a gorgeous white by Heather_anare

247: Crossing the chasm

"Pa?"

Moulin shot a questionable look to Phuna. The girl only smiled giddily as she nodded. Her arms tightened around Moulin's arm while she pulled the youth towards the man whose back was facing them. Moulin had trouble walking. Coupled by the pain from his body and the long walking distance as well as the tremble of the ground beneath them, Moulin's legs gradually became numb. Finally, they stopped a few meters away from the indifferent man who didn't even spare a glance to them.

He looked heavily built. An aura of ferocity and coldness emanated from him.

"Pa! He's awake!" Phuna called again as she frowned with a pout.

At last, the man turned around, revealing his face and expression. His eyes were like a mixture of hot amber and rose red. Narrow and long. The man gazed at them solemnly before he started to walk towards the two people. His long black hair swayed behind him as he walked.

"Are you well?" He asked.

With a slow nod, Moulin replied. "I am well. Thank you for saving me."

There was a faint smile on the man's lips as he shook his head. However, the solitude he emits never left. "Nhetecra was the one who came to your aid. And Phuna recognized you as well. We couldn't leave you."

Moulin smiled. A crease appeared between his brows, and he asked questionably, "Nhetecra?"

"The Earth Titan carrying us!" Phuna quipped with a proud smile.

"A titan?" Moulin raised his brows in surprise. He thought the giant was a malibreed.

When a slight rumble-like growl came from the titan beneath them, the man glanced between the two horns briefly before he returned his gaze to the two. "Phuna, take him inside. He must be famished. I will join you shortly."

The catgirl blinked. She nodded briefly before she led Moulin back to the house. The youth glanced at the man one last time. Somehow, Moulin felt as though the person would disappear along with the wind.

"Fortunately, we still have some hot soup left from this morning." Phuna placed a pot on an impressively made wooden trivet on the table. Moulin smiled at her positiveness. There was a bit of soup left inside the pot. Phuna only scooped out the rest on a wooden bowl before offering it to Moulin. With a soft 'thank you,' Moulin began to enjoy his meal.

Ah, it's been so long since he tasted something deliciously warm and moist.

"So..." Phuna grinned as she sat before Moulin. The intriguing twinkle in her eyes sparkled as she watched him. "Where were you heading?"

Moulin paused. "The west."

"The west?"

"Mn. I heard there are multiple shelters there. Perhaps, the people I know may have sought refuge in one of their bases."

Phuna furrowed her brows. She leaned back on her chair as she shook her head. "If you wish to search some of your maeruthan companions. I don't suggest heading to the west. There are certainly shelters there accepting different races. However, they are not friendly to maeruthans. I suggest you head to the northwest. It is the safest place your friends would most likely go."

"The northwest? The one base where a rift separates it from the world?"

Phuna chuckled. "Yes, that base. Helios City. Although it is famous for taking in maeruthan refugees, they don't discriminate against other races. Disciplined and fair, I heard they are. But we'll have to find out."

Moulin paused for a moment. He stared at his spoon while in deep thought. Finally, he nodded. "Alright... I'll head northwest."

Phuna's eyes brightened. "Good! We'll be traveling for a while, so I suggest you make yourself comfortable here."