Bob had been on the trail of Famine, the Horseman of the Apocalypse, for weeks now. It had been a grueling journey, with little to show for it, save for some scars and serious nightmares. Every village he had come across, after the first one that had been infested with cannibals, had been deserted, save for a few skeletal remains scattered about. The crops had withered and died, and there was no sign of life. It was as if the very earth had been cursed.

Bob had been hunting down Famine, one of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, for a reason. He knew that Famine was responsible for the devastation that had befallen these villages. And he was determined to put an end to it. But it wasn't easy. The journey had taken a toll on him. Bob was tired, hungry, and plagued by cannibals. The cannibals seemed to be following him, stalking him from village to village. They were a constant threat, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to attack.

Despite the dangers, Bob and Snowball persevered. He knew that he had to keep moving if he was going to find Famine. He had heard rumors of a village that had managed to withstand Famine's wrath. It was said that they had found a way to grow crops even in the midst of the famine. Bob hoped that this village would provide him with some clues as to Famine's whereabouts.

As he traveled, Bob saw the devastation wrought by Famine everywhere he went. He saw fields that were barren and dry and streams that had dried up. He saw animals that were emaciated and dying, and the rare person he stumbled upon here and there, was nothing more than skin and bones. It was a horrific sight, and it only served to fuel his determination to find Famine.

Finally, after weeks of traveling, Bob arrived at the village that had managed to withstand Famine's wrath. It was a small, isolated village, surrounded by lush green fields. Bob was amazed to see that the crops were thriving here, despite the curse of famine that had struck the surrounding villages. He was greeted warmly by the villagers, who were eager to share their knowledge with him.

They told him that they had discovered a way to grow crops using a special fertilizer that they had developed. This fertilizer was made from a combination of natural ingredients, including seaweed and animal manure. It provided the crops with the nutrients they needed to grow, even in the midst of the famine.

Bob was fascinated by this discovery, but he knew that he couldn't stay here for long. He had to find Famine and put an end to the devastation that he was causing. He thanked the villagers for their help and set out once again, his determination renewed.

But the cannibals were still on his trail, and they were getting bolder. They began to attack him more frequently, and Bob found himself constantly on the run. He was tired and hungry and knew he couldn't keep up this pace forever.

Finally, after weeks of searching, Bob stumbled upon a cave deep in the forest. He could sense that Famine was nearby. He cautiously entered the cave, his heart pounding with fear and anticipation.

As he moved deeper into the cave, he saw the unmistakable signs of Famine's presence. The walls were covered in a thick layer of dust, and the air was filled with a foul odor. Bob could feel the hunger gnawing at him, and he knew that he had to find Famine quickly.

Suddenly, he saw movement up ahead. He cautiously approached, and there he saw Famine, standing before him. Famine was a short, emaciated figure, dressed in tattered robes. His eyes were sunken and hollow, and his skin was ashen and gray. His trusty black donkey was milling about next to him. Famine locked eyes with Bob and immediately reached for his flail.

Bob knew that he had to act quickly. He willed his sword into his hand and charged toward Famine. Famine didn't even flinch. He simply stood there, watching Bob with a blank expression on his face.

As Bob swung his sword, Peace Bringer, he felt a sudden burst of energy coursing through his body. It was as if his sword was imbued with a power he had never felt before. It felt hungry as if the sword itself desired to be plunged into famine's flesh. He struck Famine with all his might, and the Horseman stumbled back.

But Famine was not defeated so easily. He raised his hand, and a gust of wind blew through the cave. Bob felt himself being lifted off his feet and thrown backward. He hit the ground hard, his sword clattering out of his hand.

Famine approached him slowly, his eyes fixed on Bob's face. Bob tried to get up, but he was too weak. Famine grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

"You cannot defeat me," Famine hissed. "I am the bringer of hunger, the destroyer of life. I am one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

Bob gasped for air, his vision starting to blur. He knew that he was done for. He had failed in his mission to stop Famine, and now he was going to pay the price. Snowball charged toward Famine, barking wildly, desperate to save his bonded companion. Famine moved slightly, his hand shot out latching onto Snowball's tiny fragile neck. Famine gripping Snowball tightly turned and smiled menacingly at Bob. Bob had a good idea of what Famine was going to do based on that look.

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

But then, something strange happened. Bob felt a warmth spreading through his body, a warmth that seemed to be coming from the earth itself. He could feel the energy of the plants and animals around him as if they were all supporting him. Bob felt a bubble of anger grow in the pit of his stomach, his anger grew, merging with the warmth from the earth, and seemed to flow through him into Peace Bringer. The sword began to glow with a furious golden light that illuminated the cave.

With a burst of speed, Bob whipped Peace Bringer through the air at Famine. The sword soared toward Famine and sliced cleanly through the arm gripping Snowball. The severed arm fell to the ground releasing Snowball. Famine bellowed in pain and rage.

Famine looked at Bob, a look of shock plastered on his face "What kind of power is this?" he howled.

"This is the power of hope. The hope that the fading life left in your wake has for a return to better times. The anger of the land itself, at the atrocities your very presence has caused. This is the power of the life you failed to snuff out, gifted to me to strike you down!"

Bob activated the Rolodex and it manifested in front of him. The reel started spinning and locked in the Diminuitve Minotaur card. The multiplier reel popped up next and began to spin, it stopped and locked in a 5x multiplier. The five Diminutive Minotaur materialized in front of Bob. Bob commanded them to attack Famine. The Minotaur charged at Famine as Bob ran for his sword. Just as Bob got to his sword and picked it up, Famine turned toward the Minotaur and smirked.

Famine raised his other arm, his mouth opened and words strange and unfamiliar to Bob started pouring out. Famine's eyes narrowed as the chant ended, and the Minotaur started to shrivel right in front of Bob's eyes. The Minotaur fell to the ground, unable to support themselves any longer. Down they tumbled in a mess of desiccated corpses, life force ripped away. Famine stared aggressively at Bob, as his arm started to regenerate rapidly.

"I'm going to enjoy draining you of your life force. Stupid fucking Mortal! I am Famine. Horseman of the Apocalypse!"

"Yeah, so what shithead? I've killed two of you already. I aim to kill two more."

"The impudence! I shall relish in your death."

Bob tightened his grip on Peace Bringer and charged at Famine. The warmth Bob felt from the earth grew even more intense as the glow emanating off of the sword doubled. Bob swiftly crossed the ground between him and Famine and swung with all his might. The sword bit deeply into Famine's shoulder, stopping only because Famine grabbed Bob's wrist forcing the momentum to a halt. Famine pushed Bob's arm and the sword out of his shoulder and tossed him backward.

Famine began to chant in the same strange language again, sickly finger pointed at Bob, while blood seeped from his wound to the cave floor. The chant finished and a line of energy spiraled out of Famine's fingertip and connected to Bob.

"Now, I have you. Foolish Mortal, prepare to have your very essence ripped from your being."

Famine smirked and closed his eyes as he prepared for the rejuvenating life force to flow into him, healing the deep gash in his shoulder. Bob took this opportunity to rush Famine and thrust his obnoxiously radiant sword into Famine's chest. The blade entered with a weird crunching squelch sound as it burst through bone and sank deeply into the heart beneath. Famine's eyes flicked open in pained surprise.

"How are you still alive?"

"Plot Armor, shit stain!"

"What? You should be a dried-up husk on the ground."

"Well, the life force and anger of this land protected me from your blight. You will get no sustenance from me. The land itself rejects you. Now you are not long for this realm. Goodbye!"

Famine tried to say more, but all that came out was a blood-choked gurgle as his body turned into essence that was greedily slurped up by the Rolodex. Bob wiped the gore off his sword and then willed it back into his inventory. He then took a seat and took a deep breath of relief. Snowball barreled into his lap, and gleefully leaped into Bob's open arms. Bob smiled and laughed as he gently stroked the soft fur of his bonded companion and best friend.

Bob had been in the cave for what felt like an eternity, fighting Famine. He had battled with all his might, pushing himself to his limits and beyond, until finally, he had emerged victorious. But as he stepped out of the cave, he realized that his fight was far from over.

Standing before him was a horde of cannibals, their eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. Bob's heart sank as he realized that he was outnumbered, outmatched, and out of options. But he refused to go down without a fight.

Willing his sword into his hand, Bob charged at the cannibals, determined to take as many of them down with him as possible. The battle was fierce, and Bob was forced to use every ounce of his strength and skill to stay alive. Snowball started unleashing blasts of ice breath as quickly as he could at the cannibals.

But even as he fought, Bob knew that he was fighting a losing battle. The cannibals were too numerous, too relentless, and too ruthless. They closed in around him, their teeth bared, their eyes hungry, and Bob knew that his time was running out.

In a moment of desperation, Bob let out a loud, guttural roar, hoping to scare off the cannibals or attract some help. But to his surprise, his roar was met with silence. The cannibals only seemed to grow more frenzied, more bloodthirsty, and more determined to have their next meal. As the horde closed in on him, Bob felt a wave of hopelessness wash over him. He had fought so hard, for so long, only to end up as food for these savages. Bob had overcome so much, come on he had slain 3 of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Yes, that is right, those Horsemen. Mythical figures signaling the end times.

To be overwhelmed and brought down by mere cannibals is inconceivable. Well this is it, I guess? The end of my life, ending up as a light snack for a bunch of worthless fucking cannibals.

Bob closed his eyes and waited for the crushing mass of cannibals to start their feast.