||???'s POV||
"Here goes nothing!"
The hatchlings banded together like lions, synchronizing to secure the kill. This is bad.
I stand on the edge of a nest, cornered and surrounded.
Even though I'm in a pinch and will most likely die, I still feel something from deep inside me. That something is driving me, telling me to live. Maybe it was just my instincts, but I feel like it's not it.
This 'something' is beginning to bother me. Is it a part of me? I really mustn't die here to find out!
{CHIRP!}
"!!!"
Here they come!
{Thump~ Thump~ Thump~}
In one synchronized attack, the three hatchlings swiftly charged towards me producing small quakes in the ground. They have covered all the directions I'm supposed to escape. Each of the three was determined to have their bellies filled...
I am, however, determined to live!
{Thump~ Thump~ Thump~}
Shit. I'm completely surrounded. Left, Right and Front was occupied with a giant chick in each. On my back is the edge of the nest. I would die if I fall from this height, a height in which I can't even see the ground-
"Not yet..."
{Thump! Thump! Thump!}
-I can't vault over the chicks either, they are much taller than me- no, they dwarf me. Not to mention, I can't even jump properly due to my fat stature. That's a no no-
"Just a little more..."
{THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!}
-It might seem like there's no way to dodge... but there's a direction here that no one occupies...
And that is downwards!
"Now!"
Quickly, I slid under the middle chick and in between of its two gigantic legs, successfully evading them. Although I kind of flopped and bounce (I didn't really slide like some badass anime protagonist), what matters is that it worked.
Because of their momentum, the three chicks couldn't stop themselves and fell off of the nest.
I rushed towards the edge to take a peek, watching as the hatchlings slowly vanish from sight while they try to flap their newborn wings but to no avail. Eventually, they completely disappear behind the clouds.
A success!
{Awkward silence~ Sound of gust~}
But now what? It's not like I can climb down mountains. I'm too fat for that.
Screw it, maybe I'll just-
{SQUAWK! THUMP!}
"!!!"
The ground shook very strongly, so strongly that I even lost my footing. Cold sweat streamed from my temple down to my chin. Slowly, I turned around to see the gigantic eagle-like creature that took me earlier. It does not look happy.
{SQUAWK!}
It frantically searched for something, most presumably its hatchlings.
This is my chance! I took the opportunity to try and slide down the nest even though I was inept at hiking. Still, I press forward.
This nest is sitting on the peak of a huge mountain, besides it is another even taller mountain. The footings are smooth and the slopes are steep. Even the most experienced of hikers would have trouble going down this mountain.
Yet, I tried. Choosing uncertain death over a certain one is obvious even to a fool.
Unfortunately, it looks like that won't even happen.
The huge creature grabbed me with its beak, dragging me back into the nest once again.
"Where are they? Where are my hatchlings!" the worried mother asked.
I was unable to speak. Not because I was terrified, but because I was dumbfounded. An animal that can speak? I've never heard of one! If it can speak, then it must be sapient. In my world, no animal can speak!
Wait, in my world? Where and what exactly is my world? I'll think about it later-
"HEY!" the angry bird flapped its powerful winds causing a gale strong enough to knock me around. "You dare ignore my question? Speak up!"
Earlier, I was dumbfounded. But now I'm just plain terrified. My voice would not come out even if I wanted it to. Was I supposed to say 'Oh they're down there, probably just a mush of flesh'? I would die!
I questioned myself over and over as to what I was supposed to do in this type of emergency, yet I couldn't think of a single solution, much less utter a single word to the furious beast. Fear started dominating my mind, petrifying me on the spot.
Why is this happening to me?
I got dragged into a place that I do not know, and now I am about to die in the belly of a beast that I've never seen before my entire life.
This must all be a bad dream... surely it is...
All I need is to wake up. A sharp pain will do-
{SLAP!}
I slapped myself, hoping to 'wake up' from this 'nightmare'. Yet, nothing happened except the numbing pain on my cheek.
"I guess I should be doing it again and again-"
{SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP~~~}
Over and over, I slapped my cheeks alternatively. Nothing happened, even though my cheeks were swollen already. The giant bird tilted its head, confused of what I was doing. It even asked itself if I was infused with some sort of sickness, and stated that he will crush me instead of eating me to avoid falling ill.
Tears flowed from my eyes while despair shrouded me.
Why is this happening?
Who took me to this place?
I don't remember doing anything... Did I do something that I forgot?
This feeling. I've felt it before but couldn't remember when. What is it called? Oh right-
Rage.
"If you're not gonna answer my question, then I shall kill you now!"
With a murky vision, I saw the creature bare its claws, ready to drill through me at any moment.
I guess this is better. Why would I struggle so hard? It's futile.
Still, this feeling again. It's screaming. It won't give me peace. I've lost my will to live, yet this feeling is trying to pull me back up, telling me to live. This 'something'...
Just why...
"!!!"
{THWIP!}
On the very last second, I dodged the creature's claw even though I was fatigued. However, I felt a sharp pain from my left shoulder. When I tried to tend to it-
{gasp!}
My entire left arm... It's gone!
"AAAAAAAHHH!"
I cried reflexively to the excruciating pain that ensued. It hurts. It really does. My blood is rapidly flowing out of the wound. I'll pass out at this rate, maybe even die. But not now! I don't know why but I feel like I absolutely need to live!
"Ho, you dodged that? I didn't use magic because you're weak, but that was impressive! I will be taking your left arm though. Don't worry, your entire body shall follow!"
The eagle spoke with flattery. However, no flattery will cover the excruciating amount of pain I'm feeling right now. In an attempt to gather my focus, I let out a deep breathe-
{Inhale~ Exhale~}
I need to rouse him up-
"Hey you big cock!"
"???"
"Shut your fucking beak and just come at me! See if you can catch me chicken ass!"
I mocked it so it loses it's composure. An angry person is more likely to make amateurish moves due to their feelings. Since this eagle is sapient, this strategy should work.
Still, it's terrifying to see a big, angry bird.
"This pathetic fool dares to mock me? I will-"
"Blah blablablah blablah blablah blah! I told you, cuck. Just come at me!" I mocked it even further with a hand signal that interprets- "come at me".
I'll survive this no matter what!