The Dark Expanse - Astral Clash Series - Book 1

by Jack Hammond

  “Nothing,” Wes answered abruptly.

  “Really?” Chad smirked, “You’ve come over here at the crack of dawn, because?” he stared intently at his nephew for a moment. “It’s not your mum or dad.” He deduced, before pursing his lips and deepening his gaze.

  “Don’t read me, uncle Chad!” Wes replied quickly, knowing full well Chad could figure out exactly what was going on. That's why he was here.

  Uncle Chad had studied memory techniques, number counting, cold reading and self-control. A few years previously, he had taken time to teach Wesley some little tricks on information recall. To help with school work and mock exams, which were fast approaching. After acing them all and increasing his grades in every class, Wesley realised just how effective his teachings were. Chad happily used everything he’d learned in every aspect of his life, from hitting it off with the ladies, to getting the price on some electrical equipment dropped and even reading people in his professional life.

  “If you don’t tell me Wes, you leave me little choice.” Chad pointed out.

  “Okay, okay.” He conceded, a little too easily he thought. “I want, I hope, I mean…” he paused as he settled himself. “I was hoping you would teach me some more stuff, the self-control and cold reading.”

  “Huh?” Chad said raising an eyebrow. “You need help to learn self-control and reading people?”

  “Yes.” Wes replied.

  “To what end?”

  “What?” a sudden jolt of surprise entered his voice.

  “To what end.” he repeated. “Why do you want to learn now? Why the sudden interest?”

  “I, well, it’s just… I want to learn the sort of stuff you do.” He began. “I want to learn how to look at someone and know what they’re thinking. Also I’d like to be able to learn how to control myself in a fight.”

  “Who are you fighting? No…” he went silent for a moment. “Wrong question… why are you fighting?”

  “I’m not fighting.” He lied quickly.

  “You just said…” Chad was interrupted.

  “Not right now, just in case I ever need it.” He continued to lie, Wesley wasn’t sure if he would convince Chad he was telling the truth but it was his best option.

  Chad shuffled uneasily in his chair for a moment, before composing himself. Wesley had never seen him like that, he’d never seen him shuffle, scratch or fidget. Was this a good sign?

  “Why now?” Chad asked bluntly, “Why the sudden interest after all this time?”

  “The memory stuff you showed me, I want to learn more. The reading and control, really interests me.” Wes took a gulp of orange juice, using the glass to hide his face.

  “You want me to teach you, that’s why you’re here this morning?”

  “Yes.”

  Chad stood up and moved around behind his kitchen counter, he tapped his fingers across the unit tops as he went. Wesley wondered if he was considering his request or running through his lies and working them out.

  “Will you?” Wes asked impatiently.

  “Wes when I was your age I was already reading people. I was seeing lies and deception in almost every conversation.” He explained. “Most were small things I found, white lies.” Chad returned to his seat and looked at Wesley. “Now, you’re definitely hiding something from me. The real reason you want to learn, I don’t know why, you can tell me anything.”

  “I want to learn, it isn’t this big thing.” Wes lied again.

  “Yes, it is. In fact it’s huge. What is it? What would be this important to you?” Chad was talking to himself now, questioning himself as he delved into Wesley’s reactions from his words. Chad wanted to see what twitches he would get from what word or statement he used.

  “Just stop!” he snapped. “I told you… you know what, forget it.”

  Chad watched his nephew jump to his feet and start leaving. “Wait,” he said reluctantly. “Come back, Wes.”

  “Why? You’ll just try to read me again.”

  “I won’t.” He said honestly.

  “Okay.” Wesley nodded returning to his chair.

  “I learned these techniques when I was your age for a reason. Your dad was stronger than me, he could handle himself. Me, I was weedy and in for a hard time if I didn’t get an edge.”

  Wesley sat open mouthed. “You learned that stuff so you wouldn’t get bullied?”

  “God no,” Chad laughed. “I had your dad; he wouldn’t let anyone touch me. But, I knew he wouldn’t be around all the time and he couldn’t help me with the ladies.” He said with a devilish smile. “I use this stuff every day. Work, home, everywhere.”

  “So will you teach me?”

  Chad stood up, straightening his shirt instinctively. He remained tight lipped as he walked over to his bookcase. Chad ran his index finger along the spines of the books in silence.

  “Well? Will you?” Wes asked again, a little more frustration in his voice.

  “It’s a difficult one for me Wes, I won’t lie.”

  “Why?” he asked surprised.

  “I wanted to teach you all this stuff years ago.” Chad explained. “When I taught you the memory palace stuff, I wanted to do the job lot, as it were.”

  Wesley sat forward in his chair. “What happened?” he asked inquisitively.

  “Holly.” Chad said removing a book from the second shelf. “Your mum was dead against the cold reading stuff, in truth it took a lot for your dad to allow me to show the memory things.”

  Wesley shook his head angrily; his mother had put a stop to him learning the really cool stuff years ago. “Why?”

  “She’s worried you’ll abuse it.” Chad continued. “Worried you’ll start using the power for evil.” He laughed to himself as he picked a second book from the shelf and returned to his chair.

  “Would you teach me anyway? We’ll not tell my mum.”

  “No, definitely not. I don’t want Holly on my back, I’m sorry Wes, but there’s not much I can do.” Chad said placing the two hardback books down in front of him. “I can’t possibly show you any of the things I know, I mean that would be expressly against your mother’s wishes.” Chad suddenly smiled. “But if you looked up the same things I did when I was learning. Start learning the techniques from the source. I think you’ll find that's nothing to do with me.”

  Wesley smiled widely. “No it wouldn’t, would it.” He replied reaching down and collecting up the books.

  The top book had a red and black cover, with a worn finish, obviously read a fair few times. Most likely Chad had read it many times over perfecting his skills. The second books spine was cracked just like the first, only blue and black. The author was Luis Contrell, Wes had never heard of him but the fact was he never expected to. He looked up and Chad was grinning. “Thanks uncle Chad.”

  “For what? I’ve done nothing, and I will testify to that.” He sniggered.

  “Oh right, yeah.” Wesley said.

  “Sorry Wes, I've got to get going,” Chad told him. “I have to be getting off to work; it’s a busy day today.”

  “That’s no problem.” Wesley said finishing off his orange juice and heading to the door. “I can’t thank you enough.” He beamed as Chad showed him out.

  “Take care Wes, see you later.”

  Chad closed the door and shook his head; he knew instinctively he was hiding something very important from him. He was expecting a call from Holly over the books soon, but he could easily play innocent and get away with it. Joe was the one he would struggle to convince, his older brother could see through him no matter what. Chad didn’t know how, but he could always spot a lie or a falsehood, he thought it must be a genetic thing from being brothers. Holly couldn’t tell if he was lying which was why she didn’t want Wes learning those kinds of things. She was worried she wouldn’t be able to pick up on her son when he was being dishonest.

  Wesley skimmed the text more and more. Not even ten pages in and it was abundantly clear he had neither the time, patience nor in
clination to read the whole book, let alone both. Wes snapped the book shut and hissed through his teeth angrily. He wasn’t mad at Chad for not being his personal tutor, or the book for being too long. Wesley was angry at himself for not having the time. Even if he read the book, the fight was tonight, and it wasn’t long enough to allow the knowledge to sink in.

  Tonight’s clash was by far Wes’ biggest and this challenge was more than just a fight. Wesley couldn’t lie to himself; he could lie to Sadie, Alwin, Darren, even his best friend Luke but not to himself. He was harbouring serious anger towards Perry, he had attacked Wesley personally in his school, bullied Patrick disgracefully and worst of all he had hurt Sadie. Wes wasn't sure what he was capable of. In the real world he was simply a normal kid, but within those Corinthian stone pillars he was an unknown quantity.

  He dropped the book on the desk and spun around in his chair. Wesley wasn’t worried about the clash with Perry in the manner in which you would possibly expect. He was more worried about himself than he was about Perry. Wes did not fear his inferior manifestation, nor did he fear his tactics on the sand. The real fear that lay within himself, his own power, how he would react once he stepped out there. Would he be able to stay in control? Would the weapon or occasion control him once again? If it did where would that leave his opponent Perry? Would Wesley’s anger effect how the weapon reacted if he allowed it to take control?

  The power that overtook him actually scared him now, the exhilaration was now trepidation. He could remember the sudden jolt he felt upon the sand as he felt his strings being pulled from another force that lead him to victory. But would victory tonight, mean something seriously awful for Perry. Wesley tried to convince himself he didn’t care, but he did. He didn’t want to hurt him, not badly anyway. Wesley picked up the book again and flicked through the pages. “If only…” he said to himself. He read a few more lines, but didn’t take in the words before giving up for a second time.

  Stomping feet thundered down through the structure into the fighter’s pit. The cauldron flames flickered from the monstrous vibrations caused from the crowd above. Impatient, noisy and excited, the colosseum was in full swing as they awaited the clash to begin. The place was full of expectation as Wesley moved through the fighters to the doorway. It seemed surreal to Wes as he felt hands slap against his back, words of supports rang in his ears with each person he passed.

  Perry stood alone, his hands clammy, his heart beating faster as he listened to the noise from the crowd. This was the first time he'd felt scared as he looked out over the sand. The clash actually made him more scared than he could ever recall. The events of the previous night still fresh in his mind, the way Wesley conjured his hammer outside the arena. That was a power he truly could not contend with and he knew it. Perry's hesitancy was etched across his face for everyone to see. He saw his opponent step into view from the adjacent doorway.

  A twinge of discomfort coursed through Perry as Wesley came into view. He knew he would not win, so why was he here? Why had he bothered to attend tonight knowing he'd lose? Did he think he could win? No, there was nothing inside him that believed he had a chance of winning. Why did you turn up? He asked himself again. The answer was simple; he didn’t want to be branded a coward. He wanted to stand against the strongest fighter he’d seen outside of the shadows and put up a good fight, not just roll over and die. Perry took a deep breath and puffed out his chest as he took the hardest step he had ever taken in this amphitheatre.

  “Please be careful.” Sadie said, her hand clutching Wesley’s elbow.

  “I will.” He said doubtfully.

  “You know what I mean Wes, don’t lose it. Please.” She pleaded.

  Wesley looked at her closely; her eyes were bigger than normal. She was worried about his state of mind. “I will, I promise.”

  “Good luck, brother,” was all Alwin said.

  “Take him down, Wes.” Darren said with a firmer than usual punch in the arm.

  Wesley turned to the opening, the swirling vortex off in the distance signalling Perry’s arrival in the arena. Not keeping him waiting he stepped out onto the sand, his grey tracksuit bottoms and black T-shirt remaining unchanged as his sturdy shield came into existence, along with his devastating hammer.

  The Hydra loomed above the sand, staying still and somewhat solemn compared to previous clashes. No roaring, no flames just a sombre sway to each of the three heads.

  “Echelon eight…. prepare!” the voice boomed as it continued. “Echelon five…. prepare!”

  Wesley stood still, his hand gripping tightly on the hammer as he awaited the final word from the Overseer.

  The crowd erupted into loud cheers as the start of the battle was almost upon them.

  “Clash!” the voice yelled to a cataclysm of applause.

  Wesley swung his arm around, the hammer glowing furiously with a vibrant red as it whirled around faster and faster. The eyes of the Hydra heads glared at the flaming Catherine wheel Wesley was creating. Then he launched it into the sky, the hammer drove higher and higher into the colosseum sky. The crowd followed the glaring red flare as it continued to climb further. Perry watched with suspicious interest as the burning hammer vanished into the blackness of the expanse.

  All the gazes were skyward as Wesley took his first few steps; no one had even noticed him, as he approached the halfway mark. He raised his shield in front of his body and charged toward the Hydra. By the time Perry returned his attention to Wesley, it was too late. Underneath his guard Wesley’s shield shimmered with pulsating icy blue ribbons that surrounded him as he surged forward. Wes thrust the steel buckler into the Hydra’s underbelly, a flash of white light popped, grabbing the crowd’s attention. A crack echoed, glances from the observers were exchanged as the amphitheatre fell silent. Then another crack sounded out, followed by another. A glassy look filled the Hydra’s eyes one by one, slowly ice began creep over its huge body crunching and cracking as it froze the manifestation from within.

  Unable to move, the Hydra was completely immobilized. Wesley stepped back and tore away his buckler with a forceful yank. The shield snapped free and Wes looked around the theatre, he didn’t allow his gaze to fall upon the beast he had rendered inert. Still silent the mass of onlookers watched as Wesley walked away. A faint whistle in the distance grasped their attention. Slowly increasing in volume, it drew closer and louder by the second. Everyone seemed to whip their heads around in an attempt to locate the noise. Then almost as one, the entire colosseum looked skyward. A burning streak of fire surged through the air, like a missile strike. The whistle became a deafening boom as it smashed into its target.

  The force shattered the centre head of the beast. As it crumbled the other two folded in, breaking up as the creature splintered into millions of glassy shards. The hammer thundered its way through Perry’s Hydra with ease. The body exploding into icy particles as the flaming missile strike devastated the monster inch by inch. Wesley never turned to watch, he just continued towards the doorway, to exit the clash he knew he had won.

  Perry lay flat out on the sand. His manifestation surrounded him, still not vanishing into the ether from Wesley’s attack. The noise from the crowd filled his head as he closed his eyes tightly and wished them away. How was he beaten so easily? Perry asked himself. He knew Wesley had gone easy on him because it hadn't hurt. He may have embarrassed him but he had not intentionally gone out to hurt him, which he was sure he was going to do. Perry saw the remains of his creation disappear and took a deep breath. He actually felt grateful he hadn’t been seriously hurt, with a quick glance across the sand he watched Wesley leaving the arena. Perry soon followed; his only thoughts were why he hadn’t been punished more than that?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sarah smiled as she approached Edward, he was standing on the corner of the street rigid and still. Like the mighty oak, he was old but defied the cold with a regal air. Sarah didn’t know exactly where he had gained his assuredness and character. H
is records only showed he was an unemployed college student when he was initiated into the fold. Of all the people he had worked alongside, none were like him. Not in work ethic, ability or persona.

  Edward graciously met her with a nod, “Morning Sarah.”

  “Morning Edward,” she replied. “I have set a time,” she informed him getting straight down to business.

  “Excellent,” he said with a smile.

  “I think a few more files from the archive will get someone’s attention.”

  Edward remained silent, walking alongside Sarah looking into the distance.

  “Don’t you agree?” she asked sharply, Sarah had never seen Edward unfocused.

  “Yes,” he quickly replied. “It’s the best thing we can do.”

  “Is everything alright, Edward?” Sarah asked genuinely worried.

  Edward looked at Sarah; he wanted to tell her about his meeting with Maximus. He wanted to tell her, but that would jeopardise his chances of getting into archives. “Everything is fine,” he said. “I didn’t get much sleep last night,” it seemed the most plausible of lies.

  Sarah turned the corner onto Stoney Street; the huge buildings on either side of them reached high into the sky. Remnants of the earlier day’s snowfall were still scattered along the street as the sun struggled to get past the overbearing buildings. The snow had become brown sludge and ice. What remained lay in shaded corners and in the gutter of the road.