chapters 33. wolf on the hunt

Gavin looked around as the building shook. The explosion sounded close as the dust began to settle. Students were screaming in fear as the teachers and staff tried to keep everyone calm. Gavin and Helena walked over to Jackson's table nearby. He didn't have the chance to take his turn at the test yet before the explosion went off.

An alarm sounded in the building that only fueled the hysteria of the students. Some were panicking and trying 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 spoke loudly and in a calm voice, "Please everyone, do not panic. The staff are trained to handle any issues that come up. For now everyone is to 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 did wonders to calm the quickened heart rates of everyone present. If Gavin didn't know any better he'd swear the Principal infused some type of magic in his words to get that effect. The students no longer tried running around and stopped screaming as they listened to the old man's words.

As various teachers began to take the students away towards the secondary arena, Gavin, Helena and Jackson stayed behind. Gavin walked over to his grandfather who appeared to be talking into the phone with someone.

"It's probably that damn hate group making it's move. Begin lock down procedures and ensure the safety of the students as top priority." Principal Shepard's vice was filled with hatred as his eyes started glowing a vibrant red in response.

"Sir," Gavin said as they approached. He had over heard the conversation and knew he had to help. If Gavin had the power to do so, then he had to do something.

Principal Shepard looked down to see Gavin and two other students walking over to him. "What is it boy,?" Principal Shepard's harsh tone would have normally bothered Gavin. But he understood the pressure and the stress the old man must be under.

"Sir, whatever is going on. Let me help. You know I have the strength to do so," Gavin said as he stared down at the Principal.

Principal Shepard lifted one eyebrow as he considered it. It was true, his grandson did have the strength to be a major asset in this conflict. But the last thing he wanted was to risk losing him after only just discovering he was alive. However, he had a job to do. Protect the students at all costs.

"Fine. On one condition. Guerilla tactics. Hit and run style. You are to only stall for time, you hear me?" Principal Shepard said as he pointed at finger on Gavin's face. "No being the dumb hero. That's what the adults are here for," Principal Shepard said in warning.

Gavin gritted his teeth as Helena and Jackson tensed in protest. Gavin turned to his friends and said, "Jackson, you go with the others to the safe room. You haven't taken the test yet and haven't learned any magic." Gavin instructed his roommate. In this fight, Jackson would be a liability. Plus Gavin had a suspicion about Helena.

Jackson protested as another blast shook the arena. "Alright fine. But you better come back. I just got used to you as a roommate. Someone new and I'd have to start all over again," Jackson said as he relented. He gave Gavin a brotherly first bump and took Helena's hand. Together they joined the students making their way to the second arena and the safe shelter.

Gavin stayed at the back as the last of the students and staff made their way past him. A few of the staff stayed behind with Gavin to provide support in stalling for time. Principal Shepard it seemed took a handful of the teachers to go protect the dormitory buildings that were apparently also under attack.

Gavin's heart was racing at the prospect of going into a life or death fight. He remembered how he felt that night in the studio. The fear, the adrenaline. The way time appeared to stand still at moments then sped up. His pulse was racing as he leaned against the wall by the rear hallway that led to the second arena. He could hear gunfire and explosions caused by magic at the other end of the arena. Soon, whoever was attacking would be here and his battle would commence.

Gavin looked to his right and a middle agreed man with dark tanned skin and a friendly face was stretching. He seem unbothered by what was to come. "Sir, are you not afraid?" Gavin asked him curiously as he took note of his enthusiasm.

The professor looked to Gavin and grinned. "Absolutely terrified. This is the first time the academy has been attacked openly. I'm professor Jason." The professor replied with a charming grin on his face, his brown eyes full of excitement. A contrast to the words he spoke moments ago.

"The trick is to let the fear give you strength. But not to let it rule you. A healthy dose of fear is good for self preservation." Professor Jason explained.

"Sir, when this battle starts. I will run decoy. Use my magic to get an idea of their numbers and equipment. Then you can attack accordingly," Gavin said as he thought fur a minute. He was scared yes. But he was faster, stronger, and more durable than a normal human. It made sense fire him to do this.

Professor Jason frowned at Gavin. "Do you have any training with magic kid?" He asked the curly haired kid. There wasn't a snowballs chance in hell that he would stand back and let the kid take them on alone. Even if only for a few minutes. What kind of adult and teacher would he be?

Gavin nodded. "Im very strong and skilled sir. I also know what it's like to take a life in battle," Gavin said as his eyes began to glow a vibrant red as he mentally prepared himself as the sounds of gunfire for closer.

Professor Jason stopped for a moment and looked, really looked at the kid in front of him. Sure he was young, didn't have alot of muscle on him. But he did resonate with all six elemental magic types. Despite the fear in the boy's eyes, there was a set confidence in his body language that proved his words true.

"Very well then. We will go with your plan boy," professor Jason said with his charming grin on his face.

An explosion occurred even closer this time as smoke filled the arena from the far end.

"My names not boy. It's Gavin," Gavin said defensively as he stepped forward his eyes glowing an ominous red. His wolf smelled fresh blood in the air, and he was hungry for battle.

The first group of armed men stormed the arena floor as Gavin stepped into the open. He focused on his manaflow and ignited a brilliant flame that covered both his arms. He threw out his arms and launched the fireballs at the incoming men as they took aim at him. Explosions went off and bodies went flying as his magic connected on target. Screams of men burning filled the arena as he positioned himself nearby behind a stone column and took stock of the situation.

Plenty of attackers were now lying on the ground, wounded or dead Gavin did not know. Bullets slammed into the stone column where he hid and he quickly ducked behind it. He waited a moment and jumped out the side, arms ignited once again with flames. He threw out a few more fireballs towards the attacking forces as he made sure to keep his body moving, using the debris and smoke as cover.

Try as he did to keep moving he eventually found himself surrounded and a hail of bullets came his way. Surprisingly to Gavin several walls of earthen stone erupted out of the ground on all sides as the bullets smacked into them harmlessly and fell to the floor. Gavin looked around panting from the physical and magical exertion so far and spotted Helena behind him, arms raised up and eyes glowing a vibrant bright red.

"I freaking knew it," Gavin said as he looked at her, his own eyes glowing red in response to another wolf nearby.

She grinned bashfully, embarrassed at being caught like this but didn't push the matter. "Shut up, wolf boy. We got bad guys to kill," she said as she grinned a smile that showed off a set of sharp canines.

She lowered one stone wall as Gavin threw collected his mana and threw out a powerful gust of wind magic blowing back many of the attackers.

"I'll focus on defense, you take the attack," Helena shouted as she kept the walls of earth between them and the incoming rain of bullets.

"Fine by me. These idiots are really making me mad," Gavin said in a lower gravely tone. He was beyond mad, he knew by the smell of blood many of the academy staff were most likely dead at the arena entrance. This was his home, albeit temporary. His territory and these fools just invaded the home of an alpha wolf. Gavin growled low as his wolf surged to the surface, demanding retribution for this insult.

Helena starred in shock at Gavin. That low growl sent a shockwave of primal power through the arena that most likely only shifters could feel. It set her own wolf on edge as she felt the raw power and feral intensity of it. She turned and grinned as she kept up the defensive walls for them both. Professor Jason already stepped out from his position, making targeted strikes against the enemy. All three of them were somehow able to keep the dozens of armed men at bay by using powerful magical abilities.

Alert. Mana points 30/60. Veronica's cool presence spoke in Gavin's mind as he continued to use magical abilities in rapid succession.

Suddenly a round made it past Helena's barrier and struck Gavin in the leg. The pain was blinding as he was reminded of the wound from the studio ambush. Instead of blacking out, it only enraged him more. He howled in pain as he gripped the wound in his right thigh. As he applied pressure blood poured from between his fingers.

"Alright screw this crap," Gavin growled out low as he connected with Veronica.

He focused his mana and fully shifted into his fearsome werewolf form. Fur manifested over his body, black as the moonless night. He threw his head back and roared with all his fury.

Hunters howl activated. Veronica's soothing voice filled his head as his howl filled the arena and everything momentarily stopped at once. Helena froze, fear gripping her heart as she turned and saw Gavin's fearsome wolf body letting off the most terrifying howl she had ever heard. It wasn't one of calling, or loss. It was a howl of hunting and it sent shivers down her spine. She pushed her fear aside as she shifted into her werewolf form. Brilliant silver fur manifested over her body as she stepped up next to Gavin and joined her howl with his, throwing her head back. Together the wolves were going on the hunt.

Professor Jason glanced over at the students in shock and awe. Every fiber of his body was screaming at him to run. To abandon their mission and save his own neck. The sight of the two fearsome predators standing there amidst the army of enemies was something Jason would never forget.

All the soldiers froze in place as the wolves let loose a heart stopping howl. It was the most horrifyong sound they had ever encountered. Their hearts started racing, blood frozen in fear as some of them lost control of their bladders. Others turned around and decided to run and save their own lives, rather than face the two deadly animals.

Quick as the howl came it stopped. Gavin using his enhanced physical stats took full advantage of the enemies fleeing and rushed the nearest one. He picked him up by the back of the neck with his left hand and shoved his right arm through the man's chest, his still beating heart clutched in his fist. The man let out a silent scream as he died. A black skinned man with a high-powered rifle came charging Gavin, bullets firing away. Gavin moved his arm, pulling the dead body of the man in front of him, blocking the rounds from connecting.

More blood poured from Gavin's thigh as he kept pushing through the pain. He flicked his arm and threw the body of the dead soldier towards the black skinned man. "Helena take out the remaining soldiers before the howls effect wears off, you have thirty seconds," Gavin shouted his orders to the other wolf. Unknown to them both, as an alpha, Gavin's orders were law to a wolf of lesser rank. Helena felt the primal compulsion inside the very core of her being to obey the commands of an alpha wolf. Without hesitating she went on the attack. Using a combination of physical skills and magic as she began slaughtering every soldier she could reach.

Gavin kept his focus on the two men that did not flea in terror. This two are strong, Gavin thought. His pulse quickened and he flashed his canines in a broad smile. This was going to be fun.