Morgana’s voice broke.
"Why are you doing this? You have already proven your point! You have already got their attention! Please, Sid, this isn’t worth your life!"
He stopped, forehead resting against the cold steel, his breath uneven. For a mont, the cara showed nothing but the rise and fall of his shoulders. He said quietly,
"You don’t get it. I promised them this climb. I promised myself I’d reach the top if I ever hit a million subs. The universe gave that, so I can’t quit now, Morgs. Not when I’m this close. I’m not that kid anymore who got ditched by his parents. I can do things on my own now. I can live my best life— my way."
Down below, Big D’s grin softened as he lowered his phone. Morgana covered her mouth, eyes glistening as she whispered,
"You idiot..."
Sid pushed up again, his arms shaking, the tal cold and slick beneath his gloves. His HUD cara caught flashes of the red beacon above— the top of the tower, barely ten ters away. His breath hitched as he reached for the final ladder. The wind howled louder now, slamming into him with cruel force. His wound burned like fire, blood soaking through the side of his shirt.
"C’mon, Sid, You’ve been through worse. You’re not falling here."
Morgana’s voice ca faintly through the headset.
"Please... let him be safe, Lord. It’s just ten ters left."
He smiled weakly.
"I can hear your prayers from up here, Morgana. Does that make God? I an, I’m literally in the sky and I can hear you— haha."
"You really are stupid, Sid. You make my head hurt!"
she snapped, her voice breaking between anger and fear.
The wind howled like a beast, clawing at Sid’s body as he hauled himself higher. Every rung moaned beneath his gloves, slick from the mist that clung to the steel. His wound throbbed harder with each pull, a sharp pulse of pain that made his fingers twitch. He gritted his teeth, refusing to look down. The red beacon above blinked like a heartbeat in the dark, just a few more ters. Just a few more.
"C’mon, Sid. You can do this. Just five more ters... just five. Then we’ll grab a champ burger after this, with a cold soft drink... or maybe an iced coffee."
He laughed weakly at his own words, breath fogging in the air. The thought of that simple reward pushed him on, giving him sothing real to hold onto.
The chat exploded.
[Chat]: HE’S INSANE!!
[Chat]: THIS IS HISTORY, BABY!!
[Chat]: DON’T LOOK DOWN! KEEP GOING!!
Down below, Big D was pacing wildly beside the broadcast van, his voice cracking from shouting.
"He’s nearly there! Morgana, he’s doing it!"
But Morgana didn’t answer. She was frozen, eyes glued to the live feed, tears streaming down her face.
"Please... don’t let him fall. Please..."
Sid’s arm slipped slightly, his body moving against the ladder as the wind slamd into him again. He grunted, hugging the cold steel for dear life.
"Damn it! Not yet... I’m almost there!"
Then— Big D’s voice broke through the headset, louder than the howling wind.
"SID! SID, LISTEN UP! BRO, YOUR MOM’S IN THE CHAT!"
Sid froze mid climb, blinking through the sting of sweat.
"What?"
Big D’s voice was trembling now, filled with emotion.
"I swear to God, man— she’s here! She said she’s proud of you! She said, ’You can do it, Sid. One more push. I love you...’ Sid! She’s been watching the whole ti!’"
For a mont, everything stopped. The wind. The pain. Even the sound of his own heartbeat. Sid’s throat tightened, and a small, broken laugh slipped out.
"Heh... I never thought she’s really watching, huh? The night’s about to hit five a.m., yet she’s still awake just to watch ... I love you too, Mom."
Sid’s eyes softened, the tension in his face fading for a mont. He turned his head slightly, voice trembling as he spoke into the mic.
"Hey, Big D! Tell her I love her too, alright?"
His smile lingered... gentle, tired, and full of peace as the wind roared around him. His eyes glassy under the blinking red light. The wind whipped past him, carrying the faint hum of the tower’s tal fra.
"Guess I don’t have a choice now. If she’s watching, then I’ve got to finish this."
He lifted his gaze to the beacon above, its red glow painting his face like fire.
"For you, Mom."
With renewed strength, he reached higher, ignoring the fire in his side. The pain didn’t matter anymore. The fear didn’t matter. He could hear Morgana crying over the headset, her voice shaking as she shouted,
"You idiot! Don’t stop! You’re almost there, damn it!"
Sid grinned weakly.
"Yes, ma’am..."
He climbed faster, pushing through the screaming wind. The tal rattled beneath him, threatening to tear loose, but he didn’t stop. The cara on his chest shook wildly as his hand finally reached—
Clang.
His palm hit the top railing. He hauled himself up with a final, desperate pull. The beacon pulsed above him, glowing red against the night sky. The city stretched below like a sea of stars, each light flickering softly in the dark. Sid stood there, swaying slightly, blood staining his torn shirt.
He raised his cara, voice hoarse but steady.
"We made it... wild— WILDLINGS!!! Seven hundred ters. Still standing, BABY!"
The chat erupted instantly.
[Chat]: HE DID IT!!!
[Chat]: KING ENERGY!!
[Chat]: I’M CRYING RN.
[Chat]: Next climb— my bed.
Morgana’s sobs filled the van. She covered her mouth, shaking her head.
"You stupid, stubborn man... you actually did it. I hate you for scaring like that."
Beside her, Big D laughed and cried at the sa ti, punching the air.
"That’s my boy! Seven hundred freakin’ ters, baby! Nobody’s topping that!"
He grabbed Morgana’s shoulders, shaking her lightly.
"He did it, Morgs! He really did it!"
Morgana blinked and shot him a look.
"Big D, for God’s sake— stop shaking ! And don’t call Morgs right now, my heart’s already doing backflips!"
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