Gavin looked around as the building shook. The explosion sounded close as dust fell from the ceiling rafters. Students screamed in fear as the teachers and staff tried to keep everyone calm. Gavin and Helena walked over to Jackson's table nearby.
The alarm that sounded in the building only fueled the hysteria of the students. Some panicked and tried to make a run for the nearest exit, only for a staff member to block them and guide them back to the rest of the group.
Principal Shepard's voice echoed clearly through the arena. "Please everyone, do not panic. The staff are trained to handle every type of situation. For now, everyone must follow the professors to the secondary arena. There is a panic shelter built under the floor that will keep everyone safe."
Principal Shepard's words washed over the students and calmed their panicked screaming. They all gathered close to the group of staff and waited for instructions to come.
As various teachers began to take the students away towards the secondary arena, Gavin stayed behind with Jackson, Helena and Erza. Gavin walked over to his grandfather, who appeared to be talking on the phone with someone.
"It's probably that damn hate group making its move. Begin the lock down procedures and ensure the safety of the students as a top priority," Principal Shepard's voice was a deep growl that broke no arguments. His body trembled as he gripped the phone and his eyes glowed a vibrant red.
"What can I do to help?" Gavin asked.
Principal Shepard glanced at his group. "Go, stay with the other students and head for the panic shelter. This isn't the time to show off. Let the trained staff handle things." Shepard replied. He raised a hand to silence any arguing.
"I need you safe, son. Now go." His final words caused Gavin's heart to flutter. They were soft, wistful. A hint of pain from another day and time crept into his voice.
Erza grabbed Gavin's arm. "Come on, this isn't the time. The enemy could be here any moment."
Gavin gritted his teeth. "It's not in me to run from a fight." He cast one last glance at his grandfather and half the staff members that were staying behind. "Don't you dare die on me, gramps."
A hint of a smile lifted one corner of Shepard's face. That was all the reaction Gavin got before the group turned around and followed Professor Rose and a large group back to the second arena.
Multiple vibrations shook the walls. Screams were coming from the other end of the arena as they hurried down the back hallway and saw the back half of the second arena had risen from the ground.
Illuminated by magical crystals placed in the sides, the entrance to the panic shelter was wide enough for over a dozen students to walk in shoulder to shoulder.
One professor stood off to the side, a radio in her hand. "Yes, we have most of the first year students down in the shelter. We've sent staff to the other dorm buildings, classrooms, and administrative center."
Gavin slowed down and attempted to eavesdrop, making sure to keep Erza close by his side.
"They've never launched such a large offensive before. They aren't just targeting shifters this time. The security cameras show they are killing everyone that moves." Her words were a hushed, angry tirade as she reported into her radio.
The professor noticed Gavin and Erza standing a little too close and not moving with the crowd. "Both of you, hurry along and get inside before its too late." She urged them on.
"Come on," Erza insisted and pulled on his arm. "We need to get inside so they can lock it down.
Gavin stayed quiet as he pondered what he had overheard. "It's them. It's the same damn group." His body shook against her hand as his rage began mounting. "I can't just run and hide while everyone else is fighting." Gavin argued as Erza pulled him inside the entrance to the shelter.
Jackson and Helena stood off to the side and approached Gavin. "What's going on?" Jackson asked. His eyes widened at the sight of Gavin's glowing eyes.
"I can't explain right now." Gavin snapped irritably as he glared at the entrance. The last of the students had filled in and the entrance was lowering back down.
Gavin looked around as muffled explosions sounded off in the distance. The light crystals flickered as the students cried out in fear.
Without wasting time, Gavin walked towards the entrance and crossed his arms. His crimson mana swirling around in front of him as his anger and concern for his grandpa built by the minute.
"This isn't our time to fight, Gavin. Your grandpa and the rest of the staff will hold them off until reinforcements from the city can arrive." Erza pointed out as stood next to him.
Veronica, are you able to tell me the chances of my grandpa and the staff surviving this?
I don't have all the data available. But based on the data I have access to, I can say with certainty the chances of the academy forces being killed is high.
Gavin cursed as his mana continued flowing protectively around them as they stood in front of the entrance. Other students took notice and backed away from Gavin's group in concern.
Helena lifted one eyebrow at Gavin's display. "You wish you were out there, don't you?"
Gavin glanced at her. "Yeah, it chafes my ass hiding in here like an incompetent child." I literally trained through hell itself for fights like this, and I get stuck on the sidelines.
I can't lose grandpa when I just found him. I have to fight, but can I do this alone?
Another set of explosions went off, this time louder and clearer. More students cried out as the light crystals flickered again.
"Fuck this." Gavin snarled. He turned to see the students gathered behind him.
"Who all is capable of using earth magic?" Gavin called out, his eyes searching every face.
A few students raised their hands. Truth be told, not many were able to take the test before this started.
"Those of you who can use earth magic come here. We have to prepare for trouble in case they get in here." Gavin instructed.
One student scoffed and took one step back. "Why should we listen to you? You're also just a first year!"
Gavin glared at the idiot. "I may be a first year student, but if anyone else has any bright ideas for how to survive, speak up. If not, then shut up. Now step forward if you don't want those behind you to die!"
Students gasped at his words and muttered between themselves. Another explosion, this time clear as day, sounding directly above them caused them to speed things up.
Erza cocked her head as she looked at him. "What are you planning this time?"
Gavin ignored her as he stepped forward. A dozen students bravely walked towards him, and the front of the shelter. "I will quickly explain the most basic of earth spells I know. Focus on your mana flow, the same way you did for the test. Feel the earth beneath our feet." Gavin began to explain quickly as he demonstrated.
"Feel that connection, and pour your mana into the earth, willing a stone wall to erupt from the ground, a barrier for everyone behind you." Gavin slammed his palms down and demonstrated by erecting a giant wall that was half the width of the entrance.
The first student attempted. Their mana glowed around them in faint shimmering hues of brown. The first attempt crumpled before it was halfway done.
Instead of quitting, the student tried again, and this time the wall was nearly as tall as Gavin's. With that success, the others stepped forth and one wall after another was created. It took a few tries, but eventually the twelve earth magic users had spread the earth and stone wall the rest of the width, creating a firm barrier between the entrance and the rest of the students.
Gavin nodded in approval. It was just the four of them on the opposite side of the wall. The twelve students were covered in sweat and panting from the exertion. "That was fantastic everyone. No matter what you hear, do not press forward." Gavin instructed as he turned to glare upward.
A powerful tremor shook the ceiling and the light crystals went out, bathing the shelter in darkness until the backup lights kicked in. An amber orange glow illuminated the shadows of room to provide barely enough to see.
"Shit. Get ready" Gavin called out to his group as the next explosion caused part of the ceiling to cave in, a giant stone pillar slamming into the ground as a voice cried out.
"Erza, provide cover fire, Jackson and Helena, protect the other students." Gavin cried out as his mana exploded out violently.
Pure crimson energy engulfed the entrance, blocking them from view as Gavin's body grew. His limbs elongated, thick, lean muscle formed over his arms and legs. His chest widened and silver claws manifested at the end of his hands.
Black fur erupted over his entire body and his face was twisted into a vicious snarl as he stood in front of the stone pillar, glaring at the ceiling.
Gunfire shot through the opening and Gavin wasted no time in summoning a dome of stone to cover them.
"I found the shelter! All forces dive in. Kill the students!" A voice called out from above as fire blasts and more explosions impacted against Gavin's stone wall.