The competition has concluded. Eustass Barrington takes the stage to officially announce the three winners in each age group bracket. The three finalists of each bracket are sitting on chairs behind Eustass Barrington. Silva is in the stands with Jelani, Salv, Katsuo, and Oro.
Eustass Barrington: Ladies, gentleman and everyone else out there! Welcome to the award ceremony of the one hundred and seven years' biannual climber's tournament here in our very own: Climber's Paradise! I first want to give a round of applause for all of the lovely crew and staff for all of the hard work they have done in making this event happen!
(Crowd cheers).
Special thanks to the Instivalen government and our lovely sponsors for funding every one of our events! And of course… Thanks to all of the competitors for giving it your all the past two days!
The crowd goes wild until Heli lets out an obviously fake cough.
Eustass Barrington: Apologies… I seem to have forgotten to mention the astounding arrival of Heli of House Allvarede! (Slightly sarcastically) What an honor it was to have you here.
Heli obliviously nods.
Eustass Barrington: I ask that you save your applause till I call everyone's name, please and thank you.
(Slight pause)
Now then, let's get to the winners shall we? In third place of the teens bracket we have one of the local legacies around here… One of the twin Isra brothers: Roco Isra!
Jelani: (Sighs) I should've been the Isra twin on stage, not Roco!
Silva punches Jelani on the arm.
Silva: Shut the hell up and be happy for your brother!
Jelani: (Rolls his eyes) Fine. Adequate work out there brother…
Silva: (Shrugs) Eh, I guess that works.
Isra stands up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a bronze medal around him.
Eustass Barrington: In second place, she's another legend's legacy, "The Web Queen" herself: Caroline Field!
Caroline stands up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a silver medal around her.
Eustass Barrington: First place of the teen's bracket is awarded to "The Shining Royal Climber": Heli of House Allvarede!
Heli stands up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a gold medal around him.
Heli: Clap for me, worms!
The audience claps.
Eustass Barrington: (Sighs for a split second) For the twenties bracket… in third place we actually have a tie. Against all odds, this pair of twins arrived at the exact same time! This means that they will both be awarded bronze medals! "The Inseparable Bridwell Twins": Jimmy and Jamie Bridwell!
Jimmy and Jamie stand up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a bronze medal around Jamie and then does the same for Jimmy.
Eustass Barrington: For second place, we have the sole non-legacy member of the twenties bracket: "The Blue Striker": Dante Valorante!
Silva: Wow, Dante didn't have confidence in himself and now look at that, second place!
Salv: Well done!
Katsuo: (Nods) Yep.
Dante stands up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a silver medal around him.
Eustass Barrington: The first place finalist in the twenties bracket is awarded to an outstanding legacy climber who needs little introduction. You all know and love him, "The Patriotic Hero": Trent Kaun!
Trent stands up on stage. Eustass Barrington places a gold medal around him.
Eustass Barrington announces the thirties bracket winners and the audience cheers.
Eustass Barrington: Thus, we close out our ceremony with a final takeaway for any climbers out there: this is your time to shine, don't let anything stop you even if you didn't win or participate tonight! We hope that you all enjoyed the event! Thank you everyone! This has been your host: Eustass Barrington! Good night!
The audience gives Eustass Barrington one last round of applause until everyone retires for the night.
March 11, 3009
Silva, Isra, Salv, Oro, Dante, Katsuo, and Jelani grab breakfast together and begin to walk towards the exit of Climber's Paradise. They are stopped by Heli of House Allvarede.
Heli: Stop at once!
Jelani: Not this guy again…
Silva: The hell do you want from us? You won already, just let us be.
Heli: I demand an apology.
Jelani: For what?
Isra: Dude, just apologize. Then we can safely leave.
Heli: Insubordination of a royal of course! I suggest you take your friend's advice, you know I could have you both killed.
Silva: We ain't scared of you and your enormous head!
Dante: (Puts his hands on his chin and nods) He does have a large head, now that you point it out…
Salv and Katsuo laugh.
Heli: I will make certain the government disposes of you all for this unforgivable insult!
Silva: I don't give a shit who you are. You will not lay a hand on me or my friends.
Heli: (Laughs) The weakling thinks he will come out of this scuffle unscathed.
Silva: If I'm such a weakling, why don't you fight me yourself since you got such a problem-
Isra: Silva, that's enough.
Jelani: Shit, this is bad for my pr. I'll see y'all later!
Jelani leaves before things escalate. Heli's eyes are bloodshot. He is about to utter an excuse, but stops himself.
Heli: Alright, but only because I need to set an example in case any commoners pass by.
Silva cracks his knuckles. Seconds after that, Heli charges at Silva. To his surprise, Silva easily dodges his fist. Silva's body heats up. Silva gut punches Heli. Heli is down for the count. He clenches his stomach that is smoking from the heat. Silva left a burn in the shape of his fist on Heli's gut. Heli cries in agony.
Heli: (Softly) Cowards… All of you, come back and help me!
Heli passes out.
Dante: Holy shit!
Salv: Nicely done Silva!
Isra: Y'all encouraged this! Now all of us are in serious danger unless we leave right now!
Silva: I ain't leaving yet.
Salv: Hate to say it, but Isra's right. We gotta leave now.
Silva: I gotta at least bring him to a doctor.
Dante: (Facepalms) You never change Silv…
Silva: Gotta make thing's right, even if he is a prick.
Dante: I respect that bro. Katsuo and I are gonna bounce too though. No use sticking around.
Silva shakes Dante's hand.
Silva: Until next time Dante.
Dante: See ya later little bro!
Dante and Katsuo exit the scene. Silva is attempting to pick up Heli, who is fairly tall and heavy for such a skinny man.
Salv: (Rolls his eyes) Alright, Silva. Give him to me. I'll carry the sucker.
Silva: Thanks, Salv.
Isra: I guess this could help us not get into deeper trouble if we help him recover. I'll go to the clinic and make sure to get a doctor immediately.
Isra uses his powers of speed to run to the clinic. Salv carries Heli and brings him to a walk-in clinic with Silva.
March 12, 3009
After an entire night, Heli slightly wakes up and sees Silva and a doctor in a hospital room. Government officials surround the walk-in clinic to protect the young royal.
Heli: Where am I?
Doctor: Good morning your highness. You are at the walk-in clinic of Climber's Paradise. What is the last thing you remember?
Heli: That Silva! He struck and embarrassed me. I bet that barbarian ran off and left me unconscious!
Doctor: He actually saved you by bringing you here and hasn't left the waiting room all night.
Heli: How dare you speak to me that way! Well that doesn't change the fact that he was the one who injured me.
Doctor: (Fixes his glasses) I was just clearing things up for you, your highness. Silva could have abandoned you on the ground but instead, he cared for your well being.
Heli: But-
Doctor: Plus, this could hurt your reputation as a skilled fighter if word got out that you lost in a skirmish to a low born.
Heli: (Crosses his arms) Ughhh fine, I will pardon him for now. This is my only act of mercy. If he picks a fight with me again, he will answer to the high court!
Doctor: Thank you for your kindness, your highness. I will let you rest for a bit. I expect a full recovery within the next three days!
Heli: Excellent.
The doctor closes the door and wakes Silva up.
Silva: Wha-
Doctor: Good morning, Silva.
Silva: Mornin' doc.
Doctor: (Whispers to Silva) Heli is going to be alright. I made sure that he will only bring up the fact that you saved him. You're good to go.
Silva: (Whispers) That's great news doc! Thanks for clearing up my name.
Doctor: (Whispers) Anytime. You showed a lot of bravery and kindness last night. Not many would dare lay a finger on a royal and save him afterwards.
Silva: (Nods) Best of luck with everything.
Doctor: Same to you, kid.
Silva exits the clinic and meets up with Salv, Isra, and Oro who spent the night at a motel.
Isra: So your name is cleared?
Silva: (Nods). Yep.
Salv: How the hell did you manage that?
Silva: (Shrugs) Dunno, it was the clinic doctor who persuaded him.
Isra: Even if that's true, we shouldn't let our guards down.
Silva: (Chuckles and jokingly pats Isra on the back) You worry too much!
Familiar Voice: Excuse me-
The Silver Expeditioners turn around to see none other than Eustass Barrington behind them. He is overtly grinning.
Eustass Barrington: Good day, gentlemen.
Salv: Good day.
Silva: Hey-
Isra: What do ya want?
Eustass Barrington: Well, I just wanted to personally thank you Silva.
Silva: Huh?
Eustass Barrington: I saw the fight, you know.
Isra: See I told you Silva-
Eustass Barrington: Do not worry though. The last thing I'd do is snitch on you to those government dogs. I am very impressed with your actions! I admire your grit.
Silva: Thanks man.
Eustass Barrington: Because of that, I was inspired to let you in on some useful information.
Silva: What kinda info?
Eustass Barrington: Before I spill the beans. You must know that I have been waiting years to find a worthy young climber-
Silva: What makes me worthy-
Eustass Barrington: You do not fear anyone no matter their status. Your ambitions overpower even the royals of Instivale themselves.
Silva: Wow, I didn't think of it like that.
Eustass Barrington: (Chuckles) You're one of a kind. (Clears his throat). Now, the secret I am about to tell you has to do with the greatest living climber in the world…