long brown hair.

“HOW DARE YOU?” – He screamed. – “Buckethead! Ultimate move!”

Balin’s Stand appeared behind him and gently placed a new paper bucket on top of his head.

“Well then…” – Benjo started with the bucket now perched on his head. – “I’ll take this as a compensation gift for knocking my driver out and taking his car…”

“Wait… You aren’t surprised that a new bucket just appeared on my head?” – Asked Balin in surprise.

“No, it’s just as I wanted it to happen. It just further proves how good this works…” – Answered Benjo. – “You see… I am also a Stand User, so Stands don’t really surprise me anymore. I’m aware of there being multiple Stand Users in this world. I’m aware of the existence of pretzels, L.J. and The Finisher. I also know you people have the package on you… It seems Brian couldn’t make it, but Toesef Toestar is here at least, safe and sound!”

“You… Wanted this to happen? Just who are you? And wait the driver… You sent him?” – Asked Staz with audible confusion in his voice.

“My Stand, Soothsayer, allows me to change the outcome of things.” – Benjo answered as 3 brown balls about the size of pool balls equipped with screens started floating around him. – “Whenever I summon it, I get to choose from 3 options that will change the near future for me. I chose the option of me stealing your bucket hat and you summoning a new one on your head.” – One of the screens on the balls lit up showing the option of Benjo taking Balin’s bucket hat. – “See I sent the driver as well as I found it the most reasonable and comfortable for you all… Until you decided to throw him out of the car!”

[https://i.imgur.com/ZPGL8qt.png]

“Wait so… He wasn’t an enemy Stand User?” – Asked Staz.

“No. He was a regular guy and a friend of mine.” – Answered Benjo.

“TOLD YOU! BUT YOU JUST WOULDN’T LISTEN TO ME YOU DUMBASS!” – Screamed ToTo.

The group chatted a little bit about the driver’s identity with seemingly no end, but Balin was more silent than usual.

“Is something wrong?” – Staz asked.

“You mentioned something about Pretzels, L.J. and The Finisher, Benjo… What exactly do you know?” – Bali asked Benjo.

“Oh that… Yes, indeed I do know a thing or two about all of these. You see, I’m good friends with L.J., the person you are delivering a package to. You could say I was sent here because he was certain Brian would stop by this town. And although Brian has passed onto the afterlife, his group still made it here. I, unfortunately, cannot accompany you all to Perth, but I can assure you that the content of the package is of high importance to all of us. Especially for L.J… As for The Finisher… I know his name is Jones Tiki, he used to be a baker in Norway… He created the Stand Pretzels by accident when he was just starting his career. He tried creating a brand new recipe by fusing together the dough with a special herbal ingredient nobody is really sure about. When he ate it he started getting this tingling feeling inside of him and he felt “stronger”… Little did he know he just awakened his Stand inside of himself. He opened a company and started mass-producing the pretzels thinking it will awaken the same feeling in everyone. He advertised it as the pretzel that will make you into a new person. In reality, only 10% of people who tried them survived… Those who had the mental strength and willpower to endure awakening a Stand. The product was pulled off the shelves in just 2 days and only a few packages are left that weren’t destroyed. The Finisher fell into deep depression and hatred against the world when he heard his product has killed hundreds if not thousands of people. He went into isolation and returned with his newly learned Stand, called Erika. Unfortunately, not much is known about its abilities… All I know is that it’s extremely powerful and could be among the strongest Stands ever to exist…” – Benjo explained.

“Why does he want the package though?” – Asked ToTo.

“The package holds immense power and only those worthy can open it… The Finisher… Or well, Jones Tiki after his isolation decided to travel to Denmark in order to find a purpose in life, but he fucked up and ended up in Denmark, Australia; a small little town with practically nothing in here. He’s been stuck in that town for a couple of months now. He’s been trying to get out of that place for a while now and the content of the package could get him out. He is collecting Stand Users from around Australia to work under him and possibly retrieve the package for his own personal gain to get home.”

“This guy’s an asshole.” – Staz made the remark. – “I mean he had the balls to try to manipulate both Bali and I… Also isn’t there a better way for him to get home? How old is this guy anyways?”

“He is definitely older than the four of us…” – Answered ToTo. – “See I’m twenty years old and he has a much deeper voice and mature personality. Too bad I couldn’t catch a glimpse of his face…”

“I’m 21” – Answered Balin. – “Staz, aren’t you around 18-19?”

“I am 19 yes… So he must be older than all of us.” – Answered Staz.

“He is 28 years old as we’re speaking right now as far as I’m concerned…” – Answered Benjo. – “However, that doesn’t mean he is a small threat. He has much more experience than any of us, he has the mind and resources to easily take down all of us. The only way of defeating him is by grouping up against him.”

“I see… About the package though, how do we know that L.J. is the right person to give it to?” – Asked Staz.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“That question is easy to answer, my friend. Do you want it to be in his hands or in The Finisher’s?” – Benjo smirked.

“Wait if you know L.J. then do you also know Brender?” – Asked ToTo. – “He was my caretaker, he was good friends with Brian, and it seems like both you and him are affiliated with L.J.”

“I do indeed know Brender, though not personally. L.J.’s affiliates don’t really know each other. He leads an underground organisation that focuses on finding the last remaining pretzels and eliminating them. I am one of the leaders of the intelligence team, unfortunately there aren’t many of us that know more than 2 members of the organisation. But I can assure you this: We are NOT the bad guys.”

“Do you know Horace Loveer then? He seemed to be a good Stand User, he provided us with horses as well and seemed genuine.” – Asked Balin.

“The organisation is aware of the existence of Horace Loveer and how he gave you horses. We are currently tracking his whereabouts to contact him as well. We have been observing your group from a distance ever since you started from Sydney. We have a Stand User in the intelligence team who observes all of you.”

“So you’re saying we’re being monitored?” – Asked Staz.

“This is so the package can arrive safely to L.J. simple as that. By accepting the quest to deliver said package you guys involuntarily became affiliated with us…” – Answered Benjo.

“Is Brender a Stand User?” – Asked ToTo.

“Quite funny you’re still stuck on that topic. I can neither confirm nor deny this unfortunately. But enough questions now…” – Benjo started. – “I was only here to serve as a checkpoint so we know you are slowly getting there. Let me give you guys some directions now.”

Benjo showed our trio Fowler’s Bay while they were urging him to know more about the identity of L.J, The Finisher, Brender and the organisation as a whole. What is the point of this whole journey? Why were they the ones to be tasked with delivering the package? Benjo did not or barely answered them. He was only a checkpoint to let them in on some information, he cannot tell them everything though, and as it was getting quite late in the evening, our group got tired of asking questions and just decided to continue their trip. As they reached the outskirts of the already small town, Benjo provided them with a car and directions to Perth and bid them farewell.

As Benjo was heading back to town, a crowd was appearing around him, all of them carrying some sort of makeshift weapon. A stick, a harpoon, a rake, a shovel, anything that could be used to kill someone.

“What the hell is happening?” – He asked as he was getting more and more frightened. – “Soothsayer!”

The three balls appeared behind Benjo with the 3 options all starting with the crowd attacking Benjo, the outcome, however, was different:

1. Benjo smashes through the crowd to run towards the first street.

2. Benjo kicks someone in the face and his body slams the crowd away so he could run.

3. One of the people in the crowd trips thus giving him a leeway to run away.

“OPTION THREE!” – Benjo screamed as he hit the ball. One of the people actually did fall in the crowd so Benjo could run away from the crowd which then started pursuing him. People with slingshots and actual shotguns were trying to shoot him from balconies and houses as he was running away trying to avoid the things flying at him as much as possible.

“What the hell is happening?” – Benjo screamed. – “Is this another Stand attack or did the town go mad all of the sudden?”

“I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU, BENJO!” – A voice screamed from one of the streets.

“Who the hell is that?” – Asked Benjo. – “Soothsayer!”

1. Benjo hides behind a rock wall to catch some air.

2. Benjo goes towards the direction of the voice.

3. Benjo continues to run away.

“Option one!” – Benjo hid behind the wall to try to figure out what was happening. He started hearing footsteps just around the corner, someone was approaching him.

“WHERE ARE YOU BENJO? YOU HAVE GENUINELY ANGERED ME!” – The voice screamed and Benjo was feeling helpless.

“Soothsayer, please help me…” – Benjo whispered and there it was…

1. Benjo gets punched in the gut by a purple figure with red eyes wearing a helmet.

2. Benjo gets shot in the head and dies.

3. Benjo runs into the nearby building with bullets flying all around him.

[https://i.imgur.com/Zt5h1B5.png]

“Fuck it, option 3!” – Benjo started running towards the building.

“THERE YOU ARE!” – The voice screamed, but Benjo could not make out who it was. All he saw was a dark silhouette and in front of him a large purple figure with red eyes and a helmet, just like on option 1 holding a sub-machinegun and preparing to fire.

Bullets were flying right beside Benjo’s head as he slid into the house through the doorway, but he wished he didn’t… A man with a pitchfork was right in front of him, preparing to stab him.

“I arrived too late to eliminate all of you… But I can still take care of you though! So you don’t tell even more people my secret! I travelled all the way from Denmark to here just to take care of you! I sent my precious subordinate to get a couple more Stand Users to take care of your little delivery group as well. Never doubt me!” – The voice screamed.

“The Finisher…” – Benjo said with the pitchfork aimed against his throat. – “This ain’t it… This really ain’t it… Soothsayer…”

1. Benjo gets stabbed by the pitchfork and dies

2. A bird smashes into the window right next to the person with the pitchfork and breaks it, thus knocking the person out.

3. Benjo gets shot from behind.

“Option 2, what are these stupid options anyways?” – Benjo asked as the window broke from the bird smashing into it, the shards of glass hitting the pitchfork-carrying person in the face and knocking him out from the pain.

“Damn, where do I go now? Soothsayer!” – Benjo started panicking.

1. Benjo jumps out the window and runs towards the desert.

2. Benjo climbs up the ladder inside the house to get to the roof.

3. Benjo stays in the house and hides.

“Dude I need to be on the run, option 1 is the fastest!” – Benjo jumped out the window and started running, gunfire still behind him. – “Does this gun never run out of ammo?”

He felt the exhaustion piling up as he was sprinting at the desert, completely aimlessly, Benjo was out of ideas, however, the gunfire stopped behind him.

“He seems to be out of range… Dude I’m tired… Soothsayer!” – He said while running.

1. Benjo continues running to the desert.

2. Benjo finds a secret trapdoor under one of the bushes.

3. Benjo turns back only to be shot to death by The Finisher’s Stand.

“Soothsayer, drop option 3 and choose for me!” – Benjo said and his Stand suddenly made him go to a bush to open a secret trapdoor under it leading to a tunnel. – “This did not exist before I’m sure of it…”

As he was trying to catch some air in the tunnel he heard The Finisher’s footsteps around him, slowly walking around the area.

“Where has he gone… I lost him around here… DAMN IT! He escaped… Time to get back… I hope Era found some more people suitable to defeat that annoying group.” – The Finisher said as his footsteps were getting more and more silent.

“This Stand… It can possess people? Better yet… It can make people become his subordinates and he can… Shoot? What is going on?” – Benjo asked while panting inside the tunnel. – “I need to find a way out of here… This is dangerous, really dangerous…”

[https://i.imgur.com/zdt66BN.png]

As Benjo was slowly crawling away in the tunnel, The Finisher was walking back to Fowler’s Bay.

“I hope Era found someone suitable for my Stand Users… I only have about 3 of them left including Era…” – He started thinking to himself. – “Now then… Where the hell do I go from here?”

“Why the fuck can’t I drive?” – Balin asked from the backseat of the car driving on the A1 highway. – “I’m older than you which means I have much more experience on the road than you do!”

“Because I said so!” – Answered Staz. – “Besides, we need someone to be on the lookout in case a Stand attacks us, right? It’s literally a straight road right now what if someone shoots a rocket at us?”

“Why would someone shoot a rocket at us?” – ToTo asked. – “I’m pretty sure a Stand User wouldn’t just shoot a rocket at you when you know… HE HAS A STAND!”

“Better safe than sorry Bali could redirect that rocket using his guitar strings or something…” – Staz answered.

“I remember you grabbing a flying cob of corn mid-air when our journey started!” – ToTo screamed.

“That might be true but… I cannot be calm anymore… My precision is garbage.” – Staz went silent.

“Oh right… I’m sorry.” – ToTo also went silent.

“So, can I drive?” – Asked Balin suddenly.

“NO!” – Staz answered and was about to punch Balin at this point.

As our trio was travelling on the road, The Finisher’s subordinate, Era was also making moves.

“A sponsorship?” – Asked a person sitting under a tree.

“Yes, you just need to eat these pretzels!” – Answered Era. – “If you do so I will make sure your sheep are raised properly… My boss, you see, he’s The Finisher, he has the power to make your sheep flourish… You just need to do one thing… Eat the pretzel and when these people…” – Era showed a photograph of ToTo’s group to the person. – “When these people show up you stop them by all means and retrieve a small wooden box from them. You must NOT open the box, do you understand that?”

“My name is Doug Capler the 45th... I’m the proud descendant of a lineage of shepherds, all of them called Doug Capler. I shall do anything you ask to protect my herd! Give me that pretzel!” – Doug Capler the 45th grabbed the pretzel and munched down on it at incredible speed. – “Oh man this tastes really good, damn… I feel good!”

“It worked… It finally worked! I have awakened a Stand! The Finisher will be proud of me… Well then, Doug Capler, show me what you can do…”

[https://i.imgur.com/QvYC1tP.png]

Who is this Doug Capler person and what is his Stand? Will our heroes have to face him? Where has Benjo and The Finisher gone? Who are the leftover Stand Users and will our trio reach their destination finally? Found out in the next chapter!