Lr stories part 1: Power royale

Chapter 22: The American Dream, Part 4

Announcer 1: "Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your seats! The chase is heating up! William Dangerfield is right on Bordy's tail, and this could be the end of the former senator. But the question is: how will it go down?"

Announcer 2: "Bordy Jornitson may be wounded, but he's not out. William's metal manipulation powers are strong, but not without limits. This showdown is going to test both their abilities—and their resolve."

William sprinted through the crumbling streets, his eyes fixed on Bordy as the senator's figure grew smaller in the distance. The wound Bordy sustained from having the metal plate ripped out of his back slowed him down, but not enough to stop him. William gritted his teeth, frustration gnawing at him as he struggled to close the gap.

He had metal manipulation, sure, but he knew his limits. As much as he tried, he couldn't manipulate the iron in a person's blood or the smaller pieces of metal embedded within flesh. The metal plate had been a fluke—an easy target due to its size.

"Damn it," William muttered under his breath as he pushed himself harder, legs burning with every step. "If only I had more control... more training."

Behind him, Angelo and Kindliker lagged, struggling to keep up. Angelo's animal forms would give him an edge, but he was conserving energy, unsure of what lay ahead. Kindliker was just trying to stay relevant in the fight, panting as he stumbled along, his lack of any combat abilities showing.

In the distance, Bordy spotted a bridge—a massive steel structure that spanned a wide, rushing river below. It was the perfect place for a last stand, and maybe—just maybe—an escape. The former senator gritted his teeth, the pain in his back intensifying with every movement, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. Not now.

As Bordy reached the bridge, his steps faltered. The weight of his injuries was becoming too much, but he pressed on, crossing the threshold onto the metallic expanse. The sound of William's footsteps, growing louder behind him, fueled his determination.

William saw the bridge and smirked. He could feel the metal under his feet, sense the steel beams that held the structure together. Bordy had just handed him the perfect weapon.

"This is it," William muttered to himself as he reached the bridge. He slowed his pace, catching his breath while eyeing Bordy, who was halfway across. "You think you can run forever, old man?"

Bordy turned to face William, his breathing ragged. "You don't understand, William... You can't kill an idea... You can never truly kill a patriot."

William's eyes narrowed. "Maybe not, but I can sure as hell kill you."

With a swift motion, William extended his hands toward the metal bridge. The steel groaned as it responded to his will, twisting and bending with a force that only he could command. Sharp spikes formed from the beams, rising up like deadly spears.

Bordy's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. He tried to run, but his legs gave out, sending him crashing to the ground. The spikes were relentless, moving toward him with lethal precision.

"William, stop!" Angelo's voice rang out from behind, but it was too late.

With a final gesture, William sent the spikes hurtling toward Bordy. The senator barely had time to react before the metal pierced through his body, impaling him in multiple places. Blood poured from his wounds, staining the metal red as he collapsed onto the cold steel.

Bordy gasped, his vision dimming as he stared up at the sky. His thoughts were jumbled, memories of his time in the Senate, the war, and the ideals he once fought for flashing before his eyes.

"You... you can never... truly kill a patriot..." Bordy whispered with his final breath, his voice fading into the wind.

William stood over Bordy's lifeless body, breathing heavily as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. He didn't feel the triumph he expected—only a hollow emptiness. He had won, but at what cost?

Angelo and Kindliker finally caught up, skidding to a stop as they took in the scene. Angelo looked at William with a mix of shock and disappointment. "Was this necessary, William? He was already wounded..."

William turned to Angelo, his expression unreadable. "He wasn't going to stop. He would have kept coming for us. For the prize. It's how this game works."

Kindliker, catching his breath, just stared at Bordy's body, unsure of what to say. "I... I don't know if I'd call this a win."

William glanced at the bloodied metal spikes he had created, then at Bordy's lifeless form. "It doesn't matter. We're still in this. We need to keep moving."

Angelo sighed, his shoulders slumping in resignation. He knew William was right—there was no time to dwell on what had happened. But the weight of it hung over them all as they turned away from the bridge, continuing their journey deeper into the shrinking battlefield.

Announcer 1: "And just like that, folks, another contender is down! William Dangerfield showing no mercy as he takes out Bordy Jornitson in a brutal display of power!"

Announcer 2: "A fitting end for a man who believed in something greater than himself. But in the end, ideals don't win battles—power does. William's control over metal continues to be a force to be reckoned with, but how much longer can he keep this up?"

To be continued...