Blood Isn't Always Power

Devin couldn't believe that the two joyful boys were strong Exorcists. They looked so calm and collected when fighting stained souls. Maybe that's the reason why they don't panic like him.

"My name is Rodney Velasco. I'm from the Philippines," Rodney introduced himself with his signature grin. He offered his hand to the smaller boy.

"D-Devin Lewis, North Maharlika," Devin said, taking Rodney's hand and shook it. He retracted his hand after the first shake like Rodney had some kind of disease.

"Oh, that explains the accent," Rodney said. The taller and tanner boy was from the Philippines. His family had 13 generations of Exorcists.

After they talked – mostly about the twins – Rodney left the small boy alone. It felt odd not hearing the sirens. The three sirens that signal his immediate seclusion inside the four corners of his apartment unit was the normal thing for him.

The weirdest thing was that he felt uneasy not hearing the siren. Devin should feel safe and secured but he was feeling the opposite.

The morning came and Devin only had a glimpse of sleep. He would often wake up, dreaming about the sound of the siren and the monsters that come with it.

The Glimpse didn't come to which Devin wondered why. "Maybe because I didn't hear the siren?" Devin asked himself but shook his head.

Everything felt new to him and he didn't know how to cope up. He opted not to call the twins since he now knew that they were sent to missions despite their status as students of exorcism.

A loud knocking of the door interrupted Devin's afternoon. He spent the day inside his room since he didn't need anything. Food was available in his mini-fridge and he doesn't like to go out. Brightburn was every introverted person's dream place.

"Little Curls!" Andrei called from the door.

With wide eyes, Devin ran to the door and opened it, revealing a pair of pouting twins. Andrei scrunched his face while Andrew crossed his arms.

"H-Hey," Devin stuttered and waved at the two.

"Hey?" Andrei huffed. "We waited for your call all day and all you say is 'Hey'?"

Devin felt bad. The twins did say that he should call them but he thought it was just something people say but don't really mean.

Devin looked down in embarrassment, "Sorry."

The twins entered his room without his permission and sat on the sofa like they owned it. Andrew stood and walked to Devin's bookshelf, inspecting the books the little boy had.

"I'm so tired," Andrei mumbled. "Damn Echelon 5."

Devin stood by the door and watched the twins roam his room like it was their own. "Nice place, Little Curls," Andrew said with a smile.

"And as your apology, cook us– cat!" Andrei cut himself off and lunged himself towards the little white ball of fur. "He's so adorable!"

So, he likes cats huh? Devin asked himself.

As amused as he was, the twins forced him to cook them dinner. They said they were disappointed in him because he didn't call. Of course, Devin would decline and somehow make the two leave him alone.

What could he have done? The twins took over his home the moment they came in.

"By the way," Andrei said, passing Revelation over to his brother. "You have to go to the gymnasium tomorrow. They're handing out the uniforms and one surprise. Wear the current uniform they gave you."

"Surprise? Ouch," Devin asked, almost burning himself when he left his eyes off the pan he was holding. "What's that?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if we tell you, wouldn't it, Little Curls?" Andrew said with a playful eyeroll.

Devin only nodded and served the ratatouille he was cooking. It was his favorite food and could barely afford it. But since his fridge was full of ingredients, he couldn't help but make it.

After dinner, it was 7 PM. The twins left the little curly boy and Glimpsed to the place of cold and darkness. They said the Institution would provide him the answer to his questions. Along with the instructions on how to harness the power for good.

"Wait, didn't I receive my school uniform already?" Devin asked himself as he was walking towards the gymnasium where students were entering. He was walking with the light gray dress shirt, the pants, and the shoes that were inside the box.

Devin had the spotlight while walking towards the doors. Not because he was the tallest, but because he was the ugliest.

Everyone else was tall, their features were well-formed. Meanwhile, Devin was shorter by more than a foot by everyone else. His nose wasn't long, and his jaws weren't as sharp. There were also freckles covering a part of his face, which only he had.

Devin couldn't help but ignore the whispers and the snickers from everyone around him. He was used to it. He just couldn't think that he would be treated like this here.

Just when he thought he had a place that he belonged to. He was so wrong. Outside, he was bullied by how beautiful he was. And now, he was criticized by how ugly he was.

Even when ignoring all the voices, one stood out.

"Have you heard? The alarm went off yesterday. A stained soul breached the barrier."

His walk went on until he was in front of the gymnasium doors. With a deep inhale, he entered the building and found himself on the side. It was suffocating for him to go inside, so he settled somewhere where others couldn't see him.

The students have gathered inside the gymnasium. The doors closed and the newcomers gasped when darkness covered the entire building.

"Devin," a voice half-shouted behind him. Devin turned around and met eyes with Rodney. A girl was following him, and she too was perfect.

"Hello little bro, this is Kagura," Rodney introduced the girl. "She's a Disci–"

A clearing of the throat cut Rodney off. Everyone's attention was on the man in the middle of the stage. There were lights on the edge of the stage that pointed directly at the man.

Is he human? Devin asked himself.

The man in the podium was nowhere near everyone else. His face had warts, his height wasn't as tall, and his skin was wrinkly. His long hair was white with age as it traveled own to his waist.

"Good morning everyone," he greeted. "Today, we will witness a batch of new Exorcists. Young ones, from the staff of Brightburn Institute for Exorcism Asia, we welcome you to our humble island."

Everyone clapped at the man's words. Devin assumed he was like the receptionist or the tailor – or even Mr. Coltrane. Maybe this man too was a big supporter of the Union.

"I assume our new members are confused as to why they went to a place where the moon fails to go and an endless fog seemed to cover everything. I have the answer," the man started. "Once a year, the Union of Exorcists opens the Gate for anyone with Exorcist blood to enter the place we call Purgatory. And yes, that's where the stained souls come from."

"After you accepted the invitation to become an Exorcist, you became one of the 112 people who are now part of the 1798th Exorcism Program. You will be trained for 3 years inside the very island and become Exorcists. Receive your blazers and aspire. Aspire to become stronger and protect every single man, woman, and child in this world that's full of endless battle."

Everyone clapped after hearing the old man. Devin was in awe and at the same time, confused. What could this man be? He thought.

"And to those few who aren't as perfect as everyone else, let me tell you one thing," he said. "My name is Liu Yang, and my mother is not an Exorcist. Hence, my appearance. But let me tell you, blood isn't always power. Individuality is. You could come from the strongest family of Exorcists but you could still have something else in you. And if you aren't one, find your strength, train yourself. And humanity will thrive."

When they were about to clap, the lights on the stage turned off. The lights of the gymnasium lit up and Liu was gone.

People started yelling names and Devin waited for his to be called. Rodney and Kagura were with him, just waiting for their names to be called.

"Devin Lewis, Rodney Velasquez, Kagura Tachibana, Adonis Apichart, Rain Zhang, and Sofia Binti Danish. Come with me," a girl carrying a clipboard said.

Devin along with the others, followed the girl and into one of the long buildings. There were four tall buildings inside the campus. Each building was shaped like a Y while each tip is adjacent to each other, forming a large cross. The gymnasium was located on one of the Y-shaped buildings too.

As they were walking towards the building, the girl told them everything the girl needed to know so far. Her name was Lea and she is a 3rd year.

"You have two classes, Lecture and Actual," says Lea as they stood inside the elevator. "Your Lecture, Class 1-A, will have approximately 29 students each. But the Actual will only be the 5 of you. Each team will face challenges and physical exams. The winning team – or teams – will receive rewards and incentives."

Devin couldn't miss the change in the girl's expression. Her face darkened and her eyes narrowed.

"The last team will be evicted."