The Dark Expanse - Novella 1

By Henley Grey

Amidst the darkness of your slumber is where you’ll find the Colosseum, an astral battleground filled with children. Limited only by their imaginations, they can transform into the wildest of creatures. Under the watchful gaze of the Overseer, they clash in hopes of becoming one of its Elite.

Hidden deep inside the vast expanse, the Associates lie in wait. They are a faceless organization who decides which children enter the Colosseum. This company conceals itself in the shadows, using the youngsters to aid their agenda in the real world.

Max Carter begins to question his vocation in life. He knows this isn’t wise, considering his employers are the Associates. Not many people are aware of their existence, but they are woven into society. When Max receives a cryptic message, he learns that the company isn’t the only thing prowling the dark expanse.

Wesley Finton is chosen! Not by the Associates, but the sinister figure who lurks at the edges of our sleep. Once inside the arena, Wesley discovers a strange power dwelling within him, and a vile plot to exploit the children within its walls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Henley Grey
• Release date: Jun 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386179160

Book preview

About the book

Title Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Author’s Notes

About the book

Amidst the darkness of your slumber is where you’ll find the Colosseum, an astral battleground filled with children. Limited only by their imaginations, they can transform into the wildest of creatures. Under the watchful gaze of the Overseer, they clash in hopes of becoming one of its Elite.

Hidden deep inside the vast expanse, the Associates lie in wait. They are a faceless organization who decides which children enter the Colosseum. This company conceals itself in the shadows, using the youngsters to aid their agenda in the real world.

Max Carter begins to question his vocation in life. He knows this isn’t wise, considering his employers are the Associates. Not many people are aware of their existence, but they are woven into society. When Max receives a cryptic message, he learns that the company isn’t the only thing prowling the dark expanse.

Wesley Finton is chosen! Not by the Associates, but the sinister figure who lurks at the edges of our sleep. Once inside the arena, Wesley discovers a strange power dwelling within him, and a vile plot to exploit the children within its walls.

Title Page 

The Dark Expanse

Astral Clash Series

HENLEY GREY

Volume One

––––––––

Digital Edition

Copyright © 2017 Henley Grey

All rights reserved. This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Chapter One

Larva oozed from the ruptures in the granite as it flowed over the stone scales. The molten rock began to move. Clouds of ash erupted from the joints as the gigantic dragon’s wings opened out and the beast released a thunderous roar. Flames filled the sky, the rock jaw snapping apart, as plumes of thick black smoke bellowed out. The beast’s huge talons contracted, digging deep into the Colosseum floor, its long tail whipped back and forth with ease. The eyes burned with rage, the intense orange and reds pumped around its body like a human’s life blood.

Moving along the edges of the dragon’s reach, the figure furiously whirled his sword, a green energy imbuing the blade. The katana crackled with each spin through the air. The ninjas normally dressed as civilians or all in black, although this manifestation had chosen the popularized white outfit. His eyes narrowed, he had no admiration for the beast before him.

The dragon’s head lowered, ashy smoke pouring from its mouth and nasal cavity as it prepared for the attack. The wing span almost reached either side of the arena, a formidable sight; a dangerous opponent, a mythical monster. The energy peaked and the blade became a blinding, shimmering blur of emerald sparks and waves. He leapt skywards and flung the katana in front of the colossal stone dragon. The sword sank six inches into the ground before streams of light speared outwards. Green pulsating beams wrapped themselves around the rock, constricting the granite, and tightening its wrap upon the mythological beast.

The dragon became enveloped in emerald chains of power, its legs, wings, tail, and neck all constricted by an alien force. The ninja moved in closer now. With a flick of his wrist he fired an array of multi-colored darts, every one as brilliant as the next. A trail of color streaked in their wake as they impacted on the rock. Each one exploded as the creature roared in frustration. He raised the scabbard above his head and called upon a higher power, a source of energy required to slay such a beast; a power he’d never needed until this moment.

The dragon drew in its wings, the larva spilling onto the arena floor, vanishing in an instant. With an almighty heave, it screeched menacingly before shattering the binds and taking to the air with a ground trembling push. The updraft from the monster took the ninja by surprise. His concentration broke as easily as the beams of light. Falling backwards, the scabbard slipped from his grip. His eyes focused on the creature as it crashed to the floor. A wave of invisible might thrust against the shinobi; he felt his body being pushed across the amphitheatre.

Another roar followed, the power within the molten rock released an ancient force, primal and devastating. A burning inferno of flame and granite erupted from its gaping mouth. Swirls of orange met with vibrant red surges as the Colosseum filled with wave upon wave of blistering heat. A ferocious field of blazing fire engulfed the shinobi as the dragon unleashed its rage.

Chapter Two

Music played somewhere behind him, the repetitive thumping drilling into his head like an unrelenting jackhammer. Max climbed out of the car and looked down the road for its location. The road seemed empty; no cars and no people. Max shook his head, cursing them under his breath. He crossed the road and entered the Greasy Spoon café. It was as empty as the street outside; the middle aged waitress was the only staff on this early. Edward sat in the booth near the window, a piping hot mug of coffee in front of him as he perused the morning paper.

Max took his seat, opposite Edward like always, but something was different. On the surface the facade was normal, yet beneath, he sensed a complication. Max waved to the waitress, ordering a coffee with his typical charm. Milky coffee, two sugars please love, he said.

She smiled back, acknowledging his order.

The boy is stronger than we anticipated, Edward began, his eyes not leaving the article.

Yes. Max agreed. I have it in hand though.

He questioned his colleagues reassurance, How so Maximus?

I have set a plan in motion, to slow his progress. Until we are ready, he explained.

The waitress placed the white mug in front of Max and with a smile walked away. Edward had already paid for his coffee as usual. No matter how early Max arrived, Edward was always here first, reading his broadsheet.

What have you pitted him against to hinder progression? he enquired. His tone seemed intrigued but his eyes remained firmly on the paper.