Fighting For A New Future

Chapter 56

The rain turned into a light shower as the service concluded. Immediately, multiple people stood and went to the now-closed casket. They were people the town had never seen before. They each whispered something into the air and placed their hands on the casket as if passing on a silent vow. The townsfolk watched with a mix of awe and curiosity, not quite understanding the significance of this gesture. But when they saw the crest on their clothes, they understood that these were members of the Bennett family. Far-flung relatives from different places united in grief for a fallen matriarch. They were dressed in black with a touch of red, a symbol of their lineage. They had come to say their goodbyes and pay their respects. Some of the males lifted the coffin and followed a now veiled Bianca as she led them out of the church and to their ancestral burial ground. The rest of the family carried the offered flowers behind the casket, along with the townspeople with their lit candles. As they walked, they could hear whispers from the large family. Each said the same thing and never faltered, even as they reached the burial site. The Scooby Doo gang stayed at the back, Elena and Caroline comforting a crying Bonnie while Stefan looked grim.

"What are they saying?" Elena questioned no one in particular.

"It's Latin, they are saying, 'You will be missed but not forgotten. Your memory will live on. Mother nature has called you home'." Stefan translated. "I didn't know there were so many Bennet's alive." He commented. "Did you know about this?"

"No, I didn't." Bonnie stated. "But it's not like she talked about it much, and Bianca never said anything." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, feeling a strange mix of anger and sadness. The procession moved slowly through the cemetery, the sound of the rain lightly pattering on the leaves above, creating a soft melody that seemed to accompany their steps.

When they reached the Bennett family plot, the distant relatives' murmur became clear as they spoke in unison. The candles flickered, and the air grew thick with the scent of sage and rosemary. The women laid out a large white cloth, and the men placed the casket on it before taking up a shovel that was already there and began digging all while still chanting together. The townsfolk watched in awe as they worked but what surprised them was when Jeremy stepped forward. He grabbed a shovel, and joined in the digging and chanting, with Tyler and Enzo not far behind him. But to the shock of the Scooby Doo gang, Elijah, Finn, Kol, and even Klaus joined the group. For those that had a true understanding of the supernatural knows that vampires and witches never liked each other and they only worked together when they both benefit from it. Witches had never seen vampires show such respect to a human, let alone a witch. So for these vampires, the originals to do this for a witch, especially a Bennett one was a first. Though they didn't chant, the gesture earned them the acceptance of the other Bennetts who were present, and they would spread what they had done to the rest of the coven who couldn't make it. The grave was eventually ready, and the men carefully lowered the casket into the earth. Bianca took the shovel and threw dirt onto the coffin. As the first shovelful of dirt hit the wood, a soft gust of wind blew through the cemetery, carrying with it the faint scent of lilies, Sheila's favorite flower. The townspeople took this as a sign that she was watching over them and that she was at peace. After each member of the Bennett family's turn, the women of the Bennett family lined up behind Bianca with their hands on her for those who could reach her and began to sing a mournful tune that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the land. It was an old spell, one to guide the soul of the departed to the afterlife. As the song grew louder, the rain slowed to a drizzle, and the clouds began to part, revealing a sliver of blue sky. The light shone down on the cemetery, illuminating the gathering in a soft glow. The Scooby Doo gang exchanged glances, feeling a sense of unease and wonder. Stefan had heard the stories of the Bennett witches, but to witness their traditions firsthand was something entirely different. Every supernatural present could feel the power from the family as they sang, and Bonnie stared in awe and jealousy as she watched her sister be a part of a bond so powerful and not her.

The town's people took turns shoveling dirt into the grave, each thud of earth hitting the casket a stark reminder of the finality of death. As the grave grew fuller, the Bennetts' song grew softer until it was just a whisper in the wind. Finally, the last shovelful of soil was placed, and the group stood back, their heads bowed in respect. The rain had completely ceased, and the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a warm, comforting light on the freshly turned earth. Slowly, people started to leave, the town's mood a mix of sorrow and curiosity as they exchanged whispers about the mysterious Bennetts and their ancient ways. As the crowd thinned and only her coven, family, and the Scooby Doo gang remained, she stepped forward to the grave. The other Bennetts joined her, and in sync, they took out a small dagger, sliced their palms, and held it over the grave.

"What are you doing?" She heard Bonnie scream but focused on the task at hand. The blood from their palms fell onto the soil in perfect harmony with their chant. The air grew thick, and the wind picked up as the earth below them trembled slightly. The Scooby Doo gang watched with fear, and the Equinox Coven watched in awe as the Bennetts' combined power grew stronger. A soft light began to emanate from the grave, growing brighter with each chant. Then a symbol appeared over the grave, and the previously disturbed land was smooth with grass and lilies that had sprouted. The slight shaking stopped, and the earth was calm again. It was a protection spell, one that would keep Shiela's vessel at peace and shield her from any harm that may come from those who would wish to disturb her grave. The Bennetts stepped back, their palms now healed, and the symbol remained etched into the soil under the grass.