In the beginning, a laboratory dedicated itself to experimenting with fertilizers to improve crop yields: they sought immediate results, more abundant harvests, and diverse nutrients. The research began to bear fruit when the first treated seed showed promising results; it was so extraordinary that it allowed multiple harvests from the same seed, preserving the original seed for continued study. However, they did not consider that one of the fertilizer components was highly radioactive. As it was used in minimal quantities, everyone assumed it was safe, not realizing that, as the seed was used in cultivation studies, the concentration of the radioactive element increased.

Inadvertently, when the fertilizer was replicated on a large scale for grain seeds, this radioactive component quickly contaminated the crops and the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. This forced the researchers to completely abandon the project and the affected area. In collaboration with the government, they decided to keep information about the contamination and the restricted zone secret. Thus, it was detailed in the archived report on the failed research.

The product of the failed research were grains subjected to various fusion processes with radioactive fertilizers. In an attempt to create a seed capable of functioning as a source of multiple harvests, they adulterated the fertilizers with low-scale radioactive components and, in an ultra-secret process omitted in the reports, introduced human DNA obtained from their own cloning experiments.

The purpose of the research was to ensure the survival of plant life in future apocalyptic scenarios, preserving these seeds in a secret capsule. What they did not anticipate was that, during the tests conducted with the mother seed after being cultivated several times, not only did the radioactive elements evolve, but an unknown variant mutated the genome responsible for the seed’s own cloning, originating from human DNA. This caused the Glitchers to start gaining consciousness, with the mother seed being the first to do so due to its extensive use in the testing phases.

As the seed most exposed to each type of fertilizer, the mother seed became the most complete, developing consciousness, superior intelligence, and, after observing humans, an astounding understanding of emotions. The appearance of these beings was triggered in the final test, where the mother seed was used alongside the others in an outdoor cultivation area outside the laboratory. The evolved development of the radioactive components in the Glitchers contaminated the air through photosynthesis, affecting many scientists and important government members who supported the research. Aware of the damage it was causing and feeling despair for the first time, the mother seed did everything possible to contain the radiation. Although it managed to prevent them from emerging to the surface, it could not stop their evolution.

Now, conscious that they could not successfully emerge to the surface, it kept everyone in a suspended state to avoid completing the usual cultivation cycle, while the scientists, unable to reverse the situation and starting to suffer the effects of contamination, abandoned the area, treating it as an ultra-secret incident. Despite these efforts, the result was totally unexpected for anyone involved in the project, giving birth to the “Glitchers,” who began to show limbs, eyes, and mouths, but without any sign of a body, in a strangely perfect yet imperfect form.

As civilization grew and developed, they continued learning and adapting to their underground environment, hoping to one day face the outside world.

After the researchers abandoned the project, the affected area became an abandoned and mysterious place. The government, in collaboration with the laboratory, decided to keep all information related to the contamination and the failed research secret. Fences and warning signs were erected to keep the curious away.

Meanwhile, in the underground darkness, the Glitchers began to develop their own society. The mother seed, aware of its responsibility and concerned for everyone’s welfare, became the leader of this new civilization. Using its superior intelligence, it guided everyone in constructing a complex system of tunnels and underground chambers where they could live and thrive, keeping the surface safe from the radiation they emitted.

The Glitchers, although initially confused and frightened by their bodyless existence, soon found comfort and companionship in their community. They learned to communicate telepathically and developed unique abilities to manipulate their underground environment. The mother seed taught them about human history and the concepts of empathy and compassion it had learned by observing them.

Meanwhile, on the surface, the restricted area became a taboo topic. The scientists and government members involved in the project were silenced and forbidden to speak about the incident under threat of severe consequences. Common people only knew rumors and conspiracy theories about what really happened in that area.

As time passed, they continued to grow and develop in their underground world, away from the eyes of humanity. Although they longed to one day explore the outside world, they knew they had to prepare adequately before facing the challenges they would encounter on the surface. Meanwhile, the mother seed remained their guide and protector, watching over their safety and well-being in a world they had never chosen to inhabit.