March 9, 3009
Silva wakes up to an alarm that was set for 7 a.m. His sheets rise into the air and create a mess on the floor as he exits the room. Oro opens one eye and quickly closes it after the door shuts. Meanwhile Salv is sleeping soundly in his bed. Before heading out of the inn, Silva remembers his friend's sleeping habits.
Silva: (knocks on Isra's room's door) Wake up Isra! We gotta get ready, the tournament starts at eight!
…
Silva: Come on man, I'm not kidding. Get up!
…
Isra groans a bit and rustles out of bed.
Silva: Fine your loss. Don't blame me when I reach the top-
Before Silva can finish his sentence, Isra runs to the sink and continuously keeps jogging in place as he brushes his teeth and changes into his climbing gear. Isra appears right in front of Silva.
Isra: You were sayin'?
Silva: (Frowns) You're lucky you have superspeed.
Silva and Isra rush down the stairs of the inn and make their way to the kiosk for a final check in. Multiple competitors run toward the kiosk to check in early, however, Isra naturally gets first in line. Isra was able to snag Silva's license to secure him a spot before he arrived.
Kiosk Worker: (Overwhelmed) Good morning, have you come to check in for the tournament?
Isra: Yes.
Kiosk Worker: Okay, may I see your Climber's License please?
Isra: Here, and I also have my friend's license as well.
Kiosk Worker: Unfortunately I cannot sign him in if he isn't present.
He gives her his license and waits for Silva to arrive. 10 minutes later…
Silva: My name is Silva Belmonte, I'm ready to get started!
Kiosk Worker: (Rolls her eyes) Yeah… you're all set Mr. Belmonte. You and Mr. Isra can follow the golden path to the ceremony at Pearent Stadium.
Silva: Thanks and have a great day!
Silva and Isra jog through the golden pass.
Kiosk Worker: Yeah, I won't. (Sighs and looks at the tremendous line) I knew I shouldn't have covered for Becky.
Silva and Isra take their seats next to Dante and Katsuo.
Silva: Yo Dante!
Dante: 'Sup brotha?
Silva: Antsy to get started. This is my friend Isra by the way.
Dante: Nice to meet ya Isra.
Isra: Likewise.
Dante: This is my partner in crime, Katsuo.
Katsuo and Isra exchange silent nods toward each other.
Silva: So Dante, when is your bracket gonna compete?
Dante: Not till tomorrow.
Silva: Ah, I see.
Dante: But I can't wait to see ya eat shit out there little bro (laughs).
Silva: (Angrily) Not gonna happen!
Isra: Either way, I'm bringing the gold to the Silver Expeditioners.
Silva: Yeah, we shall see, Speedy!
The other teen climbers and fans trickle in until Pearent Stadium is at full capacity. The first day of the biannual climber's tournament commences. The middle-aged host appears on stage with a flamboyant and proper energy to him that can be noticed across the stands. He is dressed in a sparkling purple suit while sporting a well groomed hairstyle and mustache.
Tournament Host: Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone else out there: welcome to the first day of the biannual climber's tournament! Today marks our one hundred and seventh anniversary of this competition! I am your host: Eustis Barrington!
The audience cheers in the background.
Eustis Barrington: Yes, yes. What a monumental day it is! (Clears throat until the excitement of the audience calms down). Well now, we must get to the boring part my friends. Rules and regulations…
There is a slight silent pause followed by the audience's sighs.
Eustis Barrington: Now, now. I will make this short. There will be two days for each bracket. Today's bracket is for adolescents. In order to qualify, the competitor must be between the ages of thirteen to nineteen. Any younger or older will result in immediate disqualification as you probably know by now. The twenties bracket will commence later today followed by the thirty plus bracket in the evening. There will be no use of inherited items allowed, this competition is strictly a test of pure climbing skill. If a referee catches any shady tactics, they will throw down a yellow card of caution. Any and all attempts at blatant cheating will result in a red card of ejection. If a referee has previously issued two yellow cards to the competitor's name, and the competitor attempts to bend the rules, the officials have the right to throw a red card of ejection resulting in the competitors disqualification.
(Pause)
Eustis Barrington: Yada, yada. (Throws the notecards he was reading off of on the ground). Let's get straight to the point shall we. There will be three obstacle courses for this year's competition in each bracket. The only variation is that the teens bracket will be less steep than the twenties bracket and the thirty plus will have the hardest challenge, (rolls his eyes) no surprise there. The first challenge is a standard rock wall with occasional oil grease spilled across half of it. Following that, is our intense ropes course that will test the competitors' acrobatics and agility skills. Afterwards, the first five or so competitors to complete the challenges will compete in the final challenge to climb our signature course: Climber's Tears. For those who live under a rock, this national treasure is a waterfall that is located at the back left of Climber's Paradise with an astounding three hundred meters in height. First three to the top will be awarded their respective medals accordingly.
(Pause)
Eustis Barrington: There are cushioned placemats across each course to ensure every competitors' safety as well as the medical staff provided so graciously by the (mutters to himself) incompetent pigs… (he clears his throat once more) I mean our Justellan government.
The medical staff sit directly behind Eustis Barrington on stage. They frown at him, to which the host hardly pays any mind.
Meanwhile… A group of Justellan Privates and a Corporal named John Manning are watching the broadcast live from one of the Justellan Headquarters in Midwestern Instivale.
Corporal Manning: (Pounds his fist on his desk) That prick! He's making us out to be fools on national television!
Private 1: Sir. Should we apprehend him?
Corporal Manning: (Sighs) No. As much as I want to, I cannot make any hasty decisions in a public setting like this without a Dodeca Sergeant's permission.
Private 2: I wonder when they'll be back.
Corporal Manning: They have way more important duties going on with the endless war in the north to care about such lowly scum. (Sighs). Why am I stationed here and not fighting in the battlefield right now. This is so incredibly dull…
Back in Climber's Paradise…
Eustis Barrington: Okay, okay. Any questions?
A few members of the audience start to raise their hands.
Eustis Barrington: (Ignoring the obvious hands raised) No? Alright, without further ado… let the one hundred and seventh biannual climber's tournament commence!
The stands cheer and a few guides escort the teen competitors to the rock wall.