LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe - Chapter 401

Chapter 401: Quietly leaving
As the group made their way toward the edge of the floating island, the tension in the air was suffocating. Every step they took felt calculated and deliberate, their movements slow and careful as though even the smallest sound could bring disaster upon them. The towering dragon’s angry roars still echoed faintly in the distance, though they dared not glance back toward the source.

Lyerin led the group in silence, his every motion deliberate, his hand occasionally raising to signal a halt. His expression was sharp and focused, his piercing gaze darting across their surroundings like a hawk scanning for prey. The girls and the Pig Orcs followed closely behind, their eyes wide with anxiety, their breaths shallow to avoid making noise.

“Move,” Lyerin whispered in a voice so soft it was barely audible, motioning for them to press forward. “One step at a time. No sudden sounds.”

The Pig Orcs, usually bold and brash, were subdued, their movements uncharacteristically quiet. Their heavy footsteps, which would normally echo across the terrain, were muffled as they carefully placed each step to avoid loose gravel and dried foliage. Even their breathing seemed quieter.

Cornelia glanced nervously over her shoulder, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Lyerin, are you sure it won’t notice us?” she mouthed silently, her fingers gripping tightly onto Maria’s arm.

Lyerin didn’t look back at her, his eyes fixed ahead. “Not if we’re careful,” he murmured, barely moving his lips. “Stick close. Don’t separate. And don’t question my orders.”

The path to the island’s edge was treacherous, the ground uneven and strewn with jagged rocks. The group moved with agonizing slowness, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the soft crunch of dirt underfoot.

Suddenly, Lyerin stopped, raising his hand in a sharp gesture. Everyone froze instantly, their bodies stiff as they strained to hear any sound beyond the faint whisper of the wind. The dragon’s grumbling growl rumbled faintly in the distance, low and ominous.

“Stay low,” Lyerin whispered, crouching slightly as he gestured for them to do the same. “It’s still nearby. It’s searching.”

The girls exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed without hesitation, lowering their bodies and moving with painstaking care. The Pig Orcs did the same, their massive frames appearing almost comically out of place as they attempted to make themselves as small as possible.

Lyerin moved forward a few more paces, his steps so light they barely disturbed the ground. Then he paused again, turning to the group. In a hushed tone, he said, “We’re getting close to the edge. When we reach it, do not rush. One at a time. Quietly.”

Maria nodded, her face pale but resolute. “Understood.”

Emily clutched Sophia’s hand tightly, her fingers trembling. “We’re almost there, right? We’ll be safe soon?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lyerin’s sharp gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. “Yes, but only if we keep moving. Don’t let your guard down.”

They continued their cautious march, the edge of the floating island coming into view. The open expanse of sky stretched out before them, vast and endless, offering both freedom and danger.

“Stop,” Lyerin hissed suddenly, holding up his hand again. The group halted immediately, their eyes darting toward him for instruction.

He crouched low, signaling for them to do the same, and pointed toward a shadow that briefly passed overhead. It was faint and fleeting, but unmistakable—the dragon was circling the skies above.

“Wait,” Lyerin whispered, his voice barely above a breath. “We move when it’s gone.”

The minutes stretched on endlessly as they waited, their bodies tense and their breaths shallow. The shadow circled twice more before finally disappearing beyond the horizon.

“Go,” Lyerin said softly, motioning for the first person to approach the edge. “Slowly. Quietly. And wait for my signal before jumping.”

The group began to move in single file, their movements careful and deliberate. Each step brought them closer to the edge of the island, closer to freedom.

Lyerin’s orders came in quick, hushed bursts: “Stop. Move. Wait.” His tone was steady, commanding, leaving no room for hesitation or error.

Finally, they reached the edge of the floating island. The girls crouched low, their eyes scanning the open skies nervously. The Pig Orcs stood behind them, their massive forms still and ready for action if needed.

Lyerin stood at the front, his eyes fixed on the horizon, his body tense but controlled. “We’ll make it,” he murmured, though whether he was reassuring the group or himself was unclear.

As they prepared to descend, another distant growl rumbled through the air, sending a shiver down their spines. They didn’t look back. Following Lyerin’s silent gestures, they began their quiet escape, the shadow of the dragon still looming in their minds.

As the group reached the very edge of the floating island, the tension in the air was palpable. The bats that had carried them earlier were waiting, their restless movements betraying their unease. Their wings fluttered nervously, their ears twitching at every distant sound.

Lyerin crouched low, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon for any sign of the dragon. “Get ready to mount,” he whispered, his voice low and commanding. “No sudden movements. We’re leaving quietly and quickly.”

The girls exchanged nervous glances, their hands clutching the reins of the bats tightly. Cornelia, her voice trembling, asked in a barely audible whisper, “Are we sure this will work? The bats seem… scared.”

“They’ll fly,” Lyerin replied curtly, his focus never wavering from the open skies. “They have no choice. Neither do we.”

One by one, the group mounted their bats with practiced care, each movement slow and deliberate to avoid startling the skittish creatures. The bats shifted and snorted softly, their claws digging into the ground as they prepared for flight.

“Hold tight,” Lyerin instructed in a hushed tone, his own bat already under control. “When we take off, stay low and follow my lead. No noise, no straying. We leave the island in formation.”

Maria took a deep breath, her knuckles white as she gripped the reins. “Let’s just get out of here,” she murmured, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

The Pig Orcs mounted their bats with surprising finesse, their massive forms balanced and steady despite the size difference between them and the creatures. Their expressions were stoic, but their eyes betrayed a readiness for anything.

Lyerin signaled with his hand, a silent command that sent the group into motion. With a soft, collective beat of wings, the bats began to lift off the ground. Their movements were careful and restrained, their usual shrill cries replaced by a tense silence as though even they understood the gravity of the situation.

The group ascended slowly, their eyes darting toward the distant horizon where the dragon’s shadow had last been seen. The floating island grew smaller beneath them as they quietly rose higher into the sky, the vast expanse around them eerily calm.

“Steady,” Lyerin murmured, his voice carrying just enough to reach the others. “Don’t rush. Keep your movements controlled. The dragon can sense panic.”

Sophia clenched her teeth, her heart pounding as her bat wobbled slightly mid-air. “I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You can,” Lyerin said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Just focus on your bat. Don’t look back. Don’t look down. Follow me.”

As they glided through the air, the tension began to ease ever so slightly. The island they had left behind became a distant silhouette, and for a moment, it seemed they might actually escape unnoticed.

But then, a distant rumble echoed through the skies, faint but unmistakable. The group froze, their breaths hitching as their eyes darted around for the source.

Lyerin held up a hand, signaling for them to stay calm. “Keep going,” he said quietly, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his expression. “We’re almost clear.”

The bats continued their quiet flight, their wings slicing through the air with rhythmic precision. The group followed Lyerin in a tight formation, their focus solely on him as he guided them toward safety.

The rumbling grew fainter, and the horizon stretched open before them. As they left the floating island far behind, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group.

Lyerin glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze sweeping over his companions and their mounts. “We’re not safe yet,” he warned, his voice low but firm. “Stay alert. And keep flying.”

With that, they disappeared into the vast expanse of the skies, leaving the treacherous island and its monstrous inhabitant behind. For now, they were free, but the lingering tension in the air reminded them that danger was never far in this strange and unforgiving world.