Shadowglade [On Hold]

Chapter 2

Rays of sunshine broke through small openings in the curtains, shining on Osuin's pale face. As he opened his eyes, they slowly focused in on the world around him, but his consciousness wasn't fully there. The splitting headache he had didn't make anything less uncomfortable. A figure sitting in a rocking chair caught his attention immediately. Sarun. He'd passed out in the chair, possibly watching Osuin as he slept.

"Hey...Sarun..." Osuin fought to mumble.

Sarun's eyes were barely open, but it was obvious that he was out cold and wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. Osuin managed a small grin as he inched his way out of bed, getting a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

"I see now. I really did get drunk, didn't I?" Osuin chuckled softly.

He still had clothes on, so he didn't see any need to go through his drawers. He simply carried out his daily routine of personal hygiene, careful not to wake his best friend. He practically tip toed throughout the small cottage, but when was he ever heavy footed? Osuin could sneak up on anyone at any given moment if he wanted to. He sifted through his drawers again, not feeling his trusted dagger by his side. He never felt safe without it. The drawers didn't hold the daggers, and they weren't on Sarun's person. The last place he thought of was the old pub.

"Dammit! Cornelius, I hope you have it tucked away safe if I left it there."

Without another word, he headed for the door, stopping to look back at his exhausted friend before silently taking his leave.

***

The streets were jam packed, kids were prancing around, and adults lined the streets as they drank made merry. It was a beautiful sight that Osuin never got tired of. The joy of Glendale Village radiated even past the village gates, giving life to all who could hear the songs the people sang. Unfortunately, Osuin had to push his way through the crowds, which happened to stretch all the way to the Chambers of Kelena and Enarus, the Goddess and God of Darkness and Light respectively.

"Ah...I forgot what today was.."

"And how could you, young man?!" An electrifying voice called out from among the crowd.

A middle aged man, ginger, with an angular visage locked eyes with Osuin, a bright grin to express his benevolence.

"Today is the day to worship our God, Enarus, and his wonderful guiding light!"

"Sorry, but I've never been religious."

The man's grin slowly shifted into a soft frown.

"Nonsense! There's no need to be religious! All you have to do is believe in his Guiding Light!"

Osuin, already annoyed took it upon himself to push further into the crowd. The man continued to follow Osuin, preaching to him despite knowing Osuin was no longer paying any attention. That is, before a hooded man towered over the ginger, his cold hazel eyes locking onto his. The crowd began to go silent, and Osuin stopped dead in his tracks, recognizing the hooded man from the other night.

"I believe this young man wants to hear no more of your religious talk. Leave him be."

"Assassin!" The man shouted, a tone of condemnation in his voice.

Gasps erupted from the crowd before people began throwing various items at the hooded man, from food to old trash that sat out in the streets. He simply continued his trek through the crowd, eventually reaching the very steps to the Chamber of the Divines. The two Chambers were erected side by side, with the majority of the villagers on the side dedicated to Enarus. Osuin tracked the man's movements with a glassy-eyed stare. The man stood before a statue depicting the goddess Kelena as a Warrior Goddess, with a greatsword on her back and two severed heads, one in each hand. She had sinister eyes, and fangs like a vampire.