Zaffira's Pov

I continued walking until I was only a few meters away from them.

"Patawad kamahalan! Hindi ko po siya napigila--"

"Aahhhh!" I screamed. Naramdaman ko na lang na lumulutang na ako sa ere, and some sharp claws of a big bird took me and flew away from them!

"Aaaahh! Amaaa!" I screamed my lungs out as I seek help from my father. My heart pounded in my chest, and a rush of panic surged through my veins.

"Zaffiraaa!" Sigaw ng akin ama na walang magawa kundi ang panoorin lang ako habang nililipad palayo ng higanteng ibon na ito. Everyone seems shocked. I saw how Akiro aggressively push those soldiers that holding him back and he took the bow and arrow and aim at my direction. He's planning to shoot this giant bird! Can't he see I am still here! Paano kung mataam niya ako. My father stop him from doing so.

Halos manginig na ako dahil napatingin ako sa baba at masyado na kaming mataas! Sa balikat lang ako hawak ng ibong ito!

Paano kung bigla niya akong ihulog!

Akiro run towards to the person standing near the entrance of the palace, seemingly just watching the scene infront of him. He stood with an air of regal authority, emanating power and presence. His clothes reflected his elevated status, adorned with opulent garments that shimmered in the light. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, and his back erect, displaying a commanding presence. His head held high, he exuded an aura of dignity and grace. Every movement, deliberate and purposeful, carried an air of certainty and authority.

He's the respected King of Nemestia. He was known for his reclusive nature, seldom appearing before the public eye. Instead, he chose to remain secluded within the confines of his royal chambers, attending to matters of utmost importance that demanded his personal attention. It was said that his wisdom and counsel were reserved for rare occasions, when his insights were deemed indispensable.

As I found myself suspended in mid-air, carried away by the immense wingspan of the majestic bird, the King look at me from below. The king's countenance remained inscrutable, his face a mask of stoicism and contemplation. Akiro is trying to ask his father to lend a hand to rescue me.

He is the one who has the power here. But the King only shook his head indicating that he can't extend help. Why?

Hindi ko pa nakikitang gumamit si Akiro ng kanyang kapangyarihan. Sa pag-tanggi ng King of Nemestia na sagipin ako ay wala rin nagtangkang sa kanila even my father. Nakalayo na rin kami kaya hindi ko na sila nakita.

I just closed my eyes and feels the cold breeze of the wind. Sana hindi ako ihulog ng ibon na 'to. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko parin alam kung saan ako nito dadalhin. Sa laki ba naman ng ibon na 'to ay baka may mga anak pala siyang naghihintay sa pugad niya at ako ang magiging pagkain nila.

Gusto ko mang pumalag ngunit natatakot din akong mabitawan ako ng ibon na ito. Saan ba ako dadalhin nito!

"Uwaaakk!" Malakas na huni ng ibon.

Naramdaman kong bumababa na kami. Napatingin ako sa ibaba at alam kong bababa kami sa kagubatang nakikita ko ngayon.

"Huwag kang matakot mahal na prinsesa."

Shit! Nadagdagan lang ang takot ko ng marinig kong may nagsalita.

"S-sino ka!? Sino yung nagsalita!?" Tinig iyon ng isang babae. Dahil sa takot ko ay napapasigaw na ako.

We landed exactly on the ground in the middle of the forest, because of the excessive thickness of the leaves, the number of trees was quite dark here.

"Hmm"

"Sinong nandiyan!?" Kami lang at ang malaking ibon na ito dito sa gitna ng kagubatan.

Hindi pa naman ako sinasaktan ng ibon na ito kaya nawala ang pangamba ko sa kanya at nabaling sa tinig na kanina pa ako binibigyan ng kilabot.

"Ako ito, mahal na prinsesa. Huwag kayong matakot dahil wala akong masamang gagawin sa iyo."

I hugged myself and swallowed deeply because that voice was coming from the bird next to me.

Fortunately I even prevented myself from fainting because when that happened I would be left behind already stunned here.

"Hindi. Guni-guni ko lang iyon. W-wala akong naririnig. Oo walang nagsasalita." pagkukumbinsi ko sa sarili ko dahil konti na lang mababaliw na ako rito.

The giant bird walked over and came in front of me. That's why I step away in shock. With a deliberate movement, the bird's long, sturdy legs begin to bend, flexing beneath the weight of its colossal body. The ground beneath it feels the weight shift, as the bird gracefully lowers itself, navigating the transition from standing to kneeling with remarkable control.

As its legs bend further, a sense of controlled strength becomes evident. The bird's mighty talons, sharp and formidable, dig into the earth, ensuring a stable and secure posture. The ground responds, yielding to the bird's presence, as if acknowledging the magnitude of its presence and the importance of the moment. Lumuhod siya para makapantay ako dahil sa sobrang laki niya.

"May kailangan kang malaman, mahal na prinsesa. At hindi mo guni-guni ang lahat ng ito."

"Aaahhhh!" Napasigaw ako dahil napatunayan kong totoo ngang nagsasalita ang ibon na ito!

"Huminahon po kayo mahal na prinsesa"

"Aaaaaahhhhh!"

"Mahal na prinsesa! Huwag kayong lumikha ng ingay dito sa loob ng kagubatan dahil hindi lang kaming ang mga naninirahan dito."

"Aaahhhmmpp!" Hindi ko pinakinggan ang sinasabi ng ibon na ito ngunit bigla na lang may tumakip sa bungaga ko.

Nagpumiglas ako dahil mas nakaramdam ako ng takot.

Sino ang nasa likod ko!? Sino ang tumakip sa bunganga ko!?

"Bitawan mo na siya Satiro." Pag uutos sa kanya ng gian bird na ito.

When this creature released me, I immediately walked away and faced him.

But I have yet to convince myself that there is a talking bird and now it is! Isang taong kalahating kambing naman!

Natulala ako at nanghina ang mga tuhod ko kaya napasalampak ako sa lupa.