The sky darkened as the clouds turned to monstrositis that blocked out the sun as the air became thick and heavy. The ground itself seemed to groan in protest as if anticipating the horrors to come. In the distance, the clip-clop of hooves echoed on the winds. And then, in the distance, a figure appeared on the horizon. It was a gaunt goblin riding a sickly malnourished donkey as black as the night, that appeared to be near death from hunger. The Goblin wore a tattered cloak and carried a scepter adorned with chains that connected to a set of scales in his hand. As he approached, the ground beneath his donkey's hooves turned to dust, and the air grew even fouler.
As Famine drew closer, the land around him began to change. Plants withered and died, and the ground cracked open, releasing a foul stench. The animals that once roamed freely in the fields lay dead or dying, their carcasses picked clean by scavengers. The once-fertile fields turned to dust, and the rivers ran dry. The people who lived in the village on the other side of the valley starved, their bellies empty and their spirits broken.
As he rode across the land, the effects of his arrival became even more apparent. The crops that had managed to survive the drought withered and died before his very eyes. The animals that had managed to find some scraps of food began to lay down and give up the ghost. People grew weak and hungry, and their bellies ached with pain. Famine was relentless in his task, and no one was safe from his grasp. He rode through towns and villages, leaving nothing but death and destruction in his wake. Those who were strong enough to resist him were forced to resort to desperate measures, eating whatever they could find, no matter how unappetizing.
As the hours ticked away, the situation grew even more dire, with people reduced to fighting over scraps of food. The wealthy and powerful were not immune to the ravages of hunger either. Throughout it all, Famine rode on, his sickly donkey never faltering, and his scale flail punishing all that stood in his way. It had seemed as if there was no hope, no escape from the grip of Famine. However, even in the bleakest of times, there was always a glimmer of hope. It arrived in the form of a small band of survivors who refused to give up in the face of the direst circumstances. They united, formed roaming bands, sharing what little they had and working tirelessly to discover new food sources.
As Famine persisted in ravaging the land, the survivors gradually began to push back against his sway. They grew stronger and more resilient, discovering innovative ways to adapt to the harsh new reality that had been imposed on them. Although the path ahead was long and arduous, they knew they had to continue fighting for themselves, their families, and their world. Despite the resilience of the survivors, Famine continued to wreak havoc on the land. His sickly donkey plodded on, leaving behind a trail of devastation and death. The people looked on in horror as the world they had known crumbled away bit by bit, replaced by a desolate wasteland.
As time passed, the task of finding food became increasingly difficult and perilous. The lush fields and gardens, once abundant with crops, were now barren and stripped of their yield by the unrelenting presence of Famine. The scarce remaining sources of sustenance were fiercely guarded by those fortunate enough to access them. People resorted to scavenging for scraps in garbage heaps and abandoned buildings, risking their lives in the process. Those who managed to find food had to fend off those who resorted to violence in desperation.
With traditional food sources depleted, the survivors sought alternative means of sustenance. They learned new ways to find wild plants, fish in the scarce remnants of streams and rivers, and hunt for game, despite the land being nearly devoid of all life. However, these methods were dangerous, and the survivors had to contend with the few remaining wild animals driven mad with hunger and other desperate people vying for the same resources. Many became ill from eating poisonous plants or were injured or killed while hunting.
The lack of food had a severe impact on the survivors' health. Malnutrition and starvation were widespread, leading to weakened immune systems and increased susceptibility to diseases. Illnesses that would have been easily treatable in times of abundance became fatal due to the shortage of resources. Despite the hardships they faced, the survivors did not lose hope. They worked tirelessly to find new sources of food, shared what little they had, and supported each other through the toughest of times. They clung to the belief that they would eventually rebuild their world and create a better future for themselves and their families.
As time passed, the situation went from bad to worse for the survivors. The land, which once had patches of fertile soil that had some sustenance remaining, had become barren, and the few remaining animals had been hunted to extinction. The survivors, continuing to starve, had no other choice but to resort to darker and more sinister food sources to survive. Initially, they consumed whatever they could find, including roots, insects, and even tree bark. However, as even these sources of sustenance began to dwindle, they looked at each other with hungry eyes.
The first instances of cannibalism were met with shock and disbelief by the survivors. They found it hard to believe that people could resort to such savagery even in the most desperate of circumstances. However, as food continued to grow even more scarce with every passing day, more and more people began to turn to cannibalism as a means of survival. It became an open secret among the survivors, something that was whispered about but never discussed openly. People were afraid to acknowledge what was happening, fearing that it would make them more vulnerable to becoming victims themselves.
As the number of cannibalistic incidents increased, the physical and psychological toll on the survivors also increased. The once-strong bonds of the community were broken as suspicion and fear took hold. People started to isolate themselves, refusing to share even the limited resources they had. Violence and theft became common as everyone fought to stay alive. The survivors who had previously held onto the hope of rebuilding their world were now consumed by the daily struggle for survival.
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It was a dark time, and there seemed to be no end in sight for the survivors. Famine had taken its toll, and even the most hearty of them began to wear down. Starvation and the turn to cannibalism has robbed them of all hope. Their numbers dwindled swiftly as they ate their friends, families, and neighbors with ravenous abandon.
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Bob stood up, flicking the grime off his sword with a flourish before willing it back into his inventory. He looked at the sky, as a faint grin emerged on his face. Two down, two to go. These guys are tough. Pestilence was bad enough, War nearly killed me. I'm not looking forward to Famine and Death. Bob trembled in fear as he contemplated his upcoming Duel with Death, consumed by his thoughts.
His thoughts were soon interrupted by a sudden change in the winds. Famine. You came early, you naughty little Goblin. No matter, I will kill you just like the others. Well, either that or I will die a horribly painfilled, agonizing death. But, that's life, Right? Bob didn't know when Famine would make its way to him, but he knew it wouldn't be soon enough. He knew Famine would work his way though any villages he came across cursing all he came in contact with. Bob grew worried as he saw the land around him become barren, as plants and animals alike began to wither and die off. Bob began trekking across the land searching for Famine, to try to put an end to his machinations.
As he approached the village, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The houses were in ruins, their walls crumbling and their roofs caved in. There was no sign of life, and an eerie silence hung in the air. Bob cautiously made his way through the empty streets, his hand at the ready to summon his trusty sword or a monster to come to his defense. As he explored the village, he began to notice something disturbing. Corpses were scattered around haphazardly, their bodies in varying degrees of decomposition. Some were barely recognizable as human, their flesh blackened and their bones exposed. Others were fresher, their blood still staining the ground beneath them.
Bob hastily decided he was going to leave this nightmarish village behind and continue on his journey to find and confront Famine. Just as he was about to leave the village, Bob heard a rustling sound behind him. He whirled around, his sword materializing in his hand, and saw several figures emerging from the shadows. They were cannibals, their eyes fixed hungrily on him. Bob knew that he was outnumbered, but he refused to go down without a fight.
The cannibals rushed at him, their teeth bared and their claws outstretched. Bob swung his sword with all his might, cutting down one of his attackers. But the others closed in, overwhelming him with their sheer numbers. Bob fought valiantly, his adrenaline pumping as he tried to fend off the cannibals. But eventually, he was overpowered. They dragged him to the ground, their razor-sharp teeth sinking into his flesh. With a grimace, Bob activated his Slapstick ability, and the familiar blue stick materialized in his hands. With a grunt of effort he bashed the staff into the pile of cannibals on top of him. With the familar sound of phantom cheering, Bob was suddenly freed from the mouths of the cannibals as they flew into the air and landed with a thud quite a distance away from him.
*Enemies Slapped! 6/100*
*Enemies Slapped! 7/100*
*Enemies Slapped! 8/100*
*Enemies Slapped! 9/100*
*Enemies Slapped! 10/100*
Bob got to his feet shakily, grimacing in pain, as blood poured from several bite wounds across his body. He steadied himself, took a breath, and started casting [Gentle Touch] spells until his health was back to maximum. His MP drained at a rapid pace as his health slowly restored. Bob kept watching the cannibals for any movement as he healed himself. After making sure he wasn't in danger of bleeding to death, Bob activated the Rolodex. The familiar manifestation of the Rolodex appeared and started its random monster selection, the cards spun by faster and faster before it stopped and locked in the Squirrel Soldier card. The multipler reel appeared next and spun before it locked in a 12x.
Twelve Squirrel Soldiers materlized in front of Bob and Bob commanded them to go attack the prone cannibals. Bob watched from a safe distance as his summoned Squirrel Soldiers charged toward the cannibals. The Squirrel Soldiers held swords and spears at the ready as they made their way to the cannibals, ready to deal out swift and deadly Squirrel Justice. As he Squirrels got close enough to attack, the cannibals sprung to action and wildly grabbed at the Squirrels. Most of the Squirrels were lucky and fast enough to dodge the clumsy hands grasping at them. However, not all of the squirrels were quick enough to avoid the cannibals' attacks. Several of them were caught and immediately the cannibals started tearing at them with their teeth with wild abandon. Bob winced as he watched his beloved Squirrel Soldiers being ripped apart by the savage cannibals.
But Bob was determined not to let his Squirrels' sacrifice be in vain. He shouted out commands to his remaining soldiers, urging them to fight harder and not give up. The Squirrels, emboldened by their Master's words, fought on with renewed vigor. Bob watched as his Squirrels worked together, using their small size and agility to their advantage. They darted in and out of the cannibals' reach, striking with deadly accuracy. Bit by bit, they whittled down the cannibals' numbers, until finally the last of the savages lay lifeless on the ground, blood pooling around their corpses.
Bob approached cautiously, coming to stand next to his remaining Squirrels. He surveyed the battlefield, taking in the carnage that had been wrought. His heart sank as he saw the broken bodies of his fallen comrades, but he knew that they had died bravely, fighting for a cause they believed in. He watched as they slowly dissipated into essence, floating along side the essence the poured out of the slowly diissappearing cannibal corpses. The essence slowly vanished as Bob knew the Rolodex was feeding, due to the phantom slurping noises followed by a loud belch.
With a heavy heart, Bob dismissed his remaining squirrel soldiers. They vanished in a flash, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As he turned to leave, he made a vow to himself - he would never forget the sacrifice of his squirrel soldiers, and he would continue to fight for what he believed in, no matter the cost. Bob slowly left the village, leaving the place of death behind.