[WIP] [ST 6: SUHR CITY]

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The giant descends the 'steps' from the southern plateau of Guarida toward the city of Shur, a slope that requires several road turns for humans to overcome. Now, the giant's path takes on the characteristic appearance of the major metropolises in the territory. Walls, about 5 meters high, border the dusty path, occasionally sprayed with trees and vegetation on their sides.

These walls were requested by humans, erected with the assistance of the Great Builder, to protect citizens from inadvertently wandering into the giant's path and end up trampled by him. At the time of their construction, the social situation was very different: the relationship with the giant was more distant, and the city's security was much stricter. Today, the Shur community has adapted to coexist with the massive being, knowing when it is appropriate to circulate on the path and when it is not.

As is common in the cities of Guarida, the giant's path goes up to the middle of the town practically splitting the city in two. Therefore, humans have arranged vehicular and pedestrian crossings that traverse the path from side to side, facilitating the movement of people from one hemisphere of the city to the other.

The giant advances along the path, entering the human city in the southern part of his territory with total familiarity, his gaze lifted and his steps continuous. Giants do not feel the need to ask for permission when entering human cities within their territories, centuries-old customs that have left an indelible mark on Guarida and the world.

Human structures begin to appear around the path, initially isolated industrial neighborhoods with large factories overshadowing the small, low-roofed houses that have sprung up around them. Shur is renowned in the territory for its lumber activity, manufacturing furniture, finishes, and implements crafted from this raw material. This industry flourishes in the area thanks to the ease of importing wood collected in the wooded villages that stretch beyond the mountain range on the western side of Guarida, a region that begins just a few kilometers away from Suhr.

The giant, unconsciously, announces his presence with every step he takes, causing the ground to shake intensely. Fortunately, the city's structures are prepared to withstand the constant tremors, a result of centuries of construction progress during the coexistence of humans and the giant.

He surpasses the first vehicular crossings that intersect the path, paying them minimal attention, while rows of cars wait behind safety barriers. The occupants gaze at the colossal figure pass, an event that, though routine, never ceases to be astonishing.

The density of houses gradually increases, revealing illuminated neighborhoods that host the majority of the city's working population. Streets, parks, markets, and shops shine in the tranquil night, although the presence of people is minimal. Finally, one of the first significant structures built alongside the giant's path emerges: Suhr's long-distance bus terminal. Constructed beside the path for emergency evacuations, this structure, with its impressive windows and rows of buses, serves as a landmark for the giant in the city.

Upon reaching the building, he stops and stretches his limbs to relax them, except for the arm carrying the human.

The little guy peeks over the edge of the giant’s palm, directing his attention to the voluminous building below. Through the large window on the north face of the terminal, strategically oriented toward the giant's path, he observes the hustle and bustle inside. He manages to see a large number of people looking back in his direction, probably focused on the giant who stopped above them. The activity pauses momentarily as the Grand Builder stands there.

The crowd of people inside can be divided between those tired and irritated by the disruption in the transportation after a long workday, and those amazed by the unusual appearance of the giant at this hour of the day. Conversations about him revolve around the underclothes in which he walks and the beast that contours inside it.

"Now, where to?" the giant asks, lowering his gaze to the palm of his hand.

The attentive people in the terminal notice how strange it is for him to talk to his hand, and the more curious ones don't hesitate to pull out their phones to document the event. Nervous, the little human retreats to the center of the palm before turning to respond.

"Um... You can drop me off here; there are buses that go to my house." The little one no longer wants to cause more trouble for the giant and eagerly anticipates touching the ground with his own legs.

"Nonsense! I know this city like the back of my hand." the giant responds with a smile. "Tell me where, and I'll take you."

The little one considers insisting that he be left there, but upon observing the determined face of the giant he realizes there's no response that will change his mind.

"Okay, fine. I live on Gloria Avenue at 2230, between Olmos and La Caída streets. Apartment 5B," the human smoothly states his apartment's location, as he would to any other resident of his city.

The giant stares at him in silence with the same smile as before, blinking in disbelief. It takes the little one a few seconds to realize how incoherent he must have sounded to the giant's mind. He has no reference for street names or numerical heights in the city, let alone needs them.

"Oh, right, this... I'll guide you." The human turns and points in the direction of the giant's path extending beneath them. "Just keep going on your road until you reach the next park."

“That’s more like it” The giant nods and resumes walking.

As quickly as he arrived at the terminal, the giant withdrew, continuing his path toward the city center. The people in the terminal watch him for a moment, wondering who the Great Builder was talking to or what he's doing in the city at this hour. Doubts and concerns dissipate the instant the terminal's movement and activity return to normal.

As they advance along the path, they delve deeper into the city of Suhr. The height of the neighborhoods slowly begins to rise due to the presence of buildings. Simultaneously, the density of citizens increases; now it's possible to distinguish people walking the streets or peeking with curiosity from the windows of their apartments.

It's the first time the human comprehends the real size of the city he lives in and how small it looks from the elevated viewpoint of the giant. Two-story houses barely surpass the size of one of his feet, and the buildings of this zone only reach up to his knees. From above, the city seems like a toy house set a child could play with, and the people, small toy soldiers. But this 'miniature city' is the place where he was born, where he grew up, and where he lived for more than 25 years of his life.

The distance between the terminal and the park the human indicated exceeds 50 blocks, a distance that the giant covers in just a few minutes at the pace of a relaxed walk. The little one reflects that this distance usually takes him quite a few minutes by public transport or even an hour walking on foot.

Upon reaching the height of the park, the giant lifts his muscular legs over the walls of the path and enters the city. He walks in a straight line to the green space above some street intersections that separate it from the path. He steps onto the square and positions himself on the freshly cut grass of the park, imprinting his massive footprints onto the earth. He stops and closes his eyes to enjoy the gentle breeze coming from the sea.

The young man had never considered it, living at ground level and surrounded by buildings that shield him from the wind, but at the giant's height, there aren't many obstacles that can stop the southern gusts coming from the sea. On this warm summer night, it's enjoyed as a refreshing and natural breath; but he imagines that in winter, it must be an entirely different scene.

The little one turns to look at the giant above him: his head points to the sky, and he keeps his eyes closed, savoring the moment. The young man, once again, finds himself silent, immersed in his thoughts as he observes the massive being. Watching him enjoy even those small moments causes a strange sense of satisfaction in him.

Then, his gaze lowers to the giant's hairy chest, the dense wall of dark hairs extends for meters on both sides of him. Despite the previous experience, he's surprised at how accustomed he has become to the powerful masculine scent emanating from the giant's body.

Now, he's conflicted. Not only has he grown accustomed to his scent, but also to being close to him, to his stride, to talking with him, and even to being completely at his mercy, literally trapped in the palm of his hand. He should be more afraid and cautious, any other person would be. But he feels something odd inside, something deep and hidden in his mind telling him to do the opposite.

To get closer to him, to give himself to him.

A twinge at the back of his head forces him to lower his head and close his eyes. An indescribable headache suddenly hits him.

At that same moment, the giant opens his eye and peers the little one at his palm from the corner of his eye, as if he too felt the same twinge.

Nothing but a stoic expression that only reflect concern.

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