Gregory and the siblings run out of the jungle,the birds are just following them

The commotion grew louder, the human sounds more distinct. I could make out footsteps now, heavy and hurried, approaching our position. I held up a hand, signaling the remaining crew to stay put. Whatever was happening, we needed to see it through.

Suddenly, the jungle parted, and Gregory emerged, panting heavily. Flying behind him I saw them: the bird people. There were three of them, their feathers shimmering in the sunlight, their eyes like black jewels. They were tall, taller than any human I had ever seen, their wings flapped majestically in the tropical breeze.

Their legs were powerful, their feet ending in sharp talons that clicked, looked as if there were ready to kill. And their faces...there was no mistaking the intelligence in their eyes, the curious tilt of their heads as they took in the scene before them.

Gregory had made back onto the boat his breath coming in ragged gasps. Behind him, the siblings were huddled together, their faces pale but otherwise unharmed. For now.

The three birds had landed on the boat, their talons scratching the hardy metal of the ship's deck.

I stepped forward, my hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Greetings," I said, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. "I am Dr. Alistair Humphrey.

I come in peace, as a representative of my people."

The bird people exchanged glances, their heads tilting side to side in an avian manner. One of them, a magnificent creature with iridescent blue feathers and a crest of red , stepped forward. Its gaze flicked from me to Gregory, then to the siblings, and finally back to me.

"You have brought us gifts," the creature said, its voice a deep, yet feminine that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. The language was English,

but with an accent that seemed to roll and dip like a melody.

"Yes," I replied, careful to maintain eye contact. "A gift of understanding, a chance for our peoples to communicate."

The bird people exchanged glances again, a silent conversation that seemed to last an eternity. Finally, the blue-feathered one spoke again. "We are the Avis. You are not like the others who have come before you."

I nodded. "No, we are not. We wish to establish a relationship, a mutual understanding between our peoples."

The Avis cocked its head, looking at me and looked at the siblings with an intensity that was almost unnerving.