Eztli's Spooky Chase

Chap 33

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦ ⋆｡˚ ☁︎ ꒷꒦︶꒷꒦☁︎ ⋆｡˚☽ ꒷꒦︶꒷꒦

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Rono glared at his opponent, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. "Oh, please. You think you can beat me? I've got this in the bag," he boasted, puffing out his chest.

Chaneque, a small but sprightly figure, chuckled softly, their eyes sparkling with mischief. "Is that confidence or just wishful thinking? I mean, look at these legs!" they said, gesturing to their petite limbs, nimble and quick.

"Legs? They're practically twigs! I could snap you in half," Rono laughed, feeling a rush of adrenaline as he flexed his muscles.

With a sharp whistle, the race began. In an instant, both competitors surged forward. Feet pounded against the earth in a harmonious rhythm, the sound blending with the rustle of leaves and laughter from their friends who had gathered to watch.

The chaneques, known for their small stature, darted ahead in bursts of laughter that filled the arena. They nimbly navigated through tightly knit spots, their laughter like music. Rono, although larger, was determined. He was driven not just by pride but the thrill of the challenge.

 As Rono neared the halfway point, a sudden realization hit him there might be tricks along the way.  

 Known to these raiders as a place of unexpected surprises, it was an area where nature twisted their playful competition into a test of wit and agility. Logs that would roll, roots that could entangle, and bushes that might conceal pitfalls. 

Feeling a surge of adrenaline, Rono sprinted into the trap zone, heart pounding. He quickly spotted the first threat: a wooden log poised at an angle, ready to roll if disturbed. Rono gathered his strength and leapt over it, feeling a delightful rush of air as he soared. His landing was smooth, and he smiled, feeling pride in overcoming that first obstacle.

  As he pressed on, Rono realized he would need to keep his wits about him. Just ahead, the intricate underbrush began to thicken, a maze of twisting branches and ferns. Suddenly, a hidden pit came into view — a jagged hole that could easily swallow an unsuspecting racer. Rono's instincts kicked in, and he skidded to a halt in the nick of time, narrowly avoiding a fall.

"Watch out for the pit!" his friends shouted to encourage him. 

As he continued, Rono's foot snagged on a particularly rebellious root. He stumbled but regained his balance, a few fleeting seconds spent recovering his footing. Rono felt the pressure of the advancing chaneque behind him, their laughter now a distant echo as they maneuvered elegantly through the traps.

Finally, he spotted another obstacle: a low-hanging branch that could easily knock him off his game. With a swift movement, he ducked under it, moments later feeling a rush of wind as the chaneque gracefully flew overhead, giggling as they sailed by.

"I won't be outdone!" Rono declared, his spirit igniting once more. He launched himself forward, pushing through fatigue. But just as he thought he was gaining momentum, a sudden, unexpected trap triggered. A series of large, soft foam boulders rolled down a slope, headed straight for him!

Rono's eyes widened, and he instinctively took a sidestep, narrowly avoiding the tumbling boulders — their cushioning making them less dangerous but still able to impede his progress. Finding a rhythm, he weaved through the maze, feet pounding against the ground in sheer determination.

But just as he was gaining ground, disaster struck. Rono miscalculated a leap over a protruding root, his foot catching awkwardly. "No!" he gasped, gasping as he tumbled to the side, the world spinning briefly around him.

"Come on! You can still do this!" his friends called out, their cheers ringing with encouragement. Rono quickly scrambled to his feet, brushing dirt from his hands, determination setting in his features.

Even in the final stretch leading to the finish line, the chaneque displayed his cunning. He reached a cleverly crafted series of sliding slide built into the hill, designed to propel the smaller racers forward. As they zipped through, the springboards sent them flying toward the final turn, his laughter blending with the rustling leaves.

When Rono stumbled, it only highlighted the chaneques' advantage. He utilized his smaller frames and nimble movements to weave in and out of obstacles, making the race appear effortless—an illusion that added to their competitive edge.

But the chaneque, quick and cunning, seized the opportunity. They zipped past him, barely breaking a sweat, and reached the finish line first. The leader raised their hands, declaring, "And the chaneque win this round!"

Rono huffed, both frustrated and impressed. "You guys cheated!" he protested half-heartedly, unable to suppress a smile.

"Don't worry, Rono! We have more stages to go, and we can still be the lead!" Eztli shouted. Rono nodded, savoring the thrill of the competition, ready for the next challenge.

The chaneques, now celebrating their victory, exchanged gleeful glances. Chaneque unable to contain himself, chortled, "Cheating or cleverness? There's a fine line, my dear human!"

"You have to admit, we're just too light on our feet."  Another swift chaneque, added with a teasing wink. "Maybe next time, you'll join join us."

Zacil strolled over still buzzing from their recent victory. The leader, a wiry chaneque with a mischievous glint in their eyes, was reveling in the glory of their triumph.

"So, I saw your race," Zacil began, crossing his arms with a playful smirk. "How's it feel to be the fastest...cheater around?"

Zacil chuckled, shaking his head. "Strategy? More like a toddler throwing a tantrum when they can't win." He raised his voice slightly for emphasis, drawing the attention of his friends nearby.

The leader couldn't help but laugh, his chaneque friends joining in. "Ha! Says the one whose kid cried to the referee."

"He didn't cry!" Zacil retorted, pointing a finger accusingly. "He reported a crime. There's a difference."

The leader smirked, leaning in closer. "A crime? You're hilarious. What's next? You'll claim he was assaulted by a rogue tree branch?"

"Oh, I'm the joke here? Right. Because sneaky tricks are so admirable," Zacil shot back, a glimmer of playfulness in his eyes as he feigned indignation.

The leader turned, eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Cheater? Please. It's called strategy. You wouldn't understand." He leaned slightly back, an air of self-satisfaction surrounding him.

At least the kid said he is okay with it so let's begin the next stage.

Zacil, conceded defeat with a grin. "Fine, fine. You win this round, Xaloc. But just wait until the next game."