This is the old version of MANTIS.

THIS VERSION OF THE STORY AND ITS PAGE WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER UPDATES.

Check my profile page for the new and much-improved version of this story!

Michael is unwittingly selected to represent the people of Earth, as part of a harsh test that will determine the fate of our world.

Murdered at 24, the depressed loner is reborn as a newly-hatched female mantis upon a strange world. Sad and terrified, the little mantis takes the name of Rihelah, after the girl Michael wished for above all others, and who was also his best friend from childhood. Trees tower above the tiny mantis like skyscrapers, dragons reign as gods, and damn-near everything wants to eat her!

Follow "Rihelah" as she navigates this new world, eventually finding herself embroiled in awkward situations, terrible conflicts, and major wars. The path toward strength, personal growth, and real friendships will take her places she never imagined. The aggressiveness and violent tendencies of her new species pose a terrible challenge to morals carried over from her past life. With a strong heart and the will to survive, our little mantis does her best to stand fast against the dangers and challenges ahead while she tries to resist the temptation to become an absolute terror.

NOTE: The "Gender-Bend" portion of this story is over and done with rather quickly for the main character, especially since it's vastly overshadowed by the fact that Michael dies, and has been reincarnated as a tiny insect. It's just not the main focus of the plot, and really not very important in the grand scheme of things. You'll see why before chapter 100. (The MC will never engage in sexual activity as a female, nor will she come even remotely close to doing so.)

(This story will likely run for 700+ chapters.)

[Participant and subsequent winner alongside many others in the 2021 Royal Road Writathon challenge.]

A few more things to note:

1. This story is dark at times. There is a fair bit of death and suffering in this book. Rihelah starts out very weak.

2. There will be situations in this book that some people may find traumatizing. Many of the antagonists in this book are truly evil, and their behavior will reflect this.

3. Elves!

4. Dwarves!

5. Dragons!

6. New chapters are posted Tuesday and Thursday each week.

-Max