Award Ceremony 06

Once more, the fighting had been completed. One more year's battles done. And now, it was time for honour to be given to those who had shown their mettle and won their way to victory over the bodies of their competitors. All over Cardinal (and a few points beyond), PADs began to buzz, ring, vibrate, and emit a host of other signals indicating a received message, as Alothin once more called all those who had participated together, to look on as the greatest among them was recognized.

The message he had sent out had indicated that the castle's main (and largest) courtyard would be, just as last year, the site for the awards ceremony. The courtyard, normally a more-or-less plain circle of grass with a thin border of flagstones around the edge, had a set of bleachers seamlessly inset into it, on one side, more than sufficient to hold all of this year's competitors. Opposite that was a large black monolith, impervious to all sorts of senses, even a psion's depth of perception.

Borrowing strength from her beloved tiger, Chadisekhar walked into the courtyard and sat on one of the bottom rows of the bleachers. She was dressed in the best that she had, resplendent with golden jewlery, magical charms, and one spiffy looking sari. She had been fingering her bangles the entire time, her eyes shifting until she saw some of the people she had gotten to know in the process of the Budokai. It brought out a smile. Angling her body closer to Cesto, and Ichigo, a giggle caught in her throat. This was the only place in the universe where a demon could sit beside a holy warrior without fearing for their life. Looking over at Valis, she grinned, waving her congratulations to the chaotic mage that was so genuinely kind.

As the last few people arrived for the awards ceremony, Alothin rose out of the ground on a small podium of stone, and beside him arose a three-tiered stand.

"Before I begin handing out this year's awards, I wish to say two words to you all. Thank you for, once again, making this year's competition a fine display of all of your martial skills. It was good to see the strength that Earth's defenders have developed through their sufferings. These powers will only become continually more important -- trouble is ever on the horizon, and we must be on our guard.

"It is for that purpose that I do not, this year, intend to wholly shut down Deius Castle. While the Tenkaichi Budoukai is over, for now, I will continue to host small events throughout the year, until next we all come together. You are all welcome to attend those, as well as to take advantage of Deius Castle's facilities for your own regular sparring -- we have a uniquely safe environment, and with Cardinal's new laws in place, it is best to keep such activities out of sight. Master D'Argente has also agreed to stay on for a time, so his services will also be available in times of need.

"Now, with no further ado... let us begin with this year's Lightweights. Chadisekhar, come and take your place."

Another deep breath, and Chadisekhar went to stand on the third place spot, shaking her left bangled hand in an attempt to arrest Bhaktora's light growling at the amount of people. The strength of her allies and friends gave her the courage, and restraint to stand without releasing the beast within. When Alothin came by her, the growl changed to a purr, and stayed that way through the rest of the awards ceremony. Giving the deepest most formal bow she knew, Chadisekhar stood poised to accept whatever the mighty Alothin sought fit to gift her.

"I have gone to some trouble this year, to locate prizes suitable to all the victors. Chadisekhar, I know of a certain construction project you have been working on. I am most impressed by how far you have managed to come, on a very small supply of resources. Let us see now what you can do with much, much more." He passed her a small electronic chit, capable of being plugged into a PAD. "I award you the temporary use of a team of Empirical engineers and a brigade of construction robots. As well, this chit will allow you to access a significant sum of money that has been credited to your new account with Empirical. Please build something beautiful -- our world needs to see more of the wonders that can come from people of powered imagination."

Beaming? Yes, she was. She took the chit with both hands, holding it like one would hold the most precious item in the world. Looking up at him in wonder, Chadisekhar conveyed all the appreciation she possibly could, before bowing low one more time.

"Thank you, Master Alothin. I give you my word as a mage, as a denizen of this planet that I will succeed in making something beautiful that will never be forgotten, and always remain open for the useage of the defenders of this planet, as well as the rest of the world."

"Next... Valis T'Sarran. Come, take your place."

"Valis T'Sarran... you represent an unusual case. I spent a good deal of time searching for a suitable prize for you, until I realized that the answer was well within my reach, all that time. To you, I gift these anklets." He drew forth from the black monolith a pair of dark metallic anklets, cunningly inscribed with beautiful artisanry -- images of what appear to be many-tailed kitsune dancing. "I believe you will find them most useful. As well, as is traditionally, I also grant to you a small sum of money, as a token of recognition of your efforts." He also delivered to Valis a small chit, much like the one he had given Chadisekhar. "Congratulations on your standing, Valis."

Chadisekhar turned to Valis and bowed with a fond smile, "Congratulations, Valis. It could not have been gifted to a better man"

"Next, and finally, for the lightweights... Constance Kaider, come, and take your place above your competitors."

<misc, and Constance taking her place>

"Constance Kaider." Alothin gave a slight smile. "While I have had to gift ki wielders with powerful items before, never have I needed to seek out an item suited to a witch hunter. Thank you for giving me a challenge." He reached into the black monolith once more, and extracted a gorget, its golden metal glowing brightly with its fine polish. "While this was not originally designed with you in mind, I think you will find it to give you certain benefits in pursuing your goals." He delivered the gorget to Constance's hands, and as she touched the gorget, there was a tiny flash of golden light -- or was that merely the sun reflecting off the gorget as it altered angle? "As well, I have a token gift of money for you, as well." With that, he delivered another of the chits to Constance -- not that, considering her family, she particularly needs it.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and other kind beings, I give you your lightweight champions." He led the applause for them all.

Bowing one last time, Chadisekhar held the chit close, removing herself from the podium to sit back down beside her dearest friends. Letting out a thin line of breath, Chadisekhar deflated a bit. Now that it was over, she was eagre to get started on fixing up Sanctuary.

Once the cheering had died down, and the three champions had returned to their seats, Alothin began to speak again. "Our middleweight class, this year, was one of the more exciting divisions, in my mind. A tremendous variety of power met and conflicted, and the pure tactical genius of some competitors was a beauty to watch. Victory in this division was hard-won. I can only hope my choice of prizes will do justice to the victors' work."

"Tamanegi Niyama, come, and take your place."

"Tamanegi, you have displayed an excellence in combat unusual for one so young. I hope that the prize I have crafted for you will only assist you in rising higher in your capacities in defense of our great planet." He drew forth another prize from the monolith -- a Black Iron orb, perhaps a half inch in diameter, with a matching chain. "I believe you will find this useful in keeping a level head, even in the hottest depths of combat." He delivered it into Tamanegi's hands, along with a chit. "Accompanying it is, of course, another small gift of funds, as a congratulatory token for your achievements here."

<do, a deer, a female deer>

"Keith Aricin, you have fought well, and found for yourself second place. Come forth, and take your place and your prize."

<misc>

"For you, Keith, I spent the largest part of my time. My agents and I have spent the last few weeks combing the continent, searching out hidden caves, unknown battlefields, and chance resting places. With the componnts gathered, I crafted the very basics of what I desired to give you, before taking it to the temple of Luciamo to be appropriately blessed by the patriarch of your order. And now, I grant to you this Helm of Brilliance. May it light your unerring path, paladin." He drew forth from the monolith what seemed to be a battered helm, but when he set it upon Keith's head, there was a mighty flash of golden energies, and it was transformed in the wake. Resting upon Keith's brow was a helmet of clear might, shining with the power of goodness imbued into it by powerful clerics and the numerous recovered holy relics that Alothin and his agents had recovered. After a few moments, it faded away, back to the appearance of a simple helm, its powers sheathed.

After a moment, to allow people's eyes to recover from the brightness, Alothin handed Keith a chit, as well. "Even a paladin must eat, though I am sure you will utilize this temporal power of money for good deeds, rather than yourself. However you choose to use it, I am confident you will do so with your usual wisdom, Keith."

"Now, Johan Fahst. Come forth and take your place as victor of the middleweights."

Once Johan was in place, a step above Keith, two above Tamanegi, Alothin withdraw a small ring from the monolith. "We are subtle men, of subtle arts, and so I give you a subtle gift, Johan." He offered the ring up to the demonologist -- a golden band, with a ruby set into it. The ruby glowed with an inner fire, and the golden ring itself seemed constantly warm to the touch. "I believe this will be most useful to you, and perhaps this small token of funds will be, as well. Perhaps this infusion of cash will assist you in your researches." He also handed the infernalist a chit, much like the others.

"Again, ladies, gentlemen, and other kind beings... your middleweight champions!" Alothin once again led the applause for the trio of victors.

When the applause had died down, and the victors had returned to their seats, there was something of an expectant hush. The gifts so far had been mighty works, but now came the heavyweights. What mighty artifacts would be revealed here?

"This brings us to our last, and most powerful, bracket of competitors. Shanji Ushai. Through your mental capacities, you have proven your worth. While you may 'only' be in third place, that accolade places you in the ranks of the most powerful people on this world. Come, and take your hard-won place."

Alothin withdrew from the monolith a roll of the thinnest fabric imaginable -- at least, to most people it looked like fabric. In fact, to most people, it looked 2-dimensional, it was so thin. "No doubt you have already guessed what this is, Shanji, as you have seen its lesser cousin many times. This is the Tattoo of Mental Flexibility, the elder cousin of the tattoo that Davios received, last year. Perhaps it will give you the extra edge you may require... in your travels." He handed the roll to Shanji. "As well, as a token of my appreciation for your fighting skills, also accept this gift of funds." He delivered a small chit to Shanji, as well.

"Jade Boskonovich. Your talents have been amply displayed. Come, take your rightful place."

"Locating a suitable prize for you was quite difficult, Jade. You possess a formidable weapon, and you have sufficient economic means at your own disposal to achieve your goals. However, I believe I have succeeded in locating something suitable for you." He withdrew from the black monolith a pair of silver bracelets -- though a close examination would reveal that, although the bracelets kept their shape, the silver seemed to be flowing within that shape like mercury. "The function of these bracelets is simple, yet quite effective. I believe you will find them a valuable addition to your fighting form." He smiled, and passed her a chit, as well. "As is tradition, I have also made available to you a small sum of money."

"Finally... Johnny Gnash. You have come a tremendous way in a year. You have risen from the ashes like a phoenix, to take the first and foremost place in this competition. Come forth."

"In truth, there is very little I can offer you, Johnny. Most gifts would be dwarfed into practical uselessness by your personal power. Instead, we shall come full circle. I granted to Chadisekhar the use of certain Empirical personnel... and so I do to you, albeit on a much larger scale. I have given them the task of improving the Crazy Fox to become a truly unique experience for all visitors, and they have already designed some truly mind-boggling applications of some of our unique technologies." He offered Johnny a chit. "This contains the contact information for your team, as well as the account information for your funds."

"Ladies. Gentlemen. Other kind beings. I give to you the ultimate forces of our Earth, your heavyweight champions!" This time, Alothin had no need to lead the applause, for it started without him, and he merely joined in as he stepped back.

Eventually, once everyone had departed, the bleachers, the podium and three-tiered stand, and the black monolith, sunk back down into the castle, disappearing without a trace.

Award Ceremony 06

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