Destinies: The Origin

Chapter 10: Animals' instincts

Adzima POV

As I approached Qori and Ina, they immediately turned to me with questions. 
Qori:"Is something good happens, Adzima?" 
Adzima:"Hm? Nothing happened, why do you ask?" 
Qori and Ina exchanged glances, their faces turning into knowing smirks. 
Adzima:"What?" 
Ina:"Nothing" 
Just then, Falco arrived and asked us to gather. The hologram in the center of the room flickered, displaying a video and images labeled Amazon Rainforest. I quickly approached and stand beside Falco when he mentioned the person we were going to recruit next. 
Adzima:"Amazon Rainforest? Who are we going to meet in a forest like that?" 

Falco:"You will see" 
He then spoke with Dwiyan, and I saw Ina and Qori sent another knowing smirks at me again. I quietly asked them what was going on. 
Adzima:"What?" 
They just kept smirking and whispered. 
Qori & Ina:"Nothing" 
Their constant smirks only made me even more curious and suspicious, but I refocused on the conversation between Falco and Dwiyan. 
Falco:"Dwiyan, you can talk to fish, right?" 
Dwiyan:"Yeah, why?" 
Falco:"We will need that ability later" 
We then boarded a small cruise ship and set off for the Amazon Forest. As we left the underground dock of the mansion, we were greeted by the vast ocean. 

Falco instructed us to relax on the ship until we reached the Amazon River. When we arrived, I saw Falco talking to an eagle perched on his shoulder. 
Falco:"Can I count on you?" 
The eagle made a soft chuckling sound in response, and Falco gently stroked its head. 
Falco:"Thank you" 
At first, I hesitated to interrupt, but since Falco and the eagle noticed my presence, I decided to approach then. 
Adzima:"What a beautiful eagle" 
Falco:"Her name is Azul; she is my friend" 
Falco:"And she will help us find the next person" 

I just nodded, and Falco spoke again. 
Falco:"Do you want to pet her?" 
Adzima:"Can I?" 
Falco then turned to the eagle on his shoulder, which made a soft chuckling sound in response. 
Falco:"She doesn't mind" 
Adzima:"In that case..." 
I carefully extended my hand to pet her head. Happily, she didn't bite, instead making a joyful chuckling sound. However, suddenly it screamed and flew off. 
Adzima:"Uh, did I do something to upset her?" 
Falco:"No, we have arrived. Tell the others" 
Adzima:"Okay" 
Falco:"Also, she already likes you, so don't worry" 

After we moored the ship and ventured into the forest, we found an empty research tent. There was no one around, and we found no signs of an attack, so we hoped whoever had been here was still safe. As we investigated more, we then saw a green-furred monkey hanging on the tent's roof. When it saw us, it immediately ran away, causing Falco to move quickly. 
Falco:"Catch that monkey!" 
We were a bit confused by his sudden request but quickly followed and ran after the slippery monkey as it darted through the dense forest. 

The monkey we were chasing suddenly jumped from a tree and transformed into a green panther. 
Fian:"What?" 
We struggled to keep up as the panther ran swiftly through the trees. Only Falco, who was incredibly agile despite navigating through the branches and trees, was able to chase it. Soon, he managed to catch up to the panther. But quickly, the panther transformed into a snake, making it even harder to catch. The snake then slid into the river to escape. 
Falco:"Dwiyan!" 
Dwiyan:"Got it!" 

Dwiyan used his ability to communicate with fish in the river, commanding them to surround the green snake. As a result, the snake transformed into a green bird and flew into the air. However, Azul, who had been keeping watch from above, immediately intercepted the green bird, bringing it down to the ground and turning it back into a boy with green hair. 
Fian:"So, he can turn into animals?" 
Ina:"Looks like it" 
Fian & Aditya:"Cool!" 
Falco crouched in front of the boy, extending a hand to help him stand. 
Falco:"Sorry for chasing you so suddenly" 
Falco:"Also, don't be afraid; we are not your enemies. We are here because we need your help" 

The boy then lifted his head and looked at us. When we saw his face, we realized it was Elyas. 
Elyas:"So, it's you guys" 
Adzima:'But I remember, Elyas doesn't have green hair' 
Adzima:'Hm, maybe he dyed it' 
Elyas then turned to Falco and asked. 
Elyas:"Are you with them?" 
Falco:"Yeah" 
Elyas accepted the hand Falco offered, and Falco helped him to his feet. 
Elyas:"I guess the eagle also belongs to you too" 
Elyas:"So, what do you need from me?" 

Before Falco could answer, I immediately responded to Elyas's question, since I am usually the one who explains things. 
Adzima:"You know about the demons attack, right?" 
Elyas:"Yeah, I heard about it. Why?" 
Adzima:"The world is on the brink of destruction because of them, so we are gathering a team of extraordinary people to save the world, and we want you to join us" 
Elyas:"Thanks for the explanation, Adzima, but I was asking him, not you" 
I realized my mistake when Elyas pointed to Falco and immediately apologized. 
Adzima:"Ah, sorry"

Falco:"It’s okay, Princess. Thanks for explaining it for me" 
He smiled at me, then turned his attention to Elyas. 
Adzima:'I really love that smile' 
As I got lost in thought, I felt a nudge on my waist, and Qori whispered to me. 
Qori:"You said that out loud, Adzima" 
I was startled and felt my face flush slightly. 
Adzima:"Did anyone else hear it?" 
Ina:"Doesn't seem like it, so you're safe for now" 
Adzima:"Thank goodness" 
I turned my attention back to Falco and Elyas, who had already shook hands. 
Elyas:"I’m in. I’m Elyas, by the way. Nice to meet you" 
Falco:"Nice to meet you too. Elyas, my name is Falco" 

As we returned to the ship and prepared to head back to the mansion, I realized Azul was still following us from the air. I extended my hand to call her, but Falco stopped me. 
Falco:"Wait, use this" 
He handed me protective gloves. 
Falco:"Azul’s claws are pretty sharp, so they could hurt if you are not careful" 
I nodded, put on the gloves, and then extended my hand to call Azul. To my surprise, Azul came and perched on the palm of my protected hand, her presence so calming and unexpected. 

Falco:"Why the surprise? I told you she already likes you" 
I pouted upon hearing that. 
Adzima:"Hey, let me have my moment, okay? It's not every day I get to have an eagle perched on my hand" 
Falco chuckled lightly at my reaction. 
Falco:"Enjoy it, then" 
Falco’s laugh was so captivating; it was the first time I saw him laugh like that. 
Adzima:'Oh no...' 
I felt my face heat up, realizing I was blushing. To avoid him noticing, I quickly tried to find an excuse to leave, hoping he wouldn’t see my flushed cheeks. 

Adzima:"I am a bit thirsty and want to find some drink inside. Do you want anything, My Prince?" 
Falco:"No need, Princess, I can get it myself" 
Adzima:"Okay" 
I handed Azul over to him and started walking inside the ship, but Falco stop me before i could walk far. 
Falco:"Ah, I also like your smile, Princess" 
His words made me freeze for a moment. 
Adzima:"... Thank you" 
Feeling embarrassed, I hurriedly running into the ship, covering my face with both hands. It's not just my face that was hot, even my entire body felt warm, overwhelmed by a sudden and intense feeling of embarrassment and happiness. 

Adzima:"That is not fair... " 
As I spoke to myself, I heard my friends laughing and teasing, clearly entertained by my reaction. 
Fian:"I never thought you could be this shy, Adzima" 
Adzima:"Shut up, Fian!" 
Aditya:"Fian’s right, Adzima. You need to be more assertive if you really want him" 
As soon as Aditya said that, everyone immediately supported him, making me feel even more embarrassed. Their laughter and support were overwhelming. 
Adzima:"Shut up..... I really hate you guys"