A Gorgeous White (BL)

Chapter 518: || Chapter 507 || Fleeing Into The Darkness

"Haah..."

Moulin returned to the shelter, rubbing his arms from the chilly breeze. Normally, he didn’t hate it, but this time, it felt as though insects were crawling up his body, making him shiver in disgust rather than from the cold. Maybe he was thinking too much.

His eyes grew somber, wondering if anything he had done had cost him and Hadrian their location. He had a feeling Alsander wouldn’t take action yet. He hoped, but he couldn’t be at ease. A gut feeling, to be precise. With a sigh, he heads towards the rocky shelter, lost in his thoughts.

"You’re back?"

Surprised, Moulin found Hadrian resting against the rocky wall, working on something. He returned sooner than Moulin thought. Moulin was relieved.

"I returned for the flint. You came back earlier than expected." Hadrian paused, mirroring Moulin’s thoughts and gazing at him thoughtfully. He felt something amiss in the young man’s expression, immediately worrying him. He briefly paused and approached Moulin.

"Tell me what happened."

Moulin couldn’t hide it from Hadrian. He told him what he found atop the cliff, his visions, and the red crow who spoke to him with Alsander’s voice. He tried to sound calm but couldn’t deny how nervous he sounded in front of Hadrian. To Hadrian’s ears, everything sounded like a threat. A threat to him and Moulin, and their chances of escaping this wretched land. Now, these bastards were even playing with Moulin’s heart, his mind.

"He found me but... I don’t think they’re going to come after us yet. It’s like... they’re waiting for something." Moulin didn’t know how to explain his premonition. But it was like consolation to him, to calm his nerves and, most importantly, to Hadrian.

"Then we are running out of time. It seems your little friend has changed sides."

"..." Moulin’s forehead creased. It would be difficult to extract Alsander from the demon summoner’s clutches now. He would have to worry about it later...

"I found something as well..."

The youth’s eyes snapped up, listening eagerly. Hadrian explained how he found a secret passage at the foot of the cliff, a distance away from the shore. It seemed abandoned, concealed by rocks. With a little bit of effort, he found the entrance. Pitch-black and unwilling to risk using his abilities and attracting malibreeds, Hadrian had to return and fetch a light.

As much as Moulin was surprised by the discovery, he was just as worried. "You are going to explore that tunnel now? By the time you return, it’ll be dark. No... let’s go tomorrow. We’ll investigate it together."

Hadrian furrowed his brows and put down the makeshift torch. He placed his hands on Moulin’s arms, rubbing them gently as though trying to warm the youth’s skin. "I know you are worried. However, I will be quick. If I go now, I can make it before dark."

Silver eyes darkened. Moulin abruptly grasped Hadrian’s chin, pulling it down until they were staring eye to eye. The taller man was taken aback by the sudden action.

Those silver pupils looked sharper than a knife’s edge. His voice sounded scornful as he spoke, "You can’t lie to me. There is no time. You have no time. But you cannot see what I can. Just like now... How darker your eyes have become. How the suppression is beginning to fray. Hadrian, you can’t expose yourself to more stimulation... We can do it together."

Hadrian gazed silently at Moulin. The youth knew Hadrian was still processing his words carefully, weighing his choices. Moulin, at least, gave him that time.

"Alright..." The man sighed, wearing a softened gaze. Perhaps it was what happened to Moulin that made him feel rushed. "Worry not... whatever happens. I’ll make sure you-"

"We..." Moulin declared, cupping the man’s cold cheek.

"-We..." A deep chuckle. The lord continued, "... will make it out together."

Those words were more than enough to ease Moulin’s emotions. The two decided to retire for the day, settling around the small fire as the darkness engulfed the sky.

While the man was asleep, Moulin secretly checked on the suppression spell from time to time. Undoubtedly, it was already weakening. He couldn’t understand why, the spell he thought was strong would decline so fast. Was it affected by the island’s miasma? Accelerating its deterioration? The youth released a long breath as he lay down on Hadrian’s side.

Slender fingers gently reached to stroke the man’s rough jaw where a bit of stubble pricked his fingertips. ’At least, he is resting well.’ Seeing Hadrian’s slumbering visage, Moulin could not help but inch closer into the man’s warm body. Despite his determination to stay up late, his body betrayed him. Swept in drowsiness, Moulin closed his eyes and fell asleep.

.....

Moulin...

A faint voice seemed to call to him. It echoed in the deep recesses of his mind.

Moulin...

A voice laced in desperation. And the familiarity gnawed at him. This voice...

"Moulin."

Silver eyes snapped open. The first thing Moulin saw was Hadrian’s serious profile, facing towards the distance. Danger and wariness enshrouded his whole being. What on earth could make him wear that face?

Instantly, the drowsiness on his face vanished, replaced with caution. "What is it?"

"Something is coming," Hadrian announced darkly. "We have to leave now."

They wasted no time dawdling and hurriedly left the area. As they fled, Moulin could faintly hear the rumbles and the earth underneath his feet trembled slightly. Whatever was coming... There were many.

Running along the two, an agile furry fox skillfully crossed the rocky terrain. Despite the dark stains on its once pure-white coat, the fox looked bright against the greyish land. Its beady eyes pitifully glanced at the vast ocean.

Hadrian led Moulin and Snow towards the foot of a cliff. The cliff seemed taller than the giant trees in Thrundralln. It seemed endless, like a wall reaching for the heavens. That wasn’t all there is. There were countless enormous rock structures arranged like triangular arches scattered throughout the shoreline. Moulin ducked his head under the rock configurations while observing his surroundings.

Suddenly, the tremors in the ground grew stronger, almost toppling the youth off his feet. His senses screamed. A malibreed was getting closer.

"We have to hide," Moulin spoke.

"We are not far from the entrance now." Hadrian grabbed his hand as he navigated through the maze-like terrain. "Just a bit more..."

Moulin swallowed as he tried to keep his calm, offering Hadrian all his trust. He called for Snow, and the fox obediently jumped into his arms.

Not long after, a string of screeches reached Moulin’s ears. Immediately, he recognized the sounds of the insect-like malibreeds he saw yesterday. The youth clenched his jaw as his expression turned cold.

Boom!

All of a sudden, the ground trembled powerfully. Moulin and Hadrian paused briefly as dust from the stone arches rained down on them. Chills crawled up Moulin’s spine as shadows fell around them, dimming their way. He looked up.

Dark, solid limbs moved in the reflection of the youth’s silver eyes. A thick quivering body moved past his vision between the gaps of the rocks. Something glowed, pulsing underneath its shell.

They are here...

As the stone arches fought against the weight above them, slender fingers closed Snow’s whimpering mouth. Moulin turned to Hadrian, whose determined gaze met his. They had to wait until the malibreed above them left before they could move.

Once the shadows disappeared, Moulin felt Harrian’s grip tighten, and their legs moved. Hiding under the cover of rocks, they walked quietly as cold sweat broke across their skin. The creatures above them screeched and roared as they searched, crushing rocks amidst their anger.

At every sound, Moulin barely breathes.

Luckily, the pair reached the foot of the cliff unharmed. They slipped into a large hole between the rocks, carefully avoiding the jagged edges of stone. Covered in dust and sand, Moulin heaved a sigh as he leaned against the dark wall behind him. They made it.

The little snow-white fox in his arms abruptly shook his body, spraying more sand onto his owner’s face. Dust fell into Moulin’s nose and mouth.

Cough!

That single sound echoed, and everything went still. Moulin and Hadrian froze, catching a glimpse of the malibreeds who paused briefly at a distance. Fortunately, the insect-like creatures proceeded to roam around aimlessly.

Moulin’s shoulders fell in relief. His heart was pounding against his ribcage out of anxiety. He shot a glare at the source of trouble in his arms, staring pitifully at him.

"Let’s keep going..." Hadrian held Moulin’s cheek and brushed off the black dust covering the man’s skin with his thumb.

Nodding, the youth followed Hadrian deeper into the tunnel. They have to keep going.

Clink!

Orange light illuminated the area, flashing Moulin’s vision briefly. He received the flint from Hadrian and secured it in their pack. The makeshift torch Hadrian made lit up the way.

"Come..." Hadrian led the way through. His tall stature almost filled the tight space of the tunnel.

Snow buried himself closer into Moulin’s arms. The little fox snorted as if to sneeze away all the dust trapped in his nostrils.

Minutes passed in silence as they traveled deeper. Moulin didn’t know what awaited them at the end. He hoped it was a safe place to rest. If they were lucky, they could find something to help them escape.

And no damn malibreed would be in sight...

Silver eyes carefully assessed the tight stone walls. Rocks and dust brushed against their bodies. It didn’t look man-made, but after a while, his eyes were able to discern faint evidence. The longer they traveled, the smoother the walls became. It was as if the tunnel grew narrower, but someone had painstakingly carved away the walls, widening it. Afterwards, his eyes caught small markings on the ceilings, caressed by the dim orange torchlight.

Suddenly, a fresh feeling brushed past his face. Moulin paused. "A breeze..."

Hadrian glanced behind him and continued forward. Their steps quickened, echoing through the long, narrow tunnel. Not long after, a fresh breeze and the sound of water welcomed them.

They emerged from the tunnel, stepping cautiously into the unknown.