Chapter 25. Aftermath of waking up.
Gavin woke up groggy and disoriented. Ow, my aching head. Where am I? A ceiling of branches blotted out a thin strip of afternoon sun. Every muscle throbbed. He couldn't even blink without pain.
I'm glad to see you finally awake. Veronica said in his mind. Her words entered his thoughts like a gentle wave that brushed against the shore.
Memories came back to Gavin of the earlier battle. The shadow wolves, the torn bodies, and the rancid black ichor for blood. The boss.
He bolted upright as a wave of fear and panic took root. Where was the boss?
Another flash of memory.
Blades of red mana carving a bloody path through the remaining escort shadow wolves and into the floor boss. It's body crumpled into pieces before dissolving into a black mist.
He winced as he placed his hand against his temples. His head felt like someone was beating it with a hammer.
You were on the verge of losing the fight. So, I used the last of your mana reserves and condensed it into a singular strike. Something you humans would call a Hail Mary. You weren't listening to my warnings, and I know how important this training dungeon is to you. So, I acted on my own. Her words were short, but Gavin could feel an underlying resentment or hurt in her voice. Even after Gavin snapped at her, she still went above and beyond to protect and help him.
She may not be a physical person, but their bond and connection were such that they couldn't hide the unspoken emotions.
In the fight, I couldn't think rationally. It was like I was acting on pure instinct. Gavin explained, though he knew it was a paltry apology. Thank you for stepping in and doing that. I think I'd have lost that fight if you didn't intervene when you did.
There is no doubt that you would have lost, Master Gavin. Your mana was almost depleted, and you were on the verge of shifting back mid fight.
Gavin flexed his hand while he looked around. His muscles and body were stiff and sore. But his wounds appeared to have recovered.
I should be in a lot more pain. Gavin mused as he slowly rose to his feet and braced himself against a nearby tree for support.
I suggest you read through the recent system messages. Veronica's reply came quickly.
Gavin did just that and was stunned. Two instant level ups a new skill unlocked, and he had ten free stat points to place anywhere he wanted. "Holy crap." Gavin's words were a whispered prayer as he realized how effective just beating the first dungeon floor was. If each floor continued on that path, so long as he didn't lose, Gavin would be so much stronger when he returned to Erza.
Gavin leaned back against the tree and thought back to his fight with the shadow wolves. Where did he struggle the most? What caused him the most problems? The answer was almost instant. His mana pool amount and stamina. Both of those ran out too quickly in the prolonged battle against so many dangerous enemies.
He thought carefully with the skills he unlocked and decided to put four points into his mana which rose it by twenty points. He put another four points into his stamina attribute next. Each free point increased his stamina by two points. He used the last two free points to place into his intimidate stat. Having that higher will help out that Hunter's Howl skill I unlocked.
Very good Master Gavin. Your status reads as such.
Gavin Johnson. Age 18. Royal Were-wolf.
Level 5.
Current status.
Health. One hundred and forty.
Mana. Seventy.
Strength. Twenty-eight.
Speed. Twenty-three.
Agility. Thirty.
Stamina. Forty-four.
Charm. Five.
Intimidate. Twenty.
Current list of skills.
Hunter's Howl level one. A horrifying howl that paralyzes enemies with a weaker will than Gavin's intimidate. It lasts for thirty seconds.
Shape-shift level two. The user can shift into a were-wolf. All physical stats are doubled during duration. Higher levels allow for better control of mana during shift.
Elemental Manipulation level three. Grants the user the ability to use all six-core elemental magics. Higher levels of skill allow for stronger spells and more efficiency with use.
Were-Wolf healing level one. Wounds heal faster but drain stamina until they are healed. Stamina will recover at a faster rate. Does not work on life threatening injuries.
Damn, that's a lot of improvement from just one floor. Gavin grinned as he felt an increase in power from the newly increased stats. Now, how do I get to the next floor of the dungeon?
Right as he was looking around trying to find a staircase or something that would lead him to the next level, a flap of wings drew his attention towards the sky. Two beings hovered above him among the trees, the sight of them shocked Gavin to his core.
They were two beautiful looking women, with white feathered wings with darkened tips protruding from their back as they slowly descended.
One of them was a tall and imposing figure. She stood taller than Gavin as she locked her gaze on him. She had long white-blonde hair braided tightly along the sides, the rest fell in a straight, severe curtain around her shoulders. Her eyes were like pale steel, cold but unyieldingly honest. The armor she wore was dark iron trimmed in silver as it hugged her body securely. She was built for battle and war.
The second female was slightly shorter than her companion, with a lithe, athletic build that exuded speed rather than brute strength. Her jet-black hair had a faint blue sheen, loose and flowed with the breeze. Even her armor was different. It was a lighter, almost appearing to be ceremonial in design. It was silver with swirling patterns like storm gusts. She wore clothes that flowed with the wind over the chest pieces and lighter armor pieces. Unlike her companion, this one had wings that shimmered with shifting colors, like the aurora borealis, beautiful and yet unpredictable.
"Calm yourself wolf. We are not here to fight." The words came from the tall woman as her feet touched the ground, and she tucked her wings into her back. She crossed her arms over her chest as she regarded him.
"Yeah, chill out. You want to know how to get to the other dungeon floors don't you?" Her partner spoke up, her voice almost musical in its cadence.
"Who are you?" Gavin's words were low and guarded as he kept both beings in his line of sight.
"You can think of us as your guides for this dungeon adventure. I am Astrid Bloodson. My companion is Kara Stormsdottir." Astrid introduced herself then pointed to the shorter one.
"Nice to meet ya wolf boy. We are Valkyries in the service of m'lady Lunaria." Kara said as she bounced over to offer her hand to him. Kara tucked her wings into her back and had a pleasant smile on her face that reached her storm-grey eyes, which Gavin noticed held flecks of bright white around the edges.
Gavin's jaw dropped as he heard that. "I'm sorry, you're what? And in service to whom?" He was stunned. Valkyries? As in the ancient myth from an old religion?
Kara sighed as she withdrew her hand. "I assume that Lord Koray hasn't filled you in yet on all the gods?" Her tone was filled with mild annoyance as she glanced at her companion.
Astrid stepped closer. "Time for a history listen wolf. So shut up and listen. There are eight primal gods of your world. The first six are connected deeply with an elemental magic that the mortals can use." She began as her eyes glowed white. While she spoke she weaved her hands and images appeared in Gavin's mind.
"The high father of the gods is Thanarion. He is the god of death, darkness, and shadow magic. His wife, the all mother, is Lunaria. She is the goddess of life, light and creation itself. Lunaria is also our patron goddess. Much like Koray is the patron god of the shifter race." Astrid began her explanation as images of a tall figure, cloaked in shadow with eyes glowing faintly like dying stars appeared in Gavin's mind.
The next image was of a luminous woman, draped in flowing light. Her hair shimmered like dawn itself. Gavin could feel the presence radiated warmth and compassion.
Well. I never expected this during the training dungeon. Although I suppose it is good information to have, right Veronica? Gavin thought as the images continued to play through his mind. I mean I should be shocked, but I'm on a first name basis with Koray.
What she says is the truth so far, master Gavin. I suggest just listening in while they explain what is going on. But be on your guard. The other Demi races are not exactly known for getting along. Her words were guarded as Astrid continued.
"Together, Thanarion and Lunaria birthed the next four gods of this world. Their eldest is Veyran, the god of air, purity and wind magic. The second born was named Tempestra. She is the goddess of water and storms. The third was named Ares. He is the god of war and fire." She continued as more images filled Gavin's mind through her magic.
The first image was of a tall, graceful figure with eyes like clear skies and hair that shifted like windblown clouds. His cloak rippled endlessly as though it was made of the breeze itself.
The second image was of a towering, beautiful figure robbed in waves. Her hair flowed like the storms themselves. Her eyes flashed with lightning, and she wore a crown of pearls upon her head.
The third image was a towering warrior wreathed in living flame. His eyes burned like molten steel. His armor glowed red-hot and cracked as though forged in lava itself. He carried a massive war hammer in one hand and a battle axe in the other. When he roared the mountains, themselves split open from his fury.
Gavin nodded, eyes guarded as he watched them. "Plus, there's Koray, right? I think he said he was the god of earth and nature, or something like that when I first met him."
Astrid nodded. "That's correct. He is the youngest child of Thanarion and Lunaria. It is through his magic that humans were able to create the shape shifter race in the first place." Her words are simple and to the point.
"So, what about the other two? You said there are eight gods of the world?" Gavin was cautious about pressing for more information.
Kara nodded as she stepped in. "That's right wolf. The next two were created by the cosmos itself as a sort of counter to the powers of the other six. These are the universe's balance. The gods of fate." She informed him.
"Gods of fate?"
"That's right. They are twin siblings. The first is Ravenna, the goddess of fate and judgement. Ravenna determines the measure of those lives and the reckoning each soul deserves. Where Thanarion brings endings and death, Lunaria renews life. Ravenna is the judge and jury of all actions one takes. Her twin brother, Is Stephano. He is the god of fate, law and order. Where Ravenna judges, Stephano enforces. Where she balances, he binds. When these two powerful beings join and utter a decree, no one can escape it. Not even Thanarion and Lunaria." Astrid said, her tone full of reverence.
Gavin swallowed hard. This was some heavy information for him to take in all at once. "I can't believe there is not one, but eight actual gods in the world. Man, so many religions would be so pissed off right now if they heard this." He muttered, still in shock over the revelations.
Kara laughed brightly as she danced around as if floating on a gentle breeze. "You don't know that half of it, wolf. Like Koray, each of the five other gods decided at one point in time or another, to create a race of Demi-Humans, or Demi for short. We are the creation of lady Lunaria herself." She stood in front of Gavin with hands on her hips and a grin on her face.
"Okay. But why haven't I heard any of this before today?" Gavin's voice was quiet as he tried to think back to his textbooks and attempted to recall ever hearing about other races besides humans or shifters.
Astrid took over the conversation from there. "You've heard of the great Alpha Shifter purge from Koray right?" she asked him.
Gavin nodded. "He told me about it the first time I met with him."
She continued. "Because of the way the humans reacted towards the powerful alpha shifter clans, the leaders of the five other races quickly established a treaty of secrecy. A set of laws that ensured they would not be publicly found out or hunted like the shifter clan was."
Kara nodded, her face suddenly grim. "It was a tragedy the other Demi vowed to never allow to befall them. They learned how humans fear that which they do not understand and thus will seek to destroy anything different."
"Yeah, I guess that part makes sense." Gavin muttered as he shook his head. "But that doesn't explain why you are here, telling me everything."
"Our lady is aware of what Koray is trying to do. As the goddess of life and creation she wept over the senseless slaughter of your people centuries ago. So, she commandeered this little training dungeon and altered a few things in a way that she felt would help you more strategically in the task that Koray has given you." Astrid replied, her words clear and to the point.
"So, you are what, my guides or something? Opponents I must fight?" Gavin was instantly on guard as he narrowed his gaze and felt his mana responding to his will, surging through his blood.
Kara laughed then at his reaction, the sound music in the forest. "Calm yourself wolf. You couldn't beat us right now if your life depended on it. We were sent to be your guides, your mentors in this dungeon. Instead of the enemies Koray designed for you to face. Lunaria created the next five floors with replica creatures of the five demi races. You already faced similar creatures to shifters on this floor did you not?" She asked him as she bounced from foot to foot.
Gavin paused for a moment. "You mean those shadow wolves?"
Astrid nodded. "Those were made to represent the shifter clan race. Each of the next few floors will present you with one of the remaining five. It will give you a crash course in their abilities, strategies when fighting, and personalities."
"Okay, but why do I need to train against the other Demi races? Am I supposed to fight them in the future or something?"
"There is a possibility, given the nature of your quest from Koray, that some of them might become hostile towards you. So, Lady Lunaria decided it was best you learn about them early, before it's too late." Astrid finished with a sigh as her magic ended and the images that were floating through Gavin's mind came to an end.
"We will guide you through each floor and give you small hints about each race. Then if you survive, we will heal your injuries and stamina before going to the next floor. Think of us as a cheat code wolf. This is your training montage." Kara said excitedly as she leaned close to grin at Gavin.
I think it is safe to trust their words, Master Gavin. I do not sense any lies or deception from their explanations.
Gavin heard Veronica's suggestion and considered what few options he had. He had no idea how to reach the second floor from here anyway, and if this meant he could grow even stronger in his time here, so be it.
"Alright, where do we start?"