Chapter 40. Startling Truths.
The next thing he knew, he was looking at a clear blue sky, soft grass against his back. The wind blew gently against his face as he sat up and looked around. He saw Erza, Tessa, Aria and Lyla scattered around the field.
The camp was in complete disarray from the skirmish with Kara earlier. Tents were knocked down; several craters filled the ground and one of their coolers was busted wide open.
Erza rubbed her temples, her face scrunched as she sat up and crossed her legs under her. The light reflected off the silver locket around her neck as she glanced at Gavin. "Just for the record. We all just went through that right? Some kind of shared hallucination caused by extreme stress?" Her voice was weak, nervous as she scratched the back of her neck.
A vibrant laugh rang out from above them. Erza looked up and groaned as she saw Astrid and Kara floating above them before their feet touched the ground and their wings tucked into their backs. "Not you two again."
"You wish red, but no. That was all real." Kara grinned wide as she locked eyes with Erza. "You had the good fortune of meeting one of the primal gods of the cosmos and lived to tell the tale."
"So that was real." Wonder filled Aria's voice and she sat straighter. "I can't believe the gods are real." Her eyes were wide as she mentally walked back the conversations in the other realm.
Lyla let out a sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I know what you mean. Man, so many different religions are going to be so pissed off." She shook her hair after getting some of knots out, her fingers twirled a few loose strands of hair as she looked at the group.
Tessa shook her head at Lyla's comment. "Yeah, I know what you mean." She turned to glare at Gavin. "You have a lot of explaining to do." Her tone wasn't hostile, but more hurt or angry.
"A drink." Gavin stood up and walked over to one of their coolers and grabbed a six pack of beer out. "I think under the circumstances is warranted." Erza frowned but otherwise didn't protest as Gavin passed one to each of them in turn. He walked over to the picnic table and climbed on top as he popped the can and took a long drink.
I really don't think alcohol is a proper coping mechanism for dealing with stress Gavin. Veronica's disapproving warning filled his mind.
Too late partner. Gavin replied as he savored the watered-down beer as he drank. His hand shook around the can, and he grabbed his hand with his other to steady it.
Astrid and Kara waited nearby as the others walked over to join Gavin by the table. "Erza already knows some of this, but I might as well start from the beginning." Gavin took his time to explain everything. He might as well start from the night at the studio.
It took about an hour for Gavin to explain everything he knew. Tessa stayed quiet for most of it. Aria had asked the most questions, especially about Veronica and how his system worked. Lyla seemed to be off in her own world as she fidgeted with her hair.
"So, during my last fight in the training dungeon realm, I reached a new level in the system, and it gave me what it called an evolutionary path." Gavin finished his beer and sat the can down. "According to Veronica, I am now a Dread Howler were-wolf. I don't know exactly what that means," Gavin clenched his fist. "But I know its progress from when I started."
"That explains how you came so far, so quickly with controlling your shift." Aria commented with understanding. "I knew something was off. No one just learning to shift gets that level of control in only a few days." Gavin just nodded sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"So, each of the gods created a unique Demi human race? Koray created the shifters, Lunaria created the Valkyrie?" Erza turned to direct her question at Astrid.
Astrid's eyebrows rose as she nodded and stepped forward to join the group, Kara right behind her. "That's correct. Lord Thanarion created the Vampires." Gavin shivered as the bite scar ached on his shoulder. " Lady Lunaria created Valkyries. Lord Veyran created the Elves. Lady Tempestra created the Mermails. Lord Ares created the Draconians. Lastly, Lord Koray created the Shifters." Astrid listed off the six different Demi human races. She raised a finger on her hand as she ticked off the gods.
"Why do we only know about shifters? Like, why aren't the other races common knowledge?" Tessa's whispered words filled the quiet clearing. Erza fidgeted with the locket around her neck as she listened.
Kara looked up from where she sat. "That's because of what happened with the shifters in ancient history. The alpha bloodlines quickly grew in power and political influence. The leaders of the world government feared that. So, in secret, they rounded up everyone that was part of the alpha bloodlines and purged them." There was no joy or mirth in Kara's voice.
If Gavin didn't know any better, he would say Kara was shaking with anger as she talked about the purge. Huh, interesting. Information to save for a later time.
Tessa paled. Her skin tone reminded Gavin loosely of the Vampire Lord from the training dungeon. "Apparently, that's what happened to my family. You heard Lunaria. Apparently, I'm supposed to be dead." He grinned at Tessa. "Looks like they missed."
Tessa groaned at his misplaced humor. "Now really isn't the time for jokes dude."
Erza smacked the back of his head. "She's right." Gavin yelped and rubbed the spot as she looked at Kara. "So, I'm just taking a guess that once the other races saw what normal humans did to the shifters, they decided to remain in secrecy?"
Astrid nodded. "It's called the Great Treaty of Secrecy." Astrid looked around. "There are many parts to the treaty, but long version short is this." She looked at Gavin.
Her voice hardened by a degree as she spoke. "Do nothing to bring attention from the humans. Do not reveal your race under any circumstances."
Lyla spoke up then. "What happens if say a Valkyrie is recorded or witnessed among humans and word got out about it?"
Kara crackled her knuckles and smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "One of two things usually happens. Depending on the severity of the issue, excommunication or death."
Tessa gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "That's so extreme."
Astrid nodded. "We have to be. Normal humans outnumber all the Demi by about a ten to one margin. If the other races aren't careful, we risk extermination or a similar purge event like the shifters went through."
Gavin nodded, his face grim. "I hate to admit it, but that does make sense."
Erza looked up at him and sighed. "This is so much to take in all at once." She counted on her fingers. "First, apparently the known religions are a lie and there are eight gods in existence." She lifted one finger.
"Second. Six of those gods created a demi race of powerful human like beings." She lifted her middle finger. "Thirdly. One of them gave Gavin a quest and attached an AI system to his soul to help him accomplish this divine mission." She lifted her ring finger.
"Fourth, I've now met the queen mother goddess herself." She lifted her pinky. "Fifth and lastly, Gavin is part of the alpha bloodline." She lifted her thumb.
Gavin chuckled as he leaned against her shoulder and enjoyed her body heat. "That about sums it up, though I have met two gods now." His smug tone irritated Erza. What did he think, this was some kind of competition now?
She glared at him. "Congratulations. Only an idiot brags about near death experiences."
"So, what do we do now?" Aria questioned the group as she leaned forward, elbows on her knees and chin in her hands.
Erza let out a deep sigh of frustration. "That… I have no answer for right now Aria."
Gavin ran his fingers through his hair. "I think it's fairly obvious what we need to do."
Erza turned to look at him. "You do?" Skepticism was thick in her voice.
He nodded. "We spend the rest of the summer training like crazy. Didn't you hear Lunaria? She assigned the sisters specifically to train you," he paused a moment. "If that is something you still want to do."
Erza didn't hesitate. "As crazy as everything is right now, yes. I still want to train so I can stand by your side. You're not getting rid of me that easy wolf." She reached her hand out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze.
Emotion and pride choked Gavin as he looked at her. "I hoped you were going to say that." He looked over at the sisters. "So, when do we start? I have about 2 months until classes start at the academy."
Kara grinned as she strode forward, her hands on her hips. She leered at Gavin and Erza. "Get a good nights rest you too, we begin at dawn."
Gavin nodded. "We will be ready." He looked at Erza. "Won't we?"
She nodded; her eyes shone with determination. "Yes." She vowed.
Kara laughed as she walked away and joined Astrid. Together their wings expanded from their back. Astrid's pearl white wings were odd to see next to Kara's multi-colored ones.
Together the sisters flew off into the sky.
The camp remained silent for a while after the sisters left. Everyone seemed to be deep in their own thoughts as they came to terms with the day's revelations.
"Seriously though, I'm surprised you guys aren't freaking out." Gavin eventually said. The tension in the camp was palpable as everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
"Honestly, so much has happened in the last few hours that I don't even know where to begin." Aria rubbed her face with her hands as she stood up.
"First question, are you still… you know… you?" Tessa finally seemed to find her voice as she peered at him.
Gavin looked from her pale face to his hands. He opened and closed them as he felt Veronica's presence in his mind; a constant comfort. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, butt munch. It's still me." He grinned at her and wagged both his eyebrows.
Tessa nodded and stood up. She glared at Erza who tensed and sighed. She walked over to stand in front of Erza. "I'm sorry, for being such a bitch to you lately. Maybe… maybe I was wrong. But just so you know, I'm not going to stop fighting." With those words spoken she spun and said to Gavin.
"Today's been a lot, I'm turning in for the night before another deity decides to yank us to their realm." After that she walked over to her tent and began to refix the rigging lines that got messed up from the fight with Kara earlier.
Gavin lifted a brow in confusion. He turned to Erza and asked. "What was that about?"
Erza smirked as she watched Tessa. That was impressive coming from the twit. Maybe it's a sign there can be peace between us. "Nothing, just some girl things."
Gavin yawned as the emotional and physical fatigue hit him like a freight train. His shoulders slumped forward as all the tension left his body. "I think I'm going to lay down as well."
Erza narrowed her eyes as she watched him. "Alright, I'll be in soon. Just gonna chat with the girls for a bit longer."
He leaned down to kiss her softly. Erza melted into the kiss as she wrapped her fingers in his hair for a moment before he pulled back. "Take your time baby." He smiled at her as he stumbled his way towards their tent.
He opened the flap of the tent and climbed inside, letting his body fall on the bed. Memories of the previous night in this tent went through his mind. The way Erza's soft body fitted against his perfectly. The sounds she made as he made love to her. Everything brought a smile to his exhausted face.
Just a reminder Gavin. You have ten free points still to spend from the evolution. Veronica chimed in quietly as he laid his head on his pillow.
That's something for tomorrow's Gavin to deal with. I need sleep Veronica. His reply was tired and worn out as he closed his eyes.
Rest easy then Master Gavin. Her reply was a comforting whisper as he mumbled something incoherently, sleep already digging its claws deep in his mind.
This was the end of summer for them. For the next morning dawn came faster than any of them expected. Summer was about to become war.