Gavin's mouth dropped. "You are on the council, grandpa?" His eyes were wide as he stared incredulously at Shepard.
Shepard nodded and crossed one leg over the other as he sat on the couch. "I am the male member for the Shifters. A powerful Alpha Crocodile shifter is the female representative." He crossed his arms over his chest with indifference as he looked at AJ.
"I wasn't aware of that. Anyway, we are getting off topic." AJ replied, waved a hand dismissively between them, and returned her attention to Gavin and Erza. "Drake sent me here, to protect you in case the council decided to take action before you were strong enough to protect yourself. Though, we never imagined that I would have to step in for something like this."
Erza trembled slightly as she ran her hands through her hair. Her mana flared out around them as she fixed AJ with a harsh stare. "So what happens now? How likely is the council to take action?"
AJ shook her head. "Honestly? I'm not sure. My only mission is to keep you guys safe and alive for the time being until you graduate. So congrats, you're stuck with me Red." She gave a cocky grin to both Erza and Gavin.
The faint hint of a smile played at Erzas' lips. "Oh no, whatever will we do." She said mischievously. Erza then turned to face Gavin once more. "How are you handling everything?" His heart rate was still elevated and his skin was still pale. His eyes were glazed over as he sat in his bed. He looks lost, like he's in a daze.
Gavin didn't reply right away. What do I do? So much is going on. Now on top of the Army, I have to worry about this Demi council being a thorn in my ass. "Well, definitely not how I expected my first week at the academy to turn out. But, I'll manage. I always do."
Erza popped him on the back of his head. "You mean, we will manage." She glared at him but there was no heat or venom in her words or actions. Gavin yelped and rubbed the back of his head.
"Do you always have to do that?" He complained as he shot her a dirty look.
"Do you always have to be a flipping idiot?" Erza responded and jabbed his chest with her finger. "We are partners, remember. Your burdens are mine. Mine are yours."
Gavin couldn't help but chuckle. He held onto her hand and gave her a smile. "Yeah. Okay, I deserved that one." He kissed the back of her hand and looked at the group.
"So, what happens now?" He directed his question to his grandfather.
Shepard's face was stern as he sat there. "The plan right now is for you to rest and fully recover. All of you." Shepard replied while he regarded the group of students.
"It will be about another week until all the repairs are completed and the school is back open. There's nothing you can really do until classes resume." He stood up and stretched his back, feeling it pop and crack.
"My boy, I am glad you finally woke up. You had us all worried for a minute there. But, now that I have seen you are alright, there are other matters I must attend to. Funerals to pay for, families to console and the like." Shepard said and walked over to take Gavin's hand into his as Erza and AJ stepped aside to give him space. "For the record, I am incredibly proud of how you fought. I watched the footage and am astounded at your skill and strength." Shepard praised his grandson.
Gavin couldn't help but preen at Shepard's praise.
"But, you are still inexperienced, reckless and foolish in battle." He continued on which caused Erza to snort. "But that will come with time. For now, rest and recover. I expect to see you back when classes resume. That goes for all of you." Shepard fixed his gaze on each of them, one by one.
They all nodded as Shepard took his leave and the door shut behind him.
"I probably don't want to ask, but I have to know." Gavin said suddenly. "How many students or staff were killed?" He swallowed past the lump in his throat as he searched Erzas' face.
Erza winced and avoided his pleading eyes. She looked to AJ for assistance. "Fifty-two students, and twenty staff members were killed. Several dozen were injured." AJ stated bluntly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"AJ!" Erza snapped, her tone laced with exasperation and irritation.
AJ turned to face her. "What Red? He deserves the truth. What good will coddling him do?" Erza held her hands up in surrender.
Gavin cursed as he heard the news. "So many lives lost, and for what?" He snarled, his frustration evident by the increase in his heart monitor.
Helena shook her head. "The True Lord's Army has always been a pain to the Shifter clans. They have hunted what remains of the Shifter clans since the Purge."
Gavin looked up at her. "I will end them. So help me gods, I will end them." His eyes glowed brightly against the sterile lights of the hospital room. Crimson energy swirled around them all as Gavin growled those words of promise. His mana briefly enveloped his own body and traces of armor were faintly visible for a brief moment.
AJ lifted one brow. That wasn't just shaping his mana. That was borderline Forging. How interesting.
Gavin's heart rate increased as his body shook in the bed. The mana thickened in the room and Erza reached out to stroke his hair. "Shhh. It's alright. The only thing we can do right now is rest and recover." She held him close to her while she consoled him.
Gavin closed his eyes. The moment that Erza wrapped her arms around him and touched him his heart rate slowed and calmed down. She can always do this, help me find peace when I feel lost and unsure. He leaned into her touch and let himself just be held for a moment.
Then he grinned in excitement. "So, both of you are determined to join me? To join us on this crazy quest and adventure?"
Helena nodded without hesitation. "We are cousins and kin. I've lived my entire life thinking my entire family and pack were killed off. I'm not leaving you alone in this fight." Her eyes glowed red as she spoke, her conviction set in stone.
Jackson stepped up beside her. "I don't have the familial ties that she does. But they can't get away with senseless slaughter like this. It's not right, and it's time that someone made them pay. Whatever you need man, I'm in."
A small smile played at the edges of Erza's lips. "Sounds like you already infected them with your fungus charm." She shook her head, her hands on her hips.
Gavin grinned up at her. "You know me, once I start to grow on someone, they can't get rid of me." He laughed gently, careful not to jostle his ribs too much. He turned his attention towards AJ. "I know it's not what your mission was, but can I count on your help?"
AJ sighed as she hung her head. "Will you ever be anything other than a pain in my ass?" There was the faintest hint of a smile that curved her thin lips as she looked at him.
Gavin flashed her a fang toothed smile. "Does that mean?" His voice was light and hopeful.
"Yes, damn it. Until Drake or Astrid recall my mission, I am to protect you both. So, I have no choice to but to assist in your stupidity." AJ replied with a groan as she glared at him.
"Alright, now first thing is, I need out of this hospital. I am going insane hooked up to all these machines." Gavin immediately threw off the blanket and spun his legs to hang over the edge of the bed.
All of them shouted at once and Erza pushed him back onto the bed, refusing to let him stand. "No. Hell no. You aren't remotely recovered enough to even think of leaving this hospital bed." Erza snapped as her amber mana flared out around them.
Gavin groaned as he was forced back into bed. "Seriously. I'm alive and healed enough."
Erza shook her head. "No. You are going to stay in this bed until we hear from a doctor."
Gavin gritted his teeth. "Stubborn woman."
Erza flashed a grin at him. "Damn right, and you love it."
Just a reminder Gavin. You have two training dungeon keys available from rewards granted over the summer. We can use them any time you wish. Veronica entered his mind. Like always she had a soothing, fluid presence, like water washing over his mind.
I'm not sure if that's a good idea. What if Lunaria hijacks the dungeon again, and I end up killing more people? Gavin's response came softly, like a whisper in his mind.
Your desire for strength will not come true without cost, Gavin. You are not a child any longer. You know full well, by the time you complete Korays' mission, you will claim many more lives. Veronica's words were gentle, yet were filled with the strength of solid steel.
Gavin sighed as he looked at Erza and the others gathered in his room. This is my new family, the start of the Lykos pack anew.
Alert. The bond has deepened with the following individuals; Erza O'Malley, Helena Jaegar, Jackson Smith. Activation of the pack magic is possible. Veronica's words filled Gavin's mind.
Pack magic? What in Seven Hells is that? Gavin's question was cautious, but he couldn't deny his curiosity.
The pack magic is a special feature in my core system programming. Koray knew that his mission wasn't something you could accomplish on your own. So he enabled certain functions should you reach the proper thresholds. Veronica began her explanation slowly.
The pack magic is a way of binding, and recognizing other individuals that have pledged themselves to your cause. It will enable thought communication between all members, and I can even monitor their growth with a leveling system, similar to what you possess. Although, I can not intervene directly with their growth and stats.
You mean, like in a video game. Where the hero gains squad members and everyone is connected in the user interface system? Like we can see their levels, their health and other stuff? Gavin couldn't stop his jaw from dropping. This is some next level stuff.
Erza and the others noticed Gavin's sudden jaw drop. "What's going on? Did Veronica have something important to say?"
Gavin hesitated before he answered Erza. Veronica, with the pack magic, would it be possible to bring one or more people with me using the Divine Dungeon keys?
In theory, yes. Since they are connected with pack magic, and pack magic works by connecting your souls through an ancient type of magic. If you wished, you could bring at least one person with you to the training dungeon. Veronica's reply filled Gavin with sudden giddiness.
Gavin grinned like a kid during the holidays. "Oh yeah. You can say that again."
Helena, Jackson and AlexiaJane all leaned forward with curious expressions on their faces.
"According to Veronica. Within the system, I can link other people with what she calls "Pack Magic."" Gavin began.
"I don't understand exactly all the details yet. But according to Veronica, pack magic will enable a magical link with people that have pledged themselves to my cause. If you all accept, it will enable thought communication and other useful bits according to her." Gavin explained.
It was their turn for their mouths to drop. One by one each of them stared at Gavin incredulously.
Alert. New quest received. Begin rebuilding the clan that you lost. You're mate has already been registered. Begin by selecting a male and female Beta to help run the future Clan you will create. Reward, Instant level up. A screen popped up in his vision followed by a Veronica's voice.
Gavin's grin turned even wider. "Also, I told you guys about the Divine Dungeon that I can access. According to Veronica, if we do this pack magic thing in the system, I should be able to take at least one person with me inside the dungeon." Gavin dropped that information like a bombshell.