Chapter 401: Quietly leaving
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.”