SrCuervo
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🕑 Added 2024-08-19 19:56:58 +0000 UTCHunter, Don't Shoot My Friend
Chapter 59: Fallen Companions
The cemetery lay silent under a shroud of twilight, with gravestones emerging like shadows in the darkness, marking the eternal rest of those who had departed.
The rain, light yet persistent, whispered a faint lament over the graves, adding a melancholic layer to the scene.
Among the marble and granite headstones, figures dressed in black moved solemnly.
Their umbrellas, like dancing shadows, stood as silent witnesses to the grief that enveloped the place.
The dark suits seemed to merge with the gray surroundings, reflecting the sadness that permeated the air.
Walking with measured steps, the cemetery visitors got lost among the alleys of tombs. Raindrops settled on the wilted flowers, like tears caressing the gravestones in a gesture of sympathy.
The silence, broken only by the whisper of the tree leaves and the murmur of the rain, created a sober and solemn atmosphere.
The funeral statues, covered by the dew of the rain, seemed to gaze sorrowfully at those wandering among them.
The candles flickered faintly, casting fleeting glimmers of light amidst the gloom. Each step echoed like a reverence, a tribute to the memory of those who rested in that melancholy graveyard.
But in a special spot, there were more than ten graves where coffins lay silently ready to be buried, but many were silent, waiting for the ceremony.
Gabriel Stokes, a priest of the Light Association in this town, dressed in a priest's attire, stood in front of all the gravestones, holding a rosary plant, acting as a true priest would.
"We are here..." Gabriel saw that no one else would come, so he prepared to begin the ceremony, briefly glancing at Ethan, who nodded from a distance.
As he knew, each religion bids farewell to its deceased based on its beliefs and traditions. Continuing the portrayal of the funeral rites of each religion, the Catholic faith has a very particular ritual of preparation for death, carried out when it is believed that the final moments of a sick believer are near. It is the anointing of the sick or recommendation of the soul, a blessing in which the priest hears the person's confession and presents it to God for His acceptance. In these cases, communion acts as nourishment for the journey ahead.
All those with merit were Catholics; they believed in God in their own way, and this was something everyone respected when this information was read from the black box of those who had died in battle.
When a person dies, they begin their journey to eternity, or, as it is commonly said, to heaven. Catholics believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life, in which death separates the soul from the body for an encounter with God. In general, all the rituals of the Catholic Church seek to bid farewell to the loved one and commend them to God's care.
Gabriel, who was to conduct the ceremony, looked at all the exorcist priests, agents, and companions of those who had died a few days ago.
"We are here again to bid farewell to more than just friends; we say our final goodbye to those who have been with us for a long time." Gabriel walked back and forth, looking at each coffin with sorrow in his gaze.
"Yes, I am here, just like all of you. We gather today with heavy hearts and souls deeply touched by the loss of those brave companions who, with devotion and sacrifice, fulfilled their duty as agents of the Light Association."
Gabriel looked at everyone and said, "In this sacred duty, they, a beacon of light in our community, went directly to face evil without fear in their eyes. Therefore, I ask that we remember those who, in their noble task, gave their lives to protect us from the shadows lurking in the darkness."
"The duty they fulfilled goes beyond our words; it is a flame that burns in the heart of every seer. Today, in this moment of farewell, we honor their sacrifice by recognizing the vital importance of their task. They have been tireless guardians, facing evil with unyielding determination."
"We cannot let their sacrifices be in vain. We commit, here and now, to continue the duty they left us as a legacy. As one organization, we will continue to be the guardians of light, fighting against the shadows that threaten our peace and security."
Gabriel gathered his courage and said, "In the darkness of loss, we find strength in unity. For every seer who is no longer physically among us, their spirit endures in our shared determination. We do not mourn only the loss, but we rise together to ensure that their sacrifice becomes an eternal beacon guiding our steps."
"Brothers and sisters, let us remember these brave seers not only with tears but also with a renewed commitment. May their names shine in our memory, inspiring us to face evil with courage and to illuminate the dark corners with the light of justice."
"May the flame that burned in the hearts of our fallen companions continue to ignite us all, so that we may follow their example and fulfill the sacred duty that unites us as protectors of the light."
"In their memory, we move forward, strengthened by the legacy they left us, with the conviction that no evil can extinguish the light we carry within."
"May peace and strength guide our paths as we continue this noble task in honor of those who are no longer with us, amen." Gabriel said as he looked at everyone, who had determined expressions.
In this corner of sorrow, the cemetery became a tangible reflection of the fleeting nature of life. Yet everyone here knew that life for them was very fragile.
...
Ethan watched from afar, taking a strong drink to relieve the muscle pain—the aftermath of taking away others' pain was persistent.
Stiles, who attended, observed the ceremony and asked, "I don't see anyone crying; are their families here?"
"No, this is a ceremonial farewell; the families of these people mourn in silence far from here, where a false ceremony is held." Ethan smiled sadly and said, "There are no bodies to bury; that is the death of a light agent."
"Now I respect your work more; I don't think I’ll be enough for this job, but I'll do what I can." Stiles wanted more than ever to be a field detective, something like an investigator who uncovers cases for the field agents to handle.
Only now does he understand that his friend was not at all normal; he was a dark entity that needed supervision. He hoped to be enough to help him; he wanted him to understand all this.
