Gavin poured his mana into the stone dome above them, keeping intact against the incoming barrage.
He slammed his foot on the ground and reinforced the wall the students helped create. Erza ran from shadow to shadow, her white fur catching in the low emergency lights. Fire engulfed her hand as she threw fireball after fireball up towards the ceiling.
Ready for the slaughter, partner? Gavin's eyes narrowed.
Always, but do try to use your head. We don't know the exact enemy numbers, so endurance and stamina will be important. Veronica was always his voice of reason.
Gavin's grunt was the only reply as he ran out from the stone dome, both claws extended by his sides as he willed fire in his palms. Twin fireballs ignited in his hands.
He threw his hands out and blasted the hole in the ceiling with the torrent of concentrated flame. "Jackson! Helena! I'm going above, keep watch down here!" He called out as he ended the spell and jumped out.
He burst up through the ceiling, arms covering his head as startled cries sounded off around him.
He landed and kept his head on a swivel. Within seconds he assessed the situation, and it was grim.
Four professors lay in widening pools of blood. Burned floor boards and shattered stone signs of their final stand in front of the entrance evident.
His anger mounting, Gavin leaped forward, taking the first of the enemy soldiers by surprise. His clawed hand sliced through the man's chest; his still beating heart clutched in Gavin's fist.
The man spat a glob of blood out. His eyes widened in shock as pain twisted his face.
"Look out!"
"A wolf shifter!"
Several voices called out as gunfire crackled around the arena. Gavin cursed and pulled the body of the soldier in front of him, blocking the bullets. The impact of the rounds jerked Gavin's arm as he ran to the side, keeping all the soldiers on one side of him.
Cries of pain came from behind Gavin and a white blur moved through them with incredible lethality. Erza landed on the other side of Gavin, a small knife in her hand coated red.
The light of the arena crystals reflected off the medallion that was around Erza's neck. "On your six!" Erza cried out, her hand already engulfed with flames.
Gavin ducked on instinct as Erza's stream of fire impacted on the soldier that was coming up behind him. The man cried out as he was engulfed in flames and dropped to the ground, the smell of charred flesh and burnt clothing stung Gavin's nose.
"Damn. There's so many of them!" Gavin cursed as he slammed his palms on the ground and a wall of jagged spikes erupted from the ground, impaling several of the soldiers nearby.
"Where the hell are the academy security forces?" Erza snapped as she ducked from incoming fire, her reflexes honed sharp from months of training with Kara. She ran across the arena, a white blur in the darkness. Light flashed across her bloodstained blade as she moved.
Gavin snarled in frustration as he threw multiple fireballs out towards the incoming forces. Anger mounted inside Gavin's heart. Why now? Are they after me and grandpa specifically? Or is this the worst possible case of coincidence? The smell of the blood and carnage turned his stomach as he ran to keep up with Erza.
"Hey, can you get to the rafters? Provide support from above?" Gavin asked her breathlessly.
Erza followed his gaze above. She frowned before she nodded. "I think I saw a staircase towards the back. But that will leave you down here alone," she protested.
Gavin flashed her his cocky grin. "Exactly. I can go all out without worrying about anyone getting behind me."
She rolled her amber eyes. "Fine, but you better not get hurt." She leaned in and stole a quick kiss before darting off towards the stairs.
Gavin savored the kiss for a moment and then threw out a blast of air in an arc behind them, blocking the incoming bullets. "Your fight is with me, scumbags. You picked the wrong school to attack!" Gavin shouted as his mana exploded out violently around him.
Hunter's Howl activated, Veronica announced.
Gavin threw his head back, letting his rage pour into his favorite skill. His howl towards the heavens was filled with explosive power as every enemy soldier within range heard it. They froze mid-action as the fear and paralyzing effects crept into their hearts.
Gavin wasted no time in thinning their numbers. For the next thirty seconds, everyone with a weaker will than Gavin's intimidate stat would be frozen by his howl. Instead of wasting his mana during what he suspected would be a long fight, Gavin focused on his physical speed and strength.
Like a black wraith or phantom, he moved with inhuman speed across the second arena. One quick slice with his claws was enough to take out an enemy. One slice across their throats would neutralize any threat. Body to body, throat to throat. Gavin made quick work of over two dozen soldiers before the effects of his Hunter's Howl skill wore off.
Gavin ducked behind a stone pillar that lined the side of the arena, his claws dripping with the blood of his enemies. His breathing was labored, but controlled as he peered around the stone pillar.
More enemy soldiers started pouring in, but they paused at the sight of their dead vanguard.
"What in seven hells did this?" One of the lead members cried out as they swept the area with what Gavin would only guess was a mana rifle.
Memories of the attack that night at the studio, and Erza carrying a similar weapon flashed through his mind.
Gavin grinned in twisted satisfaction at their reactions. That's right cowards. Genocide isn't as fun when the targets fight back is it? Gavin's mana was a swirling red mist that filled the arena, tinting everything with crimson hues.
He jumped into his shadow, falling into the silent abyss of darkness. Using his will, he flew through the shadows until he was positioned inside the shadow of the soldier farthest from the front. He threw his arms out, and tendrils of shadows jumped out of the shadows of the soldiers, ensnaring their targets around the arms and neck.
Ignoring their startled cries for help, Gavin pulled his arms down to his side. The shadow tendrils tightened around every soldier they had and pulled them down into the darkness. As the enemy went into the shadow, Gavin sprang forth, arms extended with blades of fire extending from his claws. He spun in a tight circle as he landed and the remaining heads of the group thudded to the ground.
Duck now! Veronica screamed inside his mind.
The loud crack of a high powered round exploded through the arena. Gavin ducked just in time as the explosive-tipped round slammed into the wall, exactly where his head was moments ago.