Main Task - Todorov Narrative

1. Equilibrium
A stereotypical mad scientist invents a machine that, on the basis that there are two planes of reality, enables humans to switch between the different planes of reality. With humans being the only creatures to exist on both the Spiritual Plane and Physical Plane, they are therefore the only creatures that theoretically, can switch between the planes to fully exist on one or the other. He then teaches his student all about it.

2. Disruption of Equilibrium
The scientist uses the machine, which does indeed work, but not as expected. The scientist switches to existing fully in the Spiritual Plane but gets stuck there. With the absence of his spiritual form, his physical form dies. Additionally, he didn't take into account the creatures that exist only in the Spiritual Plane, and so accidentally sends a creature from the Spiritual Plane to the Physical Plane, which is in essence, reality trying to reinstate the balance between the planes. The creature is caught between two states, being a spiritual creature in the Physical Plane, but as it becomes sentient, quickly realises it can consume people's spiritual forms to become more physical and therefore lead a fuller existence. As humans are flawed beings, they can't survive just existing in the Physical Plane, therefore die when their spiritual forms are consumed.

3. Recognition of Disruption
The scientist manages to warn his student, who is present at the disruption of the equilibrium, of the danger posed by the creature. The student then explains the situation to his friend, who agrees to help, though sceptical at first.

4. Attempt to Repair Disruption
The student and his friend try to warn people, but no one listens. People rapidly start dying of 'natural causes', though really it's the creature consuming their spiritual forms. They instead work to capture the creature, which they succeed in doing, but for them to send it back, they need it to have a full physical form, which it can only achieve by consuming spiritual forms. They can't keep the creature trapped for long in its nearly spiritual form, and so the characters are then faced with a dilemma - knowingly lead people to their death or let the creature loose, knowingly condemning many people to die. They decide on the latter but pursue it relentlessly.

5. Reinstatement of Equilibrium/New Equilibrium
The student and his friend successfully send the creature back, but at great cost. Knowing that thanks to them and the scientist many people died, they spend the rest of their lives living with the guilt and a sense of shame. They are never truly happy or at peace again.