LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe - Chapter 388

Chapter 388: Tremor
Lyerin slowed his bat and turned to face them, his expression resolute. “You’ve been lucky so far,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “The skies are not as kind as they seem. We’ve seen no danger yet, but that’s exactly why we should land. The sky can turn on you in an instant—storms, beasts, even the islands themselves can be unpredictable.”

Cornelia crossed her arms, her bat shifting slightly beneath her. “But we’ve been fine so far. You’re saying all this, but nothing has actually happened.”

“That’s the point,” Lyerin said sharply. “Nothing has happened yet. And you don’t want to be caught unprepared when it does. You think these islands are just floating pieces of paradise? They’re ancient, powerful, and not all of them are friendly.”

Maria hesitated, glancing at the others. “He’s… not wrong. We don’t really know what’s up here.”

“But still,” Sophia argued, her curiosity getting the better of her, “it’s not every day you get to see something like this. Can’t we just look for a little while longer?”

Lyerin sighed, rubbing his temples as if dealing with stubborn children. “This isn’t about sightseeing. You wanted to see the sky, and you’ve seen it. Now, we’re landing before something sees us.”

The girls fell silent at his words, the weight of his concern finally sinking in. They exchanged reluctant glances, their initial excitement tempered by the gravity of the situation. Finally, Lydia spoke, her voice soft but firm. “He’s right. If Lyerin says it’s time to land, we should listen. There’s no point in risking more than we need to.”

One by one, the others nodded, their adventurous spirits yielding to caution. Lyerin’s expression softened slightly as he saw their understanding. “Good. Follow me,” he said, gesturing toward a nearby floating island.

The bats descended gracefully, their massive wings slicing through the air as they spiraled downward. The island they landed on was small but lush, its surface covered in soft grass and dotted with vibrant flowers. A crystal-clear stream meandered through the center, its gentle babbling a soothing contrast to the vast, open skies above.

The girls dismounted, their boots sinking slightly into the springy grass. As they looked around, a sense of quiet wonder replaced their earlier disappointment. The island was peaceful, almost otherworldly in its tranquility.

Lyerin landed last, his bat letting out a soft screech before folding its wings. He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings with practiced precision. “Stay close,” he warned. “Even here, you can’t let your guard down.”

The girls nodded, their earlier curiosity now tempered with a newfound respect for the dangers Lyerin had hinted at. As they began to explore the island, their chatter softened, their movements cautious. Lyerin followed closely, his presence a steadying force amid the unknown.

The peaceful atmosphere of the floating island shattered as a low, distant rumble echoed through the air. At first, it was subtle, almost like the earth was sighing beneath their feet. But within moments, the tremor grew stronger, the vibrations rippling through the ground like the heartbeat of something massive awakening.

The girls froze in place, their earlier excitement and curiosity now replaced with wide-eyed fear. Without hesitation, they huddled behind Lyerin, instinctively seeking protection in his calm, unyielding presence. Maria clutched Cornelia’s arm tightly, while Sophia whispered, “What is that?” Her voice trembled, barely audible over the deepening growl of the tremor.

Lyerin stood unmoving, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon of the floating island. His expression was unreadable, though his jaw tightened ever so slightly—a small sign that he was calculating the situation. Raising a hand, he made a quick, decisive motion toward the Pig Orcs, who stood at attention nearby. “Stay alert,” he commanded, his voice steady but carrying the weight of urgency. “Spread out. Watch the perimeter.”

The Pig Orcs obeyed without hesitation, their powerful frames moving swiftly and silently. They spread across the edges of the island, their eyes and ears keen, ready for whatever might emerge. The girls exchanged nervous glances as the tremor continued to build, the ground beneath them trembling with increasing intensity.

“Lyerin,” Cornelia whispered, her voice barely a breath, “what’s happening? What’s causing this?”

Lyerin didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, his features hardening in concentration. He pressed one hand to the ground, his fingers splayed wide as if feeling for the pulse of the earth itself. His breathing slowed, his entire being attuned to the vibrations coursing through the island.

The girls remained close, their breaths shallow as they tried to remain as quiet as possible. Each second stretched endlessly, the tension in the air so thick it felt almost tangible. The tremor grew stronger still, and small pebbles and bits of earth began to shift and scatter underfoot.

“What is he doing?” Elena whispered, clutching Lydia’s sleeve tightly.

“Listening,” Lydia replied, her voice hushed, though uncertainty flickered in her eyes.

Sophia glanced anxiously at the Pig Orcs, who stood motionless, their muscular bodies taut like coiled springs. “If even they look serious,” she murmured, “then this can’t be good.”

Lyerin’s closed eyes twitched slightly, his brow furrowing. Whatever he was sensing, it was growing clearer—closer. The girls watched him intently, their fear mingling with awe at the calm determination etched into his features. He looked almost otherworldly, a figure completely at home in this strange and dangerous realm.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. His gaze was sharp, his golden irises glinting with an intensity that sent a shiver down their spines. He rose to his feet in one swift, fluid motion, his expression grim yet resolved.

“Get ready,” he said, his voice low but commanding.

The scene ended as the girls instinctively tensed, their eyes darting around the trembling island, waiting for whatever was coming next.

Whatever was that, the usual child face of Lyerin seemed to be serious right now.

His hands were ready and his eyes were focused on one area, and right hand was lifted as if preparing to order the Pig Orcs immediately.