Gavin sat in the hospital bed stunned. His mouth dropped open and he stared at AJ incredulously. "What do you mean? Who in seven hells have I pissed off, besides you know, the terrorist army guys?" He looked between Erza, Helena and Jackson in alarm.
AJ walked over, arms crossed over her chest. "Do you really want them here for this?" She looked over to Helena and Jackson. "Some things might be better not known by others."
Gavin hesitated as he looked at Jackson and Helena. Jackson had already seen him lose himself to his anger and shifted. Helena fought by his side during the attack on the academy and was his cousin. But, can I really trust them with the truth of things?
Let them stay, Gavin. In order to complete the quest from Koray, you will need all the allies you can get. Both of them have shown themselves willing to stand by your side when times get rough, not to mention that Helena is one of the last living blood ties you have left.
Always my voice of wisdom aren't you? Gavin replied to Veronica as he leaned back against the headboard of the bed. "That is going to be up to them." Gavin looked at Jackson, then Helena. "Both of you have been involved in some shit around me already. You," he inclined his head to Jackson. "Watched me shift in the hallway and almost rip out Bradley's spine. You didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. You tried to talk me down and helped me focus."
He looked at Helena. "You came to help us fight. You killed your own share. You fought and bled with us in the battle, and you are family." Helena stood taller, a hint of pride in her eyes.
"If you choose to stay. You will become apart of something larger than you ever imagined. Hell, even I can't believe it half the time. It wont be easy, and there's a good chance we could all die before the end," Gavin informed them, his tone was somber and grave.
Silence filled the hospital room. Only the constant beeping of the monitors filled air. No one moved. No one spoke.
Jackson groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Damn it man. Why do you have to be all mushy? We're roommates right? Can't very well dip on you now. I'd have to train a whole new roommate again." A wide, toothy grin appeared on Jackson's face. "You dumbass. Of course I'm in."
Gavin swallowed past the lump in his throat. "Thanks man, I appreciate it." He looked over at Helena who was biting her lip. "What about you, cousin?" Damn, it sounds so weird saying cousin. I've never had one before.
Helena winced and looked at Gavin. "God, is the thought of being cousins as weird for you as it is for me?" She gave a half laugh and rubbed her right arm as she stepped forward.
Gavin smirked as he nodded. "Yeah. Totally weird. Before you answer though, I meant to ask you something. Do you prefer Helena, or Faith?"
Jackson looked between them, his brows knitted. "Wait, since when are you guys cousins?"
Gavin laughed darkly. "Like I said brother, there is a lot to fill you in on."
Helena looked sheepishly at Jackson. "Yeah. I just found what remains of my family." She returned her gaze to Gavin. "Helena is fine. For the record, I'm not going anywhere either."
Gavin nodded his head and turned his eyes to meet Erza's. She gave him a droll stare, as if daring him to ask the question. "There you go AJ, we're all in."
AJ looked at everyone in the room. "Very well. What I'm about to tell you is literally a matter of life and death." She walked over and grabbed a chair to sit on before she continued.
"For starters, each member of the of the Demi races hold a seat on a council that governs all of us. One male and one female member, usually the strongest or oldest of the Demi sit on the council." She spoke clearly and without preamble.
She looked at Gavin and Erza. "From my understanding, you've already met Drake?"
Gavin glanced at Erza then nodded. "Yeah, we met him over the summer when he took us to meet with Lunaria."
A vein twitched in AJ's temples.
"Drake is the male representative for the Valkyries. Astrid is the female representative." AlexiaJane informed them.
Gavin's eyes flashed red for a moment and he grumbled something AJ couldn't hear.
Helena and Jackson looked confused by the new names. "Who are they?" Helena interrupted.
AlexiaJane's nostrils flared slightly as her eyes narrowed on Helena. She inhaled and sighed as she gestured for Gavin to answer. "You might as well explain things from your point of view wolf boy. I don't have the patience for a million questions."
"Before AJ continues. I will explain what I know. She seems to get a bit testy with being interrupted." Gavin nodded and began as he turned to his friends.
"There are eight gods of our world. Thanarian is the god of death and darkness. He's the all father. Lunaria is his wife, and the goddess of life and light magic." Gavin began and explained the entire pantheon to the rest of the group.
"So, you've met with an actual goddess?" Helena asked, her eyes were wide and her mouth hang open.
Gavin gave her a sheepish grin. "Technically, I've met with Lunaria, Koray, and Tempestra."
Another grumble from AlexiaJane.
Jackson let out an impressed whistle. "Damn dude. You aren't kidding? You met with three actual gods." His voice was full of wonder and disbelief. He shook his head. "I can't wrap my head around that."
"It all started over the summer. There was an incident where some extremists attacked the studio where our friends, Aria and Lyla lived." Erza began to explain.
Gavin stayed quiet while she spoke. "We saw a news report that Shifter bodies had been found around the city we lived in, Tristaine Prime. Fearing for their safety we tried calling them and got no response so we headed over."
The room was silent as Erza explained the events of that studio ambush. How Gavin shifted for the first time and killed two of the three attackers, then passed out from mana depletion.
Helena covered her mouth with her hand. "So, you're very first shift ended with dead bodies?" Her eyes were wide and skin was pale as she digested their story. "That's so horrible. No wonder you didn't hesitate when they attacked us."
Gavin nodded. "That's not all. After I passed out in the studio, Koray pulled my consciousness, or spirit, or whatever you wanna call it, to his realm," his voice lacked energy as he winced and tried to reposition on the bed.
"While we talked, he explained some things to me, gave me a mission, and a very important ally in accomplishing that mission."
Jackson spoke up. "Well, don't leave us in suspense my dude. Who is this ally and where are they?"
Gavin looked at Erza who nodded. "Tell them everything if you feel the need."
"Koray's mission is as follows. As a chosen agent of one of the eight gods, I am to find the remaining Alpha Shifter clans, protect them, avenge the wrongs of the past, and lead them into the future. To do so, Koray bonded an AI companion system to my soul to help monitor my growth and aide me in battle," Gavin said.
Gavin pointed to his mind. "Her name is Veronica. She's as sentient as you and I. She helps me to monitor my health, Mana and other important information."
Jackson's jaw dropped. "Damn. That's insane. You're only eighteen, yet this god expects you to do so much." He shook his head and ran his fingers through his short hair.
"That AI system, Veronica?" Jackson asked for confirmation. When Gavin nodded he continued. "Sounds like a total cheat code dude."
Tears pricked Helena's eyes. "You mean, the gods haven't forsaken us? There's a chance for our clans to leave hiding?" She left Jackson's side and walked to stand beside his bed. "We won't have to fear another purge?"
"You've been living with other Shifter clans, haven't you Helena?" Gavin's voice was somber, almost thoughtful as he mulled something over.
Helena nodded. "Yeah. I grew up knowing our history and everything else."
AJ coughed to draw everyone's attention. "Do you recall the events of the training dungeon, Lord Koray set up for you?" She put emphasis on the Lord Koray and narrowed her eyes at Gavin.
Gavin nodded. "I could never forget. First floor was a pack of shadow wolves, led by an Alpha, I think. Then the Second floor was a clan of Vampires led by an Elder Vampire. Third floor was a group of Draconians." Gavin rattled off the list of enemies he faced.
He looked at the confused faces of Helena and Jackson and he raised his hand to stop their questions. "I'll explain in a little bit."
They closed their mouths as they listened in. "Are you aware that wasn't the original plan for the second and third floors?" AJ asked him.
Gavin nodded. "I think Astrid mentioned it when we first met after I beat the first floor boss."
AJ continued. "Lady Lunaria took over the purpose of the other floors." Again, more emphasis on the proper honorific. "The first floor was indeed a pack of shadow wolves, created by the dungeon, and thus did not exist outside of that realm."
A bad feeling crept up Gavin's spine and his heart rate began to increase on the monitor.
"However, that is not the case with the second and third floors. Lady Lunaria used the dungeon and teleported you to a hidden citadel, the home of the Vampire clan. That particular clan was causing chaos in the mortal world, and were deemed a threat to the Treaty of Secrecy. She used you to eliminate the threat, without risking any of the other Demi the council might have sent." AJ informed him.
Gavin felt sick. Nausea caused his stomach to flip and he swallowed hard, pushing down the bile that threatened to unload. "You mean… I slaughtered an entire clan of Vampires, and a group of Draconians…?"
AJ nodded. Her face was grim, her mouth in a stern line. "Yes. Lord Koray was furious when he realized his mother hijacked the dungeon in such a way. Lady Lunaria wanted to see how you would handle such conflict, and used it as a way to train you for the war to come."
Erza's face paled as she took in AJ's words. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. She could tell by the increased, rapid heart rate that Gavin was not processing this news well. "When will the gods stop using us? Are our lives nothing but toys for them to play with?" Her tone was laced with anger and venom as she glared at AlexiaJane.
"Don't give me that anger Red. I'm not the one in charge of events." AJ replied defensively.
Gavin's hand shook as he refused to meet anyone's gaze. "I have killed so many, people that shouldn't have had to die by my hand. What exactly am I becoming?" Gavin's whispered words nearly broke Erza's heart. She grabbed his right hand with hers and held onto him.
"You didn't know. You couldn't have known. You acted with the best information you had available at the time. That it was a training dungeon realm, thing. Enemies would be spawned on each floor. The way it was described was almost like a video game. You aren't a monster." Erza said.
She reached up with her other hand to grab his chin and force him to look at her. "A bit terrifying when you go all out, yes. But not a monster. You are the dork I love. My annoying pain in the ass partner that irritates me to no end. My partner and my MATE." She emphasized the last word as she pressed into Gavin all the sincerity she could. The fight before doesn't matter now. End of the day, he will always be a reckless idiot. But I can't stop loving him because of that.
Tears stung the edge of Gavin's eyes as he peered into Erza's amber and red colored eyes. "How do you do it? How do you always snap me out of a spiral when I need it most?" His voice was gentle and soft as he closed his eyes and leaned into her palm.
Erza grinned, full of smugness. "Perks of being older and more mature. You learn a thing or two."
Gavin opened his eyes and looked past Erza to AJ. "Let me guess, the so called council found out it was me that wiped out both groups, and now they want blood?"
AJ nodded. "Close. There's been rumors of a rogue Were-Wolf Shifter that was responsible for the destruction. Some members of the council wanted to send out a team to eliminate the threat. Others say that's too rash a decision without more information."
"Great, so I have to dodge hit squads now?" Gavin asked.
AJ shook her head. "Not quite. Drake has managed to buy some time without revealing Lady Lunaria's hand in what happened."
Shepard stroked his goatee as he listened in. "The council can go screw themselves." His eyes glowed faintly red as he spoke up.
AJ bristled under his words and turned to face him. "You are lucky they didn't issue a death warrant for you, old wolf, after the warpath you went on for all those years."
Shepard gave her a cocky grin. "They knew better than to waste lives coming after an experienced Alpha. Besides, I still hold a seat on the Demi council myself."