Fly, Devin

His claws dug through the colossal, rusty scythe of the 666. His aura didn't falter as he continued hacking his long sharp nails into the Stained Soul's weapon.

"Dr. Xia, take both of them out of here!" Franco yelled. Dr. Xia nodded and took Morris and Devin with her. She was running when the 666 appeared in front of her.

"I'm your enemy!" Franco yelled. He kicked the 666 in the side, swerving the monster away from Xia. "Keep your focus on me!"

The 666 looked at the two and sighed. It swung his weapon but a sword blocked it midair.

"How dare you infiltrate my school?!" Liu yelled. He slashed his inactive Reverence mercilessly, the already chipped scythe's blade broke as he did.

The 666 did not speak. Instead, it backed off, forgetting the fact that he had two enemies.

Franco appeared behind the 666 and slashed his hands. The 666 ducked that only its hood was ripped open, revealing its raven black hair. He kicked Franco but the heavy iron boots. He twisted his arm and the 666 flipped over.

Liu dashed in front of the enemy, piercing one of his swords into one of the monster's hearts. The 666 screamed in pain.

Franco dug his claws into the 666's arms and sat on its body to restrain it.

"You will pay!" the deep raspy voice of the 666 yelled.

Liu smirked, "I'll pay. I'm rich anyway."

He slashed his sword once more but his attack didn't get to the monster.

"Secret Treachery."

A gush of blood came from Franco's shoulder. His right shoulder was cut down to his chest, almost ripping his arm off. The guidance counselor's nails shortened and he fell back in pain.

"I'm not done yet," the 666 said, leaping behind and turning around.

Liu flashed towards it but he was too late. The dark cloud had already consumed the monster.

–

"Golem's Thrash!"

"Surgical Cutthroat."

Felicity was leaping over the kitchen counters and tables as she avoided the attacks. The grin was still on her face as she licked her lollipop.

"Die!" Maxime yelled and thrashed his large sword. The room was a mess. Everything was broken and the walls are destroyed.

Martin and Maxime wanted to kill the 666 more than ever. Their kind hit Morris, their family. They could never forgive the Stained Souls.

Maxime was in the gymnasium to report his safety when he saw the monitor Morris was on. Morris's arms were just cut off when he gazed at the TV.

When he knew where his uncle went, he hurried to meet with him. It wasn't in his plan to see a Stained Soul, and now that he did, he will not waste time to avenge his brother.

It wasn't in his knowledge that Morris was still alive. Dr. Xia arrived just in time to save him.

While they were fighting, Felicity's widened and a scowl made its way to her face.

She stepped back and smiled, dragging the lollipop with her. "It seems like our time is up."

"Goodbye, everyone."

Martin threw his scalpel and hit Felicity's lollipop. It shattered into a hundred pieces that made the demon growled.

"I'll get back to you, Mad Scientist."

The black cloud ate Felicity to heaven knows where. The only trace of her existence was the shattered purple lollipop.

Martin sighed and retrieved his weapon. "About Morris..."

–

Devin awoke in the hospital room. He sat up instantly and looked around for Morris.

"Hello?"

A nurse came in and smiled at Devin, "Good morning."

"Where's Morris– ack!" His body felt like it would rip to a million pieces. He started coughing and he spat blood.

"Sir, please calm down," the nurse said and pressed a button beside Devin's desk. She helped the boy lie down and Devin was panting.

Everything was painful. From his head down to his toes. His bones were broken, his skin was slightly burnt, and his flesh felt like it was on fire.

"I'm here," Dr. Xia announced and used her Sanctity to heal Devin. Sofia was with her along with the rest of Team Leah. Sofia used her powers to calm her friend down as Dr. Xia healed his burnt skin.

This was the price Devin had to pay for. His overexerted use of his powers took a heavy toll on him.

A few moments later, Devin's condition was stabilized. Dr. Xia excused herself to tend to another patient.

She had been working non-stop ever since the attack. There were a lot of casualties and a lot more were wounded.

"Is everyone okay? Where's Morris?" Devin silently said. His throat was still dysfunctional like most of his body.

"I'm here." The door opened and Morris stepped inside. He wore a large bomber jacket over his hospital gown.

"Are you okay?"

Morris looked at the others, "Could you please give us a minute alone?"

Devin's friends understood and they all walked out, leaving the two in an uncomfortable silence.

"Devin..." Morris trailed off and removed his jacket.

Devin's eyes widened. Morris's right arm was gone. A tear slipped past his eye in shame.

"I'm sorry," Devin muttered. "I'm so sorry, Morris. It was all my fault. You–"

Morris placed his finger on Devin's lips. "None of this is your fault. It was the enemy that attacked us. And besides, you saved us."

"What do you mean?"

Morris called out for the others and they all went inside the room. Elvis was behind everyone, he bowed his head in shame as he entered along with everyone.

"These are the people who were with us in that arena," Morris started.

Devin counted and his brows met when he realized that half were missing.

"Let me rephrase that, these are what's left of us."

Devin's eyes widened and his lips parted in shock.

"The 666 had purged half of our group," a girl said. "I'm from Team Juanito and if it wasn't for you, I'd be the ninth victim."

When Devin was still couldn't get it, the girl elaborated. "He was about to cut my body in half when you appeared out of nowhere. You started attacking him as swift as a top Exorcist."

Everyone bowed, "Thank you, Devin Lewis."

Devin shook his head. Morris smiled and bowed, "Thank you, friend."

After the survivors of Arena 6 left, Team Leah instantly got inside and hugged Devin as gently as they could.

"Devin," Rodney cried. "I was so scared. You slept for a week and didn't even wake up once."

"Overacting," Kagura remarked. "But you did worry us, shrimp. Don't pull something like that again."

Yuri was silent the entire time. He smiled once but never did again. This bothered his teammates that they couldn't help but ask him.

"I'm sorry everyone," Yuri said. "I was so useless."

Rodney gently smacked the smaller boy's head. "You weren't useless. You helped me carry the others after you calmed down, remember?"

Yuri shook his head, "What about Morris's arm? Or the kitchen staff? Or Devin's–"

Kagura covered Yuri's mouth instantly. She shushed him and Yuri nodded.

"My what?" Devin asked.

"It's nothing," Sofia said and put on a forced smile. "You have to lie down and rest first."

"What is it?" Devin repeated. This time he wasn't as calm.

Kagura called someone and hung up. They waited for a few seconds before the door opened and the twins came inside.

"Please, give us a minute," Andrei said. The others nodded and walked out.

"How are you feeling, Little Curls?" Andrew asked and sat on the space by Devin's feet. Andrei sat on the other side after he opened the shade.

The sun was just rising and the sky burst into different colors of orange and blue.

"What's happening?" Devin asked.

"Well, at the incident a week ago, someone innocent was caught up in the middle of the battle," Andrei said.

"Who was it?"

"Mr. Coltrane," Andrew replied. He fetched a letter from his inside pocket. It was white and familiar. It even has the seal of Devin's previous school.

Devin forcefully sat up and received the letter. He opened it and a picture fell from inside the envelope.

It was a picture of him and Mr. Coltrane when the professor took a selfie. Devin was cleaning the hallway and Mr. Coltrane smiled widely in the camera.

Devin turned the photo around and a note was written behind it.

'Your first punishment'

For some reason, a tear slipped from Devin's eye. He wasn't feeling so good about everything.

He looked at the twins but they only looked down in complete silence.

"What's going on?" Devin asked and opened the letter.

"Dear Devin Angelo Lewis,

I'm going to visit you today but I also felt like I want to write you a letter. After I received the news of someone with Exorcist blood was to be admitted at my school 2 years ago I felt so excited. For ever since I was a child, I admired Exorcists. But then they told me to treat you badly and I wondered why.

But now I know why.

Devin, the world you are going to enter is harsh. You'll feel like you're alone. But please know that you're not. You survived your hard life and you'll survive more. I've been watching over you since day 1 and I know you'll be good. You'll choose the light over the darkness.

You shined like a bright gem even when you're all alone. But I know you'll shine brighter when you have friends to rely on.

I always treated you like a child, Devin. And I'm thankful for the opportunity of nurturing a treasure like you.

Don't be afraid to push your limits and become stronger, Devin.

Don't be afraid to fly.

Your not so great human guardian,

Mr. Coltrane."

Devin couldn't hold the tears anymore. The ache from his body felt nothing compared to the feeling he felt right now.

"He also wanted to give you this." Andrei handed a photo album and it contained all the pictures Mr. Coltrane secretly took.

The first photo was Devin in the principal's office for the first time.

A note was scribbled on the bottom.

'Fly, Devin.'

"I will Mr. Coltrane," Devin said. "I will."