The Sky is Endless

by Alexander W Meurant

  Once again he ended up with a fireball floating above his left palm, and with his success came a sense of uncertainty on what to do with the fireball. He cast a gaze at Clyde seeking guidance, but noticed that the old man was distracted, staring intently at the bundled up item he had brought down with him.

  "Sir, what do I do now" he asked of his master, uncertainty and nervousness heavy in his voice.

  Snapping out of his distracted state, Clyde moved his attention back to Sain.

  "Well get rid of it you twit. Throw it at the floor. There is a reason this store room is empty" he snapped irritably, flapping his hand at the concrete floor as if Sain should have known to do so.

  Feeling a bit foolish, Sain threw the fire ball with a dramatic motion at the concrete floor a few feet away from him, and watched the fireball puff out of existence as it hit the cold floor. There was a single flash of orange light and a small black scorch mark left on the concrete's surface. Little more than a mark really. Clyde sighed and looked at the mark before just shaking his head. Sain just bit his lip, thinking that his master had been expecting something else, like maybe a hidden test or something. But then Clyde turned his attention back to the youth and smiled slightly.

  "I want you to try it a few more times just to make sure you can do it. I do not want any mistakes later when it could prove fatal" came his words, spoken in a light, rather quiet tone. Sain nodded grimly, his lips tight and repeated his earlier steps, first bonding new crystals, then drawing the energy, maintaining it with his own power and then throwing it at the floor.

  After another six times Clyde stopped Sain, satisfied that the youth was doing it well enough. Clyde then shuffled over to the box Sain had carried down and brought out another four candles, placing them all on the shelf next to the burnt out stub of the previous candle. He then retrieved three more sets of tongs from his bag and told Sain to get two stools from the corner. When Sain returned he found all the candles lit and two pairs of tongs waiting for him. Clyde sat down on a stool, letting out a low gasp. He was an old man after all, and standing for long periods of times was not easy on his joints. Getting comfortable, Clyde gestured for Sain to join him.

  "It will be easier for us both if we have somewhere to sit. Especially on my old legs" he stated, smiling softly as Sain sat down and looked at Clyde expectantly.

  "So now we are both going to bond about a dozen shards each as it will save us from having to stop and start all the time" he added as he picked up a pair of tongs in each hand, then a crystal shard in each pair. He placed them in the candle flames and started murmuring the bonding spell. Sain quickly followed suit mimicking the old man.

  Unable to talk during the bonding process, Sain contemplated his lesson, thinking about the applications that their experiment could be used for if it succeeded. Transferring energy between crystals could greatly benefit society. Crystals were often damaged in accidents or disasters. They had been known to leak energy or explode completely if they were broken as Clyde had implied. So instead of disposing of the entire crystal, if the energy could be transferred it could prevent a lot of future problems. It could also mean funding for Clyde and a lot of money for all involved. If this succeeded, Sain could be looking at a very bright future.

  After the two of them finished their work, they had a quick rest after which Clyde took a piece of paper from his vest. On it were written a number of incantations in the old tongue, or commonly known as the sorcerer’s language. It was only taught in a handful of the magical universities and mage towers, but as magic did not react to any one language only the elite used the old tongue to try and embellish their abilities with words that normal people would find strange or exotic. The average magic user with the barest training would use whatever sounds or words that they were comfortable with to manipulate any magical energy that they came into contact with. But for those trained in magic, a person’s use of magic was tied to their sole understanding of the word. Sain just shook his head, clearing it of thoughts that he didn’t need and with a question in his mind, turned to Clyde.

  "Sir, if we are just transferring the energy, can't we just put it into the other crystal with just our thoughts or the bonding spell?" He asked, lifting a hand to scratch at the underside of his chin.

  Absolutely dumbfounded, Clyde just stared at the youth for a moment and shook his head in what Sain gathered as disappointment. He quickly deflated even as Clyde made to answer.

  "I thought the stupid questions were done. That is the type of thing I would expect an idiot to ask, not an apprentice of mine" Clyde stated, ignoring Sain's hurt look.

  "First of all, the bonding spell is used for a raw element, not elemental energy. Second, of course we can just put the energy in another crystal, but it’s not going to just conveniently stay there is it. No, we need an enchantment that will keep it in the new vessel, and that's the root of the matter, that is what I am trying to create. You should know this. Magic lies in a person’s understanding of language. If I say 'Lock in the energy', my association of the words is to trap the energy in something. That is the bonding spell. But my association of that phrase is tied exclusively to that of bonding raw energy. Not elemental energy. So a variation is needed" came the long winded reply and educational answer.

  Sain had his eyes downcast, and scowled. Of course Clyde was right, he should have known this and it reflected badly on him, so feeling hurt, Sain mumbled an apology. Clyde cut off the youth’s apology with a cut of his hand, smacking him in the knee.

  "Do not apologize boy, we learn more from our mistakes and failures than from our accomplishments and successes. Just think before you ask another question like that in the future" Clyde muttered irritably, not pleased from having to repeat an elementary lesson. The old man then exhaled in a long sigh and made to stand up. Urging Sain to his feet Clyde handed him two crystal shards. One a fire shard, the other an un-bonded shard. Once Sain took them, the old man stepped away from the table and lifted his piece of paper with the various incantations to his spectacled eyes and spoke out.

  "Now Sain, what you are going to do now is simple in theory, but may prove more difficult in practice. I want you to draw on the energy from the fire shard and force it into the empty one. I will have my hands on you to make contact with the energy you control, and I will go through the various enchantments that I have prepared until one works. And if they don't I will improvise. If at any time I feel that your control of the energy is slipping I will provide it with an avenue of escape and disperse it. I also want you to step away from me and drop the crystal if at any time you feel uncomfortable. This is a delicate process that can quickly go awry" Clyde droned out in a stern and long winded manner. He stared at Sain until the youth nodded his head, showing his acknowledgement.

  Sain understood that what Clyde was suggesting was common practice among mages and meant that he trusted Sain. Many mages would often join hands or touch an exposed area of skin when they were trying to complete a spell together. With complicated spells one would control the flow of magic between them whilst another guided it to its purpose, creating a spell many times stronger than what it would have been had they done it alone. It did however have its risks as it involved opening up one's flow of magic to another and any bad intentions could leave one person gasping for breath on the ground.

  As they began, Sain did what Clyde asked and opened up his flow of magic to the older mage as he began drawing on the energy in the crystal, and trying to force it into the empty one amidst the rhythmic chanting of his master who started to try the prepared incantations.

  Chapter 5

  * * *

  "Sain", turning his head when he heard is name called, Sain saw Niall crossing the street to reach him. A bright smile lit up the youths face as he lifted a hand and waved rather enthusiastically as he waited for his elder brother to catch up to him.

  "How’s your experiment going, you blown anything up yet?" called out Niall as he waited for a few cars to pass before he cros
sed. Looking both ways a final time, Niall jogged across the street, slipping between two parked cars. He grinned toothily as he approached his younger sibling and slapped the youth on the shoulder. Sain shot him a dirty look at the amount of strength to the blow and actually lifted a hand to rub the sore spot.

  "Yeah nah. I haven’t, though it nearly did happen a few times. We haven't been making a lot of progress though, so my master cracked the shits as per usual, and told me to take a lunch break whilst he tries to figure shit out" Sain stated rather sourly, his expression hinting that maybe Clyde was on one of his angry rants again. Niall just perked a brow and his smile slowly faded, picking up on Sain's dour mood rather quickly.

  "Well, it sounds like you are sort of enjoying yourself little brother, working for the old man" he stated blandly, without conviction. He puffed out some air and patted Sain on the shoulder.

  "Well, whatever. So where are you going for lunch, I’ve finished my business so I can join you" Niall said with a self-satisfied smirk, causing Sain to shoot him a look of suspicion with narrowed eyes. The youth snorted, remembering his brothers’ jokes about racks last night. He pouted and then sighed.

  "I'm just going to the local bakery around the corner, that's all. They have good pies and stuff. Cheap to. Value for money and all that" Sain said as he rolled his shoulders, trying to get the sting out from Niall’s earlier slap.

  "You mean the one your girlfriend's family owns", Niall asked of Sain with a look of feigned pure innocence plastered on his face. It was a look Sain knew well. It meant Niall was messing with him, and no doubt would be doing so for a while.

  "Ha ha, you are so fucking funny you wanker. Rin is not my girlfriend, she is just a friend" Sain declared, an annoyed look on his face as he turned and started walking away from Niall, not interested in copping his brothers bullshit and sarcasm at this time. Niall hurriedly jogged after Sain, a cheeky grin on his face as he prepared to jab Sain further.

  "Hey come on Sain, no need to get your panties in a knot. I thought that a girl that's a friend, makes her your girlfriend", Niall prodded a bit more, that cheeky grin still on his face. He was obviously trying to get a rise out of his usually calm and composed sibling. And it seemed to be working as Sain turned and threw a punch at his brother, a half assed one which Niall easily stepped away from grinning manically.

  "Oi oi, calm down man. No woman is worth a fight between brothers" he exclaimed his hands held up in mock surrender.

  "Yeah. Fuck you too Niall" he stated and turned away muttering insults under his breath. He continued walking then, Niall falling in beside him with a quick step. It was barely a minute of awkward silence when they arrived at the bakery and Niall finally stopped grinning like a lunatic. Sain entered first, the door swinging open and rattling the bell tied to its frame. A little golden head popped out from a shelf further in the back of the shop and Sain recognized Rin. She saw them both and her face instantly lit up in a brilliant smile. She practically skipped down the shop until she reached the counter and waved enthusiastically at them both.

  "Niall, oh wow. You got tall. It’s been like ages" she chattered at the tall young man with such a carefree and happy tone to her voice. She almost seemed like a ray of sunshine. Then she flicked her gaze to Sain and her expression darkened, the quick change like a storm appearing on a sunny day. Her gaze flitted over Sain’s face, where there were the remains of the dark bruise from his altercation the other day and she looked genuinely worried.

  "Oh Sain, did they hurt you? I was really worried the other day when those older boys took you away. I even told Papa about it. He said I shouldn’t worry, but I still did. I thought that they may have hurt you really bad or something" the young girl said with genuine concern, her eyes wide and a nervous expression creeping over her.

  Sain just scowled and lifted a hand to run it through his hair and down the back of his neck. A motion that always displayed nervousness for him. A look of guilt briefly flashed across his face but it was quickly hidden as he closed his eyes and put on a large fake smile.

  "There was nothing to be worried about Rin, it was only a simple misunderstanding, and it’s all been taken care of now" Sain lied straight to her face, without a moment’s hesitation. Lying really did come easy to him, and he felt no remorse at doing so. He opened his eyes and looked to his side, noticing Niall's expression. It was a familiar look to Sain and it worried him. His older brother had set his jaw and had a hard glint in his eyes, hinting at a burning anger.

  The truth was that he had completely forgotten all about Jalel's ultimatum, what with seeing Niall and all that, combined with the experiments that Clyde was doing. It had all just slipped his mind and now he was worried about how he was going to deal with it all. Niall would no doubt interrogate him as soon as they were alone, and there was nothing Sain could hide from his brother when he wanted answers. Regardless of what he told Niall though, Sain was still going to need to find a way to deal with Jalel, who was known on the street for being excessively violent to those who got in his way.

  "Oh, well, um ok then. Glad you are ok" Rin stated, her smile coming back, even if it wavered on her face somewhat.

  "So what can I get for you two" she asked brightly, her attitude warming again as she tilted her head and let loose a brilliant smile, causing Sain’s heart to jump into his throat a little. He stammered a little and just pointed at a meat pie in the heater. He stayed silent as Rin bagged his choice, then he handed over the money and with a strained smile, waved Rin goodbye and made his wait outside to wait for Niall. When Niall emerged from the store, he grabbed Sain by his arm and hauled him into the nearby side street, obviously wanting to interrogate his little brother on the conversation that had just occurred.

  Niall released Sain as they stepped into the alley and stared hard at his brother

  "So just what the fuck is going on Sain. You said you pissed off some gangster and got slapped with a giant fish stick. What Rin just said makes me think that was a lie. What, did you get gang bashed by an octopus and friends? Or is something more going on? Because if it’s similar to that gang trouble you got in a year ago" Niall said, his words petering off at the end until he just stood there awkwardly in silence, like he wasn’t really willing to get into the details of the past.

  Sain just clenched his jaw at Niall's words, feeling a niggling anger rise. Niall was talking about the time before Sain had apprenticed to Clyde, when he had been involved with a small time gang in the neighborhood, one that had ultimately been destroyed and absorbed by the Blue Fang. Things had gotten really bad at that time. There were so many lynching’s and fights. A half dozen youths were killed and even more badly hurt. He would have been one of the latter had it not been for Niall who had been visiting home at the time. He shook his head and stepped back away from Niall, feeling the wall behind him on his back. He was cornered alright.

  "Look bro, it's none of your business, it’s something I have to do on my own. It's not that serious, and anyway, you would only make it worse by getting involved" the trapped youth muttered, his voice hard and full of defensiveness. He slumped against the wall now, his gaze downcast, refusing to meet Niall's eyes as if he was ashamed. Niall just watched his younger sibling, taking in his mannerisms and demeanor. He had learnt how to read people at the academy and Sain was like an open book. He lifted a hand and splayed it out over the surface of the wall next to Sain’s head as he leant in.

  “That sounds like utter bullshit to me Sain. I am not an idiot. Tell me, or I swear I will sack whack you until you spill the beans. I need to know what is happening to see if I can do anything to help. You can trust me you know" Niall murmured close to Sain’s face. A small thud was heard as Niall dropped the bag that held his lunch, freeing up his other hand which quickly came up to grip Sain’s chin and force him to look at Niall.

  "What do you think will happen if you get caught up in trouble? Think da could live with you being killed in some alley. Think he could live with that grief. I d
on’t think his heart could take it. So tell me what’s going on man. I won’t be able to watch out for you in a few weeks because I will be in the military, so spill it now while you can" he stated as he stared into his younger brothers eyes, nothing else but concern there. It obviously had an effect on Sain as the youth sighed and slumped down, defeated.

  Sain seemed to relent as he looked at Niall, finding nothing but concern in his gaze. For as long as Sain could remember, Niall had always been there when he was in trouble. He had always been there to beat up a bully, offer advice or even just to act as a sounding board for all of Sain’s frustrations. He was essentially a pillar of strength to lean on, an indomitable warrior brother, always caring for his baby brother. Moved by the obvious feelings, Sain opened up to his brother, and with a sigh he began.

  "Not long ago, I sort of witnessed some Blue Fang members beating up on an old man who couldn't afford the land rent. I may have gotten involved and chased them away with a few flashy but harmless spells" Sain murmured, his eyes taking on a tired look. He sighed again and just shook his head at the memory.

  "Well anyway, a few days later the goons came to the house and demanded that I pay them the old man’s fee as well as more money for da and I. I wasn’t having any of that so I chased them away and then reported it the mobster that collects da's debt payments. He said he would sort it out, as they don't like the small gangs interfering with their debtors" he explained, his voice dropping off a bit in volume as people walked by on the main street, the occasional glance being flicked their way. The pedestrians probably thought this was some shakedown or something. Sain refocused his attention on Niall and continued his explanation.

  "I guess someone somewhere must have decided that getting rid of me wasn't going to stop da's payments, so not two days later the Blue Fang leader Jalel grabbed me and threatened me. Either I join his gang or he would make an example of me so no one else decides to interfere with his people again. Apparently he got orders from the mob. They gave him three days and that’s what he gave me. And that was two days ago" Sain muttered, his eyes drifting down to look at the ground again. His foot started to twist as his nervousness came through, showing how unsettled he really was at the whole predicament. He could no longer push it out of his mind really.