Episode 16: Project Glimmerfall
In the shadowed mountains of Ecuador, R. Dogder's compound buzzed with unholy energy. What began as scattered flyers and dark-web whispers had exploded into Project: Glimmerfall — a roaring success. Hundreds of desperate teenagers from across the globe poured into the hidden facility known only as The Blank. They came seeking power, revenge, escape, or simple chaos. R. Dogder stood on a raised platform overlooking the main courtyard, his massive frame casting a long shadow as violet-white Mega Blaster energy crackled faintly in his palms.
"Look at them," he growled with dark satisfaction, thick Ecuadorian accent rolling like thunder. "Weak little sparks ready to become wildfires."
The line stretched for hundreds of meters. Emaciated runaways, bullied students, grieving children, and rage-filled outcasts shuffled forward. Henchmen in tactical gear distributed Glimmer shards — jagged fragments of raw Shattering essence — and vials of enhanced potions brewed in collaboration with Gillan Dahmer's cult. The air smelled of ozone, fear, and sickly-sweet chemicals.
Among the crowd was Kim Al Anzi, a fierce sixteen-year-old from Kuwait. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight ponytail, and her eyes burned with cold fury. She clutched a crumpled photo of her mother, an Interpol agent assassinated by Pillar operatives six months earlier. The official report called it a "tragic accident." Kim knew better.
"They took her from me," she whispered, stepping up to the distribution table. A henchman handed her a glowing shard and two vials. "This power… I will make them pay."
The shard bonded instantly as she crushed it in her fist. Golden-sand energy swirled around her arms — Desert Requiem, the ability to summon razor-sharp sandstorms and mirage decoys. She tested it immediately, creating a small swirling vortex that scattered nearby dust. A grim smile crossed her face.
Dozens more awakened on the spot. A boy from Brazil gained acid sweat. A girl from Japan could phase through glass. Teenagers screamed, laughed, or cried as unstable Glimmers rewrote their biology. Some collapsed. Others glowed with newfound godhood. Project Glimmerfall was working perfectly.
R. Dogder laughed deeply. "Feed the fire! The Rampager will drown in the chaos you create!"
Deep within The Blank – The Observation Nexus
Far below the surface, in a sterile command center lined with glowing monitors, R. Dogder's inner circle operated. The facility's walls were blank white, absorbing sound and light, giving the place an eerie, soulless atmosphere. This was where profiles were meticulously kept — every single person who received a shard or potion was catalogued, tracked, and evaluated for future use.
A tall, scarred henchman known only as Vega stood at attention beside R. Dogder. Vega served as his right hand, coordinating logistics with ruthless efficiency.
At the central table sat The Big Five, R. Dogder's most trusted and dangerous generals.
No.1 Gillan Dahmer leaned forward, his gaunt face twisted in manic excitement. The cultist alchemist adjusted his robes, still recovering from his defeat in Rhino Valley. "The potions are stronger than ever. Combined with your shards, we're creating an army the Pillar could only dream of."
No.2 Garcia Fernandez, a wiry Colombian with wild eyes and retractable razor-sharp claws that could slice through steel, flexed his fingers. Blood still stained the blades from a recent "test." "My teams are already spreading the new Glimmers in South America. Let the governments bleed."
No.3 Headless Dullahan (known simply as Dullahan) had no head — only a flaming neck stump that flickered with spectral fire. His detached head rested on the table, eyes glowing as it spoke independently. "Europe is ripe. I ride tonight. Fear will spread faster than any potion."
No.4 The King of Stagnation, an older Japanese man in ornate robes, smiled serenely. His power created fields that slowed time, movement, and even thought itself. "Patience, my friends. Let them awaken… then trap them in eternal delay while we strike."
No.5 Laughter, the most unhinged of them all, cackled loudly. A short, wiry man with a permanent grin, his infectious laugh carried a hypnotic Glimmer that could drive groups into frenzied violence or hopeless despair. "Hee-hee-hee! The teenagers are so funny when they break! I want to watch them all laugh themselves to death!"
Vega updated the massive holographic display. Thousands of profiles scrolled past — including Kim Al Anzi's fresh entry. "We have over nine hundred new Glimmers in the last forty-eight hours. Many are already causing incidents in their home cities. The White-Blue Heart Pillar is noticing. So is the Rampager's crew."
R. Dogder slammed a fist on the table, cracking the reinforced surface. "Good. Let the world burn. While Kevin Leister chases shadows, my Glimmerfall army will tear apart everything he cares about. The Garden will open, and I will be the one standing at its threshold."
Gillan nodded eagerly. "Our cults are aligned. The profiles show high potential in several — especially the Kuwaiti girl. Her hatred is… delicious."
Laughter burst into another fit of giggling. "More! More chaos! More funny little monsters!"
Meanwhile – Burning Wastelands Camp
Kevin suddenly clutched his chest. The Mythical Matrix flared violently, sensing the massive wave of new Glimmers awakening across the planet.
"Something huge just happened," he gasped. "Thousands… maybe more. They're turning kids into weapons."
Peter cursed. "Dogder. Has to be."
The crew exchanged grim looks. Project Glimmerfall was no longer a plan.
It was a global nightmare.
End of Episode 16