The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 90 - You Will Never Live (Grav[it]y) Down, Unless You (Crystal) Whip It

Chapter 90: Chapter 90 - You Will Never Live (Grav[it]y) Down, Unless You (Crystal) Whip It

The scout skittered back into the crowd in a hurry to flee the premises before she was caught by the Dame Goltbred. Seeing no reason to allow the exchange they had to ruin her evening - it even felt good to get some of her pent up desire to ’fight’ people wearing *black*! - Elua glided gracefully back to Qatrand’s side.

Their eyes met and a wordless exchange of emotions passed through pokes and prods of spirit. The swordswoman’s calloused fingers brushed against her El’s hand in a subtle gesture of support... and curiosity. As the entire thing just then devolved into that fight, she’d kept receiving ’assurance’ and feeling it targeted at her two in-laws nearby as well.

Yatrel in particular had been clenching her fist with eyes almost as dull as Elua! The blonde had wanted to say something to calm the parent, but her words had failed as her attention became more and more riveted to the ’combat’.

’I understood her, I felt. It was a little stressful, fearing that El’s confidence wouldn’t hold - and I know how strong she really is.’

Excitement rippled through the gathering as people finally started speaking to each other in the dying applause.

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah. I’ve never seen anything quite like that before."

"The young bride’s got more than just sigils, it seems. That was very impressive."

The brunette could feel the eyes of the Yecine group of men on her and had to keep herself from glancing their way and blowing a raspberry. There was an order to things! It would be much more satisfying after Qat showed off. The officiant from the Argent Braid Fellowship stepped forward to continue the event, his voice carrying over the murmurs.

"Well, that was certainly an... unexpected start to our celebrations. It seems our bride has set quite the standard for duels this evening."

He paused as he addressed the assembly, allowing the expected laughter to pass through the guests.

"Now then, who among you will step forward to challenge our esteemed groom? Will anyone dare to match the excitement we’ve just witnessed?"

A hush fell over the gathering at his words. A brunette haired figure moved forward with steps weighted with purpose. Ondua’s brown eyes held pride in his role as he took his place before the man leading the traditions. He cast his words clear across the plateau, reaching all of those watching from afar.

"I believe it falls to me to uphold this particular duel. After all... what kind of father would I be if I didn’t ensure my new son-in-law is up to the task of protecting my precious daughter?"

A chorus of approving nods and murmurs swept through much of the crowd. Most of the Yecine’s remained stoic, though some of their spirits were clearly incensed by the unintentional ’provocation’. It was *their* heir he was talking about!

Qatrand straightened her posture before she cast a quick glance at the cute wife beside her. The taller girl caught an undercurrent of ’amusement’, or something similar enough, before turning to face the local hero of the last Descent. She was ready to do her best... within limits.

’I shouldn’t show everything before the competition. Or so she said...’

"I accept your challenge, father-in-law. It would be my honor."

The officiant nodded while gesturing to the cleared area nearby.

"Then let the duel commence. Remember, now. This is a test of prowess... not a sudden battle to the death."

With the crowds jockeyed for positioning to have the best view, he added in a tone that didn’t quite mask the seriousness of his warning. They had all seen the reckless ferocity just a while ago that might have led to serious injuries or worse!

The earlier dance-turned-duel had managed to whet the audience’s appetite. Ondua er Goltbred and Qatrand er Yecine took their positions and the mood of the venue was electric with anticipation. The stage was set.

Elua watched from her uncluttered place of honor with only her mother ’intruding’.

The crowd’s excited murmurs died down as the Goltbred patriarch drew his famed Crystal whip-sword. While cultivators in the region generally failed to keep the momentum of their growth strong as they aged, it was still minimally an implement at the sort of strength that slayed Voidling invasion leaders!

Across from him, the Yecine stood tall with a blunted heavy blade held at the ready. It had been specially prepared for this customary duel - but even if it hadn’t been, she would not choose to turn the blade his daughter gave her on him. Qat had been fully ready to find one on her own if her family wanted to be uncooperative because of Elua’s recent mischief.

’I’m sure they’ll have more words to say to me because of that courier’s actions.’

She was sure that El could have found a better way to not... show off so much. As she stood there clutching a weapon, she found herself growing irritated at Sevra. She wasn’t sure if it was only the ’attack’ on her wife at their wedding or if it was because there was some unknown reason for it.

The brunette man standing in front of her smiled amiably and broke down her agitation, just a bit.

"Remember, this is just part of the ceremony. No need to-"

"You can beat him, Qat~"

The heiress’s sugary voice rang out, clear and loud as her father’s a while before. Ondua’s smile faltered for a moment as a bitter and dark feeling passed behind his eyes. He shrugged it off as he squared his shoulders and raised his unique weapon.

"Shall we begin?"

The blonde nodded while her stance shifted more defensively. There was too much ’mischief’ and ’amusement’ pulsing out of the fragment in her chest to do otherwise! The man’s whip-sword lashed out in a probing arc of twinkling Crystal.

The swordswoman sidestepped with an efficient movement. The large, heavy blade in her hands seemed to the watchers like it moved with unnatural ease as she brought it up to deflect her opponent’s next strike. He was clearly giving less mercy than he should considering their differing experience and cultivations.

The embittered father pressed forward, his attacks coming faster and harder as memories of ’Qat this’ and ’Qat that’ rung in his skull! Each swing of his unusual weapon sang through the air with a disorientingly deadly shine. Yet the young Yecine met each blow with impeccable defense that prevented the hits from lashing around.

Ondua eyes narrowed as he realized something felt... off. His essence wasn’t flowing quite right near the ends of his weapon after the contacts with his opponent’s. It felt like pushing against an invisible current, which could only mean-

"Not bad. But let’s see how you handle this!"

After unleashing a flurry of strikes, his whip-sword split apart with each crystalline segment seeking to strike his son-in-law from a different angle. It was a technique that had felled one of the Voidling leaders, refined further into a display of Element mastery that few in the region could hope to match!

Pigeon blue eyes stared in concentration before she moved. On the other side brown ones widened. It wasn’t speed - Ondua had seen faster fighters - but there was something... *else*. His spirit sense detected that the essence field around Qatrand seemed to waver, as if a portion of reality itself was bending to the will of the teenager.

The heavy blade moved in a wide arc that made it look impossibly light in the cultivator’s hands. It met each of the crystal attacks on its route... not so much parrying as ’catching’ and guiding them away with some sort of Element. They twisted harmlessly past Qat and into the ground after their trajectories had been altered.

The man blinked in surprise. He reached for his essence, intending to recall the pieces of his weapon, only to find it sluggish to respond. The confirmation hit him like a physical blow - the young man was an elementalist of similar caliber! Not only that, but somehow, the blonde was affecting a force that governed his technique.

In that moment of hesitation, the Yecine shifted her stance and struck. The blade that she had used so nimbly fell toward him like a hammer. Ondua barely managed to bring up the rest of the Crystal on hand as a shield in time. The impact rang out across the plateau - a deep, resonant clang that spoke of far more force than should have been possible.

The Goltbred stumbled back a step with even more genuine shock written across his features. He looked at his son-in-law and saw not just Elua’s chosen partner, but a formidable cultivator. The Yecine style user had already stepped back and returned to a defensive position... instead of pressing the attack.

’There, now the family elders will have something to say about both of us.’

Qat mused to herself as a broad grin spread across the father’s face, all traces of bitterness gone from his heart.

"I yield. Well fought, Qatrand. I see my daughter has chosen wisely."

The tall teenager lowered her blade before offering a respectful bow.

"Thank you, sir. I hope I’ve proven worthy of your family’s trust. I intend to keep my vows."

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the brunette clapped the young man amicably on the shoulder.

"More than worthy. And please, call me Father. Not sir, and don’t bother with the in-law. After all, you’re one of us now."

From the sidelines, Elua watched with scheming eyes and a satisfied smile as everything went according to plan. Her father was still easily provoked. Qat had an interesting fight under her belt thanks to it. And... most importantly, Anper was seething!

’If the night gets any better I won’t know what to do with myself~’