Secrets of the Golden Sea

Skeleton key, and the consequences of our actions

Jingshen waited, this was the third day of waiting for the krait to return. The krait, who he found out was actually named, Li. Reminded him of his brother Ao Yi. But he wouldn't dwell on that, he had to wait. There was a nice indoor pool. Which was fun because he could dip his toes into the water while looking for, Li. For those three days, he was practicing using his powers in his glamourized form. He was getting better at it. Only deglamouring whenever he controls a large body of water. Luckily for him he only practiced his power at night. When no people were around. It was easy to break in when there's no security and you can just turn into a snake! Jingshen glared at the bright sun through the transparent ceiling. The ceiling was made out of glass. He was just sitting there, making small waves in the water when he was splashed by a person jumping into the small pool.

"Hey!" He growled, wiping his face.

He might be a dragon but he didn't like getting splashed. He opened his eyes only to be met with Mk staring back at him.

"Jingshen? You're ALIVE?" Mk shouted, in his face might he add! Mei was also there.

"We thought you died!" Mei hugged him, Mk joined in. He had no clue what to do. So he just sat there, looking at his reflection, helpless. After what felt like ten minutes they let go.

"So what happened? We thought the Spider Queen ate you!"

"I escaped the Spider Queen, jumped into the water, and swam to shore!" He answered Mk. Mei whistled.

"Wow Jingshen, you must be an excellent swimmer!" He shrugged.

"You could say that." He smiled.

"Oh! Jingshen, Jingshen Jingshen Jingshen!" Mk buzzed, saying his name repeatedly.

Jingshen tilted his head.

"Yeah, Mk?" He asked. Confused why his friend kept on saying his name. 

"Not The Mayor gave me and Mei a key that can open every door!" Mk excitedly exclaimed. That stunned him.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Mei said, grabbing a key with a skull handle. Jingshen looked at it, it felt ominous. It chilled him. Made him feel dread for whatever reason.

"Oddly useful!" He nervously whispered, adjusting his shirt collar. It reminded him of something. No, not something...someone. "So why would the—wait did you say Not The Mayor?"

"Yeah! It was this random dude who said he was the Mayor, and when he gave us the key and told us about it he vanished!"

Mk explained with Mei nodding along.

"Why would he do that though?" He asked them, hoping that they had an answer.

"Don't know but you're coming with us!" Mei yelled as she grabbed Jingshen's arm and dragged him along.

•••

They were in the middle of the road, a crowd gathered around them for whatever reason. He honestly didn't really know. But what he did know was that Mk and Mei were rocking those orange glasses! Mei was sitting on a green car and Mk was sitting on a throne. And no he didn't know where they even got that stuff. People's cameras were clicking. Why were they taking photos of them? They were cool apparently. He didn't know and didn't really care. Just happy to be with some people he could talk to. Those people being his friends. Damn he really had human friends, they weren't snakes that time!

"Wait, guys! If this key can magically open any door then what if it can magically lock any door?"

"That's how keys work." Mei responded.