Chapter 29 – A Hunter’s Farewell

The adytum housed two vast, long rows of dark wood pews, pushed up beside the walls forming a wide aisle in the centre of the room which led up to the elevated dark stone altar.

Rosa had been seated at the front of the room isolated on her own bench, which appeared very peculiar when every other pew was entirely filled with men and women in black. The hums of chatter echoed around the high walls of the adytum, but Rosa sat silently on her own keeping her gaze ahead on the elevated stand that homed the altar. Behind the altar was a sturdy stone platform to hold the deceased, which was overlooked by a towering stained glass window. Daylight beamed through, illuminating the variety of vibrant colours which made up a picture. The window depicted a man with long black hair and broad angelic wings, standing tall and powerful with five kneeling figures before him, their appearances were reminiscent of hunters.

Behind Rosa, sat Sam, Audrey, Bianca, a man who went by the name of Seis and a number of other officers and hunters, many who she recognized back from the HQ.

The noise at the back of the adytum abruptly began to plummet and approach silence, Rosa pulled her attention away from the window to investigate why.

A man wearing a simple hunter uniform and gold medallion martially strolled down the aisle, with four hunters marching closely behind. He possessed old, dark, stern eyes and greyed hair that betrayed his physique. Rosa quickly noticed that every hunter and officer's head snapped towards him as he passed and how they instantly ended their talks. By the time he reached the end of the aisle the adytum was silent.

"Commander Zenlint" Rosa caught Sam quietly muttering stunned.

The commander walked up the steps, his four hunters taking a knee at the steps base, where he then took a position behind the altar. The three howling wolves facing up to him as if he was their moon. 

The commander then claimed an object hidden behind the altar. Raising his hand high, Rosa could see it was a large bell, black as the darkest night sky. He gave it a firm shake and a serene ring danced across the room with such strength it felt like very foundations of the adytum were trembling. A second ring boomed and then came a third. The commander placed the bell back behind the altar and then levelled his posture and waited. The final echoes of the bell faded away and silence returned the adytum. However, the tranquillity didn't last long, Rosa picked up on a subtle hum. She glanced around it see were the buzzing was coming from but found no answer. It was like the walls were humming. Is that a thing the hunters have? Rosa wondered. Singing rocks?

Continuing her search for answers, she looked up at the altar to find herself locking eyes with commander Zenlint. It was only for a moment, but she quickly looked away under the strength of his powerful stare. There was no malice and ill intent in his eyes instead it was like a grim and sorrowed curiosity. Many people had been giving her a similar look, Rosa realised. Why?

Heavy and powerful footsteps emerged from the entrance and everyone's head turned. Louie, Emma, Zack, Ruthor and two hunters she didn't know marched into the adytum carrying her parents.

As they travelled down the aisle capturing the gaze of everyone, the subtle hum sung by the walls evolved. It grew louder, more intricate, developing into a simple melody fuelled by sorrow and loss like it had seen an eternity of violence, grief and death. It crept deep within Rosa with ease, reaching inside her chest and straining her heartstrings.

Carefully and slowly the pallbearers travelled up the stairs passing the altar and placing the coffin down upon the stone stand. Rosa expected them to then come join her on the empty pew however instead they lined up in front of her parents and took a knee. As the daylight shone through the window upon them, Rosa couldn't help but notice how similar they looked like the kneeling figures depicted in the window's art.

"Today we gather to mourn the loss of James and Mary Elacti" commander Zenlint announced, beginning the funeral.

The commander continued his speech but Rosa never paid attention. It wasn't deliberate, her mind was just entrapped on the sight behind him, mesmerised by the six hunters kneeling in respect of her parents. She wanted to be up there with them. But here she was like everyone else, stuck doing nothing. However, unlike them she was alone.

Before she knew it, the commander had finished speaking. Her attention had never really left her parents but the last section of his speech attached to her, burrowing itself thoroughly into her mind.

'The wolf howls and the raven watches.

We hunt and are hunted in an eternal war. While your battle has ended we persist in the Reaper's name, in hopes to one day free the world from the abyss's touch and finally rest.

From blood and bone to ash

Life to death

Soul to peace

You have fought, now leave the battle in our hands and discover peace in the beyond. Rest well old friends.

Sorem'.

"Sorem!" everyone in the room echoed.

Rosa protected her hair from the wind as the final grains of dirt were thrown upon her parents. Finally they were at rest. The six pallbearers released their shovels and stepped away from the grave. They were only a small group now, consisting of only those who were closest to the deceased the rest of the attendees taking their leave and Rosa was happy to admit she was appreciating the serenity. Her parents never really had a large family, and what they did have were all dead, as a result most of their group consisted of family friends and coworkers. When she was young Rosa did remember visits from an uncle – her fathers brother. But he'd died in a freak accident, but now Rosa wondered if he died during a hunt. Was he buried in this very soil?

Louie and Zack wandered over to the hearse and withdrew a headstone, while still identical in design to every other, its size was considerably larger accommodating for the multiple name and dates. Together they hauled the gravestone over to the grave and with the aid of the other four hunters, firmly planted the headstone at the top of the grave. The six pallbearers then joined up with their group.

However, they never stopped when they reached them and instead their group joined them and began to move further away from the grave.

"I'm needed elsewhere, so I shall take first" commander Zenlint stated. Rosa didn't understand what he meant but no one spoke against his decision. The commander strolled towards the grave and picked up one of the hundred blood red roses and grew across the nearby fields. He knelt in front the headstone and out of ear reach she could see him speak to her parents. Once he was finished he place the rose upon the grave and stood. He turned back towards them delivered a firm nod and then took his leave his personal guard quickly following. Without delay the next member of the group took their turn. Following tradition the closest to the deceased waited until last to pay their respects. Next came Olsen, then Jesten, Sam and Audrey, Seis, commander Ruthor and then Zack. When Zack returned to the group, Emma claimed Rosa's hand and together they walked forward.

"Is Louie not before us?" Rosa asked.

"Youngest family goes first" Emma explained. Without a second of hesitation Rosa nodded. Together they picked a pair of roses and took a knee over their parents grave.

While waiting for her turn, Rosa had brainstormed a number of things she wanted to say but now she was here before her parents her mind had been wiped completely blank.

Plain and simple she thought before her mind began to panic. Just like her father always said. Rosa took in a deep breath and slowly let it go.

"Dad, mum. Thank you, for everything", her mind travelled back to her younger years in Mexico, "I won't waste the life you've gave me. And don't worry about me, you've left me in amazing hands" Rosa said and then placed her rose down alongside the others. It wasn't until the wind hit her face she notices the two thin, warm trails flowing from her eyes. She didn't bother wiping them away and instead remained kneeled and turned to Emma.

"Mum, dad I'm going to make you proud. I promise" Emma said happily, a sad smile on her face. Her sister then placed her rose beside Rosa's and they stood from the grave.

As they returned to the group they crossed path with Louie who'd already picked his rose and was wandering towards the grave. Like they had every time the group watched in silence as Louie took a knee and spoke his last words to the grave. He stayed their for a while, considerably longer than everyone else. When he finally returned, Rosa's curiosity took control.

"What did you say?" she asked.

He struck her with an amused smile. "That is for only me and your parents to know".

"Aww come on. I'll tell you what I said".

"I already know what you said".

"How?" Rosa asked frowning.

"Read your lips" Louie stated casually.

"I can't tell if your joking or not".

"It was a nice message" he smiled. He then began to wander away back towards the path and the group soon began to follow.