The next morning, the cemetery lay in silence under a shroud of gloom. The tombstones rose 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 sorrow that enveloped the place.
The dark suits seemed to blend into the grayish surroundings, reflecting the sadness that permeated the air.
Walking with measured steps, the cemetery's visitors drifted through the alleys of the tombs. Raindrops settled on the withered flowers, like tears caressing the gravestones in a gesture of sympathy.
The silence, broken only by the whisper of the leaves and the murmur of the rain, created a sober and solemn atmosphere.
The funerary statues, covered by the drizzle, seemed to watch with sorrow those who wandered among them.
The candles flickered faintly, casting fleeting flashes of light in the midst of the gloom. Each step echoed like a reverence, a tribute to the memory of those who rested in that melancholic graveyard.
But in a special place there were more than ten graves where coffins were silently ready to be buried, though many stood in silence awaiting the ceremony.
Father Doug, dressed in a priest's suit, stood before all the tombstones holding a rosary plant, acting as a true priest would.
"Here we are…" Father Doug saw that no one else would come, so he prepared to begin the ceremony. He briefly glanced at Jonathan, who nodded from a distance.
As he knew, each religion bids farewell to its dead according to its beliefs and traditions. Continuing the portrayal of funeral rites, the Catholic faith has a very particular ritual of preparation for death, carried out when it is believed the moments before the believer's passing have arrived.
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 them to God to receive them.
In these cases, Communion acts as nourishment for the journey ahead.
All those who had earned the rite were Catholics. They believed in God in their own way, and that was something everyone respected when that information was read from the black box of those who had died in battle.
When a person dies, their journey toward eternity begins, or as it is commonly said, toward heaven. Catholics believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life, in which death separates the soul from the body for its encounter with God.
In general, all rituals of the Catholic Church seek to bid farewell to the loved one and entrust them to God's care.
Father Doug, who would be giving the ceremony, looked at all the exorcist priests, agents, and comrades of those who had died a few days ago.
"We are here to bid farewell to more than just a friend. We will give the last goodbye to those who have been with us for a long time." Father Doug walked back and forth, looking at each coffin with sorrow in his eyes.
"Yes, I am here, just as you are. Today we gather with heavy hearts and souls deeply touched by the loss of those brave comrades who, with devotion and sacrifice, fulfilled their duty as agents who fought until the last day of their lives against evil."
Father Doug looked at everyone and said: "In this sacred duty, they, a beacon of light in our community, went directly to confront evil without fear in their eyes. Therefore, I ask that we remember those who, in their noble work, 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 blinder. Today, in this moment of farewell, we honor their sacrifice by recognizing the vital importance of their task. They were tireless guardians, facing evil with unshakable determination."
"We cannot allow their sacrifices to be in vain. We pledge, here and now, to move forward with the duty they have left us as a legacy. As one organization, we will continue to be the guardians of the light, fighting against the shadows that threaten our peace and security."
Father Doug gathered courage and said: "In the darkness of loss, we find strength in unity. For every blinder who is no longer physically among us, their spirit endures in our shared determination. We do not only mourn their 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 blinders not only with tears but also with 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 comrades 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 will be able to 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 among us, amen…" said Father Doug as he looked at all those whose gazes were filled with determination.
In this corner of sorrow, the cemetery became a tangible reflection of life's fleeting nature. However, everyone here knew that life for them was very fragile.
…
From afar, Jonathan watched this while drinking a strong shot to ease the burden of work.
Wednesday, who had attended the burial, looked at 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." Jonathan smiled with sorrow and said: "There are no bodies to bury, that is the death of an agent of the Order."
"You'll have to teach me from scratch how you do what you do with weapons." Wednesday said, turning toward where Father Doug was and asked: "Does our deal still stand?"
"Yes, we're leaving tomorrow." Jonathan still remembered Dustin's call and hoped to arrive on time.