EXT. DENFENG FOREST – NIGHT 

A much younger Kali dressed in traditional robes walks cautiously through the forest. As he walks out of sight, another Monk, ICHEN, a thin CHINESE man in his twenties wearing identical robes enters the forest’s path. He follows Kali, careful not to be noticed. 

EXT. DENFENG BUILDING – CONTINUOUS 

Kali slips into a small run down building. Ichen creeps up to the building and peers through a crack in the door. He’s shocked to hear FAINT VOICES and MUFFLED SCREAMS coming from within. 

INT. DENFENG INTERROGATION ROOM – SAME 

The room is lit by several light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Li’s mother, Chung Mei, and FOUR MEN are lined up against the concrete wall, blindfolded, gagged, and tied to poles. Soldiers in black fatigues stand at attention as Kali makes his way across the room.

SOLDIER #1
(in Chinese)
Master Kali, the subjects have been prepared as you have requested. 

KALI
Let us continue where we left off. We will proceed to poison hand techniques. These will enable you to eliminate opponents with only a single hit. Observe. 

Kali approaches prisoner #1, who immediately starts crying through his gag, his eyes pleading. Kali raises his hand and pauses.

KALI (CONT’D)
The perfect death stroke is simple to execute... 

EXT. DENFENG BUILDING – NIGHT 

Ichen is horrified to hear prisoner #1’s muffled SCREAM rip through the wooden door. Utterly disgusted, he pulls away from the door, his hand over his mouth. 

INT. DENFENG INTERROGATION ROOM – SAME 

Prisoner #1 is dead, his limp body is held up only by his bonds. Kali hears a faint noise outside, and turns to the door. 

EXT. DENFENG FOREST – NIGHT 

Ichen glances behind him as he runs, making sure he is not being followed. Exhausted, he slows to a halt and slumps down, resting for breath. A shadowy figure appears before him in the center of the roadway. It is Kali. 

KALI
Tell me Ichen, what is your impression of the events you have witnessed tonight? 

ICHEN
You have defiled everything Shaolin stands for! You have betrayed the Temple and your Masters who trusted you with our secrets!

KALI
You are pathetic like the others. Within the temple walls sits the knowledge to change the world. But you all lack the courage to do anything with it. 

ICHEN
(enraged)
Courage? You know nothing of courage Kali! You are a war mongering beast who uses the beauty of Shaolin to make yourself king of the misguided souls who believe as you do. I will expose your treachery. 

Kali begins walking toward him. Ichen steps backwards. 

KALI
My treachery is nothing compared to your hypocrisy. Our knowledge could benefit thousands if not millions, but we greedily keep it for ourselves. Like fools! Wasting it behind the Temple walls. Yet, we somehow manage to give aid to only those we deem “worthy.” Shaolin’s altruism is a sham at best. 

ICHEN
What you think of our traditions does not matter anymore Kali. Stand aside, I will speak to our Master of this. And he will decide your fate. 

KALI
I no longer care what our Master thinks. And you will not leave here alive to speak of this to anyone.

Each waits for the other to make the first move. Ichen quickly launches a series of punches and kicks, attempting to drive Kali backward. Kali easily deflects his attack with one hand and fires a single punch to Ichen’s chest, knocking him to the ground. 

As Ichen slides backward, Kali immediately springs forward, leaping high and coming down with a spear hand thrust. Ichen manages to roll out of the way of Kali’s attack. Kali’s hand slams into the earth sending up a spray of dirt. Kali’s moves quicken to a blur. With a swift kick to Ichen’s thigh, Ichen falls hard, releasing an agonizing SCREAM. 

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE ENTRANCE – NIGHT 

TWO GUARDS with sabers hear Ichen’s SCREAM coming from the woods. They quickly glance at each other and dash into the forest. 

EXT. TEMPLE ROAD – NIGHT 

Ichen, in shock, limps backwards from Kali. Kali dashes towards him, leaping into the air with another kick. Ichen easily deflects it but is struck in the other leg before he lands. Ichen’s leg breaks and he falls helpless onto the dirt path. Ichen drags himself towards the Temple by crawling on his elbows. Kali looms over him. 

KALI
As I teach my students, my future army, the perfect death stroke is simple to execute. 

Kali raises and opens his right hand and slams his palm into the center of Ichen’s back, driving him hard into the earth. Ichen’s lungs collapse, forcing all the air out of his body. Ichen, unable to crawl, is left squirming in the dirt. 

KALI (CONT’D)
Do not worry Ichen. Soon the entire world will see what Shaolin has to offer. And know what to fear. I will show them. 

Kali walks into the forest. Moments later, the two guards appear. They run to Ichen. Grabbing him, Guard #1 begins to attempt to administer first aid. Ichen reaches a blood soaked finger and draws a Chinese symbol against the guard’s chest. Ichen dies. The guards look at the symbol, shocked.

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