The bell rang like a war horn signaling retreat—freedom.
Seven hours of academic imprisonment had ended. Not even ghouls could compete with the psychological horror of math at 2 PM.
Bags slung over shoulders, students scattered like leaves in a gust of teenage exhaustion. Jack moved fast. Too fast. Like a boy with a mission—or a secret.
That's when he saw Henry, leaning against the wall like a character waiting for his next line.
Henry:
"Hey, don't you think we should celebrate after that confident breakthrough?"
He smirked, eyes hopeful but uncertain, like a puppy waiting for a head-pat.
Jack's face lit up—for a moment. But then it hit him:
The map. The store. The pull. That strange magnetic tug dragging him back into a dusty unknown.
Jack (inner monologue):
"Do I tell him? No, he doesn't need to get involved in my spiraling sci-fi soap opera. But... he's my friend. Friends don't lie. Unless they're really scared. And right now, I'm terrified."
Suddenly—snap snap—fingers danced in front of his eyes.
Henry:
"Hello? Are you gonna respond or what? Having a flashback or something?"
Jack panicked—then lied. Like a reflex.
Jack (awkwardly):
"I don't think I can come today… my mom and I are, uh, visiting my aunt. Yeah. She told me I should come early. So… bummer."
He scratched his back. Bit his lip. The acting was mid-tier at best.
Henry (smiling):
"Okay, well. See you next time. Remember—keep that fire blooming, yeah?"
Jack nodded, walking backwards with all the grace of a guilty raccoon.
Jack:
"Yeah, good… So, uh, gotta go. Bye!"
As soon as he turned—he booked it.
Jack (inner monologue):
"Why did I lie so fast? Dang it. I know the philosophy: secrets are the armor of the young… but man, this feels wrong. Still… I'll fix it later. First—the store."
---
The antique shop stood still in time—like it hadn't blinked since the 1960s. Dust clung to every object like a ghost that refused to leave.
Jack grabbed a torch. Moved with purpose.
Searched the shelves.
No map.
Just shadow.
And footsteps.
And something behind him.
He froze.
Jack (soul departing):
"Aaaaaaaah—WHOA!"
He turned, leaping back like a squirrel on caffeine.
Old Man (deadpan):
"You should watch your step, boy…"
"Really watch your step."
Jack gasped with enough relief to blow out a candle.
Jack:
"I thought you were a ghoul... So, uh—who are you? What is this?"
Silence.
And then—black.
---
Cut back in.
Jack sat, eyes wide, brain spinning.
Jack:
"So you're saying… my dad was a super warrior from some place called Airious... and he had this thing called Avian Affinity?"
Old Man:
"Yep."
Jack:
"And his Affinity was... Nature."
Old Man:
"Yep."
Jack:
"And there's a chance I have an Affinity too?"
Old Man:
"Yep."
Jack leaned back, like he just got hit with a pop quiz in destiny.
Jack:
"Okay... So what's all this about? I get it—I'm his son, but why me? What was he fighting? What's your name?"
The man exhaled slowly, like revealing his name cost energy.
Old Man:
"My name is Kainen. And I am an Airien knight."
Jack blinked. Then whispered like a kid realizing his comic books were real:
Jack:
"…whoa. An Airien knight."
Kainen nodded, calm and ancient.
Kainen:
"You carry his blood, Jack. But you're not the chosen one."
"Everyone is. The question is—will you choose it?"
Jack lowered his gaze. The weight of it all hit him harder than Lawrence ever could.
Jack:
"I'm... not sure I'm ready. I mean, I'm just a kid. Just trying to stand up to a world-class prick without wetting myself."
Kainen didn't laugh. He simply nodded—serious, understanding.
Kainen:
"I'm not here to force you. But remember…"
"You can't run forever. And the ghouls?"
"They won't wait."
---
Jack (inner monologue):
"This is bigger than confidence. Bigger than bullies.
This… is legacy.
And mine just called my name."
The amber sun leans low on the horizon, casting long shadows as Jack walks, head lowered, thoughts spiraling like storm winds through his mind. The world around him blurs. The idea of being a "super warrior" buzzes in his head—cool, terrifying, impossible, inevitable.
INNER MONOLOGUE (Jack):
"Super warrior"... sounds like something out of a game... But this ain't no controller. This is real. Too real.
Then—
THUD!
Jack slams into someone. A familiar silhouette. Crossed arms. A raised brow.
HENRY:
Hmm, I wonder where you went... was it your aunt's place?
smirks dryly
Or was it... the antique store?
Jack freezes. Caught. Soul practically dashing out the backdoor of his body.
JACK:
Uh… sorry man. I just didn't wanna—you know—add my problems to yours.
HENRY (squinting):
What problems? …Wait—
He steps closer, voice soft but serious
You gotta tell me everything. Is it what I think it is?
Jack nods slowly, as if the truth weighed a ton and he had to lower it gently.
JACK:
Yeah... It is. Turns out I'm not normal. I'm the son of some super warrior...
Henry's eyes widen with spark, like he just unwrapped a mystery gift.
HENRY:
Okay, this changes everything. So what did you say to him? The old man?
---
[CUT TO BLACK - THEN BACK]
HENRY (shouting):
YOU WHAT?!
Why?? I don't get it! This is your chance to be someone bigger, better—c'mon, man!
JACK (firmly, with a soft tremble):
I know. But… I gotta be emotionally ready, mentally ready. This isn't just a power-up. This is war. This is identity. It's... heavy, Henry.
Henry quiets, taking it in. A beat of stillness.
HENRY:
Mmm... You're not wrong.
pauses, thinking
So what now? You can't just do nothing, Jack.
JACK:
I know. That's why I'm gonna start digging. I've always felt… there's more. Beyond the Akan myths, beyond Greek or Norse tales… Henry—there's a whole cosmic library out there. Hidden. Whispering.
HENRY (teasing):
Oh boy… here he goes again. Jack the Myth Ranter.
sarcastically
What's the name of this new cosmic place?
JACK:
Airious.
He pauses. Something flickers in his eyes.
JACK (CONT'D):
But I know… there's more. Airious is just the beginning.
He grabs Henry's sleeve with sudden urgency.
JACK:
Come—quick! I need to show you something.
---
[INT. JACK'S SMALL GARAGE - NIGHTFALL]
Jack pulls open an old drawer, revealing a dusty photo. It shows a temple—massive, mysterious, impossibly elegant.
JACK:
This is it. This temple—it's not from ancient history. It wasn't carved centuries ago. It was created just 70 years ago.
HENRY (in disbelief):
What?! That's... around 2040.
Wait. Jack—are you saying... there are alien gods?
Jack slowly nods like a theorist finally proven right.
JACK:
And if you think I'm bluffing, then ask Kainen.
Yeah, that's his name—Kainen.
HENRY:
Looks like I'm already part of this ride...
---
JACK (suddenly somber):
But there's a problem.
Monsters. They've been following me.
They call themselves... Ghouls.
HENRY (scoffing):
Ghouls? Pfft—what is this, Halloween propaganda?
A dark smoke slowly curls from the garage's edge. The air turns dense. Whispers fill the air. Faint… but growing.
WHISPERS (V.O.):
"He doesn't believe... he will be the first..."
The atmosphere twists like a bad dream melting into reality.
JACK (gasps):
No… it's here. Hide!
HENRY:
It's nothing—probably smoke from—
BOOM!
A twisted ghoul bursts into the space, lunging for Henry like a predator unchained. Just before it strikes—
FWOOOOOM!
A golden-orange light erupts in a radiant blast, knocking the ghoul backward like a leaf in a storm.
The light pulses, softens—and a glowing stone hovers in the air. The Creation Stone. It speaks, voice like layered echoes of time itself.
CREATION STONE:
Do not be afraid.
I am harmless.
Hello, son of Valitor.
And you, Henry—
Never underestimate the unknown.
HENRY (trembling):
Yeah… no need to say it twice…
CREATION STONE:
Jack.
Your path is narrow, but not without purpose.
If you do not accept yourself… the ghouls will grow stronger.
But for now, I leave.
Let go of fear.
Let go of doubt.
Make the choice.
And with a soft chime, it vanishes, as if it had never been there.
---
HENRY (catching his breath):
Oh man… I didn't sign up for this. What did I land myself into?
Jack looks away, voice cold, detached, like a dam of emotion about to break.
JACK:
You can go if you want.
You're not part of this.
HENRY (blinks):
Jack, you don't have to push me away—I'm here—
JACK (interrupts sharply):
Please.
Just go.
Henry stands there, frozen. The pain on Jack's face is too raw to argue with.
HENRY (quietly):
Okay, Jack… I'll see you later.
He walks away. Pauses. Looks back. Hoping Jack will call him. Hoping for a "wait" or a nod. But nothing.
And so... Henry walks off into the night.
---
[INT. GARAGE - SILENCE]
Jack drops to his knees. Tears fall freely, silently. Shoulders shaking under the weight of it all.
INNER MONOLOGUE (Jack):
I can't hide anymore…
But I'm afraid.
Afraid of being alone.
Why me?
Why always me?
He buries his face into his palms as a cold wind slips through the open door. Somewhere in the distance, thunder growls...