His body tireless, Louie kept his hands busy adjusting his cuffs as he took his position beside the hearse. Opening up the back the of the vehicle he could see the coffin was still safe and sound, James and Mary still both at peace. It was a closed casket off course, no matter who they brought in, James and Mary's bodies couldn't be recovered to a state that should be witnessed.
"After everything we've been through, I was starting to think nothing would take him out" Zack said wandering over. From a quick glance at his ceremonial uniform, Louie saw he'd earnt himself a few more medals and awards since they'd last met.
"Everyone dies" Louie said, "We'll be no different".
"Speak for yourself. I plan to live forever. See my great grandchildren" Zack joked, but no humour reached his eyes. He always got a little uncomfortable at funerals, well at least when he was close to the deceased. The worse Louie had seen him was back when they where eighteen after the war.
Emma was standing silently beside them, her hollow gaze remaining frozen on the coffin of her parents. Despite what his instincts urged, Louie resisted saying anything. In his time away she'd matured, she was no longer the child he use to know. Emma Elacti was now capable of handling herself.
Leaving Emma to her grievance, Louie's attention travelled to the front of the hearse where Ruthor and Audrey conversed with a group of hunters. He quickly realised calling them just a group of hunters was a considerable understatement. Standing across the hearse was in fact three Knights of Praedator
The Knights of Praedator are the greatest weapons the organisation possesses against the creatures of the abyss. Originating as the personal fighting force of the founder, they sit at the top of the hierarchy and are few in number, scattered across the world. With their status, it wouldn't be strange to think they'd wear grand uniforms decorated from head to toe in medals, ribbons, laurels and awards for the accomplishments that earnt them their status. But no. Instead the knights wore a simple black uniform outlined in silver and adorned with a singular gold medallion of the hunters, pinned over their heart, easily distinguishable from the standard silver or grey.
If the fact that there were three knights present wasn't enough to freeze a hunter in their steps then the fact that their commander, Roylar Zenlint, was present surely would. Louie curiously eyed the man who sat at the top of their organisation, the head of the council. Since arriving, they hadn't spoken a word and Louie doubted they would for the entirety of the funeral. Similarly to the rest of the organisation outside of Liverpool, they didn't exactly see eye to eye. They didn't really … well in simple terms, get on. Despite having a close bond with the deceased there was only one thing that ever produced conflict between Roylar and James. Louie Huntor.
While not decently tall like Ruthor or other high rankers, he had a heavy build and broad frame conditioned by combat and everyone in the organisation knew he'd earnt his position through a sea of blood. Despite his age approaching a century and his well kempt hair and beard falling to a dark silver, his body still confidently held onto its prime condition. Louie had no doubt in his mind that Roylar's skill and ferocity hadn't faded with the passing years.
The commander was locked into converse with Ruthor while the other two knights where talking amiably with Audrey. These two he got on with a lot better. Jesten Ferum, the commander's right hand, a veteran hunter and master swordsman with piercing, predatory amber eyes and long white locks and a build not too different from Louie's own. Beside him was a mountain of a man towering over everyone around. In the dark you might mistake him as one the creatures they hunt. Hailing from the motherland of Russia, Louie's old classmate, squad member and friend, Olsen Brunt, even after all these years was still with his mammoth build, shaven head and thick black beard. A unique and renowned hunter, even back when they were younger for his use of an enormous two handed hammer as well as his unique ability to tap into the realm of gravity magic.
Louie continued to observe, almost impressed, three of among the most dangerous hunters in the country, it wouldn't be questioned for someone to state in the world. All here for the funeral of James Elacti, If that didn't finalise how significant and beloved the man was Louie didn't know what would.
"I didn't believe it when they told me you were back" a voice exclaimed from the crowd, "but here you are in the flesh, and employed no less. What happened to Ornae for life?". A familiar face emerged from the sea of black and sorrow. Max Seis, his messy, unkempt black hair and scarred, greyed eye unchanged from the last time they met. He approached with a small smile appropriate for the atmosphere. Louie replicated his friend's smile as they pulled each other into an embrace. Similar to him, Seis wore no uniform instead opting for casual clothes. However unlike Louie, he'd not reduced his uniform to ashes, it was just a common habit of the Ornae – hunters not under any division and instead what you could consider independent, choosing their own hunts and bounties.
As Louie and Seis separated he went on to greet both Zack and Emma with an embrace. Like clockwork, he then turned to stand over the hearse and paid his respect to his old instructor and mentor. His dominant hand reached across his body and rested over the silver hunter medallion pinned into his coat and he gave the coffin a slight bow.
"Look at this we've almost got a school reunion" Audrey's voice arose from behind. They all turned to see her as well as Jesten and Olson approach.
Seis clasped hands with both Olson and Jesten before Audrey pulled him into a forceful hug.
"How come you've haven't visited in almost a year. Your turning into Louie" Audrey complained pushing him away annoyed. A mischievous grin then abruptly crept upon her face. "Max" she finished.
Instantly Seis glared, since the day they met when they were just teens Seis had made it well known he hated his first name, even their instructors and higher ups referred to him by his family name. Everyone but Audrey, who never failed to crack a smile upon her own face.
"That is why" Seis stated irritated. A small bout of laughter and chuckles spread between them, even infecting Emma, taking her gaze away from the hearse. Louie found it refreshing, it uncovered a hope that they might just make it through this still.
As old friends reminisced old memories and tried to keep spirits high, Louie found his eyes wandering towards then crowds.
'What's taking so long?' he wondered. They had every pallbearer present, the ceremony could begin.
"Rosa" Emma muttered, like she'd read his thoughts.
'Shit'. They'd just left her completely alone and clueless Louie realised.
"I'll go see what the holdup is" Audrey said before vanishing into the crowds. It was that moment Ruthor and Roylar decided to join them. The knight commander wandered straight past Seis, only giving him a slight acknowledgment, to Emma.
"How are you my dear girl?" Roylar asked softly and placed a hand gently upon her shoulder.
"I'm ok" Emma replied quickly, "thank you for attending Commander Zenlint. I know it would've meant a lot to my father".
"Absence was never an option" Roylar smiled, "Your father was a dear friend and one the greatest men I knew. And your mother while I never truly knew her, James never spoke nothing but highly of her. They will both be missed".
A smile cracked across Emma's face as the commander withdrew his hand and moved onto Zack.
"Its good to see you again Archknight" the Roylar stated, firmly shaking Zack's hand.
"Right back at you sir" Zack said, "I just wish it was under better circumstances".
"As do I".
Realising he'd now already spoken to everyone else, with slight reluctance the commander turned to Louie. He stood slightly smaller than Louie, around two inches, and as a result had to glance up.
"Louie" he acknowledged.
"Roylar" Louie said bluntly.
Instantly the atmosphere grew stale and everyone remained silent, taking a cautious approach to the situation. The commander's eyes grew thin and his jaw taut, but he made no move and neither did Louie. Suddenly the sea of hunters and officers outside the adytum began to move, flowing directly into the structure.
The commander's posture quickly relaxed and he retreated back. "It's time for me to take my place. I'll see you all inside" he stated before wandering off. Four hunters who'd been standing far back regrouped with him as he joined the sea of black, his personal guard.
Not long after, every hunter and officer had entered the adytum, including Seis, leaving only the pallbearers alone outside.
"You couldn't behave for one hour" Ruthor abruptly snapped, "not even for James and Mary".
"They wouldn't expect me to" Louie muttered, "nor did Mary even like the cunt".
Ruthor scowled and he stepped up to Louie. Louie felt his brows rise in surprise. He wouldn't dare.
"Its fine John" Emma interrupted, "my father was never one for facades, he wouldn't want them creating some bullshit amiability that would never last. Beside the commander started it, he ignored Seis and then went for Louie".
Accepting the truth in her words, Ruthor's scowl faded.
Olsen chuckled. "You two have always clashed" he stated his voice deep and coated with the accent of his motherland, "You're the only man I've seen penetrate his thick skin".
"My fellow knight is not wrong" Jesten stated, while his expression remained cold and stern amusement danced upon his tone. "You're the only creature I know which can reduce the commander to a squabbling adolescent".
Zack and Olsen grinned and Ruthor let out and exhausted sigh before backing away from Louie.
"Alright its time" he announced, "Louie and Emma are at the front, Zack and Jesten in the centre and me and Olsen are holding the back".
Everyone nodded in agreement before carefully and gently manoeuvring the coffin out of the hearse and onto their shoulders. The coffin was wide and sturdy, masterfully crafted from a black wood with the mark of the hunters glistening in sliver across its surface.