When Mankind Falls (Moved to a New Link)

  -Believe it or not, I stopped counting the days spent going over countless data in hopes to putting a stop to this disease. I'm not even sure how it started. Like it just came out of nowhere like a forgotten plague lost to time. Some even theorized that God has decided to cast his judgement upon the men of this world. As comical as that sounds, you can imagine that many have taken it as doctrine.

  About 85% of the male population have perished while this phenomena continue to ravage the gender ratio of births across the globe. Best we can gather is the sheer lack of testosterone in newborn infants, granting them more feminine features but over time, it seems that these have become more prominent to the point that it caused a complete genetic shift. The end result is a female being born nigh 100% of the time. It's only gotten worse that any male born remain unable to reproduce and possess shorter lifespans ranging from 10-15 years.

  The disease has only gotten stronger over the years, completely erasing the male gender from the birth pool. The world isn't fairing better either because of this. The amount of cults, social groups and the like that sprouted from our lack of finding a solution is baffling to say the least. It's not easy either for those that were male before the event.

  Some were lucky enough to die out from old age. Others were purchased or sold themselves as a means to preserve viable sperm to continue the population. A man couldn't even step outside of the house unless they want to risk the off-chance of getting kidnapped, threatened/bribed to procreate against their will or face actions that'll leave them hospitalized or another name off the census of remaining men.

  I told my superiors that I'll have to work from home for the duration. Not because of my own safety, but because I now have the responsibility of being a parent once more. They didn't take the news well and someday it's gonna come back to bite me, but I think all of my amends will be in order before that matter arrives. You're probably wondering just who I am or how did I acquire all of this information. Well, I'm the same as just any researcher on this project. Trying to save our species from the brink of extinction. If there is a solution, it has to be out there somewhere.

  Though, I do believe that I should give a brief summary of my life up to this point. Seeing that if anyone from the future ever finds this data, it's more than likely that I've long since passed on physically. I can at least do that much to ensure the same mistake doesn't ever occur again.

  I am Dr. Hhitoryu, one of the leading researchers investigating this incident from the moment we caught wind of it. Much to anyone's surprise, I wasn't always a researcher. You can say that my profession was more 'hands on' to put it bluntly. In retrospect, I was a mere monk practicing the martial arts at a monastery in the East. Not the most grandeur of lifestyles but a good and honest one to say the least. You may think of this as a retelling of the events that led me up to this point. Well, perhaps a bit of a story time if you're so inclined haha...:

  Eventually, I had to leave the monastery due to taking up the responsibility of raising two abandoned girls. I couldn't have just left them out to the elements personally but truth be told, I'm glad I didn't. Those were some of the happiest years of my life spent watching them grow into beautiful young children. Those moments were cut short however.-

  News of the epidemic had reached the dojo and a team of scientists were desperately trying to recruit a man to aid them in finding a solution. Obviously, he declined initially for the sake of his children, but the woman was pretty persistent in their request. Thankfully, an old colleague of his was around to stop him from casting the first stone into a world of perpetual damnation.

  "Phew... Thank goodness I made it in time. You really should consider the offer sir."

  A hand gripped his wrists before he had the chance to move them from my side. He looked to the man and sighed with annoyance. "You have some nerve to make such an attempt Hiraku. Nonetheless, I suppose my temper almost got the better of me. A thousand pardons Miss." With a shrug, he pulled his hand away and bowed the pleading scientist.

  "Dr. Tindall is fine sir. I can understand your disposition but to be frank, we're really running low on options right about now. I didn't expect things to escalate this badly but if you can hear out my terms, I think that we can come to an agreement you'll very much like." She seemed confident that she could convince him.

  There was still doubt in the validity of this premise, but he managed to get her to accept discussing the matter privately with him in the next room, leaving Hiraku to wait until matters were settled. It would've only complicate things with his children if he had to explain such a complex matter at their age.

  "I honestly don't know why you're seeking me out, of all the possible people more capable than myself, but just know I'm only putting up with this to not make a scene in front of the little ones." He allowed the woman to take a seat before having one for himself, awaiting to see what she has to say.

  "That is perfectly fine sir." She sat in a way to cross her legs together, presenting a rather promiscuous posture. "Honestly, if there were any other viable candidates, we wouldn't have sought you out." She re-crossed her legs to face the opposite direction while getting comfortable enough to proceed with the conversation. "It's clear that I cannot win you over with physical possessions; so I'll just have to explain the situation.

  As you're probably unaware, the Male population of the world is experiencing a great decline recently. Finding men at your age is like a needle in a haystack given that you were born before any of this started. You see, an unknown disease is ravaging through the populace unlike any we've seen before. More specifically, it's been targeting members of the Male gender at quite an alarming rate. If left unchecked, there won't be a single man left to continue the procreation of the world in a matter of years." She pressed a finger to her head and then back to her knee.

  "If we can't get you on board with our cause, you're basically signing the papers to let the world come to ruin. I can assure you'll get everything that will accommodate all your basic needs and a little incentive since it'd be pretty obvious that you're going to need some leisure to keep the deal enticing. You're a valuable resource that can't be wasted. Surely you can understand this much right?"

  Her words had some meaning to them. Just what was going on all this time? He waited for her to finish and folded his arms. "Now look lady. I can understand that your organization is doing the best it can for the people but, I'm not some charity case. I've already been outcasted by the monastery for doing what's right for the lives of two innocent children that didn't ask to be born into this world.

  I'm not some desperate man willing to sell his soul just for the sake of benefitting a lucrative organization, prancing around and calling themselves 'saviors'? All I want is a life for my daughters after my passing. No riches or pleasures could ever come close to comparison. Forgive any rudeness as it's not purely directed at you personally."

  It was a little surprising that she didn't try to get aggressive over his personal commentary. In fact, she seemed to understand where the man was coming from, standing up from her seat and getting a little too close to his personal space. "I figured as much that it wasn't going to be that easy. Recruiting has been a top priority for the longest time, but it's glad to see that you're using that head of yours.

  Most candidates usually just register without any hesitation just because of the potential rewards that can be reaped. I'll let you in on a little secret. It's true that many have come under our cause but they never quite last long. Could say that they bite more than they could chew; so I have a better idea for you."

  It may have been a provocation on her department, sitting herself on his lap and trailing a finger against his chest whilst her tail swishes in thrill. "You've caught my interest and that isn't something I can say for most. If we can't get you to be a part of our cause in this particular way, I suggest you partake in the apprenticeship program.

  You'll start out as a Junior Researcher, but do well enough with your work and you'll be doing us a huge favor in the fight against the disease. That's the most I can offer you. Though, the only issue is that your daughters wouldn't have the proper documentation needed for travel, and those restrictions are quite constrictive until further notice. Not much can be done about that I'm afraid. So what do you say? We have a deal or do you need further convincing~?"