EXT. FOREST – NIGHT

SUPER TITLE: DENGFENG, CHINA – 1985

A moonlit clearing surrounded by forestry.

A lanky monk, ICHEN XU, 25, running frantically. He exits the treeline, stumbles to the ground, eyes fearful.

KALI (O.S.)
Tell me, Ichen, what is your impression of tonight’s events?

Another monk, stepping from shadow at the clearing’s center up ahead,
KALI ZHANG, 27.

ICHEN
You have defiled everything Shaolin stands for, Kali! I will speak to the Abbot of this.

KALI
You will speak to no one, Ichen.

A determined Ichen rises, as Kali steps forward to meet him, eyes his prey with amusement…

Then attacks! A colorful duel.

Kali’s moves quicken to a blur. A swift kick to Ichen’s knee, he crumbles.

EXT. MONASTERY – CONTINUOUS

Ichen’s SCREAM, heard by the guards at the monastery gates, who shout an alarm. A force is quickly dispatched.

EXT. FOREST – CONTINUOUS

Ichen, crawling on the ground. Kali walking alongside.

The voices of the approaching monks.

Kali drops to one knee, readies an open palm to strike.

Drives it into the center of Ichen’s back. CRACK! Ichen convulses, coughs blood.

Kali disappears into the treeline…

As those from the monastery spill into the clearing, fan out.

Two settle before Ichen to assist.

He reaches up, with his dying breath, scrawls a bloody symbol on a monk’s chest.

MONK
Kali…