Everyone began talking at once and the chorus of voices made Gavin laugh as he held his hands up. "Alright, alright settle down."
Everyone quieted down as Gavin opened his system and produced one golden key in his hand. "Is everyone certain about going?"
Erza gave Gavin a droll look. "Do you really have to ask me?" She cocked her hip to one side.
Jackson grinned. "Yeah man, it sounds incredible."
Helena bit her lip, "I'm in… if Jackson is."
Gavin raised an eyebrow at Helena's response. "You don't sound too sure cousin. Everything alright?"
"It's just such a weird concept to understand. That there's this massive dungeon in another reality, that we can get stronger so easy compared to out here." Helena admitted as she held her right arm to her chest. "It's hard to trust that we will just appear back here without any harm."
Erza walked over and rubbed her back. "It's okay. I'm not too crazy about the concept of the dungeon itself," She looked at Gavin. "But, seeing the results from Gavin's first trip there this summer, and how much stronger he became. I think it's worth the risk."
Erza glanced at Gavin and lifted an eyebrow. "You do know this isn't a video game, right? Your insanely powerful system doesn't correlate to us."
Gavin let her hand go and laughed. "Yeah. I know. But the dungeon will help us all to grow and prepare for the battles to come. So," Gavin paused for a moment and looked her in the eyes. "will you trust me, if not the system, cousin?"
Helena let out a sigh and shook her head. "I feel like an idiot for going along with this, but yes. I will trust you to get me killed." The corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk.
Gavin's shoulders rocked with laughter. "You are so not funny."
She held her pointer and thumb an inch apart and her mouth lifted into a wide grin. "I'm a little funny."
Jackson nudged her shoulder with his. "You are as funny as you are funny looking."
She swatted at him. "You, shut up."
"Alright, alright. So, everyone's in then?" Gavin asked the group.
Everyone nodded in unison. "Wait, where's AJ?" Erza asked as she looked around and noticed their neighborhood Valkyrie wasn't there.
Jackson frowned. "No clue. Haven't seen her yet today."
Erza's brow creased as she pulled out her phone. "That's not like her to not show up."
Gavin placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure she's alright. You know AJ, nothing here could be a threat to her. I'm sure she just got caught up in some business or another. If she isn't able to go with us this time, she can go the next time." He gripped her shoulder gently as he tried to reassure her.
Gavin flipped through the system commands in his mind. Let's get things started, Veronica.
Requesting confirmation; You wish to bring Helena Jaeger, Jackson Smith, and Erza O'Malley along to the dungeon? Veronica's voice was patient as Gavin held the golden Divine key in his hand.
Gavin took one last look at everyone around him, his friends.
No. not friends. My family.
Yes, Veronica. Bring all three of them along for the dungeon. Gavin felt warmth in his heart as several messages appeared in front of him.
Attempting connection for pack members.
Connection successful. The system has completed registration for the Lykos pack members. Stand by for transportation to the dungeon.
"Hold on, we are transporting to the dungeon now." Gavin reached for Erza's hand.
A deep thrumming could be heard and the room flashed white.
Once.
Twice.
On the third flash the pressure eased up. and Gavin realized exactly where he was. "Oh seven hells." He clenched his fists by his side and glared across the room.
On one side of the room was a giant set of double doors carved from dark wood, their surface etched with glowing runes. Thick black chains snaked from one side of the frame to the other.
Helena and Jackson were whispering excitedly as they realized they weren't in the campus dorm anymore. Their eyes were fixed on the sealed door. Helena held onto Jackson's arm tentatively and bit her bottom lip. Her eyes were wide while she took a few steps in front of Jackson, letting his arm go.
Erza heard Gavin's muttered curse and noticed his rigid posture. She followed his line of sight and that was when she saw him.
Seated on the opposite side of the room from the sealed door was the most beautiful male she had ever seen. Every line was sculpted to perfection. He sat poised on a marble white throne, arms on the rests and the barest hint of a smile on his gorgeous face.
"What do you want now?" The hostility in Gavin's tone caught Erza off guard and she glanced back to her mate. His eyes were already crimson. His voice carried a deep rumble that reverberated through her.
The being on the throne tilted his head. "Come now, wolf. Is that any way to talk to your patron?" His voice was smooth like honey, with a lilting cadence. Almost musical.
By now, Helena and Jackson had snapped out of their excitement and realized they weren't alone. Jackson went to stand by Gavin's side and looked curiously at the being while Helena stood by Erza's.
"Forgive me for not being happy. I'm getting a little annoyed at being played with by you gods," Gavin replied.
The being sighed and rubbed his temples. "Yes, I heard what happened the last time you came here. Believe me, what you experienced was not the training dungeon I had designed for you. That was the doing of my dearest mother."
Gavin strode forward, his body trembling. Hues of crimson Mana filled the space around Gavin, thick and heavy. "She used me for slaughter. I killed people-innocent people thanks to her, and for what? Some grand fucking test? Some design only the gods can understand?!" He was shouting now and his mana reacted. It shifted from a fine mist into thick lines that circled his body; each line of crimson mana held a keen edge.
Erza gasped as she felt the power radiating from Gavin. Her eyes glowed amber and she walked forward, projecting her own mana to block against the crimson blades. His mana parted and allowed her through without any resistance.
Erza placed her hand on Gavin's shoulders and sucked in her breath. He was shaking under her touch. His entire body was tense.
Coiled, ready to launch itself at the other being.
"Easy, baby." She whispered and squeezed his shoulder. She didn't take her eyes off the being.
"Answer me Koray! What is the fucking point of this? Why me? Why did I have to kill those Vampires, those Draconians?" Gavin's voice broke off into a choked sob as he demanded answers.
Koray sighed and held his hands up placating. "Nothing I say or do will change what happened wolf. I wasn't happy with what Lunaria did. As for why she changed the dungeon and set you on that path; well, that is for her to say."
Erza felt rage upon the confirmation of the other's identity. She felt that familiar heat come over her and shifted into her were-cat form. Beautiful snow white fur manifested over her body and her cat-like ears were flat against her head. "Do you care nothing for the mortal lives lost? What about all the Shifters that died at the academy? Do we mean nothing to you?"
A vein twitched on Koray's temple. "Down kitty-cat. You may wear my mothers' amulet, but do not go around thinking you can disrespect the gods with impunity." Koray pointed one finger to the necklace that Erza was wearing; a gift from Lunaria following their first meeting.
"I know you want to fight me, here and now wolf. But I did not show up to cause grief or strife. Rather I come bearing some gifts." Koray stood up and walked over to stand a few feet in front of Gavin.
A single brow lifted on Gavin's face. "What kind of gifts?"
"First. I am offering a watered down version of the AI system Veronica to your companions. They can not truly bond with an AI system as you have, since they are not of the Alpha Bloodlines. But, while they are in the dungeon, they can use it to monitor health, skills, and stats. Any stats improved by point allocation will remain even when leaving the dungeon."
Everyone was quiet after that announcement. They looked between each other then cast nervous glances at Koray.
"Why would you offer so much?" Erza's voice was hesitant as she maintained her shifted body. She narrowed her eyes.
"Think of it was an apology. I originally designed the dungeon to push Gavin, teach him combat and tactics. The fact my mother made it into what it became still irritates me."
Koray turned and walked back toward his throne. "The AI companions are yours if you so choose to accept them. Either way. You will find an option within Veronica now that will enable you to leave the dungeon whenever you are ready. You also won't have to wait until beating a floor boss."
Gavin felt an electrical surge run through his mind. It wasn't painful, or alarming; it was energizing as a new message popped up from the system.
Update received. Option to leave the dungeon has been added.
Just like that, Koray had altered Veronica's capabilities. Gavin narrowed his eyes. "What do you get out of this, Koray?"
Koray sighed and rested his hands on the arm rests of the chair. "My plans go well beyond your understanding wolf. Never forget-I am a god that transcends your human understanding. But; for services rendered and surviving that assault on your school, I will offer you this one bit." Koray locked his eyes onto Gavin's.
"I want to right the wrongs done to the Shifter race centuries ago. I want to see the Shifter race, damn how do you humans say it." Koray paused for a moment, his brow was wrinkled. Then his face lit up. "Ah yes, I want to see the Shifter race loud and proud. No longer should the remnants of the Alpha clans be in hiding. But in the front, protecting their race from extermination."