Let's Go to the Beach!

The day of what was supposed to be The Summit had arrived. Naturally, it was canceled because of the disaster.

Devin sat on his windowsill and watched the sunrise. The orange and blue colors bursting out from the horizon. It was a wonderful sight.

A sound of a whiff and an ominous cold breeze entered his room. The Purgatory was opened for an instant before it closed.

Devin always wondered how some Exorcists freely enter and exit the Purgatory. His question was answered when Andrew told him that it was an innate skill that they have to learn and cultivate.

So, Martin's Sanctity was useless, then? Devin asked himself.

"Good morning, Little Curls," Andrew greeted. He ruffled Devin's hair and sat beside him. "What are you thinking of?"

Three days after the incident, Exorcist doctors came from all over the world. One to repair bones, one to replenish lost energy, and one to heal internal organs.

These doctors, along with Dr. Xia, quicken Devin's recovery. He wasn't at full health but he could now attend classes and such.

"I'm just thinking about life," Devin replied and sighed. "Is there no other way to live our lives?"

"Do you want an honest answer?" Andrei asked. While the two sat by the window, he was cooking their breakfast.

Devin hesitantly nodded, thinning his lips as he waited for their response.

"For us, no," Andrei said. "We to constantly run into danger. Almost every day we knock on Death's Door. But it is for the sake of others. For the sake of future generations."

"If we can win this war..." Andrew trailed off, "Who knows how many Mrs. Berry and Mr. Coltrane in the future could live a better life than they had? Our role for the future is crucial Devin. This world is unfair so sacrifices had to be made."

Devin was silent for a moment before he nodded. "I understand."

The twins smiled and once again, ruffled his hair.

"You're thinking too much. Let's eat breakfast first," Andrei said.

"Okay," Devin muttered.

–

The whole gymnasium was filled with sobs and whispers the following day. Liu Zhang wanted to announce something for the class.

"We look so small," Sofia mumbled worriedly. The class looked less because it is less.

"Good morning everyone," Liu started. "I am deeply in sorrow for these past few days. Almost a quarter of the students have been killed by an infiltration that no one foresaw. The 666 somehow got ahold of a Dimensional Opener and a Barrier Breaker. How? We do not know for now."

"What we do know, is that our pride – my pride – has been trampled on. I was always regarded as The Exorcist Emperor, second only to the Exorcist Goddess. Yet, I couldn't save almost 4 teams worth of students that were under my care. I wanted to retire but that would be selfish. So now, let us start anew, remembering the ones we lost."

Liu stepped down and Stephanie stood on the podium. "We have 90 students left. And today, we're going to divide you into a squadron that looks like an actual Exorcist Squad. 10 Teams still have 7 full members, so we'll distribute 2 each from the broken teams."

"The ten full teams, occupy a space in the gymnasium. As I call a student's name and new team, they will go to their new team. The Team Guides and name will change. Instead of a Third Year, you will be guided by a Licensed Exorcist from the Faculty. As always, the Guide will only guide. So, you will now use the surname of your squad leader as your squad name."

Stephanie sighed, "Let's start."

"I refuse to acknowledge you," Margaux scoffed and rolled her eyes. Three of their members were killed so they had to be distributed. And the world was so small that both Morris and she joined Team Leah. From Team Luna, two were killed. They too had to be distributed.

Stephanie walked in front of the bickering group of students.

"Have you chosen your squad leader yet?" she asked and smiled. "I'll be your guide, dear students."

Rodney smiled and nodded. "It's good to be under your guidance, big sis."

Stephanie smiled, "You better work hard. I have to go to a meeting. You should work on your communication and your teamwork, okay?"

The students nodded to which Stephanie chuckled at. "So adorable," she whispered before walking out of the gymnasium.

"I elect myself as the–"

"Oh, do shut up," Morris cut Margaux off. "You're not fit. Devin should be the leader."

Devin's eyes widened. "What? No, no. I thought Kagura was still the leader?"

"You're a better suit for the job," Kagura said. "The best bets would be me, Morris and Margaux but Morris lost his arm, Margaux isn't really a leader-type, and while I rested from my fights, you fought for the sake of others."

"True," Rodney added. "The rest of us barely helped in the battle, but you shone like a star amongst us. Even if it took a heavy toll on you, you still fought."

Margaux scoffed once again, "Fine. Only because you saved my friend, Elvis."

She didn't like to show it, but Margaux actually cared for the people around her. Her cold and bratty demeanor would always overshadow her kind and caring nature.

Devin could only nod after seeing that he didn't have a choice in this.

"Okay," he said. "I'll be worthy."

–

"How do we get closer?" Kagura asked and took a sip of her orange juice.

They were inside Devin's apartment, discussing how to befriend the two new members of their team.

In Exorcism, teamwork is vital. A Squad could easily be eliminated if their teamwork was weak.

"I have no problems with Morris," Rodney said. "It's Margaux who's a total villain. So b*tchy."

"Wait," Kagura said. "How did we get close?"

Devin hummed, "After we met, we instantly clicked. But with the two additional members, it will be harder since all of us would have to adjust to make everyone fit."

All seven students placed their fingers under their chin and were deep in thought.

"How about..." Rodney trailed off. "A beach trip?!"

"How about no?" Kagura instantly countered. "We just experienced an attack. And now you want to become even more vulnerable by going to the beach?"

Rodney rolled his eyes. "My sister will be there. And Yuri's Grims will be there too."

"Speaking of Yuri's bodyguards," Rain added. He opened a bottle of coke and poured himself a cup full before passing it to Rodney. "I saw them fight with Professor Stephanie and Professor Maltoise. They were so cool!"

Yuri nodded, "The minimum requirement to be an Ivanov Grim is S-class."

"Woah," the others chorused.

They talked with each other all through the night. They still have a few more days before their classes resume. And their plan on going to the beach will commence in 3 days.

"Good morning, Little Curls," Andrew greeted. "You've got to wake up."

Devin awoke and found himself in the living room surrounded by his peers. They were still sleeping and Devin couldn't miss the smile that crept to his lips.

"Let's make your friends some breakfast," Andrei said from the kitchen and Devin helped him.

Two days later, they were walking to the South Sunset Bay. After begging the faculty to allow them, Liu sighed in agreement. But they had to take Stephanie and the twins with them, along with the Ivanov and Velasco Grims. Stephanie brought her bodyguards along just in case.

"This is the biggest flaw in this system," Margaux mumbled. "Why aren't vehicles allowed? It's so annoying to walk for a few miles just for some lousy beach. Well, didn't you all know? We're on an island. Everything around us are beaches."

"And you have to be the biggest 'beach' of them all," Xia said. She also came with Franco after she went on duty for 2 weeks straight. She needed the rest.

Margaux scoffed and continued walking.

Not another hour had passed and they were at the site.

"Sand!" Rodney, Adonis, Yuri and Devin all chimed and ran into the shore.

"What little kids," Kagura rolled her eyes.

"Cut them some slack, Kagura," Sofia softly spoke. "They've been stressed for too much."

Devin looked at the two and gestured for them to come. When they refused the other boys dragged them along while Devin dragged the twins towards the water. Margaux and Morris followed them at a slower pace.

"Ah, to be young," Stephanie said, closing her eyes to enjoy the gentle breeze of the sea.

Xia chuckled, "Us four used to do just so, right, Steph?"

Stephanie laughed but stopped in the middle of it, "Yeah."

"Steph, I–"

"I'll go check on the Grims," Stephanie excused herself, leaving Xia and Franco.

"She needs more time," Franco said.

"I miss the old Stephanie," Xia said. "It's all my fault, Franco. If I didn't thought of patrolling that night, Lemon wouldn't have–"

"Shh," Mr. Franco placed his finger on the doctor's lips. "None of it was anyone's fault. We know Lemon understands."

From afar, a tear slipped from Stephanie's cheek as she caressed the locket that had her and another girl's photo on. She looked at Xia and Franco once more before she inhaled sharply and called the Grims for a meeting.

I'm sorry, Xia.