The Dark Expanse - Astral Clash Series - Book 1

by Jack Hammond

  Luke knew he had not been spotted, but was unwilling to take a chance. It wasn’t long before he caught a glimpse of the man as he passed by the side street without hesitation. Quickly taking to his feet Luke continued his pursuit. The tall NCP parking building towered above him, the man Luke was following had already gone inside. Had he got a car waiting inside for him? He asked himself. It didn’t feel right somehow, having a car here made little sense to Luke.

  Luke skipped up a few steps as he waited to hear the sound of the heavy security door. When that sounded he'd know which floor the mystery man would be on. Luke had almost reached the top floor when he heard the creek of the hinges in desperate need of oiling. He peered through doorway and saw the man stood by the edge of the floor. Not daring to move out from his position, Luke remained at what seemed like a safe distance. The more he followed this guy, the more he realised he was searching for something. He glanced from side to side as if he looking for something or someone.

  A rush of panic struck Luke as the mystery man turned and headed back towards the door. Luke was stuck for a moment unable to decide what to do. He was shaking as he finally moved; the fear had gone straight to his legs. His hands gripping the stairwell rail as he made his way to the lower floor and rushed through the door with a bang. Alarmingly for Luke as he passed the first parked car he fell. He pulled himself along the floor and hid against the side of a red Peugeot. His entire body was suffering with uncontrollable shakes, terrified, the voice of reason in his head asked him what the hell he was doing, this was too dangerous.

  Time had escaped him. He wasn’t sure how long he'd been on the ground. Patches of oil stained the concrete floor around him. Luke slowly felt some control returning, by now the man was long gone. He shouldn’t have done this, but he was desperate to help his best friend. Luke and Wesley were inseparable until this bloke suddenly appeared, along with his friends desire to increase his circle with the likes of Sadie and Darren. He wanted his friend back, he missed him.

  Luke pushed open the heavy door and glanced up and down the stairs. For some reason he chose to go up a floor. He moved out and walked over to the edge of the parking level and standing exactly where the man had. Luke stared at the church yard, it was a perfect view. There wasn't anything else. Then it dawned on him, he was planning something there. He'd been casing the church. What for though? His eyes moved to the side of the building, he could make out two men. Luke was positive one of them was the man he'd been following.

  Luke broke out into a sprint, rushing through the car park door; he descended the steps two and three at a time. Once or twice misplacing his footing but using the stairwell wall to stay on his feet as he banged against it. Luke reached Maid Marion and prayed he would find someone, or see something that explained what was going on. As he passed over the second set of lights he skidded to a halt.

  A tall man, with a bald head was pointing something at the person Luke had followed. The man dressed in a business suit subdued his target with what seemed like a taser. Luke couldn’t help but gawp; he wasn’t sure what he was witnessing here. A third man entered the fray; he rounded the corner to see the unconscious man. He seemed just as surprised to see him as Luke was, then he gestured towards him.

  Quickly he spun around and crossed the road again.

  “You saw nothing, you saw nothing.” Luke told himself under his breath. “He’s been arrested, you’re safe no one saw you.” He continued. Luke looked back giving out a sigh of relief that no one was behind him. It must have been the police, he told himself. He certainly looked like a copper; Luke attempted to convince himself with little luck.

  Luke boarded the tram again and headed back towards home, he would be back by twelve thirty. He'd have enough time to find Wesley at school in the dinner break and give him the good news. Luke smiled happily to himself as the white haired conductor checked his ticket. This would hopefully put Wesley’s mind at rest and bring him back from wherever he seemed to have found himself lately. Luke would soon have his friend back, the way it used to be, he said quietly in his head.

  The football field was solid under foot, frozen by the wintry weather. Even with no snow around, the cold weather remained. Luke had cut through a break in the fence and took a shortcut across the sports fields. He headed towards the food hall and expected to find Wesley sitting with Sadie and Darren all nice a cosy. Luke made his way past the different groups, ranging from eleven and twelve years old, to fifteen and sixteen that filled the dull grey yard.

  Alwin took a hard swallow as he finished his crusty pizza. “Can’t believe I ate that,” he declared. “Not exactly their defining moment in food creation.”

  Wes smiled, “Why did you eat it all?”

  “It was there.”

  Sadie and Darren made their way to the table and sat down. “Hi, you two.” Sadie said as she took a carton of orange juice from her bag.

  “Guys.” Darren said casually as he leaned both elbows on the table. “No Perry today?” he asked Wesley.

  “No, but I didn’t expect him.”

  “After last night, me either.” Darren replied.

  “It was a good win, Wes.” Sadie added, “You kept your cool.”

  “I wanted him to go feral again.” Alwin remarked.

  All eyes were suddenly on him, all disapproving of his remark.

  “What?” he said holding up both hands. “I didn’t like him, I bet Paddy would have preferred you went feral on him too.”

  “Anyone seen Patrick?” Sadie asked changing the subject.

  “He was in home economics, but I couldn’t talk to him.” Darren explained. “We’ll cross his path soon enough.”

  Sadie smiled at Wesley. “You did good last night, I was proud of how you handled Perry.”

  Wes' face became hot suddenly, it was embarrassment. If they had been alone it would have been fine, but in front of Alwin and Darren it was awkward. “Thanks.” Was all he said.

  “So who’s next?” Darren asked.

  “Not a clue, I’m hoping to pick up a clash tonight.” Wes admitted, he hadn’t thought much further than the Hydra.

  “You’ll be on a six win streak after tonight.” Alwin commented.

  “If I win.” Wes said playing it down.

  Everyone went silent and just stared at him as they had at Alwin moments before.

  “If?” Sadie said. “Who will challenge you now you’ve got rid of Perry?”

  Wesley just shrugged.

  “Face it man, you’ll have to go through the motions. Take five easy clashes then you can take on the big boys.” Alwin gleefully informed him.

  Luke entered the canteen and looked across the hall, skipping from one table to the next; he quickly located Wes at the far end of the room. Sure enough he was sat with Darren, Sadie and Alex. Navigating through the layout of tables he reached the group, they suddenly fell silent as he arrived. Automatically making Luke uncomfortable, he stood for a moment and then said. “Wes, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Wesley gazed around the table first and looked up at Luke. “It’s a bad time mate,” he said. “Can we do this later?”

  “Wes, it’s really important. I missed English for it.”

  “You weren’t in English?” Wesley asked surprisingly.

  “No, no I wasn’t.” Luke sneered; he hadn’t even noticed he was absent. “We’ll do it later,” he hissed.

  “Yeah, that would be best.” Wes replied dismissingly.

  Luke stormed away from the table, cursing the person that used to be his friend. He had no idea who he was now, but he wasn’t the boy he had grown up with, he was someone else. Not paying attention to where he was walking, he bumped into Patrick Pullman. “Sorry, Paddy,” Luke found himself saying.

  “It’s okay.” He replied.

  He looked back and watched Patrick stop at Wesley’s table, Luke laughed. “Good luck with that, Paddy.” He whispered to himself. The laughter soon stopped. His teeth ground together as he watched the mos
t unpopular kid in school take a seat with his old friend.

  That was the moment Luke realised his friendship had ended, in that short conversation, all the years they had spent together were just distant memories. He wasn’t upset, he expected to be a little sad, but he wasn’t. Luke was angry, no he was furious that Patrick had been chosen over him. Sadie, he could understand, she was a girl and nice looking. Even Darren, he could even understand Darren for popularity, Alwin not so much. But Patrick, how dare he dismiss him for Patrick? He couldn’t help himself from looking through the window at the five smiling faces as he left the hall. What was going on there? None of it made sense, the popular kids mixing with the unpopular kids. That just went against everything Luke understood about school.

  Patrick stood at the table, not making eye contact with anyone, he wasn’t sure why he was doing this, but it just felt like the right thing to do. “I just wanted to say thank you,” he began. “For helping me and beating the Hydra.”

  Wesley hadn’t realised he had been there, he had looked for him but never saw him. “You were there?” he enquired.

  “Yes, I was in the stands.” Patrick confirmed. “Thanks,” he said again walking away.

  “Hey! Where do you think you’re going?” Sadie announced.

  Patrick turned around to see Darren kick an empty chair towards him.

  “Sit down.” Darren said firmly.

  Patrick gazed across their faces. They were serious, this was actually happening. This was not an elaborate plan to make him look stupid or hurt him; he couldn’t help but smile as he sat down.

  “You’re one of us now.” Alwin added.

  Patrick remained silent, just a cartoonlike grin across his face. For the first time he could recall, Patrick felt as if he belonged. He was unsure why, but decided not to question it and just basked in the moment.

  “I need to say sorry,” Wesley explained. “I’m new to the arena myself, and with everything that’s been happening I…” he paused.

  “He had a lot on his plate.” Darren graciously finished.

  “That’s no excuse Patrick, I should have made time for you.”

  “We’ll all make sure that doesn’t happen again.” Sadie confirmed.

  “You will help me?” Patrick enquired with shock.

  “We will.” Alwin joined in, “In fact tonight, I will show you how the colosseum should really be.”

  “Oh my God,” he declared. “I can’t believe this.”

  Darren caught sight of a few people looking their way, obviously interested in why Patrick was sat with him and Sadie. With a sneer he snapped, “What’s your problem?!”

  They looked away, not wanting to get on Darren’s bad side.

  “Chill big man, chill.” Alwin joked.

  Darren looked at Patrick. “Anyone gives you any trouble you tell me. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it.”

  “Thanks…” Patrick answered quietly. He couldn’t believe everything the stranger had said was coming true. He told him the pendant would change his life but never in a million years did Patrick expect it to happen and especially so quickly.

  “You come into the pit tonight.” Wesley said. “Don’t go into the stands. You need to fight, there’s no better feeling.”

  “The pit it is.” Patrick agreed.

  Wesley thumbed through uncle Chad’s book and decided to give it another try. Turning to the last page he could recall not skimming over, he continued. The first chapter appeared to be all about the author and how he had discovered the techniques; he would delve into in later chapters. Wesley wondered what kind of mind-set Chad was in to read this. Mostly it was boring, every now and again he would come across a line that would spark a mild bit of interest but nothing big enough to push him deeper into the book.

  With a touch of relief Wesley heard his mobile ring, giving him a reason to abandon Chad’s book, although when he saw Luke’s name he sighed in distress. Reluctantly he answered. “Hey Luke, about earlier…”

  “Shut up.” Luke angrily hissed down the phone. “Meet me outside your house.”

  “Wait…” the phone went dead. Wesley wasn’t sure what was going on, he had never heard Luke so angry. Wes should have talked to him, he had messed this up trying to fix something else. He picked up his jacket and made his way outside.

  Wesley could see the anger in his friend’s eyes. He didn’t look hurt, just mad.

  “You have time for me now, huh?” Luke jabbed.

  “I’m sorry about today, Luke.”

  “Save it, I’m not interested,” Luke countered harshly. “I have something to tell you, then we’re done.”

  “What do you mean done?” Wes asked.

  “Done, finished. Don’t speak to me again.” Luke seemed even angrier having to explain it to him.

  “We can sort this out, Luke. I messed up, let me make this right,” Wesley pleaded. He knew Luke was serious, he had never seen this side of him before.

  “You messed up alright. You know that man that’s been following you around?” he asked. “You know the one, you told me it was a joke, a wind up?”

  “What about him?” Wesley was concerned about what was coming next.

  Luke could see it in his face. “You lied again! He was following you, I saw him watching you the other night from down there.” He continued pointing to where he’d seen him. “And I followed him.”

  “You what? Are you mental?!” Wesley shouted.

  “Must be, I thought I was helping out a friend. How wrong I was,” Luke replied. “I don’t even know why I’m bothering to tell you.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “I guess it’s out of misplaced loyalty.” Luke said out loud to himself. “Your stalker, you don’t need to worry about him anymore.”

  Wesley swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. “Why, what happened?”

  “He got arrested.” Luke happily informed him.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, I saw the cop taser him myself,” Luke explained. “So you don't worry about him anymore.”

  “Why did you follow him? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Luke laughed sarcastically. “Seriously, why didn’t I tell you? You won’t talk to me anymore, you blank me. You ignore my calls and now you’d rather talk to Paddy Pullman than me.”

  “I can explain all this,” Wesley said.

  “Save it. I followed him to help out my friend. Sadly he’s not around now, God knows who you are.” Luke finished and walked away.

  “Luke! We can sort this, let me explain.” Wesley shouted after him. He realised he wouldn't turn back. “Fine, go then!” he yelled. “I don’t need friends like you anyway!”

  Patrick walked through the doors of the fighters pit, he felt the way he had the first time he had walked in. The place seemed full of promise and possibilities and that excited him. He waved to Darren, Alwin and Sadie and made his way over. “How’s it going?” he asked as he arrived.

  “Okay.” Darren replied.

  “You’re looking chipper.” Sadie remarked.

  “Yeah, looking forward to tonight.” Patrick admitted.

  “We’ll have a blast man, be a good clash.” Alwin said holding out his hand. “This is an official challenge.”

  “Understood!” Patrick accepted. “I’m buzzing,” he added. Unable to see Wesley he asked, “No, Wes?”

  “He’s not here yet, give him time.” Sadie said.

  “Fashionably late, he’ll become a diva now.” Alwin joked.

  “Does he have a clash tonight?” Patrick asked.

  Darren tapped him on the shoulder and then pointed at the large group of fighters by the door. “They’re all waiting to challenge him, Wes’ going to get a fight tonight.” Darren explained.

  The group of twelve fighters all stood by the huge doors. Each one waiting for Wesley to arrive, hoping to get a clash with the best fighter under the Overseer’s Elite. The doors parted and Wesley was immediately mobbed by the hopefuls as he walked t
hrough. Still angered by his dispute with Luke, he wasted no time in ending the pushing and hustling of the group.

  “Shut up!” he declared holding up his hands. “Who’s got the earliest clash?”

  “I do!” a young girl proclaimed as she pushed her way to the front of the group. Dressed in a long black dressing gown and bunny slippers, Wesley almost laughed out loud. “I’m next.”

  “Then I fight you.” Wes said plainly, holding out his hand.

  “I am an echelon four.” The young girl began as she took his hand.

  “I don’t care.” Wesley bluntly interrupted, “Let’s get this done.” He continued pushing past her to everyone’s surprise.

  Sadie was the first to comment as Wesley reached the group. “What’s up with you?” she asked.

  “What?” he retorted coldly.

  “Your attitude, that’s what.”

  “It’s a clash with a nub, I don’t have to be grateful. I’m the one doing them a favour.” Wesley stated.

  Alwin and Darren exchanged glances at his comments. Alwin raised his eyebrows as he watched Wesley make his way into the arena.

  “I swear, the diva thing was just a joke. I didn’t think it would happen.” Alwin insisted.

  “What happened? He was fine this afternoon.” Patrick said.

  “Who knows, he’s up and down like a yo-yo.” Darren sighed,

  “I thought he'd be like that against Perry, not now.”

  “Something's got to him.” Sadie agreed with a shake of her head.

  The young challenger was only thirteen. She stepped out onto the sand her dressing gown and bunny slippers were soon a distant memory as the arena took hold of her. The imagination of the young girl was realised as the silver shimmering light washed over her and her manifestation was complete. She was now wearing a glimmering metal suit of armour; the chest plate had an eagle crest in gold embossed in the centre. The metal gauntlets clutched an enormous glowing blue sword, the weight of it so heavy she rested the tip of it on the ground. The girls face was covered by a metal helmet, the eye holes glowed with the same vibrant blue as the sword.