LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Chapter 377: Long time no see

Under the pale light of the moon, Lyerin stood on the raised ceremonial platform at the heart of his tribe’s sacred grounds.

He was clad in his simple, dark robes that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night.

Around him, the winds carried an otherworldly hum, their soft whispers harmonizing with his slow, deliberate chants.

His voice was deep and resonant, rising and falling in intricate patterns that wove a palpable tension into the air.

He spoke in a language unknown to the soldiers, ancient and powerful, a tongue that carried the weight of forgotten gods and forsaken realms.

Before him loomed the towering statue of the Stonehooves Tribe Minotaur, a masterfully crafted monument of stone and metal that stood as a testament to an age long past.

The figure’s muscular frame was intricately detailed, its massive horns curling upward in a display of strength and defiance.

Its stone eyes seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight, as though they were aware of the ritual being conducted before them.

In one hand, it held a colossal war axe, its edges chipped from countless battles; in the other, it clutched a broken chain, a symbol of liberation and resilience.

The statue stood motionless at first, an imposing, silent guardian. But as Lyerin continued his chant, his words growing in intensity, the air around it began to change.

A faint shimmer appeared in the space surrounding the statue, a distortion that rippled like heat waves on a summer’s day.

Lyerin’s voice grew louder, more commanding, his tone imbued with authority and purpose.

He raised his hands toward the sky, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air as he invoked the power of the old ways.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the statue began to tremble, a subtle vibration that quickly grew into a deep, resonant rumble.

The shimmering distortion expanded, swirling into a vortex of light and shadow that enveloped the statue.

The once still air now swirled with energy, carrying flecks of ash and glowing embers that seemed to dance to the rhythm of Lyerin’s chant.

The statue’s eyes glowed brighter, and the faint sound of hooves striking stone echoed from within the vortex.

Then, as if summoned by Lyerin’s words, the first figure emerged.

A towering pig orc stepped through the swirling portal, its tusks gleaming and its thick, sinewy arms rippling with muscle.

It wore tattered armor that bore the scars of countless battles, and its small, beady eyes scanned the surroundings with a primal intelligence.

More followed—another pig orc, this one larger and carrying a jagged axe that dripped with a faint, dark liquid.

Behind them came the Stonehooves Minotaurs, their massive forms radiating power.

Each Minotaur was a towering force of nature, their furred bodies bristling with energy.

They moved with a strange grace, their hooves striking the ground with deliberate, thunderous steps.

Their eyes burned with an ethereal light, and their horns seemed sharper than any blade, glinting in the moonlight.

They carried immense weapons—great hammers, spiked clubs, and long, curved blades—and their presence alone exuded a sense of unyielding might.

Next, horses emerged, but these were no ordinary beasts.

Their coats shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, their manes flowing as if touched by an unseen wind.

They were spectral yet solid, their eyes glowing with a faint blue light.

They moved in perfect synchronization, their hoofbeats echoing like a heartbeat that resonated through the clearing.

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Some bore armor, intricate and ancient, while others carried banners of forgotten empires.

Then, shadows began to seep through the portal—humanoid figures that seemed to flicker between solid form and ethereal mist.

These were not ghosts, but shadows of warriors long gone, their movements fluid and unnerving.

They carried phantom weapons, swords that shimmered with translucent edges and shields that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.

Their faces were obscured, their features lost in the ever-shifting darkness that clung to them like a shroud.

As they moved, they left faint trails of shadowy wisps in their wake.

Lyerin’s chant grew slower, more deliberate, as the portal swirled with even greater intensity.

The soldiers at a distance, though far from this scene, might have felt the ground tremble faintly beneath their feet, though they could never have guessed what was transpiring here.

Lyerin lowered his hands slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper, yet the power in his words was undiminished.

The shadows began to take on distinct shapes—more defined, more familiar.

From the swirling chaos emerged the silhouettes of women, their forms striking and unmistakable.

They moved with grace and purpose, their features gradually solidifying as they stepped fully into the mortal plane.

Their eyes shone with a knowing light, and their presence was both comforting and unsettling, as though they carried with them the weight of countless secrets.

Lyerin’s chant came to an end, his voice trailing off into silence.

The winds stilled, and the vortex of light and shadow dissipated, leaving behind only the newly summoned figures.

He lowered his hands, his gaze fixed on the familiar ladies now standing before him, their expressions unreadable but their presence undeniable.

As the portal’s swirling light faded into the stillness of the evening, the first figures to emerge were Corora and her sister Cornelia.

Their presence was unmistakable, their silhouettes outlined by the faint glow that lingered in the air.

Corora, ever poised and elegant, stepped forward with her characteristic grace, her long, flowing hair cascading down her shoulders like a dark waterfall.

Beside her, Cornelia’s youthful energy was palpable; she moved with an almost spring-like step, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and warmth.

Both sisters exuded a familiar charm that immediately softened the atmosphere, their bond with Lyerin apparent in the way they approached him with beaming smiles.

“Lyerin!” Corora exclaimed, her voice ringing out like a melodious bell.

There was a mix of joy and relief in her tone as though she had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm as her gaze swept over him.

“How have you been? Truly, we were so worried about you traveling all alone in this strange and dangerous world. Did you eat properly? Did you rest at all? You look thinner than the last time we saw you—are you taking care of yourself?”

Cornelia, not one to be outdone, chimed in with her own rapid-fire questions, her voice full of concern but tinged with her usual playfulness.

“Did you find what you were looking for? Were there any new discoveries, some grand adventure you’ve been hiding from us? And why didn’t you summon us sooner?

“Do you know how restless we’ve been, waiting and wondering about your safety? Honestly, Lyerin, you can be so frustratingly independent sometimes!”

She crossed her arms, pouting slightly, though her affectionate tone betrayed her true feelings.

Before Lyerin could respond, more figures began to step through the now-closed portal.

Maria was next, her striking figure framed by the soft glow of the moonlight. She carried herself with a quiet dignity, her deep brown eyes studying Lyerin intently.

“Lyerin,” she said in her calm, measured voice, “it’s been far too long. Did you think we wouldn’t worry about you? This place… it’s different, isn’t it? You’ve been here by yourself, carrying all the burdens alone. Why didn’t you call for us sooner? You know we’re here for you.”

Following Maria, Elena appeared, her fiery hair and bold demeanor immediately lighting up the area.

She strode forward with purpose, her arms crossed as she raised an eyebrow at Lyerin.

“Traveling alone without telling us—what were you thinking? You could’ve at least left a message! Do you know how hard it’s been, imagining you out here, fighting gods know what? We’re supposed to be a team, remember? You can’t just go off and leave us behind!”

Despite her sharp words, the warmth in her eyes revealed the depth of her concern.

Sophia and Lydia emerged next, their contrasting personalities evident even in the way they approached Lyerin. Sophia, always the serene and gentle one, gave him a soft smile.

“You’ve been so far from us, Lyerin. I hope you’ve found some measure of peace here. But please, let us be here for you now. You don’t have to bear everything alone.”

Lydia, on the other hand, had a spark of mischief in her eyes. “So,” she began, tilting her head playfully, “what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Knowing you, it’s probably something outrageous. Spill it, Lyerin. We’ve got time.”

Then came Fiona and Emily, stepping forward together as though in sync. Fiona, ever the practical one, got straight to the point.

“Lyerin, we need to talk about your tendency to keep things to yourself. It’s not healthy, you know. We’re here to help, not to stand on the sidelines while you do all the heavy lifting. What’s been happening here? What’s your plan?”

Emily, her softer counterpart, added, “We missed you, you know. It’s strange, being apart. Please tell us everything—what’s been going on, and how can we support you?”

Finally, Natalie appeared, her golden hair catching the faint light as she approached. She looked at Lyerin with a mix of exasperation and fondness, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

“You’re impossible, you know that? Running off to who-knows-where, doing who-knows-what… Did you think we wouldn’t notice? Or care?

“Honestly, Lyerin, you’re lucky we adore you, or we might’ve left you to your own devices. Now, come on—out with it. How have you been? Really?”

As the women surrounded him, their voices overlapped in a chorus of questions and concerns.

Lyerin, for all his composure, seemed momentarily taken aback by the sheer energy and affection directed at him.

Corora’s steady hand remained on his arm, her eyes locked onto his as if willing him to understand the depth of their worry.

Each woman’s presence was a testament to the bonds they shared, their voices weaving together a tapestry of care and camaraderie that enveloped him like a warm embrace.

“Alright, alright,” Lyerin finally said, raising a hand in a gesture of surrender. A faint smile played on his lips, his eyes softening as he looked at each of them in turn. “I suppose I owe you all an explanation. But one at a time, please—I can only answer so many questions at once.”

The group exchanged knowing smiles, their initial worry giving way to relief and a hint of amusement.

It was clear that, despite their differences, they shared a deep connection with Lyerin, one that transcended words and time.

The night stretched on, filled with their lively chatter, as Lyerin began to recount his journey and the challenges he had faced in their absence.