The Tear
Catalyst Nine – Chapter 1: The Tear
PAGE 1
Inside the Blackwood University Kendo dojo, silence hangs in the air, the room wide and still. Cal stands alone, eyes narrowed in intense focus as he breathes in. His hands grip the shinai perfectly—controlled, anchored, unwavering—as he breathes out.
PAGE 2
In a blur of precision, Cal unleashes a perfect strike on the practice dummy with a sharp SWISH, then follows with another, the WHAP echoing through the room. He steps back, breathing steady, posture immaculate. Form... perfect. Speed... perfect. Control... perfect, he thinks, wiping sweat from his brow—yet his face shows no satisfaction, only relentless analysis. It needs to be more precise. His phone buzzes. Caleb (internal): “Uh oh it’s time for me to go!”
PAGE 3
Cal exits the Blackwood recreation center into a sunny, mild Oregon day. He checks his class schedule on his phone when suddenly a notification pops up from YoungChat offering “Get 50% off our ‘Reflecting of one’s mind.’” Caleb: “Ugh no thanks.”
PAGE 4
Cal walks casually, lost in thought. Caleb: “Should I get that book to help me reflect on my own thoughts and feelings?” He strolls through campus, admiring the blend of gothic and modern architecture. Cal: “This campus is surely something.” I wonder what will happen this semester? he thinks. But then, as he glances at a window, his reflection flickers—stretching unnaturally for a split second. Flicker. Cal blinks, and everything is normal again. He chooses to ignore it.
PAGE 5
A voice calls from behind. Jamal Washington can be heard a couple of feet away. JAMAL: “Caleb what’s good bro. Are you headed to class?” Cal looks up with a softened smile. CAL: “Jamal. He daps him up Thought you had film study.” Jamal walks forward with a water bottle. JAMAL: “Got out early. How was Kendo training today?”
PAGE 6
The two walk across the main quad, framed by ivy-covered gothic halls and sleek modern buildings under a misty Northwest sky. JAMAL: “Seriously, man. You were in there for two hours. I timed you.” CAL: “Practice. It’s the only way to improve. Also my class doesn’t start until 1:30pm.” From behind them, Jamal laughs. JAMAL: “There’s improving, and then there’s... whatever it is you do. It’s like you’re trying to win the championship and get a Nobel Prize in Kendo at the same time.” CAL: “(A small smile) Funny.” Jamal’s expression softens, turning sincere. JAMAL: “I’m just saying, don’t forget take a break. It’s okay to not be perfect 24/7. Even I miss shots at practice.”
PAGE 7
Cal stiffens slightly, Jamal’s words landing deeper than he’d like. CAL: “Says the guy who spent the entire summer in the gym. How’s the new coach?” If only you knew... he thinks. Jamal shrugs, gaze shifting away for a moment. JAMAL: “He’s... intense. Always pushing. Wants us to play with more ‘aggression.’” “He can be an asshole but I gotta push through it, you know.” He forces a grin, but it falters at the edges. JAMAL: “I just smile, nod, and make sure I don’t give him any reason to yell. It’s easier that way. Keep it cool. Always.”
PAGE 8
They reach a fork in the campus path—one paved and bright, the other a narrow gravel trail disappearing into a darker patch of trees. JAMAL: “C’mon, let’s take the shortcut. I’m starving.” Cal stares into the dim grove. CAL: “I don’t know... that path is...” Jamal is already heading down. JAMAL: “It’s fine! We’ve taken it a hundred times. Don’t tell me the mighty captain is scared of a few trees.” Cal sighs and follows. The moment they step in, the atmosphere shifts—quiet, heavy.
PAGE 9
Campus sounds vanish. Only their footsteps crunch in the gravel. SFX: CRUNCH... CRUNCH...CRUNCH Jamal looks around with uneasy confusion. JAMAL: “Man. Why is everything so creepy looking. Also why is it nighttime.” Cal freezes mid-step. CAL: “This is a bad feeling the world around us has gotten dark! Jamal... Do you see that?” Ahead, the air warps. The living campus is gone—replaced by dead trees and scattered stone slabs.
PAGE 10
The air itself begins to tear open, silently stretching like reality being peeled apart. Grey, muted colors swirl within. Jamal’s eyes widen. JAMAL: “What... what IS that?” From behind a dead tree, something reaches out—a hand of fractured, razor-sharp stone. SFX: SHHHLCK
PAGE 11
A towering figure steps through the tear—humanoid, cracked like obsidian shards held together by force. A twisted, broken mockery of Caleb’s form. Faceless, its smooth surface reflects Caleb’s horrified expression in a warped distortion. “This is Cal’s Shadow”.
PAGE 12
Cal and Jamal stand frozen. CAL: “Get back...” The Shadow tilts its blank head toward Cal, whispering with a voice that seems to crawl under the skin. SHADOW (Whispering): “Fraud... Hate...” Its steps grind like stone. SHADOW (Whispering): “Failure... Not... perfect...” Cal trembles—not just in fear, but familiarity. This thing knows him.
PAGE 13
The Shadow suddenly lunges with terrifying speed, claws aimed at Cal’s chest. SFX: SHRAAAAA Jamal shouts in panic. JAMAL: “CAL!” Time slows. Cal runs—instinctively, desperately. Pointless. Impossible to outpace.
PAGE 14
A burst of force erupts—the Shadow’s strike missing by inches. Cal stares at the glowing lines etched faintly into the ground beneath him, shocked by the impossible power radiating from the creature.
PAGE 15
The Shadow is hurled backward, its stone-like body cracking further. It snaps upright instantly, and its faceless head turns toward a new target—Jamal. With his friend in danger, Jamal’s body tightens, eyes glowing with a faint amber hue. His muscles thicken, a low growl rising from deep in his chest. He plants his feet, radiating raw, impossible strength as the Shadow charges.CAPTION: Where was Caleb and Jamal taken too? Will they make it out unscathed?
END OF CHAPTER 1
