Gavin snarled in frustration as he faced the last remaining enemy forces. Two men left. Just two men to kill and everything will end. So why can't i land a finger on them?!
His body burned, the amount of mana that flowed through his circuits was like liquid fire. He wiped the blood that leaked out from the corner of his mouth and glared at the two men in front of him. One had glowing golden eyes and smelled different than the others. Yet, it was something that triggered a memory at the back of Gavin's rage.
A third floor of a hidden dungeon. Volcanic plains, ash covered skies. Five tall, mountains of warriors that charged for Gavin.
"Draconian." The word was a long drawn out hiss as Gavin jumped back with the realization.
The man with the golden eyes grinned as he stood in front of Gavin, pistols at the ready and pointed at him. "I'm surprised a filthy animal like you knows that term. But it makes no difference. You won't live long enough to reveal it."
The marksman ran to the side as the blonde man took aim and began firing at Gavin. Gavin jumped up, avoiding the magical blasts from the pistol then cried out.
An explosive impact slammed into Gavin's back and fire burned through hair and flesh. He howled in pain as he thrust his hand forward and a blast of wind shoved him back midair.
He landed in a crouch and dropped to one knee, panting and winced as his muscles struggled under the injury on his back.
Warning. Werewolf healing has been suspended while in Berserk state. Other functions of the system have been suspended. Instead of the sensation of cooling waves washing over his mind that Gavin came to associate with Veronica's presence in his mind; two blue screens appeared on the edge of his vision. Robotic, automatic.
Gavin's body shook and he barely registered the messages from the system. He struggled to close his fist and the muscles in his back screamed when he forced his body to stand on his feet. "I'm not the one that's going to die today." The smell of burnt flesh was heavy in his nose, nearly hiding the scent of Draconian from Gavin.
A nearby explosion sent smoke and debris into the arena from behind the two enemy soldiers. Just as another announcement came through all the student arm bands.
"Alert. Students and staff of Allario Academy. Reinforcements have arrived from the Allario Defensive forces. Help is here. Hold out for just a little longer. We are still fighting. This battle isn't over yet. Keep strong, stay together and we will emerge alive." Professor Okeeba's voice rang strong from the arm band on Gavin's forearm.
Gavin's face twisted into a grin as he rushed forward towards the blonde man again. "Hear that? You've lost!" He roared as he extended his clawed hand forward. The man ducked low and spun, landing a powerful kick to Gavin's midsection.
Gavin cursed as the force of his impact sent him flying back. Stronger than any human could possibly be. He landed in a heap on the floor several meters away.
"Don't think you've won, wolf. I am still alive, and the mission still continues!" the blonde man shouted.
"Hands in the air and do not move!" Several voices cried out in unison as troops from the Allario Defensive force stormed into the Grand arena, finally breaking through the barricades the True Lord's Army set up.
The marksman frowned and instantly turned his rifle towards the newcomers and began firing.
In unison, the reinforcements from the Allario Defensive force activated their nano plate armor. It was a reactive armor controlled by the users mana and nano machines that adapted and nullified any magical strike it came into contact with. Anything with mana fizzled out and became useless upon impact.
The incendiary rounds impacted against their reinforced body armor with a loud bang and fire spread to the floor, leaving the troops unaffected by the shots.
"Cedrion! We must fall back. We are outnumbered!" He called out as he ran towards Cedrion. He kept Gavin's injured and crouched form in his line of sight as he moved.
Cedrion cursed. His gaze flickered over to the soldiers that kept pouring into the arena. The majority of his men were dead or dying, he had an Alpha wolf in front of him on his last legs, and these people were preventing him from claiming another kill.
"Pull back, Malachai. We will live to fight another day." Cedrion responded as he rammed his hands onto the ground and a wave of fire was sent rushing towards the soldiers. The heat warped steel in the rafters and melted surface stone it passed over.
"You're not going anywhere!" Gavin screamed and pushed his battered body to rise. "You will pay for all the lives lost this day!" He threw his head towards the heavens and unleashed another Hunter's Howl.
The sound was amplified by his Berserker state, pushing his body and abilities beyond their natural limitations. The effect was a sonic boom that slammed into every person in the arena. Cedrion and Malachai hesitated as the fear and paralyzing effects washed over them and for a moment-just a moment, Cedrion hesitated.
The sound wave from Gavin's howl spread out until it slammed into the walls of the arena. Nobody was spared the effects. The soldier reinforcements from the Allario Defensive force paused in their advance as they tried to encircle the two remaining enemies.
"I will feast on your heart!" Gavin roared as he pushed his body forward, pouring mana into his legs. His muscles, weakened, tired struggled to obey the command as he ran with everything he had at Cedrion.
Then, the golden glow returned to Cedrion's eyes with a cruel smile. He turned to face Gavin's rush, never losing sight of the impatient wolf.
He reached behind his back and pulled a small black object out. "Come on wolf! You will die, just like the last pathetic clan I wiped out! The men cried out like babes as they were slaughtered. The women and children screamed with tears in their eyes as they were burned alive! You think you can do anything to alter your judgment!?" Cedrion mocked, taunted.
Gavin's breath left him in a rush at those words. He couldn't explain it at the moment but they landed a little too close to home. They elevated his fury into another level and he howled out in pain and anger. His feet left cracks in the floor with every step as he willed his body to move faster, to react quicker.
He had to reach him. He had to end this. Too many lives were lost. Teachers died protecting them. Students died, believing this was a safe place of learning. Even Erza….
His vision turned red as he gathered what remained of his mana into his hands and they ignited. Fire engulfed his palms, rolling and flickering. Starting as a mix of light orange and white hues, and quickly growing hotter. Gavin focused everything he had left into the flames. They changed to blue, rolling and licking the flesh of his arms as they intensified, harnessed the heat and power that flowed through Gavin's mana.
But it still wasn't enough.
He poured more into the spell. Hotter. Stronger.
The blue flames turned a vibrant white as they rolled and moved up and down his arms. The intensity burned the fur on his arms and he struggled to maintain the spell at that level.
"This is over!" Gavin cried out and extended both his hands mid step.
The world seemed to pause in that instant.
Both hands came together, the flames rolled over and over between his palms, and a howling roar could be heard around them.
Malachai paled as he realized exactly what was about to come at them. reacting on instinct he grabbed Cedrion's arm as a figure jumped in front of Gavin.
A message screen appeared in Gavin's vision.
Overdrive skill time limit has ended early due to Berserker status. User will now experience twice the after effects as a result.
A hand clamped down on Gavin's wrist and glowing red eyes stared down at him. "That is enough. You've done enough, son. Come back to us."
A towering red Werewolf stood in front of Gavin. He stood eye level with Gavin's monstrous size and his grip was like steel around his wrist.
Scent recognition hit Gavin first, followed by the promised after effects of using the Overdrive skill. "Grandpa," Gavin's hushed words of relief washed over Shepard as he saw the light dim in Gavin's crimson eyes.
The pressure in the arena vanished and Shepard had an easier time breathing as Gavin crumpled in front of him. He kept his hold on Gavin's wrist and gently lowered him onto the ground. You've grown so strong, but by the gods. What are you?
Shepard turned his gaze back to the battle, the soldiers from the Allario Defensive force had recovered from Gavin's howl and were chasing the two remaining leaders. Professor Okeeba, his clothes stained with blood and grime stood nearby. His eyes never missing a moment as he scanned the situation.
"Sir," he began to speak but Shepard held up one fur covered hand.
"Not now, Okeeba. Go. Check on the rest of the students in the shelter. Questions can wait for now." Shepard leaned down began to examine Gavin's human body for injury.
"Bring me a battle healer at once!" He barked out at the defensive forces commander who nodded.
"Gavin!" a female voice cried out and steps could be heard.
Shepard whirled around, expecting trouble but paused when he saw the injured party that was approaching.
Three students plus my grandson. They held off the entire bulk of the enemy forces for us to get here. Shepard looked around the arena while they approached.
The entire floor was littered with bodies, or what remained of the enemy. "How are any of you alive?" His words were a low rumble as Erza knelt down beside Gavin.
Nobody wanted to answer that.
So, judging from the scents, we have a wolf, his mate Erza, and that third one… Oh my. Interesting.