Urban Fantasy · Psychological Thriller · Dark Fiction
Wake them up.
"It had Red Eyes."
The Story
In the ordinary chaos of college life, nine students uncover a terrifying truth — each of them possesses a Shadow self, a dark manifestation of their hidden trauma and suppressed desires.
For Caleb Jensen, balancing classes, clubs, and the weight of his past is already overwhelming. But when his Shadow takes form, he questions whether what he saw was real.
As the Shadows appear one-by-one, their daily college lives begin to fracture. Action, horror, and psychological tension collide in a story about identity, self-acceptance, and the monsters we create within.
Will they embrace their Shadows and become whole… or be destroyed by the parts of themselves they refuse to face?
Genre
Urban Fantasy · Psychological Thriller
Format
Light Novel · 7 Volumes · 39 Chapters
Setting
Blackwood University · The Negative Realm
Themes
Identity · Shadow Self · Self-Acceptance · Power · Trauma
Inspired By
Carl Jung's Shadow Self · Western & Eastern Media
Full Release
June 1st · Draft2Digital (eBook)
The Nine
// Click any character to view their full profile
Read Now
Chapter 1 and 2 is available for free preview now. All 39 chapters of the Catalyst Nine saga will be available for purchase via Draft2Digital on June 1st.
Mark the Date
June 1, 2026
Available on Draft2Digital · Paperback Coming Soon
PAPERBACK DATE TBA
Sneak Peek
// Chapter 001 · Volume I — The Awakening
The Dojo Center
Inside the Blackwood University kendo dojo, silence hangs heavily in the air. Cal stands alone at the center — eyes narrowed in intense focus as he breathes in. His hands grip the shinai perfectly: controlled, anchored, unwavering.
SWISH. WHAP.Form… perfect. Speed… perfect. Control… perfect.
It needs to be more precise.
"Uh oh, it's time for me to go!"
On Campus
Cal exits the Blackwood recreation center into a sunny, mild Oregon day. He checks his class schedule on his phone when a notification pops up from YoungChat:
Get 50% off our "Reflecting of one's mind."
"Ugh, no thanks."
Gothic stone halls rise beside sleek modern buildings, the old and new blending seamlessly. Cal slows his pace, taking it all in.
"This campus is surely something… I wonder what will happen this semester?"
As he passes a window, his reflection flickers — stretching unnaturally for just a split second.
Flicker.Cal blinks. Everything is normal again. He chooses to ignore it.
"Caleb, what's good bro. Are you headed to class?"
Cal turns to see Jamal Washington a few feet away. His expression softens into a small smile.
"Jamal. Got out early. How was Kendo training today?"
"Practice. It's the only way to improve."
"There's improving, and then there's… whatever it is you do."
"I'm just saying, don't forget to take a break. It's okay to not be perfect 24/7."
"He's… intense. Always pushing. I just smile, nod, and keep it cool. Always."
The Fork in the Road
They reach a fork in the campus path — one bright and paved, the other a narrow gravel trail disappearing into a darker patch of trees.
"C'mon, let's take the shortcut. I'm starving."
"I don't know… that path is—"
Jamal is already heading down.
"It's fine! Don't tell me Caleb Jensen is scared of a few trees."
Cal sighs and follows. The moment they step inside, the atmosphere shifts — quiet, heavy. Campus sounds vanish completely.
Crunch… Crunch… Crunch."Man. Why is everything so creepy looking? Also why is it dark all of a sudden?"
"Jamal… Do you see that?"
Ahead of them, the air itself warps. The living campus is gone — replaced by dead trees and scattered stone slabs. Reality begins to tear open, silently stretching as if being peeled apart.
"What… what IS that?"
From behind a dead tree, something reaches out — a hand of fractured, razor-sharp stone.
SHHHLCK.The Shadow
A towering figure steps through the tear — humanoid, cracked like obsidian shards held together by force. A twisted, broken mockery of Caleb's form.
This is Caleb's Shadow.
"Fraud… Hate… Failure… Not… perfect…"
This thing knows me.
SHRAAAAA."CAL!"
Pointless. Impossible to outpace.
A burst of force erupts. The Shadow's strike misses by inches. Cal stares down in shock at the faintly glowing lines etched into the ground beneath him — power radiating outward.
The Shadow is hurled backward. Its red eyes turn toward a new target. Jamal.
Jamal's body tightens, his fists taking on a faint amber hue. His muscles thicken as a low growl rises from deep within his chest.
// Chapter 002 · Volume I — The Awakening
As Jamal's power erupts fully for the first time, his pupils dilate, and a dense, physical aura radiates violently from his fists. The ground beneath him cracks under the pressure.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
KRA-KOOM! SHOVE! KRACK!"What... what is this power?!"
"I SAID BACK OFF!"
The Shadow straightens, calmly reassessing. Two piercing soulless red eyes fade into existence on its previously blank face.
"You need to see the truth. Wake Up."
Its body dissolves into darkness — fssshhhhhh… — until nothing remains but the floating red eyes. They linger a moment longer before disappearing.
Jamal's amber aura sputters out — he collapses to his knees, panting.
"huff… huff… What… was that…"
"Cal… my body… I felt… Did you see what I did? Did you feel that thing you did?"
"I… I don't know. But it looks like we're back in the real world."
"Let's go. Back the way we came. Now."
Back on the bright main campus. Three students walk nearby: May Reyes, Sameer Ali, and Leo Jones.
"Okay, checklist. Do you have the cash box and allergy info cards?"
"Right here. I triple-checked the ingredient lists. We're all clear."
"I could make an app for that. TableSetter Pro."
They round the corner and freeze — Cal and Jamal, torn clothes, dirt, shock in their eyes.
"Cal? Jamal? Are you guys alright? Did you get into a fight?"
"A fight? With who? Or what? You look like you wrestled a bear."
Cal pushes off the wall. Voice still shaken.
"You're not going to believe this… but we were attacked. By a monster."
This sneak peek features the core text of Chapters 1 and 2. The full version of the story includes character illustrations, fight scenes, and emotional scenes.
Now Available
The full story is available now. Get your copy and step into the Negative Realm.
by Da'Xavier Pace
📖 Paperback Edition · Coming Soon
Sneak Peek Available
Read the opening chapters right now — no account needed.
All Catalyst Nine links in one place — eBook stores, social media, announcements, and more. Visit the Linktree to find where to read the full story.
Chapters 1–7 are live. Follow Caleb and the Nine as they encounter their Shadows for the very first time.
Follow the Catalyst Nine Linktree for announcements, new chapter drops, and updates on the paperback release.
The Darkness Within
The Umbra — meaning "shadow" in Latin — are not ordinary monsters. They are the things tucked away in the deepest part of your mind: insecurities, trauma, identity crises, imperfections of self. Each Umbra has one goal: to show their "lighter side" who they truly are and complete a fusion — becoming whole. One main ability of the Umbra is shapeshifting, though some refuse. The Umbra also have a subspecies called the Ash Eaters — what happens when one successfully destroys their Umbra for good, becoming something darker and no longer human.
// Shadow Counterparts
Latin: Social Prestige · Influence · Authority — Caleb's Shadow
All the pain and hate Caleb keeps locked away. Mostly alone in the Negative Realm. Shares a psychic link with Caleb. Forged his own Staff after sensing Caleb receive his Katana.
Psychic LinkWeapon: StaffLatin: Memory Loss · Forgetfulness — Jamal's Shadow
All the anger and pain Jamal carries and never shows. Relies on brute strength and shapeshifts his arms into melee weapons. Knows what makes Jamal tick.
Brute StrengthShapeshifting ArmsLatin: Mirror — May's Shadow
True form unknown. Shapeshifts into real or mythical animals, gaining each creature's abilities. Often used as a scout.
"If you can be anything to anyone, do you ever get to be yourself?"
Latin: Interpreter of Omens — Evelyn's Shadow
Calm, but terrifying. Travels underground like a mole. Face resembles a rotting corpse with jagged teeth, hidden beneath a dark mossy hood.
Meaning: Death · Rebirth · Inevitability — Sameer's Shadow
Takes the form of a Black Panther. Did not fight on first encounter — silently watched from a dead tree before revealing himself. Calm among the Umbra.
Black Panther FormLatin: Guilt · Fault — Ivy's Shadow
First appeared in Ch. 4. Stems from emotions Ivy ran from. While Ivy controls living plants, Culpra controls dead plants, trees, and roots.
Latin: Pain · Suffering — Noah's Shadow
Wears a classical suit and cape with six red eyes. Echo Chamber (two stages) — an invisible dome where twisted sounds of loved ones grow louder, potentially driving targets to madness. Can also project distorted memories that feel completely real. As the story progresses, Dolor's connection to Noah deepens in ways that will reshape both of them.
Echo ChamberResonant DrumsLatin: To Play · Game — Elara's Shadow
Always seen whispering in the corner with red string in her hands. Cunning and patient. Her Crimson Strings bind opponents and wire emotional concepts directly into their brain — felt as absolutely real.
Crimson StringsPsychological WarfareArron's Shadow
Manipulative from the first encounter. Extremely dangerous and blood-lusted. His rage stems from Arron's past trauma and failures.
Leo's Shadow — Two Sides
Sun Side: Playful, uses Sun Seals to spy in the real world. Moon Side: Quiet, calm, unsettling. Together powerful; split, each side operates at 50%.
Sun SealsDual Identity// Authority & Subspecies
Latin: Night — Bradley Hammond's Shadow
Highly intelligent de facto leader of the Umbra. Senses fusions from miles away. Sits at the Ruined Temple observing. Speaks telepathically with Bradley Hammond. Wants everyone to accept their true selves.
Umbra LeaderTelepathicPublic Figure · Ch. 18
Calm, notable public speaker traveling North America. Knows a great deal about the Umbra and certain artifacts.
Subspecies of the Umbra
What happens when someone successfully destroys their Umbra for good. They become something darker — no longer human-like.
Supporting Cast
// Faculty & Mentors
History Professor · Blackwood University · Mentor
Professor at Blackwood for over a decade. Mentor to the students. Possesses the Anulus Inferni, passed down by his father at age 18. Unaware of its true power. Ability: teleportation within the Negative Realm. His Umbra is Morvane.
Age 445'11"North CarolinaProfessor Row's Umbra
Has been with Professor Row for over 20 years. Over 10 feet tall with extending arms and tendrils. Can shapeshift into different forms. Teleports whenever Professor Row teleports.
10+ ft tallShapeshifter// Students & Friends
Student · Junior · Marketing
Quiet and often alone, but easy to connect with over shared interests. Has documented mental health struggles. His Umbra is Azarel.
Age 205'6"Aaron's Friend · Senior
Long-time friend of Aaron, about to graduate. Soft, sweet, and empathetic. Active in a predominately Black Greek org and B.C.U.'s social media publication team.
Aaron's Friend · Senior
Calm and chill. Wants to spend more time with Aaron before graduating.
Nakwasi Nation · State of Washington
Part of the Nakwasi Nation in the state of Washington. Just finishing up trade school. Or so it seems.
Aluna's Friend · Nakwasi Nation
Aluna's friend since high school. Recently grown distant from Aluna even since she finished trade school.
James Row's Sister
Not much is known about her — only that she is a teenager with teenager problems.
Father of James Row & Amethyst Row
The patriarch of the Row family.
Bradley Hammond's Mother · Politician
A politician across the country, away from her son Bradley Hammond.
// S.I.A. Agents & Government
S.I.A. Agent · Six Months on the Force
A hesitant rookie who follows orders but at times likes to challenge authority. Wields the Blade of Kuru — a small but durable blade with a sharp pencil point.
S.I.A. RookieS.I.A. Agent · Several Years Experience
Has been with S.I.A. for a few years. Has taken out targets before in cold and emotionless conditions.
"Every nation hides its sins behind a flag."
S.I.A. Director
Calm and calculated. The mission comes first. Former military before joining the S.I.A.
Formerly F.B.I. · S.I.A. since 2005
Previously in the F.B.I. before transferring to the S.I.A. Very little is known about his day-to-day lifestyle.
U.S. Soldier · One of the First S.I.A. Agents
United States soldier and one of the very first S.I.A. Agents. Finds Cyrus's sense of humor interesting. Recruits others for a mission.
Scientist · S.I.A. Recruit
A scientist before joining the S.I.A. Recruited by Private Howard to join a team.
Politician
A politician who only cares about money and making millions of dollars. But he forgets that greed is a sin.
U.S. Military Soldier
A soldier in the United States Military. Recruited by Private Howard for a mission.
Special Agent · Secret Squadron
A gun for hire by the United States Military. Called in when a major threat needs to be eliminated. Recruited by Private Howard.
The World
// Universities & Campuses
Oregon · Founded 1904 · ~23,000 Students & Faculty
About 90 minutes from Portland. Gothic-style campus blended with modernization.
Primary Meeting Point
The main gathering place for Caleb and the others — where the group discusses plans and coordinates next moves.
British Columbia, Canada
A medium-sized university with a modern, technical look very different from Blackwood. Leo and Sameer are notably impressed.
// The Negative Realm
Home of the Umbra · As Old as Human History
Dark, ancient, barely lit. Filled with ruins and temples built by unknown hands. Time moves slower here. Cracks on the ground signal you've crossed over.
Training Ground · Accessed by Professor Row
Similar to the Negative Realm but without ruins — like an empty desert. Used for training and private conversations with Morvane.
Negative Realm · Umbra Hideout
Where Nox and the Umbra gather. Nox observes here — watching, waiting, aware of everything happening across both realms.
// Real World Locations
State of Washington · A Few Hours from Blackwood
A medium-sized reservation where anyone is welcomed. Home of Aluna Nakwasi and her community.
African & African American Section
The place where the Axe of Ogun resides — housed within the African and African American section of the museum.
S.I.A. Headquarters · Outskirts · Deep Woodland Area
Where the S.I.A. Headquarters is located — situated in the outskirts of the city within a deep wooded area, hidden from public view.
Objects of Power
// Artifacts
Umbra Artifact · Created Late 18th Century, West Africa · Located: Savannah History Museum
A blacksmith claimed to see a vision of an all-black lion with red eyes that took the form of Ogun. The Umbra guided him to forge the axe — black and gold blade with a wooden handle, carved with a message for its wielder. The Axe can separate the bond between a human and their Umbra. Evelyn has a vision of it early in the story, and Professor Row later mentions it to the group. What it ultimately does — and how — you'll have to read to find out.
Ring of the Underworld · Professor Row's Ring
Created by an Umbra in the Negative Realm. Creates a fictional replica of the Negative Realm. Passed down through Professor Row's family. Row is unaware of its full potential. Bradley Hammond has noted that the ring likely carries far greater power.
Agent Morales's Weapon · Passed Down Through Multiple Wielders
A small but durable blade wielded by Agent Morales. The blade has a sharp pencil point. Agent Morales is not the first person to wield it — it has had other users before her.
The Book of Truth
A book that holds secrets of the Negative Realm — but also contains other information and secrets. Its full contents and reach are unknown.
// S.I.A. Tools
S.I.A. Tracking Technology
Used by the S.I.A. to track down people who have an Umbra. They use sonar-like technology combined with tiny pieces of the Blade of Kuru. Shadow Locators look like ordinary smartphones — impossible to distinguish from a civilian device.
S.I.A. TechnologySonar-BasedFrom Volumes I–VII — the complete Catalyst Nine saga is coming. Seven volumes, 39 chapters, one unforgettable story.
What to Expect
All 7 volumes and 39 chapters will be available for purchase via Draft2Digital on June 1st.
June 1, 2026 · Draft2DigitalA physical copy of Catalyst Nine will be announced for those who want the story in hand. Date to be confirmed.
TBA — Announcement ComingCharacter art and visual profiles are not available on the website — but you can read the story to see the characters and their visuals come to life within the full narrative.
In the Full StoryMore is on the way as the world of Catalyst Nine slowly expands. New locations, new revelations, and new shadows are coming.
Stay TunedStay connected through the official Catalyst Nine Linktree for all announcements, drops, and news.
Visit Linktree ↗"Stay hungry as more will be on the way."
— Da'Xavier Pace, Author of Catalyst Nine