Chapter 10. Codename Veronica.

It was the night of the attack in the studio. Gavin just made sure that Erza was safe before he collapsed. Darkness filled his vision as exhaustion overtook his body. He felt his consciousness leave his body as if pulled by some unseen strings like a puppet.

Suddenly, a bright light filled his vision as an opulent room manifested in front of him. He found himself sitting on a white marble chair. Across the room was a young-looking man with dark gray eyes and long golden blonde hair down his back. He wore black jeans and a simple red-colored t-shirt that fit snug against his chest. 

Okay. What in the crap is going on now, Gavin wondered. This was a whole other kind of strange. 

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, young Gavin Johnson. I will try answering a few of them in our short time here. My name is Koray. I am one of the gods of your world." The man spoke, a softness and almost tranquil feeling washed over Gavin as he listened. "To be more precise. I am the God of magic and transformations." He spoke softly as if a father to a son. 

Gavin sat still on his chair. He looked around and to say he was stunned was like saying the earth was round. "What are you saying, the gods actually exist?" Gavin asked incredulously. There is no way that gods could actually exist, and one of them was speaking to him right now.

Koray nodded. "Some of us do. Others were a way for humans to try explaining the unexplainable in the early stages of human development," Koray replied, his soft voice filled Gavin with peace and comfort as he spoke, a sign of his divinity. 

"There are beings across the universe that have what humans would consider godlike powers and abilities. Some of us have tried to guide and develop humanity on a chosen path. Occasionally, we find agents, messengers if you will, to act on our behalf to help attain the results we seek. You are one such individual that I mean to ask for assistance in this matter," Koray continued. Koray paused and smiled tenderly at the young man in front of him. "Some of us represent certain ideas in your world. I am the god that was once worshiped by all shifter kind way back when," he informed Gavin. 

Gavin was stunned. He attempted to follow what Koray was suggesting and couldn't wrap his head around it. "What is it you want from me? Why have you chosen me?" He asked several questions back to back. There were so many different things he had to know. So much of this didn't make any sense. 

Koray leaned forward on his throne-like chair, and clasped his hands together in front of him. "What I want is to offer you a deal, young Gavin. I offer you a path to extraordinary power. In return, I task you with finding other shifters like yourself. You will be asked to learn about, and find, the other alpha species shifter clans. Once you find them, you will be expected to protect them and right the tragedies of the past," Koray continued, his voice grim and foreboding. He knew this would be no easy task given the young man, but he had faith that Gain could accomplish this with some time and help. "I wish I could intervene myself. But there are laws, treaties, and limits placed upon us by others that forbid our direct involvement in the lives of the planet. That is why we can only act out through agents or messengers to try making any kind of change," he said grimly. But there was something else in his voice, a hint of maybe regret? Gavin couldn't quite tell. 

Gavin didn't understand. "What do you mean by alpha shifter?" Gavin asked the older being. He had never heard of that term before. 

"They are certain species of shifters: wolf, lion, tiger, and others. They represent animals that were at the top of their environmental food chains. The top predators. When mankind first began mixing science with magic and created the first shifters, they desired the power and traits of these alpha apex predators. They did not, however, expect certain traits to still be so strong. The end result was the government's of your world purging most of the alpha shifters from history. There are small bands and groups across the planet, surviving in secret. Your mission will be to find them, protect them, and bring to light the injustice of the past. They deserve every right to a bright future that anyone else has," Koray explained, he regretted being unable to act in the past because of the blasted treaties in place. He was forced to watch as those that worshipped him were slaughtered for their power. 

"How will I find them?" Gavin asked, interested in this bit of historical knowledge he'd never heard about. 

"That will be for you to find out. I can not give you all the answers. If I do, what is the point of acquiring an agent to serve our needs?" Koray cryptically replied. 

"How will I have the strength to do such a momentous task?" Gavin asked as he readjusted his position on the chair. 

"I will give you a system. Think of it as artificial intelligence. It will bind itself to your soul and offer you paths of progression and abilities you would never dream of having. You will also gain the power you seek to protect your loved ones," Koray finished the last part quietly. 

Gavin stiffened in response. "How will I gain this power?" he asked again. . 

Koray laughed nonchalantly. "I am offering you a path to said strength, if you choose to accept it."

Gavin didn't hesitate. If this god-like being had offered him a path to acquire the power he sought, he didn't care what price he had to pay to do so. "Done. I agree to the terms," he said instantly.

Koray smiled in spite of himself. At the mention of protecting the females in his life, there was a fire that ignited in the young boy's eyes. "Then I will grant you the AI system Veronica. Veronica is almost a fully sentient system that will guide you and aid you as needed. Some features will be locked for your safety until you reach certain thresholds of power. The rest I will leave to you to figure out and explore. Remember our deal young Gavin. Find the shifter clans. Protect them. Avenge the wrongs of the past," Koray said formally as he waved his hand and Gavin's mental consciousness was whisked away once more. He felt himself falling, as if dropped off a massive cliff into the darkness below. 

He felt the motion come to a stop. He looked around and all he saw was a vast empty abyss. 

Gavin felt a searing pain piercing his skull. It felt as if a hot poker was jammed through his brains and twisting every few seconds. Gavin dropped to his knees as both his hands rose to cup both sides of his head as he screamed out in agony. 

What the hell is this? Why is there so much pain? Gavin wondered to himself as he fought to keep his sanity from the intensity of it. After what felt like an eternity, it lessened and Gavin felt like he could breathe easier and without discomfort in his skull. 

A soft female-sounding voice rang out in his mind. Greetings. User Gavin Johnson identified. Status confirmed. Synchronization rate is optimal. My name is Veronica. I am the artificial intelligence program provided by Koray to assist with the assigned objectives. I have been installed directly into your consciousness. I can monitor a variety of information and statuses.

The voice, referring to itself as Veronica, was a soft cooling sensation in Gavin's mind. As if cool water was brushing against his mental clarity. "Um, hello there Veronica." Gavin responded in greeting. He was uncomfortable and weary of having a voice in his head. 

Greetings Master Gavin. I look forward to working with you. If you give me a moment, I will go over all the available and pertinent information. Veronica said softly and clearly in his mind. Gavin didn't respond, still unsure about this new partnership and how she would help enable him to grow strong enough to accomplish such a seemingly impossible task. 

Status synchronization is complete. Accessing core status now. 

Gavin Johnson. Age 18.

Royal bloodline werewolf shifter.

Level 5.

Hp. 100/100

Mana points. 0/30

Strength 30

Speed 25

Agility 15

Stamina 20

Charm 10

Intimidate 10

Acquired skills. 

Hunters howl level 1. When the user activates this skill, a horrifying howl is unleashed. The strength is proportionate to the users' intimidation points. Enemies with a weaker will than users intimidate will flee in panic and fear for 30 seconds. Usable three times a day. Consumes minimal mana. 

Shape-shift, werewolf form level 1. The user is capable of shifting partially or fully into a powerful werewolf form. While in a fully shifted state, all stats are doubled during the duration. The more the user shape-shifts, the more proficient and powerful this form will be. Higher levels will grant higher effects. 

Elemental manipulation level 1. Due to the unique royal bloodline possessed by the user, Gavin Johnson is capable of resonating and using all six known magical elements. Still requires training to be proficient in the use. As the user grows in strength, it will require less mana to use more advanced spells at higher levels. 

Okay, Master Gavin, that is all the information I have available about you at this time. Veronica finished rattling off so much information that Gavin felt dizzy as he tried to keep up with it all. 

"Veronica, where are we right now?" He asked her mentally. 

After being sent back from the meeting with the deity Koray, we are back in your original body. However, due to the events prior to the meeting, your body suffered the effects of mana depletion and slipped into unconsciousness. I imagine you are being transported to, or are currently at, a medical facility. I am unable to know for sure until you regain consciousness. 

Gavin nodded to himself. "So we are in my own consciousness. I was in a fight with those attackers at the studio. That's when I think I shifted for the first time," Gavin thought out loud.

"I believe that is a valid summarization of the likely chain of events", Veronica replied in his head.  "Was this the first time you ever shifted?" She asked him curiously. 

"I guess so. I didn't even know I was a shifter. All my life I thought I was one hundred percent normal human," Gavin replied. Then realization dawned on him over something Veronica mentioned during the rattling of status and information. "Veronica, what did you mean by royal bloodline detected?" Gavin asked curiously. 

"There are certain genetic markers present in the DNA of royal blood among humans. You possess these markers. The genetic markers enable you to be chosen as an agent of the gods and be bonded with an AI system like myself," Veronica replied to Gavin's question. 

"What are the limits of the system?" Gavin asked quietly. 

"Excellent question. While I am fully self-aware, my existence is tied closely to yourself. Should you die, so will I. While I do contain a vast amount of knowledge and can be considered a massive database, there are limits to my abilities. I can also assist and control certain skills and abilities. I will help the user assign status points as the user levels up in the system. There may also be times when quests will be offered for extra abilities, status points, or level up. Veronica informed him easily. 

"So, what you are saying is we are partners?" Gavin asked, getting a better understanding of Veronica's abilities and uses. 

Veronica responded, "That is correct. I would advise against revealing my existence to anyone. It could prove problematic if anyone discovers myself or the mission Koray requested us to complete. For now, my advice is to act as if you have no knowledge of this information revealed to you. 

"I understand, for now, just try not to speak in my mind suddenly when others are nearby. I don't want to look like an idiot talking to himself," Gavin said.

Understood Master Gavin. Your body should wake up in a hospital room soon enough. I can not stress enough how important it is that you act like all this information about yourself being of royal blood, and a shifter a secret until it is revealed by someone else. Veronica implored Gavin one last time before his consciousness faded to black, and he slowly opened his eyes to find himself in a bed in what appeared to be a hospital. 

Gavin felt pain all over. The worst was his head. It felt like someone was using it as a drum. He groaned as he opened his eyes and stared at an unknown ceiling. Quiet beeping came from somewhere nearby. He looked around as he heard soft snores coming from his right. 

Remember Gavin. You must not reveal my existence to anyone at the present moment. For your safety and theirs. Veronica reminded him in his mind. Her cooling presence washed over his mind, which helped with some of the pounding headache he was experiencing. 

He looked around and saw messy red hair that covered a peaceful face laid down by his side on the bed. Hospital equipment and monitors covered the room. He looked down and noticed wires and needles hooked up all over his body. 

He winced as he tried to sit up and grabbed his head. He had a pounding migraine for some reason. As he moved to sit up, Erza awoke with a gasp. "Oh my god, you're awake!" She exclaimed as she started to fuss over his body. She double-checked the wound on his shoulder to confirm it was healing properly. She looked over his vitals on the machine to make sure nothing was immediately wrong. 

"Erza, what happened?" Gavin asked. He felt like playing stupid was the best way to go at the moment. "My memory is so fuzzy. The last thing I recall was seeing Aria on the ground and those guys standing above her..." he said as his memory flashed in bits and pieces. A black-clawed hand lifted one up before bursting through the man's chest with a still-beating heart in its black-covered paw of a hand. Then he sliced the third man's throat out. "What happened to me?" he asked. His heart rate started to spike as he slowly remembered parts of what happened. 

You need to try to relax, Gavin. Yes, you did kill two people that night. But if you had not, chances are high that your friends would be hurt or dead right now. Veronica said softly as she tried to reassure her master. 

Erza placed a comforting hand on his arm and soothed the chaos in his mind with a few soft words. "It's okay, my love. We will talk about that soon. What's important is you saved us. You, me and Aria. Then you collapsed, and I called the medics, who took us all to the Saint James hospital a few miles away from the studio," she said slowly and soothingly. 

"I don't really remember. Did I get hurt?" he asked groggily. He put his hand over his aching head, his shoulder still burned, so he assumed he had been shot or something. 

Her amber eyes softened. "Yes, you got shot in the shoulder, but the shots went through and through," she said as she pointed to his right shoulder covered by bandages, her brow wrinkled in concern as she looked down at him and fussed over his bandage. 

"Then why did I pass out and why don't I remember anything?" he asked, still confused. He hoped he wasn't laying the act on too thick. 

"It was unknown at the time. After the doctors checked you out and ran their tests, they determined you passed out due to mana depletion," she said quietly, and studied his face. 

"But... I don't know any magic", he shook his head again. 

"You really don't know what happened, do you?" Erza asked seriously. She hadn't heard of memory issues being part of mana depletion before. 

He looked her in the eyes, his fear and confusion evident in his gaze. "Erza, I swear I don't know what happened or have any magic. Please you have to tell me", he pleaded with her, desperate to fill in the missing memory gaps.

Erza took a deep breath before she started. "We were both behind cover. They started taking shots and using magic to try to kill us. Luckily, they missed. But when a shot landed close to my head, something changed or happened to you." She paused, thinking back to the events that happened so quickly in that room. "Suddenly there was a wild energy emitting from you. Your body began to change into a large black werewolf with blood-red eyes. You threw your head back and let out this horrifying howl and attacked the men, killing them both. It all happened so fast, it was over in a matter of seconds." She informed him her voice trailed off at the end as she remembered the terrifying sight. The fear she felt in her heart at the sound of his howl. The speed and pure ferocity of his attack. The ruthlessness in his actions and lack of mercy as he slaughtered the attackers without mercy. It wasn't the actions of an eighteen-year-old kid, but of a trained killer, or the instincts of a wild, feral animal. 

"What do you mean I was a wolf? I'm a human. I can't shift into a were beast", Gavin argued. As far as he and everyone else knew, he was a human. He was born a human without any kind of shifter blood or abilities. Until that night anyway. 

"Gavin you..." Erza was interrupted before she could finish by Mr and Mrs Johnson coming into the room. Mrs Johnson's shriek of joy was loud enough to hurt both of their ears as she ran forward and launched herself into her son's arms, tears flooding down her face as she latched on to him. 

"Thank the gods you're alive and awake" she said as she held him close, despite his protests and pain.

" I'm okay, I'm okay," he said as he gently wrapped his arms around his tiny slip of a mother. She was racked with sobs as she buried her face against his chest and sobbed in relief. 

"How dare you make your mother worry like that?" She yelled at him as she cried even harder. She gripped his hospital gown in her hands, her knuckles turning white as she glared at him, her eyes red from the tears and her breathing ragged. 

"I'm sorry mom, it all happened so fast. We saw on the news that the abductions were happening in the city now, and we had to check on Lyla and Aria and make sure they were okay," Gavin responded. He tried to sooth his angry mother while his father just stood at the side of the bed looking down at his son sadly, his face soft and an almost regretful look in his eyes. 

"We are just glad you are both okay and survived this horrific ordeal." Mr Johnson's deep voice filled the room as he stepped closer to put a hand on his wife's shoulder. 

"What happened?" Gavin asked his parents. "Erza said I shifted into a black werewolf? But I don't know how this is possible. I'm human. Not a shifter," Gavin asked, and looked at both his parents. At the mention of his shifting, his mom stiffened and pulled back, the waterworks came to a quick end as she looked serious and forlorn. She fidgeted against his chest as she looked between her son and husband.

"Well. About that." She started, then bit her lip indecisively. "We have to tell you something," she said as she stood up and pulled a chair over to the bed. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and looked at her hands in her lap as she bit her lip indecisively. 

"You're adopted," his father said bluntly. His mother yelled in protest and glared at her husband. He shrugged and said, "You were beating around the bush and the lad has a right to know," he said, and looked at Gavin square in the eyes. 

The news should have shocked him to his core. All his life, his parents and family made it seem like he was their true blue flesh and blood child. If he didn't have the system and conversation with the god Koray, he would probably have been shocked senseless at this mention. But he had to play it smart, he had to be dumb and act shocked by this revelation. "What are you talking about? I'm adopted?" he asked his father in mock surprise. Erza sucked in her breath as she moved to sit by his side and took his hand in hers. 

"On one of our hiking trips. We stumbled upon what looked like a massacre of a group of several dozen werewolf shifters. We searched around and you were the only survivor. It appeared as if they were ambushed out in the woods and the mother tried hiding you under her body to protect you," his father said, and looked grim. Erza covered her mouth with her hand in horror. Tears filled her eyes as she listened in. "In order to protect you, your mom and I decided to keep this a secret until your 18th birthday. "We had planned to tell you after you fully graduated next week," he said while he looked at his son, worried about his reaction. He always dreaded telling Gavin this information. He knew it was dumb, but he was afraid that his son might, for some reason, resent him and Evelyn for keeping this a secret all these years. 

Gavin sat there. He appeared to be stunned. He was processing this revelation. So he was saved, as a child, from a group of dead werewolves. He isn't even human. And his parents aren't even his biological parents. Erza squeezed his hand. She could feel his rapid heart rate behind her palm. She felt the tension in his body as he held onto her hand. The warmth was a stark contrast to how cold he felt in his heart. 

"I don't know what to say," he finally admitted aloud. "You are still my parents, whom I love and cherish." So I'm not human, so what? "Now I have something to figure out, and a past to hunt down," Gavin grinned as he decided nothing had changed. The information, while shocking and new, didn't change how much he loved his parents. No matter what, these two people had seen an apparently helpless baby and took him in. They fed, loved, nurtured and cared for him for the past almost eighteen years. What better parents could he have asked for growing up? 

Both his parents teared up a little at his proclamation. As if they were afraid of him being angry or rejecting them. They didn't realize how much they held their breath as they awaited his response. 

"We love you, son" his father said as he reached down to hug his beloved son. Erza sat there with a broad smile on her face as she watched the scene. She knew he'd respond this way. He had such a kind and loving heart. He was always like this. Until the night he shifted, she had never really known him to show a mean or vicious bone in his body. 

"So. Not only am I a werewolf shifter, but I also killed 2 people yesterday," he said quietly, and looked down. He had taken two lives. He was barely eighteen and had killed two people. Granted, they were scum, but he still took two lives. His stomach was in knots, and he leaned over the bed as he emptied its contents into the trash can next to the bed. The full ramifications and weight of his actions felt like an oppressive force was crushing him down. 

"Umm. That was 2 days ago, love" Erza said quietly as she walked over and rubbed his back comfortingly. "You've been out for 2 nights. "It's Monday evening," she informed him. 

"Where's Aria? What about Lyla?" he asked suddenly. Gavin looked from face to face and searched for an answer. It just dawned on him, after all this talk about what happened, he still didn't know what happened to the other girls that night. 

Before anyone could respond, the door opened again. Lyla and Aria both walked in. Aria was covered in bandages and Lyla stood on crutches with a cast on her right leg. Erza smiled softly as they both shouted and ran to Gavins' side excitedly. Well, Aria ran while Lyla did a sort of limping hurry to his bedside. "You're awake." Aria said in appreciation as she looked him over. Both girls had bright smiles on their faces as they looked at the boy in bed. 

"You're alive" they both exclaimed in tearful joy as they held him close in their arms, crying softly tears of joy. Lyla let the crutches fall to the ground in her excitement of seeing Gavin awake and alive. Aria sniffed her tears back as she held onto his chest. 

Gavin sat there in happy, stunned silence. He was worried about both of them and was so glad to see them okay. He tried to look over them as he took note of the bandages on Aria and the boot on Lyla's leg. 

He let them go and looked at them. Aria had a few bandages on her arms and one on her cheek. He could see some bandages under her shirt around her torso. Lyla had a bandage wrapped around her head and a black boot on her right foot.

"I thought something had happened to you, Lyla. Where were you?" he asked her. He tried to recall seeing her at all during the fight but couldn't recall anything. 

"When they busted in, it came out of nowhere, and I was caught by surprise and knocked unconscious pretty quick, and they threw me out the window. Probably intended to grab me when they were done grabbing Aria," Lyla said as she felt the back of her head where a lump was. 

"The medics found her outside when they arrived and took the 3 of you into the hospital", Erza said. 

"I'm glad we are all alright. But this gives me even more reason to go to the academy. I have to learn how to control my shifter form. I have to learn magic. I have to protect you", Gavin said. A hint of steel entered his voice. He felt a primal need. A hunger for power. Of a desire to protect his loved ones. A strong desire to protect his mate. 

Erza shivered at his words as she held onto his arm. "We will figure this out together. Remember. If we stand together, there is nothing we can't grab by the throat and beat down", she declared. 

The door opened and a tall, slender, gray-haired woman entered. "Good afternoon Mr Gavin, my name is Dr Aliza. It's good to see you awake. You gave these folks quite a fright, you know." She introduced herself as she walked over and checked Gavin's vitals. She had on the standard white lab coat of the hospital staff and a tablet in her hands as she went over the machines checking everything. 

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Aliza," Gavin said. "So am I good to leave? I have things I have to do," Gavin asked her. He hated being tied down in a hospital. With everything he had just learned, he desperately wanted time to be alone and figure things out. Yes, he knows what he said to his parents. But he was still shaken by the revelation of being an orphan. On top of that, he is a shifter now apparently. The icing on the cake, was the conversation with Koray and the AI system Veronica. It was so much to wrap his head around. Almost too much. 

"Gavin!" Erza chided him as she smacked the back of his head, which caused him to help and wince at the pain. "You just woke up, and you will stay as long as the nice pretty doctor decides you need to" she demanded as she yelled at him, anger in her eyes. 

"The young lady is right. You have just gone through a traumatic event. From what I understand, you shifted for the first time?" She asked him. This young man astounded her. From what she understood, he had no prior knowledge of being a shifter. No practice or experience controlling the shift. Nor did he have practice with magic and controlling his mana. Yet he shifted fully for the first time and went into a fight to protect his loved ones. By all rights, the mana depletion should have kept him out for another day at least before he awoke. 

"That's what they tell me. I didn't even know I was a shifter," he responded, as he nodded his head towards Erza. 

"I'd like to run a few more blood tests, maybe find out your family lineage if you'd consent," Dr Aliza asked, as she handed over a tablet with the request to be signed. "This could be an easy way of finding any living relatives."