LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Lyerin turned to face the new tribe members, his eyes scanning the group.

Their faces were a mix of confusion, fear, and anticipation.

They had followed him—whether by force or necessity—through the horrors of the survival game.

And now, standing at the precipice of a new era where the ruined magical world was intertwined with Earth, he knew they were grappling with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

"You all have a choice," Lyerin said, his voice calm but commanding.

"I brought you here because I needed an army, but now, with the connection to the ruined magical world, I don't need to rely on anyone from Earth anymore. I can recruit in that world.

"So, you can leave if you want. You can find your freedom, gather some supplies, maybe even some meat to survive. Or you can stay here, with me, and continue to fight. The choice is yours."

A stunned silence fell over the group. The members of the newly-formed Stonehooves Tribe stared at Lyerin, processing his words.

The offer seemed too good to be true, and their thoughts raced.

One man, his face gaunt from the trials they had endured, finally spoke. "You… you're saying we can just leave?" His voice was trembling, disbelief evident in every word.

Lyerin nodded. "Yes, you can leave. I won't stop you. I brought you here because I needed soldiers, but now I have the resources of the ruined world at my disposal. If you want to walk away, this is your chance."

They exchanged glances, uncertainty clear on their faces.

Freedom had been something they longed for, especially after the brutal trials of the survival game. But there was a catch—there had to be.

They had all seen what Lyerin was capable of, the ruthless power he wielded, the manipulations he had orchestrated to win the survival game.

They had feared him, and that fear still lingered.

Could they trust him?

Could they really walk away unharmed?

A woman with sharp eyes and a cautious demeanor stepped forward.

Her name was Jada, and she had been one of the strongest fighters in the survival game.

She narrowed her eyes at Lyerin, her voice edged with suspicion.

"Why should we believe you? You've manipulated us before. How do we know this isn't another one of your tricks?"

Lyerin smirked slightly but didn't move.

"I understand your doubts. I know you fear me. But let me make something clear—I don't need to trick you anymore. I don't need to manipulate you to stay.

"If you want to go, I'll even escort you to safety. The Eldritch Fleshers and the Tentatorns roam the lands, but I won't send you out there to die and let the Pig Orcs come with you until you completely the city, not unless you want to."

The tribe members murmured among themselves, fear clashing with the flicker of hope that Lyerin's words had sparked.

Could this be their chance at freedom?

Could they finally escape the man who had loomed over them like a shadow throughout the survival game?

Jada pressed on, her voice firmer now. "You're dangerous, Lyerin. We've seen what you're capable of. If we leave, will we be hunted by you? Will we become your enemies?"

Lyerin's expression turned serious.

"If you choose to leave, you will no longer be part of the Stonehooves Tribe. That means you will be treated as any other outsider. But I won't personally come after you.

"Not unless you come after me or my tribe first. That's the deal. You'll have a month to decide, and in that time, you're under my protection."

Another man, younger and visibly more afraid, stepped forward hesitantly. "A month? And after that... we're on our own?"

"Yes," Lyerin confirmed. "But let me make you a promise. I swear, if I go back on my word, if I break this vow, I will be cursed."

The tribe members looked at each other, unsure of what to make of Lyerin's words.

His promise somehow seemed to be laced with danger, but something about his tone was different now.

There was an odd sincerity to it that made them pause.

Lyerin took a deep breath and then began to chant.

"Ajadaaaa…"

His voice grew low and rhythmic, the words ancient and unfamiliar, filled with a strange power.

The air around him seemed to thicken, and a faint, pulsating energy radiated from him as the chant continued.

His voice reverberated with a force that made the ground beneath them tremble slightly.

"I call upon the binding of realms, the ancient laws of Earth and the stars beyond. By the pact of blood and stone, I offer my vow. Should I break this word, let the curse fall upon me.

"Let the barrier of Earth and the new galaxy trap me, imprison me within the chains of both worlds. By the spirits of my ancestors, I bind this vow to my soul!"

As Lyerin finished the chant, the air around him crackled with energy.

A dark mark, intricate and pulsating, began to form on his forehead.

It twisted and writhed like a living thing before settling into a permanent shape—a curse mark.

The tribe members gasped, some of them taking a step back.

Lyerin exhaled, and a smile tugged at his lips.

"There. You see? If I betray my word, I'll be trapped between this Earth and the ruined magical world. I'll be a prisoner of my own curse. But," he added, his eyes gleaming with a darker edge, "if you choose to leave, you will never be welcome back. You'll be treated as enemies of the Stonehooves Tribe from that moment on."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

The weight of Lyerin's words hung in the air, thick with tension.

They knew what he was capable of—both in terms of power and cruelty. But the promise of freedom was tantalizing, a glimmer of hope that many of them hadn't dared to dream of.

Some wanted to run, to flee from this nightmare and never look back. But others… others had seen what power Lyerin wielded, and they were drawn to it.

Staying meant survival, perhaps even strength. Leaving meant risking everything.

Jada stepped back into the group, her face thoughtful. "We'll need time to think," she said, her voice steady despite the fear that flickered in her eyes. "We need to talk among ourselves."

Lyerin nodded. "You have a month. And if you choose to leave, I'll personally escort you out of the city. I won't let the Fleshers or Tentatorns get you. After that, you're on your own."

The group huddled together, whispers passing quickly between them.

Some were desperate to leave, their minds already made up.

They had seen enough of Lyerin's brutality and wanted no part in his twisted ambitions.

Others, though, were torn. Freedom was appealing, but so was the power that came with staying.

They had fought alongside Lyerin, witnessed his cunning, and some couldn't shake the feeling that leaving now would mean missing out on something bigger, something more dangerous but more rewarding.

After what felt like an eternity, the group broke apart. Some of them, eyes filled with determination, stepped forward.

"We want to leave," one of them said, his voice firm but respectful. "We've had enough."

Others, more hesitant, lingered behind, their faces conflicted.

"We'll stay," Jada said finally, speaking for the others who hadn't yet made their decision. "At least for now. We need more time."

Lyerin smiled, though his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Very well," he said softly. "Who wants to leave and wants to stay?"