Lr stories part 1: Power royale

Chapter 48: Final Hunt, Part 1

The arena was now a desolate wasteland. The trees, rivers, and sprawling landscapes that once populated the battlefield had shrunk into a tight circle of treacherous terrain. Only three contenders remained, and the tension was thicker than ever. The stakes were higher, and the final hunt had begun.

Announcer 1's voice crackled with excitement over the loudspeakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are down to the final three! This is what you've been waiting for! William Dangerfield, Angelo Vasquez, and Benito Garcia—one of these combatants will walk away with a billion dollars!"

"That's right," Announcer 2 added, his tone serious and analytical. "These three have survived the carnage and chaos of the Power Royale, and now it all comes down to this. But with Benito Garcia's ability to manipulate distances, finding him could prove to be the ultimate challenge for our duo."

William Dangerfield and Angelo Vasquez stood side by side at the edge of a rocky cliff, scanning the barren landscape below. William's metal armor glinted in the dim light, while Angelo, in his human form, leaned forward with an intense look in his eyes. Both were tense, ready for whatever might come next.

"This guy's good at hiding," William muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's like he's everywhere and nowhere at the same time."

"Benito's ability makes him unpredictable," Angelo replied, his voice calm but focused. "We need to think like him—figure out where he might be, what his next move is."

The shrinking arena buzzed with energy, forcing the two men to stay on the move. They knew Benito was out there, somewhere in the vast emptiness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Angelo transformed into an eagle, soaring high above to get a better view of the surrounding area. William watched him disappear into the sky, knowing that Angelo's ability to shift into different animals gave them a slight edge in this deadly game.

Announcer 1 chimed in with his signature enthusiasm, "And there goes Angelo, using his animal forms to scout the terrain! Will he spot Benito from up there? Or is Benito one step ahead?"

From the sky, Angelo's sharp eyes scanned the ground below. Every boulder, every shadow was a potential hiding spot for Benito. But as he circled, there was nothing—no sign of movement, no indication that their target was anywhere nearby.

Down below, William adjusted the metal plates of his armor, his mind racing. "This isn't working. We need to draw him out."

Angelo swooped back down, shifting back into human form as he landed. "Nothing. It's like he's vanished."

William clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. "He's waiting for us to make a mistake, to let our guard down. We have to be smarter. We need a plan."

Angelo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "What if we use his own tactics against him? Force him to come to us?"

William's eyes lit up with understanding. "A trap."

The two quickly discussed their plan, each detail carefully considered. William would create a decoy—a metal construct that would draw Benito's attention, while Angelo used his animal forms to silently track him down. It was a risky move, but with time running out, they had little choice.

Announcer 2 weighed in as they set their plan into motion. "A bold strategy by William and Angelo. But will it be enough to outsmart Benito? Or will he see through their ruse and turn the tables?"

William manipulated the metal from his armor, shaping it into a rough likeness of himself. The decoy stood tall, its metallic form gleaming in the fading light. With a final adjustment, William sent it lumbering forward, making sure it was visible from a distance.

Angelo, meanwhile, transformed into a panther, slipping into the shadows as he stalked silently around the perimeter, ready to strike at the first sign of Benito.

Minutes passed like hours as they waited, every sound, every shift in the wind making their hearts race. The tension was unbearable, but neither man faltered.

Finally, movement—just a flicker at the edge of their vision, but it was enough. William held his breath as the figure emerged from the shadows, creeping toward the decoy. Benito, cautious and calculating, had taken the bait.

"Here we go!" Announcer 1 shouted, his voice almost breathless with excitement. "The trap is set, and Benito is moving in! Will our duo pull it off, or is Benito about to turn this around?"

Angelo, hidden in the darkness, watched Benito close in on the decoy. His muscles tensed, ready to pounce, while William remained perfectly still, waiting for the right moment.

But just as Benito was within striking distance of the decoy, he hesitated. His eyes narrowed, his instincts telling him something was off.

"He's figured it out," Announcer 2 said, a note of admiration in his voice. "Benito Garcia isn't going down that easily."

In an instant, Benito shifted the distance between himself and the decoy, leaping backward out of range before the metal construct could react.

Angelo sprang from the shadows, but Benito was already moving, altering the space around him to put more distance between them.

"Damn it!" William cursed, watching as Benito slipped through their grasp. "He's playing us!"

Angelo growled in frustration, shifting back to human form. "He's too fast. We need to rethink this."

Announcer 1 summed up the situation with a mix of excitement and dread. "The final hunt has begun, but it looks like Benito Garcia is still one step ahead! This showdown is far from over, folks!"

As the arena continued to shrink, the tension between the remaining contenders grew even more intense. William and Angelo knew that they were running out of time—and options. But Benito wasn't invincible. He had to make a mistake eventually.

The final hunt was on, and only one of them would make it out alive.

To be continued...