"Holy shit, you're finally awake!" Jackson called out as the door opened and he walked in. He stopped abruptly as he noticed Erza's flushed face and teary eyes. Helena and Shepard were on the other side of the room, pale and quiet as they faced Gavin and Erza.
"Or did I come at a bad time?" Jackson's joyful tone quickly sobered down as he took stock of the situation.
Erza turned and glared at Jackson. She clenched her jaw before she crossed her arms over her chest. "It's fine." She sighed and cast a sideways glance at Helena and Shepard, who had the good grace to appear occupied on the other side of the room. "I'll go inform the nurse staff he's awake." With those cold words spoken she left the room, the door slamming shut behind her.
Jackson let out a shrill whistle. "Damn bro, what'd you do to piss her off?" Jackson walked over and sat on the edge of Gavin's bed. He looked over and gave Helena a smile and wave.
Gavin groaned and leaned back against the bed. "Apparently trying to save everyone and pushing myself doing so is what pissed her off." He rubbed his hand over his face as he laid in bed.
She has a point, Gavin. You do have a savior complex. Plus, you tend to think you have to be the one to save the others, even at the cost of your own health and life, Veronica chimed in quietly.
That's beside the point. I have more strength and power than most people could imagine. My god, I've received training in some of the darkest magical arts out there. Doesn't that give me the responsibility of putting myself on the front lines? When others would fall, I should have the strength to keep pushing. When others weaken or tire out, I should keep striving forward, to protect those I cherish, Gavin argued back.
That's exactly what she is talking about. Right now, you are letting your newfound strength and abilities go to your fat head. Yes, you've received special training thanks to Kara and Astrid. But, remember, using some of those skills come with their own risks on the best of circumstances. Take your Soul Reanimation skill that you learned this summer with the sisters. When you are finally able to, every time you use the Soul Reanimation skill, it will chip away at your life force, shaving time off your life. While that isn't permanent and enough time can undo the damage of using the skill, if you carelessly use it, you will run the risk of killing yourself prematurely, Veronica chastised him.
Not you too. What was I supposed to do? I don't recall you having any other ideas to keep us alive at the time. But, that being said, I understand your point, Veronica. I will try to remember that in future fights. Gavin gave in with a tired sigh. Then, a thought struck him.
Oh, that reminds me… When I went berserk, what happened with you and the system? It was like you were gone or something replaced you, Gavin's words were hesitant as he avoided looking around the room.
I am not entirely sure. Perhaps, and this is only a guess, Master Gavin. But, when you entered that strange Berserker state, it affected even the system's design. It limited my functions and released other aspects of the system that were put in place to prevent your abilities from going out of control. With those safety limits removed, you were able to push your body beyond your normal limits in the arena.
Gavin frowned. While I was in that state, I couldn't think clearly. It was strange. I'm not sure how to describe it. Like on one hand, I could still think and have some control over what I was doing, but on the other, I was so focused and determined that only one thing mattered. Killing every single one of them. But, I recall it affecting other skills like the were-wolf healing passive skill.
I suggest, not going into such a state again. It's a dangerous path to power, when you can't control your own actions and will-
"For the record, no one at school knows what happened in the Grand Arena. They only know that you guys fought the bulk of the enemy forces and survived until Principal Shepard and his team arrived." Jackson unknowingly interrupted Gavin's conversation with Veronica.
Gavin nodded. "Yeah, I figured as much. Everything happened so quickly once the fighting started. I'm glad that you and everyone else stayed safe in the shelter."
Jackson sported a wide grin. "Bro while we were in that panic shelter, we had no idea what was going on. Nothing besides random explosions and booms for a while. Then suddenly, it was like the very air got heavy." Jackson sobered as he recalled his time at the shelter.
Gavin stayed quiet while Jackson talked. "Everyone was quiet-'you could cut the tension in the shelter with a butter knife'-quiet" Jackson continued. "Then after a while, Shepard came back and gave the all clear." He shook his head as he looked around the room. He walked back to the couch and took a seat.
Helena stood up and walked over. "That sounds about when Gavin went all out… and before the enemy leader could respond, reinforcements from Allario arrived." Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant while she spoke.
"There is a lot that you guys should probably know," Gavin said after a moments debate.
"You sure about this?" Shepard finally spoke up. He remained seated on the couch as he regarded his grandson.
Helena and Jackson looked between Gavin and Shepard. Their brows were knitted and confusion lined their features.
"Learn about what?" Jackson asked.
Before Gavin could continue the door opened and a nurse walked in. She was a petite brunette with soft blue eyes as she looked over his monitors. "I heard our star patient was wide awake." Her voice was gentle and warm as she checked his vitals.
Gavin nodded. "Yeah, can't get rid of me that easily. I'm like a cockroach, hard to kill apparently."
"Please, you can gag him if you need to." Erza commented as she returned to the room. The withering glare she cast at Gavin made it obvious she was still upset.
"Oh come on, I'm too cute and cuddly to gag." Gavin teased gently wagging his eyebrows up and down.
The nurse chuckled as she hung another bag of fluids on a pole next to his bed. "Are you always this full of energy?"
Erza sighed as she rubbed her temples. "Unfortunately. Please don't encourage him. It'll save us all the trouble if you just gag him now."
The nurse shook her head, the barest hint of a smile on her face. "I have a feeling the doctors won't agree with that course of, um, treatment."
Jackson laughed, his shoulders rocking. "So, how is he?"
"Well, after checking all his vitals, he should make a full recovery. I'm giving him one more bag of fluids to make sure he's fully hydrated and his Mana is completely recovered. Then he should be good to go, unless the doctor has any other tests they want to run."
Erza nodded as she stepped out of the way. "Thank you, for taking care of my flipping idiot."
The nurse smiled as she nodded and left the room. "Do try not to hurt my patient in the meantime."
Once the door was closed Jackson turned serious once again. "Seriously, what were you about to explain to us before she walked in?"
Erza lifted one eyebrow and stepped closer to the bed. "Yes, Gavin. What were you about to explain."
"What I'm about to explain you to two, is something that certain groups kill to keep secret. Knowing that, do you still want to know?" Gavin's words were quiet and he glanced at the door.
Jackson did a double take as he heard that. "Well, things just got way more intense than I expected today."
Helena nodded as she stepped forward to stand beside Jackson. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "It's about what you called the leader isn't it? I think you called him a "Draconian"?"
Jackson looked confused as he listened, but didn't interrupt.
"You know about the humans and the Shifters, obviously. But there are five other races the gods created that inhabit Elyndra with us." Gavin began his tale.
Shepard remained quiet in the back of the room as Gavin spoke of the other races, The Mermaids, created by Lady Tempestra. The Elves, created by Lord Veyran. The Valkyries, created by Lady Lunaria, and lastly the Vampires, created by Lord Thanarian.
"Why have I never heard of these other races?" Helena asked after a moments silence.
"Because, to reveal that information usually means someone gets issued a death warrant." A voice called out as another person entered the room.
"Hey, AJ." Erza greeted warmly, a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. She turned and hugged the young Valkyrie.
"Hey, Red." AlexiaJane returned Erza's embrace and glared at Gavin over Erza's shoulder. "I take it he's being stupid again?"
Erza finally laughed bitterly. "You know it."
"Hey!" Gavin called out in protest as he felt that dig.
AJ narrowed her eyes on him. "You know about the laws, Gavin. Yet you just disclosed such sensitive and secret information to two people that you've known for what? A few days at most?"
Gavin opened his mouth and closed it like a fish a few times. "Wait a minute. You can't just come in here, acting all high and mighty! What are you even doing here?"
"We will discuss that later. But you really need to think for once before you start revealing secrets so dangerous." AJ replied as she stood before Gavin's bed.
"Hey, back off." Helena's tone was quiet as she stepped forward. "I don't know who you are, or even what you are for that matter. But I do know one thing. You showed up randomly during the battle, and haven't been here once to see Gavin until just now. So who made you in charge?"
Oh shit. Not good. Gavin reached out and gently took Helena's arm. "Easy Helena. This isn't the time for a fight." I appreciate her stepping up, but AJ could sweep, mop, and hang her up to dry without even unfurling her wings.
AJ's eye twitched, but that was the only visible sign of her irritation. "The wolf's right. I suggest you don't speak about matters you don't understand." She let out a sigh and looked back at Gavin. "I'm just saying. There are events going on that you don't know about. Things I was coming to tell you when you woke up. But, now you've put these two in danger as well."
Shepard spoke up from where he sat. "If I might interrupt. Perhaps you could explain everything from your side, before this turns into an argument or we get interrupted by more hospital staff."
"The old wolf is right." AJ inclined her head to Shepard. "Now, I'm only going to say this once, so shut up and pay attention. Gather your collective ADHD and focus for five minutes."
Gavin bristled from AJ's comment. He opened his mouth to protest, but the look on Erza's face caused him to rethink. AJ gestured to Gavin. "You have managed to piss off a lot of very powerful people, in a very short amount of time."