Devan pov:

What happened? Didn't I die? My arms and legs no longer hurt, but they feel constricted.

I tried to open my eyes, but all I could see was darkness. All of a sudden a bright light appeared in front of me, it looked to be radiating with particles floating out of it.

I tried to move my hands out to touch it, but still I couldn't feel anything. Regardless, I still reached out to the light.

???: You're very persistent user.

A robotic like voice echoed throughout the dark void. I turned in every direction desperately looking for the source of the voice.

But I stopped my search when a low chuckle came from the light itself.

???: Do not fear user I will not harm you.

Where are you?

???: I'm in front of you, but I am also fused within your soul.

Who are you?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: I am a Soul Yielding Sanguine Technological Enigmatic Mechanoid. Or System.

You sure do have a long name System.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You're taking this surprisingly well. Usually the souls panic for about two hours.

I guess I just think this is all a dream.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: In a way, it is. You are currently in a plane of existence where time does not exist.

Why am I here? I'm pretty sure I died.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You did, but every righteous soul who perished while saving another, has one of two choices once here. One, be judged by the creator.

And the second choice?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Two, be reincarnated into a new dimension for another chance at life.

Where would I go if I choose to be reincarnated?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: That decision is granted upon me. Choose wisely user, for you will only be given this choice once.

So be judged, or be reincarnated in an entirely different universe. If I choose to be judged I might be sent hell, and if I choose reincarnation I wouldn't know anything about the new world. I could die again, then there wouldn't have been a point in being reincarnated.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Do not worry user if you choose to be reincarnated I would be with you in the new world. I will guide, protect, and assist you in anyway I can.

That's reassuring, thank you.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You're welcome user, but your thanks are wasted on me, I was made to serve.

I have nothing to lose so...

I've made my decision I wish to be reincarnated.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Very well, the process will only take a moment.

My vision was soon obscured and replaced with what looked to be colorful water running over my eyes.

I began to feel lightheaded and I felt as if my body was floating on water. The feeling almost made me drift into a peaceful slumber.

But that feeling was quickly replaced by a feeling of warmth wrapping around my entire body. I opened my eyes, but like the void I only saw darkness.

I tried to move my limbs, but the warmth around me was like a cocoon. It kept me still and enclosed.

Not knowing what to do I just waited and soon a great amount of pressure began to pull me down. I couldn't resist the pressure, so I let it carry me down.

A bright light came into view, but it quickly forced my eyes shut as it grew brighter. The warmth was gone and was now replaced by cold air.

I was finally able to move my limbs, but they felt different. I tried to speak, but all that came out were cries and pig like grunts.

I felt someone pick me up covering my body from the cold. A hand gently brushed across my eyes before rubbing my head.

My eyes finally adjusted to the light and I saw who was holding me. It was a female lowland gorilla.

She was looking at me with so much love in her eyes, that it made me feel safe and comfortable. She cooed at me as she held me close against her chest.

I now noticed I was no longer human, my entire body was smaller and covered in slimy, wet, thin hair. I was a baby gorilla.

I turned my head in every direction, taking in the surrounding area. We were in some sort of clearing inside a jungle.

The trees surrounding us were by far the biggest I've ever seen. They were definitely not from my world.

The closer I looked I could see a few gorillas lying on some of the branches. And a few were scattered about on the ground with us.

Wait a second, I was wrapped in warmth, felt immense pressure pushing me down, and I'm covered in something slimy... Was I just birthed?!

Before I could start panicking a familiar robotic voice echoed in my mind.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Happy birthday, user. I unfortunately couldn't get you a present, but I see the reincarnation was successful.

Devan: *Grunt*

S.Y.S.T.E.M: It seems your vocal cords have not yet fully developed. But do not fret, just think about what you wish to say and I will be able to respond.

Where are we now?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You are in the world of Eternum. A world full of dangerous, inhabitants, creatures, diseases, and even plants. There are even some kingdoms out there, but you will not interact with them for quite some time.

Even plants?! Is the area we're in now safe?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: One moment...

A notification box soon appeared in the middle of my vision saying:

!Map acquired!

The notification dissapeared, as it was replaced by a rather large map of what seemed to be the entire world.

I was able to pan around the map using my eyes. Currently the map was focused in on a blinking icon of a baby gorilla.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: The current area where your family resides is the, 'Translucent Everglade'. One of the more tamer jungles of this world, making it a perfect starting area. That icon you see on the map is your current position.

The map shrunk down before moving to the bottom left of my vision.

Wow, this world is a lot bigger than I originally thought. Also, are these gorillas the same from my old world or are they more unique?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Indeed these gorillas are unique, take your mother for example:

I looked up at my mother as several boxes appeared with different texts. They were stat windows showing me her name, level, attributes, skills, health, and at the bottom was a rectangular box that held a description about her.
_________________________________________

Name:Brianna
Species:Lowland Gorilla
Gender:Female
Lvl-30
Health-130/130
Mana-50/50

Skills:

• Calming aura(Greater)-When surrounding creatures are stressed, agitated, or scared this will allow them to return to a calm state.

• Ape speech(Unique)-This allows the comprehension of noises and body language of primates.

• Cold resistance(Intermediate)

• Disease resistance(Skilled)

• Heat resistance(Intermediate)

Attributes:
Strength-50
Perception-60
Endurance-50
Charisma-80
Intelligence-70
Agility-73
Luck-42

Description: A recent mother of one who is part of a troop consisting of fifteen gorillas. These female apes will willingly throw themselves in the way of danger, in order to protect their babies.

Although they're considered beasts to all, these beautiful creatures are loving mothers. Never get between a mother and her child, for she will unleash a fury rivaling that of a silverback.
_________________________________________

S.Y.S.T.E.M: As you can see these apes are more unique than those of your old world.

What are my stats?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: One moment...

The boxes disappeared and were replaced by ones that displayed my own stats.
_________________________________________

Name:Devan
Species:Lowland Gorilla
Gender:Male
Lvl-1
Health-10/10
Mana-5/5

Skills:

• Ape speech(Unique)

• Cold resistance(Newbie)

• Disease resistance(Newbie)

• Heat resistance(Newbie)

Abilities:

Locked until host has matured

Unique Traits:

Blue eyes- You have bright blue eyes, an extremely rare color amongst gorillas. They also seem to shine and sparkle like sapphires when in the sunlight. This won't really help you in combat, but hey, at least you look nice!

???-

???-

Attributes:
Strength-2
Perception-10
Endurance-1
Charisma-5
Intelligence-20
Agility-1
Luck-3

Description: It's just you.
_________________________________________

My stats aren't that high, but considering I'm a newborn that's to be expected. How will I be able to increase them?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Perform tasks that require the skill or attribute. You may also acquire new abilities through different methods. Once you reach level ten you may evolve into a stronger ape. But I must advise against evolving in the open. You will be extremely vulnerable during the process, so you may be killed easily.

That's a lot of information to take in.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: I will be with you every step of the way.

Our conversation ended when I began to feel pain in my stomach.

!Debuff gained!
Hunger I
Effect: -5 to all stats

My stomach let out a light rumble causing me to whimper, and it seemed my mother must've heard.

She lifted me up to her chest in an attempt to breastfeed me. Reluctantly, I began to slowly feed while my mother caressed my head.

This is a little awkward, but at least the pain is gone.

!Debuff removed!
Hunger I

I stopped feeding when several loud thumps shook the ground. My mother looked to her left and let out a small hum.

She moved me to where I was now facing the source of the loud thumps. And what I saw made my tiny jaw drop.

It was the biggest silverback I've ever seen.

System, can you show me his stats?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Of course.
_________________________________________

Name:Brutus
Species:Lowland Gorilla
Gender:Male
Lvl-75
Health-1024/1024
Mana-754/754

Skills:

• Ape speech(Unique)

• Cold resistance(Skillful)

• Disease resistance(Intermediate)

• Heat resistance(Skillful)

• Rage of the Gorillas I- The silverback enters an enraged state increasing his stats tenfold. This skill is inheritable.

Unique traits:

Giant- This creature is massive compared to the others of his kind. Can be inherited by offspring.

???-

Attributes:
Strength-92
Perception-80
Endurance-90
Charisma-74
Intelligence-78
Agility-95
Luck-42

Description: A silverback of great proportions that leads a troop of fifteen gorillas. Husband of four and father of nine, this creature is a true silverback.

His abnormal size along with his great physical abilities, allows him to easily intimidate any lesser creature. Don't ever threaten a silverback's family or honor, you might just find yourself being beaten into the ground.
_________________________________________

His mere presence alone seems to demand respect.

The silverback's stern eyes scanned the entire area before they landed on us. He slowly walked toward us, making the ground rumble each time his knuckles and feet touched the ground.

His arms were the size of tree trunks. I wouldn't even be surprised if he could break tree trunks.

The silverback was now in front of us casting a large shadow on top of us. He sat down next to my mother and let out a low grunt.

It was silent for a moment before a soft angelic voice rang out.

Brianna: (Hello, Honey.)

I was shocked, apes shouldn't be able to speak!

System, how are they speaking?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Your unique skill, Ape Speech, allows you to decipher the noises other primates make. To those without this skill all they'll hear is grunts and noises, but to you they make perfect sense. You can also speak with them.

The silverback placed his forehead against my mother's, before laying a gentle kiss on her head.

Brutus: (How are you feeling?)

Even though he seems intimidating, silverbacks are sometimes very gentle.

Brianna: (I'm alright, Brutus. Come meet your new son.)

She held me out to my father who was looking down at me with soft eyes. He gently took me from my mother's grasp in one arm.

The large amount of thick hair on his arm completely encased me in warmth. I looked up at him just as his eyes met mine.

Brutus: (His eyes are like that of the blue stones.)

Brianna: (It just makes him even more adorable.)

My mother began tickling my small belly with one of her fingers. The tickling sensation caused me to let out some high pitched laughter.

The silverback let out a deep chuckle as he handed me back over to my mother.

Brutus: (The others should meet my new son.)

My mother took me into her arms once again as the silverback stood on his feet. He was already big on his knuckles, but now he was probably over nine feet tall!

He rapidly beat his chest as he let out a loud roar. In response serval hoots rang out.

Soon apes began to descend from the trees and the ones on the ground quickly ran over to us. As I looked around at all the approaching apes, I was now able to accurately see just how large this troop was.

This troop seemed to consist of fifteen gorillas. One silverback, five females, three infants, four adolescents, and two blackbacks.

The apes were now gathered around us seemingly waiting for something. My father's voice boomed causing the other apes to listen carefully.

Brutus: (As you all know, Brianna has been carrying my child for some time now. And it seems my son has finally decided it's time.)

My mother held me up to my father allowing him to gently hold me above his head for all to see. The other apes looked on in awe as the sun's rays shined down on us.

Brutus: (Welcome my son, Devan!)

The apes began beating their chests and slamming the ground as they hooted. Even the other infants were celebrating  my birth.

Soon the cheers died down as my father gave me back to my mother.

Brutus: (We now have a newborn, so I expect all of you to watch over him until he comes of age. But for now get back to your nests, the light will be gone soon.)

Just like he said the sun was beginning to set, so the gorillas began climbing the trees. My mother held me closely against her chest allowing me to grasp her fur.

As she began climbing one of the trees my grip remained surprisingly strong. She would occasionally glance down at me while she was climbing, just to make sure I was still holding on.

Soon we made it to a very large and thick branch with a nest resting on top of it. My mother climbed onto the branch before lying down in the nest.

She moved onto her side before she wrapped one of her arms around me to make sure I dont fall off during the night.

Brianna: (Sweet dreams, my little ape.)

I just let out a small coo in response as the softness of the nest and warmth of my mother slowly lulled me to sleep.

As my eyes closed the last thing I saw was my mother's gentle smile...

Word count: 2483

Uploaded: September 5, 2020

Edited: June 4, 2021