Chapter 426: Let The Music Guide You

Of course, the centaurs couldn’t let the celebration pass without demonstrating their martial prowess.

A group of warriors took to the open area near the bonfire, engaging in impressive sparring matches.

The fights were coordinated and beautiful—swords clashing in carefully choreographed patterns, bodies moving with practiced grace.

Even Riley participated, her red hair flying as she demonstrated her skills.

Luca watched with genuine appreciation, observing the techniques on display.

"There’s an interesting blend of styles here." He remarked to Sigrid. "Some of the movements seem quite traditional, almost rudimentary. But others are much more refined. Modernized, if you will."

"You have a keen eye." Sigrid nodded, impressed by his observation. "Our swordsmanship has been refined over countless generations. Each era adds new techniques, new innovations. Inefficient movements are discarded. Effective ones are preserved and improved upon."

She watched the dancers of blades with fond pride.

"What you see now is the culmination of thousands of years of martial heritage. Every swing, every stance, it’s all been perfected through centuries of practice."

Luca nodded, genuinely impressed. "It’s beautiful to watch."

When Riley finished her bout, she looked up to find Luca watching with an approving expression.

A surge of confidence ran through her, and she found herself standing a little taller.

Meanwhile, Poppy was in her element.

The queen moved through the crowd, toasting everyone she passed. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes had a slightly hazy quality that suggested she was tipsy

"A toast! A toast to everyone!" She announced, raising her cup high. "To the elders who have regained their strength! To the Hero who made it possible! To this wonderful village and everyone in it!"

She stumbled slightly, and Thea was immediately at her side, steadying her.

"Careful, my lady."

"I’m fine! I’m perfectly fine!" Poppy insisted, though her words were slightly slurred. "I’ve never been better!"

She made her way over to Luca, pointing at him with a wobbling finger.

"You’re still a bad guy." She declared. "You bullied my precious Sigrid. I haven’t forgotten that."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"But what you did today..." Poppy’s expression softened. "This queen will never forget it. So I’ll toast you as well. Cheers!"

She clinked her cup against his and wandered off, swaying unsteadily.

Luca leaned close to Sigrid. "Is she really okay drinking alcohol? She seems like the type to do something dangerous even when sober. Add alcohol to the mix and..."

Sigrid giggled. "She’s not actually drinking alcohol."

Luca blinked. "Wait, what?"

"No one trusts her with alcohol." Sigrid explained. "So we give her a special juice that looks and smells similar. She thinks she’s drinking alcohol, so she acts accordingly."

Luca stared at Poppy, who was now spinning in circles with her arms outstretched, nearly impaling several nearby centaurs with her horn.

"She’s completely sober?" He asked, horrified.

"Completely."

"That’s...actually kind of terrifying."

"It is." Sigrid agreed solemnly.

—

Of course, no party would be complete without dancing.

Nella and her friends descended on Luca like a pack of eager puppies.

"Come on, Evil Hero! Let’s dance!"

"Yeah! Show us your dance moves!"

Luca allowed himself to be dragged toward the bonfire, where the little ponies were gathering. Nella planted herself in front of him, her expression determined.

"I don’t know how humans dance, but centaurs dance like this!"

She began tapping her small hooves in a rhythm—a clumsy, uncoordinated attempt at some sort of tap dance. It was endearing rather than impressive.

Riley appeared beside them, snorting dismissively.

"That’s not how you do it at all! This is how it’s done!"

She demonstrated a much more coordinated version of the dance, her hooves moving in perfect rhythm with the music being played by a group of elder centaurs.

Nella’s cheeks puffed out in fury. "Don’t disturb me! I’m teaching the Evil Hero right now!"

"You couldn’t teach a rock to sit still!"

"I’m a better dancer than you’ll ever be!"

"You’re a pipsqueak, that’s what you are!"

But before the argument could escalate further, a new sound cut through the noise.

Tap. Tap-tap. Tap-tap-tap.

Perfect rhythm. Perfect coordination. Perfect execution.

Everyone turned to see Luca performing a flawless tap dance, his feet moving in patterns so precise and intricate that they seemed almost supernatural.

He incorporated elements of slavic folk dance, kicking out his legs and spinning in place with impossible grace.

Nella’s jaw dropped.

Riley’s eyes went wide.

"Evil Hero...HOW do you know this dance?!" Nella demanded. "This is our traditional centaur dance! How are you doing it?!"

"He’s doing it better than us!" Riley added, aghast.

The entire gathering watched in amazement as Luca danced circles around them, his movements fluid and joyful.

"My world has similar dances!" He called out, laughing. "What do you think?"

The crowd, which had stopped to watch, erupted in cheers.

"HE’S A NATURAL!"

"LOOK AT HIM GO!"

"EVEN HIS FEET ARE HEROIC!"

"I DIDN’T KNOW HUMANS COULD MOVE LIKE THAT!"

The elder musicians, delighted by this unexpected participation, picked up their tempo. The drums beat faster. The flutes trilled higher.

And Luca matched them effortlessly, his feet a blur of motion.

Soon, others joined in.

The younger centaurs, inspired by his example, began their own tap routines.

The little ponies bounced and clopped with more enthusiasm than skill.

Even some of the elders joined the dance.

And that was the most beautiful sight of all.

The same elders who had been confined to their homes, unable to walk without support, were now dancing around the bonfire with their grandchildren.

Sigrid watched from the edge of the dance floor, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.

Everywhere she looked, there was happiness.

Mothers teaching daughters how to dance.

Grandmothers rediscovering movements they hadn’t attempted in decades.

Little ponies giggling as they tried to copy the adults and tripped over their own hooves.

She caught a glimpse of Mavis, who had cornered another elder and was examining her prosthetic with the same intense fascination as before.

The little blacksmith hadn’t let go of her obsession all night. As Sigrid watched, Mavis looked up—and their eyes met.

For a moment, neither sister moved.

Then Mavis looked away, her expression uncertain. Sigrid did the same.

It was still awkward between them. The words from yesterday still hung in the air, unaddressed and unresolved. But it didn’t feel hostile anymore. Just...uncomfortable. Something that needed time.

Sigrid was still considering this when a hand appeared in front of her face.

She looked down.

Luca stood before her, slightly breathless from dancing, his hair tousled and his eyes bright. He was holding out his hand in invitation.

"Dance with me." He said.

Sigrid’s face immediately flushed. "I—Sir Luca, I’m not—I can’t—I’m terrible at dancing. I’m good at swordsmanship, at leading, at strategy. But dancing?" She shook her head.

"Come on." His hand remained extended, steady and patient. "It’s easy. Look." He demonstrated a simple step, slow enough for her to follow. "Like this. Then this. Then this."

"S-Sir Luca, that’s—that’s not easy at all. That’s—"

"The great Commander Sigrid, slayer of monsters, protector of queens, defeated by a simple tap routine?" His eyes sparkled with gentle mischief. "I never thought I’d see the day."

"I’m not defeated, I’m just...strategically avoiding embarrassment."

"Same thing."

"It is absolutely not the same thing."

"Prove it, then. Dance with me."

Sigrid stared at his outstretched hand. The firelight danced in her blue eyes. Her heart was racing—from nervousness, yes, but also from something else. Something she didn’t quite want to name.

Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand in his.

Luca’s fingers closed around hers, warm and steady. He pulled her forward, giving her time to find her footing and began to guide her through the steps.

"Like this." He said. "Left hoof forward. Now right. Now tap. Now back."

"I—like this?"

"Yes! Exactly like that!"

"I’m doing it wrong."

"You’re doing it perfectly. Just relax. Let the music guide you."

Clop. Clop-clop. Clop.

Sigrid’s movements were hesitant at first. Stiff. Every step felt unnatural, her body too large and too warrior-trained to move with grace.

But Luca’s hands were patient, and his voice was encouraging, and little by little, she began to find the rhythm.

"That’s it! You’ve got it!"

"I’ve got it?"

"You’ve got it!"

Around them, the other dancers had noticed. Voices rose in delighted surprise.

"Commander Sigrid is dancing!"

"I’ve never seen her dance before! I didn’t know she could dance!"

"Look at her! She’s actually doing it!"

Sigrid’s face burned with embarrassment, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop.

Luca’s hand was in hers, and the music was in her blood, and for the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt...light.

Eventually, even Mavis joined the celebration, drawn in by the infectious energy.

And so the party continued long into the night.

Poppy spun in circles, still convinced she was drunk.

Thea hovered nearby, ready to prevent any accidental immolations.

Agnes and the other elders danced with their families.

Nella and the little ponies attempted increasingly elaborate dance moves.

And at the center of it all, Sigrid and Luca moved together under the starlit sky.

It was a night no one would ever forget.

The night the centaur village came alive again.

And it was only the beginning.