PARTHENOGENESIS

CHAPTER ONE

"We live in a new world, the New World. Our predecessors fought to establish this era where hatred, oppression, and violence would not grow. Our predecessors fought hard so that we, their legacy, couldn't know pain but instead feel secured. They experienced first-hand the wrath of the olden-age people. They rose up from the despotism despite of the prejudice labelled on them. But instead of cowering in silence, they resisted. They broke their own chains and eventually disposed the oppressors. They thought, 'no more of these'. We have enjoyed 25 years of harmony – 25 years without a single war from the inside and outside. Can anyone tell me why is that so?" A tiny hand is being raised up in the air. My eye catches the student situated at the left side of the auditorium. She makes an effort to amplify her voice. She answers, "Because there are no more men."

There are no more men.

I flash the student a smile, letting her know I am pleased by her answer. Then I continue saying, "Now we enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices. We owe it to our banner to maintain the peace the world had craved. That is why you are all here today to learn, to understand. Once you understand our history, you'd be able to acquire the knowledge on how to safeguard our community. And when the time comes for you to fully comprehend everything and finish your training, you will become a full-pledged Misandrist, just like I will become in a matter of days." I pause, letting the thought sink in to their growing minds. In front of me are young hopeful students whose eyes glow with such curiosity. They are the sixth batch of the Generation XX. Not long ago I was one of them. But now I take the mantle of leading them.

More students are raising their hands. One by one, I answer all their questions.

"Tell us more about the Mother General, please ma'am." The face of the eager yet shy student turns tomato red. I step down the podium so that I could reach out physically to these younglings.

Where do I start with our Mother General? I clear my throat. "As you all know from your previous schooling, the world is divided into ten domains but we are all unified in one cause: the proliferation of the Misandrists. We are basically one tribe. Each domain is governed by a Mother General and she is surrounded by 12 advisers in a circle called The Council of the 13 Elder Misandrists which of course the 13th member is the Mother General. Our nation, the Inanna Domain, is currently governed by the fiercest Mother General of all, Eloise of the Inanna Domain. She single-handedly wiped out 300 men. With that she became the youngest appointed Mother General. She fought at the Purging War that happened on the year 2030-2035 as well as the Reclamation Battle that occurred on the year 2038 and then appointed Mother General the year after." I pause recollecting my thoughts. All the students are busy jotting down notes in their noteboard. They don't even notice my unusually long pause. There's so much more to say about our Mother General because for one...

"What is it like being her daughter?" I stare at the student. Not quite sure what to say. When the student begins to sense my awkward reaction towards the question, she starts apologizing. I hurriedly reply, "No, no. Don't be. I---uhh. Well, by the way you're asking me that question," I let out a chuckle, "I'm quite pressured." The student continues apologizing, in disbelief that she has forgotten where her manners are by asking that question. I reassure her at least thrice that it was okay. Just as I was about to continue my lecture, the town clock rings. And with that I dismiss my class.

"Thank you for your wonderful participation!" The students are scrambling their way towards the exit clearly eager to go home.

As I was gathering up my things, a figure appears at the entrance door. As soon as I lay my eyes on my visitor, my heart can't contain the excitement.

"Nice of you to drop by!" I exclaim. My bestfriend/cousin Elizabeth decided to pass by the auditorium so we could go home together. After all, we live in the same building.