Chapter 02 – Member of Tezireya

Just like that, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Now; me, father and mother is on our way to visit grandfather priest to let him grant me the blessing of our forefathers.

“Baby boy, you need to be very respectful to grandpa, he’s very strong.” my mother tells me as we travel from tree to tree in a tarzan-like manner

We’re members of a chimpanzee tribe in the western jungle, Tezireya. Our tribe’s been flourishing for tens of years, and grandfather priest is our tribe's chief.

Father gestures for mother, who’s carrying me, to stop. “Siyua, we’re here.”

The jungle paves path to a wide grove. From this point, I can see a whole village built in the trees behind the grove. Bridges connect tree crown to tree crown, house to house. It’s truly beautiful. And In the middle, there lies a bigger building that very much looks like a hut.

Mother gives me to father, saying to him. “Megtel. you know what grandfather thinks of me. Go take our baby boy to him and get the blessing. I really don’t want to stay here longer than needed.

Seeing mother like this, I feel something’s amiss. But father nods, takes me in his arms and makes way to the bigger building that looks like a hut.

The lavish building is completely different from our tree crown which barely has roof to it. This building has a superb roof from strong timber, and is reinforced by balks to keep the whole entirety of the building stable and firm.

Inside the room I can see many chimpanzees, and most of them actually have clothes, which I didn’t think was possible.

I wonder how chimpanzees can create such workmanship, but shake my head as the past days of this life has made me understand that chimpanzees aren’t normal, nor is this on earth like my old life, so why do I keep getting so surprised?

“Ah, Metgel, my son!” a white haired older chimpanzee with red eyes welcomes father with a smile on his face. He wears a brown, bit tattered robe, while having a wooden staff depicting a skull to his right. “Why don’t you visit your father more often, ee?”

Father shrugs his shoulders. “Sorry, dad. There are many matters that I’ve got to take care of at home."

He points at me in his lap. “This is my son, your grandson!”

“Boy, go greet grandpa.” father puts me on the ground and shoves me to grandpa, who’s waiting with arms open.

I really don’t want to hug this old chimpanzee, discovering the stinking smell, but can only endure since mother told me to be respectful. After the hug he put me in his lap and begins to play with me.

He cover his eyes with his wrinkled hands. “Peek a boo!”

But since I don’t even flinch, an embarrassing expression fills his face. He shifts his gaze to father. “Metgel, son, shall we proceed with the blessing so you can go home to that wife of yours?

Father nods to grandfather priest. “Yes"

"We’ll go to the ravine of ancestry then.” Rising up, grandfather priest walks out of the building with me in his arms, followed by father and several other chimpanzees who were originally in the room. I don’t know why, but father walks with his head down, while the other chimpanzees look at him with disdainful gazes.

This time we don’t travel through the trees, but walk on the ground. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrive to our destination.

My mouth opens wide and my breathing becomes ragged as I see the scenery in front of me. We stand on a cliff that faces out to a huge mountain valley. Beneath, there are surely several hundred of meters to the ground. Rivers are flushing through the beautiful scenery below and I can hear roars from fierce animals as gaze out.

“Oh, ancestors!” the white haired old priest begins to sing.

“Give us your blessing, and we shall love, give us your permission, and we shall try, give us your strenght, and we shall fight! Oh, ancestors, bless this child of mine, give him power that flow in dormant in his blood. Oh ancestors, I ask of you, make this child awaken!”

Grandfather priest leaves me on the edge of the cliff, and I see a large pillar of light come down from the sky moments after. I bask in this light. It feels so damn good! Like sex, but hundred times better!

When I look down to my body, I see that it’s growing at an astounding rate. My body is becoming bigger and my fur’s getting thicker and thicker. I even feel sharp teeth protruding from my mouth. Strenght surges within my body, and I’m now filled with explosive power!”

The small baby chimpanzee body is now completely washed away, and the body of a chimpanzee male replaces it.

I hear grandfather priest’s voice. “As the ancient ancestors declared, you’re now a fighter of the Tezireya tribe, and has every duty of one! Your name shall be that of your fathers like, Metric! Now, rise proud member of Tezireya!