The Horde of Lyern stirred to life before the first light of dawn. The cavern, their home for what felt like an eternity, was alive with movement and purpose. Orcs adjusted their armor, their gruff voices echoing as they strapped on crude gliders built by their newest and smallest allies. Ogres hefted their massive weapons, occasionally testing the contraptions strapped to their backs with experimental flaps that sent gusts of air through the cavern. The goblins, exhausted but energized by a sense of accomplishment, darted between the larger warriors, checking straps, muttering final instructions, and occasionally dodging a careless swipe from an ogre’s swinging arm.

At the center of it all stood Volk, his crimson eyes scanning his Horde with a mixture of pride and scrutiny. His presence alone commanded order amidst the chaos. One by one, he barked commands, and his warriors snapped to attention, their movements sharpening under his gaze.

“Today, we leave this pit,” Volk growled, his voice cutting through the noise like the edge of a blade. “No more hiding. No more waiting. We march, but this time—” his gaze swept over the small group of goblins standing nervously at the edge of the gathering, “we march with new allies. These goblins have given us the tools to fight the enemy in their own domain. They are part of the Horde now. Treat them as such.”

The goblins straightened under the weight of his words, their wide, yellow eyes darting nervously at the towering orcs and ogres around them. The larger warriors muttered among themselves, some grumbling, others nodding in agreement. Volk’s decree was absolute, and no one dared challenge it.

With a sharp gesture, Volk signaled the start of their march.

The Horde began to move, their collective presence a thundering echo within the cavern. Boots clanged against the stone, the rhythmic pounding reverberating like a drumbeat of war. The ogres, massive and slow, took the rear, their heavy footfalls sending small vibrations through the ground. The orcs moved with a hunter’s grace, their steps precise and calculated. And weaving between them, almost invisible in comparison, were the goblins, their small frames darting to and fro as they struggled to keep up.

The journey toward the mouth of the cave was slow, deliberate. Every step was a reminder of their purpose, every movement a testament to their unity. The light of torches flickered against the jagged walls, casting long shadows that danced across the cavern ceiling like restless spirits.

As they ascended, the air began to change. The damp, musty scent of the underground gave way to something crisper, cooler. A faint breeze whispered through the cavern, carrying with it the promise of open skies. The goblins, unused to such a sensation, paused occasionally to sniff the air, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

Volk, at the front, led them with unwavering confidence. His heavy boots struck the ground with purpose, each step a declaration of his resolve. The torch he carried illuminated the path ahead, the warm glow casting his imposing shadow against the cavern walls. Behind him, his Horde followed, their formations tight, their eyes fixed on the path ahead.

As they neared the mouth of the cave, the light grew brighter, the breeze stronger. The first hints of dawn painted the rock walls with hues of gold and amber, a stark contrast to the cold, dark interior they were leaving behind. The goblins shielded their eyes, squinting at the unfamiliar brightness.

When they finally emerged into the open, the Horde came to a halt. The sight before them was breathtaking. The world stretched out in all directions, vast and wild. Rolling hills blanketed in morning mist, ancient trees that reached for the heavens, and a sky painted in hues of orange and pink. The air was crisp, alive, carrying the distant calls of birds and the rustle of leaves.

The orcs and ogres stood tall, their chests swelling with the fresh air. For a moment, even the most hardened among them seemed softened by the beauty of the world outside. The goblins, too, stood in awe, their eyes wide as they took in the expanse before them.

Volk turned to face his Horde, his crimson eyes gleaming in the light of dawn. Behind him, the rising sun cast a halo of gold around his towering frame. “This is where we fight,” he said, his voice low but carrying the weight of his conviction. “This is where we reclaim what is ours. With these wings, with these new allies—together, we will conquer the skies.”

The Horde let out a unified roar, the sound echoing across the hills and trees. The goblins, emboldened by the display, joined in with high-pitched squeaks, their voices blending with the deeper cries of the orcs and ogres.

And so, they began their march.

The landscape around them shifted as they moved. The hills gave way to dense forests, the trees towering above them like ancient sentinels. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The Horde moved as one, their formations unbroken despite the uneven terrain.

The goblins, though small, proved resourceful. They scurried ahead, scouting the path, pointing out obstacles, and occasionally clambering up trees to get a better view. Their nimbleness complemented the brute strength of the orcs and ogres, creating a sense of balance within the group.

Volk observed it all, his mind racing with possibilities. The addition of the goblins had shifted the dynamics of his Horde. They brought something new, something vital. As he watched them work, a rare flicker of hope stirred within him.

The journey was long, the march arduous. But the Horde pressed on, their resolve unwavering. They were no longer just warriors bound to the ground. With the goblins at their side, they were something more—something greater.

And as they moved deeper into the wild, Volk allowed himself a small, fleeting smile. This was just the beginning.

The Horde of Lyern came to an abrupt halt as Volk raised his hand, signaling them to stop. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, and the sound of gnawing echoed faintly in the distance. Ahead of them, in a clearing just beyond the trees, lay the skeletal remains of the giant bird they had slain the previous day. Its bones, gleaming unnaturally white in the morning light, were scattered like the remnants of some ancient monument.

But it wasn’t the bones that held their attention—it was the creatures crouched upon them.

The bat-like beings were hunched and grotesque, their leathery wings folded tightly against their sinewy bodies. Their skin was an ashen gray, mottled with veins that pulsed faintly in the sunlight. Sharp claws scraped against the bird’s bones as they tore off remnants of flesh, their elongated jaws revealing rows of jagged, blood-stained teeth. Long, angular ears twitched, alert to the slightest sound, while their glowing, crimson eyes darted nervously across their surroundings.

There were dozens of them, perhaps more, scattered around the clearing. They moved with an eerie grace, their movements almost predatory, as though they were as much scavengers as hunters. Occasionally, one would hiss, the sound like the tearing of fabric, before plunging its fangs into the remaining sinew.

Volk observed the scene carefully, his crimson eyes narrowing as he took in every detail. These creatures were unlike the harpies or the giant bird they had faced before. They exuded an unsettling aura, a sense of cunning and malice that set his instincts on edge.

He turned to his Horde, his voice low but commanding. “These… things,” he said, gesturing toward the bat-like creatures, “are our first target. They have already defiled our kill. Let them serve as the perfect test for what we’ve built.”

The orcs and ogres stiffened, their weapons at the ready. The goblins, though smaller and less confident, mirrored their movements, gripping their tools and gliders with determination.

“But remember,” Volk continued, his voice rising slightly. “This is no ordinary fight. We’re not grounded anymore. These creatures have wings, but so do we. Prove to me that what we have created is not just tools—but power!”

The Horde roared in unison, their battle cries shaking the very trees around them. Even the goblins joined in, their high-pitched screeches blending with the deeper, guttural cries of the orcs and the booming voices of the ogres.

Volk raised his hand again, silencing them with a single gesture. “Prepare for combat,” he commanded. “It’s time for the test run.”

The Horde sprang into action. The goblins scurried among the larger warriors, distributing final adjustments to the gliders and weapons they had crafted. Orcs and ogres strapped themselves into their makeshift flight gear, their movements hurried but precise. The goblins checked every strap, every joint, ensuring that the contraptions would hold.

Volk stepped forward, his towering frame casting a long shadow over his warriors. His eyes flicked between the bat creatures and his Horde, calculating every possibility. He gripped the hilt of his weapon tightly, his crimson gaze sharpening.

“Spread out,” he ordered, his voice cutting through the rustling of leaves and the faint screeches of the bat creatures. “Let’s see if these creatures can handle what we’ve become.”

As the Horde moved into position, the bat creatures seemed to sense the shift in the air. Their movements became more erratic, their crimson eyes glowing brighter as they hissed and screeched, their wings unfurling in preparation for flight.

Volk smirked, his voice a growl of anticipation. “Let the hunt begin.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep