Episode 14: The Magnificent Split
The gymnasium of Willowbrook High School lay in ruins. Smoke curled from shattered bleachers, white-blue energy still flickering across cracked walls. The surviving students had been evacuated under Nathan's illusions, but the cost was visible on every face.
Kevin stood panting in the center of the destruction, white-blue circuits slowly dimming across his arms. The Rampager mantle had taken a heavy toll. Wyatt, Peter, Damon, Derek, Ferrum, Devonte, and Nathan gathered around him, exhausted but victorious.
Gideon Young flickered into solid form beside them, his phantom body still phasing slightly from overuse. Ryan Mackrow's rage energy finally cooled, leaving him breathing heavily, fists still smoking.
"That was insane," Ryan growled, wiping sweat and blood from his face. "But we can't keep playing defense forever."
Gideon nodded, silver eyes glowing with determination. "I still need to find my mother. And there are others out there like us — lost, angry, powerful. We shouldn't all stay in one group. Too easy for the Pillar to wipe us out at once."
The two new allies stepped aside with Kevin and the core crew.
Ryan crossed his arms. "We've been talking. We want to build something bigger. A network. The Magnificent 18. Eighteen strong Wrathborn who answer to no one — not the Pillar, not the Half-Seal, not anyone. We'll recruit, train, and hit the cult from the shadows while you guys stay loud."
Gideon placed a translucent hand on Kevin's shoulder. "You saved a lot of people today, Rampager. But my search for Mom… it's personal. And Ryan's rage needs an outlet. We'll find recruits and link up when the time is right."
Kevin looked torn but nodded. "Just… be careful. The Pillar is making monsters faster than we can break them."
Peter snorted. "Magnificent 18, huh? Don't die before you hit double digits."
After quick goodbyes and exchanged burner frequencies, Gideon and Ryan slipped out through a side exit, disappearing into the chaos of the city. The original crew watched them go.
"Splitting up…" Wyatt muttered. "Feels weird."
Nathan smirked weakly. "Smart, though. Harder to hunt ten groups than one big target."
Far Away – Ecuadorian Highlands
In a fortified compound hidden deep in the misty mountains of Ecuador, a brutal figure stood atop a balcony overlooking his growing empire.
R. Dogder was a massive, violent man — six-foot-eight, heavily muscled, with scarred tan skin, a shaved head, and cold black eyes that showed no mercy. Born in the streets of Guayaquil, he had risen through blood and terror long before the Shattering gave him true power.
His Glimmer — Mega Blaster — was terrifying in its scale. Pure destructive energy that could level city blocks with a casual blast… and, at full power, demolish entire countries.
He had just received a report from one of his spies about Gillan Dahmer's cult activities and the White-Blue Heart Pillar's obsession with the Rampager.
R. Dogder crushed the tablet in his fist, a savage grin spreading across his face.
"Potions? Forced awakenings? Pathetic." His voice was deep and guttural, carrying a thick Ecuadorian accent. "These cult fools are playing small games. I will make it rain Glimmers."
He turned to his lieutenants — hardened mercenaries and low-level Wrathborn.
"Print flyers. Make posters. Spread them in every dark corner of the world — online, in alleys, abandoned buildings. We launch Operation Chaos Seed."
The plan was simple and horrifying:
Distribute powerful Glimmer shards and enhanced versions of Gillan's potions to anyone desperate, angry, or power-hungry. Turn ordinary humans into unstable, violent Wrathborn. Unleash them across cities to create maximum havoc, drawing out the Pillar's forces… and the Rampager.
R. Dogder raised one hand. A tiny spark of Mega Blaster energy formed in his palm — bright violet-white and humming with apocalyptic force.
"One spark from me could erase a nation," he laughed darkly. "But why destroy the world myself when I can make the world destroy itself first?"
His lieutenants began printing thousands of flyers that night. Bold text in multiple languages read:
"TIRED OF BEING WEAK? BECOME A GOD. Glimmer Shards & Potions Available. Secret Meeting Points. Power Awaits. – R. Dogder"
Operation Chaos Seed had begun.
Back with Kevin's Crew – Escaping Willowbrook
As the group fled the city under Nathan's illusions, Kevin suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. The Mythical Matrix flared in warning.
"Something new is coming," he whispered. "Something worse than Gillan."
Far away, R. Dogder stared at a map pinned with the locations of Willowbrook and Rhino Valley, his eyes gleaming with violent ambition.
The war was about to become global.
End of Episode 14