Gavin's consciousness slammed back into his body and he woke with a strangled cry of fury. His mana exploded out from him in uncontrollable waves of crimson energy that slammed into the walls of his room. Tears poured down his face as he jolted upright and stared at his hands as they trembled.
The explosion of mana was loud and undeniable. The walls shook, dust flew all around him in response to the waves of powerful mana.
Gavin, control your emotions! Veronica chimed in at his outburst. Concern leaked through her mental voice as she watched Gavin's vitals skyrocket.
"Ares! That bastard!" Gavin roared to the ceiling, the sound echoed off the wounds like a wounded animal. He threw the blanket off and jumped out of bed. He walked to the window and slammed it open. He inhaled the cool autumn air as the breeze drifted through his room; cold against his bare torso.
Tears flowed down his cheeks and his knuckles turned white as they gripped the windowsill. His heart sounded like someone was beating the drums in a rock concert inside his chest as his knuckles turned white on the windowsill. His blood raced through his veins and every instinct inside him begged him to lash out, to strike, to have something to do.
But, Gavin had no target for his rage and fear. No one and nothing to focus the adrenaline surging through his body on.
Gavin's door burst open and Jackson rushed in. The sound startled Gavin and he whirled around; hand raised with a blazing fireball already formed in his palm, the fire licking his flesh before recognition hit him.
"Dude, the hell is going on?" Jackson asked as he struggled against the waves of mana that radiated off Gavin. He froze at the sight of Gavin, illuminated by the moonlight. He stood in front of the window with tears flowing down his face and a massive fireball aimed directly at him. His eyes were a deep crimson.
"Hey! Earth to the insanely powerful wolf! It's me! You know, roommate, friend, all around good guy!" Jackson shouted.
Gavin! Calm yourself down before you do something you will regret! This isn't you!" Veronica screamed inside his head.
Their combined voices finally managed to break through the manic adrenaline that was coursing through Gavin's mind. Jackson could see the moment his words registered when Gavin's eyes returned to their normal shade of blue and he lowered his hand, the fireball sizzling out to nothing but a wisp of smoke.
"Shit, Jackson. I'm so sorry," Gavin whispered as he slid down the wall, his head rested against the windowsill. His tears wouldn't stop and he brought his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.
Jackson walked over and knelt in front of him. "Hey man, what happened?"
Gavin shook his head, unable to meet his gaze. "I can't…" Gavin muttered and took a shuddering breath. He ran his hand over his face, angrily wiping away his tears.
He looked at Jackson for a moment. "You know how I told you, that my first meeting with Koray went?" Gavin asked him.
Jackson paused for a minute. "You said, it was like your consciousness or whatever was pulled to his realm or space and had that conversation with him right?"
Gavin nodded. Then he reached through the pack bond to Erza, Helena, and AJ. Something serious happened, I need you three in my room, immediately.
Erza's reply came instant. I thought I felt your mana going off. No one else over reacts to things like you. I'll wake Helena and be there shortly.
AJ's response came second. On my way, any fighting this time?
Gavin couldn't help but chuckle at her question. No, no fighting, no bodies, no danger at this moment.
Helena's response came slower. Me and red just left, be there in a few minutes.
Gavin looked back to Jackson. "Will you please make sure the doors open, the others are on their way." Gavin asked him.
Jackson shook his head in amazement. "I will never get used to this pack magic thing." He walked out of the room and headed for the front door.
Gavin rose shakily to his feet, the cool air from the window sent a shiver down his bare back. He walked over and grabbed the bottle of water from his stand and downed it in three deep gulps, the liquid helping calm his nerves.
He left his room and walked to the living room where the others were entering with Jackson behind them.
Erza narrowed her eyes on his condition. "What happened?" Her voice softened with concern and she walked over cupping his cheek.
Gavin placed his hand over hers and offered her a shaky smile. "Nothing physical happened," he said.
He let her touch ground him, center his thoughts and being for the moment as he closed his eyes. "When I first met Koray, it was like he could pull my consciousness through the ether, or whatever its called," Gavin began.
"My physical body at the time was either in transport to the hospital, or already in the hospital bed when he did it, I'm not sure. But I do know this, my body stayed behind and my soul or spirit or whatever was in his realm talking to him," Gavin rambled on, his mind trying to make sense of things.
AJ stepped close. "It's your Astral Soul," she said.
Gavin paused his rambling and looked at her. "What?" he asked, his brows knitted together.
"The gods can't do much, to affect the mortal plane because of the Divine laws and treaties in place. You know that part, right?" she asked him.
Gavin nodded and gestured for her to continue.
"So, one thing they learned to do, is pull your Astral Soul from your body. Your consciousness or spirit for the lack of a better term. They can't hurt you physically, but there are other things they can do," she explained.
"That explains some things, thanks," Gavin said. He looked around the group then continued.
"So, I had that conversation with Koray via my Astral Soul, several times now. I have met with Tempestra, and Lunaria in person. I can now add one more damn god to that list," Gavin spat out, his temper rising again.
AJ narrowed her eyes and gestured for him to continue.
"Tonight, Ares paid me a visit. Took my Astral Soul to some fancy room with a fire place, rugs, hunting trophies. Had a real pleasant chat," Gavin attempted to reel in his sarcasm, but it poured out of every word.
AJ cursed and Erza sucked in her breath, her eyes going wide. Helena just glanced to Jackson confusion evident on both their faces.
"What did he want?" AJ was the first to ask.
Gavin chuckled bitterly and started pacing. "Well, chatted about the weather, my grades, family back home," his expression hardened. "Oh yeah, that part of the conversation was really insightful."
Erza frowned at his ranting. "Will you please, make some sense?"
Gavin looked at her. "He's the one behind the True Lord's Army, he's pissed we stopped their assault, and if don't return home at once, agree to never shift again, he will have everyone I know and love skinned alive in front of me." Gavin blurted out.
Everyone froze at those words. Anger filled AJ's expression. "The council suspected one of the gods was behind their actions and involvement, but it could never be proven," she said.
Erza cursed. "We have to do something, we can't just let that psycho get away with this," she said.
Gavin threw his hands up. "That's just it. He has and he will. We don't have the strength to fight a literal god."
AJ stepped in. "We don't have to," she said.
Gavin and the others turned to face her. "Explain," he said.
"He can't do anything himself that affects the mortal realm. Sure, his followers could act, but they are restricted by distance, travel time, figuring out logistics, all that kind of stuff." AJ began to explain.
"This is obviously something we don't have the man power to do ourselves, but there are some that owe me a few favors I can call in. People that can keep an eye on your families back in Tristane," she continued.
Gavin let out a breath that he didn't realize he held. "You would do that, for us?" he asked her in surprise.
AJ let out a tired smile. "Do you really have to ask? The fact that Ares threatened you in that way shows that he fears you, and what you become. He fears what fulfilling the prophecy from Koray will do to the state of the world."
Erza went over and hugged AJ. "Thank you," she whispered.
AJ nodded. "Now, did anything else happened there?" she asked him.
Gavin shook his head. "No, just the ultimatum of leaving the academy, never shifting, threats to everyone then he sent me back," he said.
AJ nodded. "I will get ahold of my people first thing in the morning and start making plans."
Erza looked back at Gavin. "Perhaps we should inform your grandfather too, he should know who's really behind the True Lord's Army."
Gavin pondered that for a moment then inclined his head. "Yeah, he deserves to know. Also, he may have some contacts that can work with AJ in protecting our families."
Helena yawned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "So, bad guys are scared and probably coming for more, we need to grow strong enough to kick their butts. Did I miss anything?" she summarized.
Gavin looked at her and actually laughed. "No, that actually about sums it up. I'm sorry for waking everyone. I just thought something like this shouldn't wait til morning," Gavin apologized.
Jackson nodded. "Yeah, you should have seen the size of the fireball he almost roasted me with when I went to his room earlier," he mentioned.
Gavin's face went red at the mention of his panicked outburst. "Hey, they don't need to know that," he protested.
Helena's and Erza's eyes went wide.
"You almost did what?" Helena asked, a tinge of anger entering her voice. She took a step towards Gavin.
"In my defense, I was a little bit upset and out of sorts when Ares threw me back into my body," Gavin tried to defend himself.
Erza shook her head in exasperation. "I swear to god, I can't leave you alone for five minutes without you causing some kind of trouble," she said.
"Look, let's all get some sleep and tackle this new problem come the morning," AJ said.
Gavin nodded and went to their fridge to grab a bottle of water. After he took a deep swig. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Gavin said.
The others said their goodbyes but Erza stayed behind. Jackson left them and went off to bed with a wave. Gavin looked at Erza. "Go on to bed, I'm alright," Gavin said.
Erza shook her head. "I don't think you are," she said. She stepped up to him and hugged him close, her arms wrapped tight around him. She could still feel him trembling slightly as she stroked his back.
He returned her embrace and visibly relaxed a moment later in her arms. His trembling stopped and his breathing calmed. She cupped his cheek and smiled at him. "Better?"
He nodded. "Yeah, actually,"he leaned his face into the palm of her hand. "I don't know how you do it, but you can always calm me down. It's terrifying honestly," Gavin admitted with a chuckle. He pulled back to smile at her.
Erza gave him a warm smile. "It's what I'm here for, now come on. You need to try getting some sleep too. Got a big day of classes and world domination tomorrow," she said.
Gavin yawned tiredly and nodded. He stepped away from her and walked to the door, "You going back to your room or staying here?" he asked.
She paused for a moment. There was something about his tone in how he asked, hopeful, maybe even vulnerable. "I might as well stay here. Someone's got to make sure you don't burn down your roommate."