the silent heartbeat

Chapter 30

[Note: This is the last update of the story for this week. Chapters 31 until 40 and Epilogue will be posted here soon.]

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Chapter 30

After a brief rest, we gathered our things and agreed to continue our journey. The waters had calmed, and though the serpent's threat still lingered in our minds, we felt a renewed sense of purpose. With only two more keys left to find, we were closer than ever to completing our mission.

I took a moment to pull out the four keys we had collected so far. Each one glimmered with an ethereal light, their intricate designs symbolizing the trials we had overcome. I held them up, marveling at their beauty and weight—they seemed both physical and symbolic, each a testament to our perseverance and teamwork. My friends gathered around, and I could feel the shared pride among us.

"We only need two more," I said with a hopeful smile. My friends nodded, equally eager, though a weariness lingered in their eyes. "Berryl, you should hold onto these for now," I added, handing her the four keys, thinking it might be wise to share the responsibility.

But the moment Berryl's fingers closed around the keys, a surge of energy crackled through the air. A sharp flash of light erupted between her hand and the keys, and she gasped as electricity coursed through her. Before she could drop to the ground, Holland reacted swiftly, catching her by the shoulders and pulling her back.

"Berryl!" I exclaimed, rushing to her side as she regained her balance, her eyes wide with shock. She panted, clutching her chest, still feeling the remnants of the sudden jolt.

"What...what was that?" Kaleb asked, astonished, glancing between the keys and Berryl.

Berryl shook her head, rubbing her tingling fingers. "I don't know. But whatever it was, it doesn't want anyone else handling the keys," she replied, her voice still shaky. "Maybe the keys are only meant to be held by you, Constance."

I blinked, processing her words. "Only me?" I wondered aloud, glancing down at the keys in my hand. I hadn't felt any shock when I touched them—it was as if they belonged to me and me alone. To test her theory, I extended the keys towards Kaleb, who hesitated before gingerly reaching out.

As soon as his fingers made contact with the cool metal, another flash sparked, and he yelped, pulling his hand back quickly. "Ow! Definitely a no-go for me too," he said, shaking his hand to rid himself of the lingering sting. "Looks like Berryl's right."

One by one, each of my friends tried to hold the keys, and each time, they were met with the same painful shock. Wallace muttered something under his breath as he rubbed his scorched fingertips. "Well, it's clear these keys have a mind of their own. They'll only allow you to hold them, Constance."

A sense of responsibility weighed heavier on me now. These keys weren't just objects anymore—they were bound to me somehow, charged with a protective energy that prevented anyone else from bearing their burden. It was both a relief and a sobering reminder that the journey was, in some way, uniquely mine.

Berryl, regaining her usual composure, gave me a determined look. "Then, Constance, you'll keep the keys safe. We'll focus on protecting you and helping you find the last two." She nodded at the rest of the group, who seemed to come to a silent consensus.

"I won't let you down," I promised, tucking the keys back into my satchel, feeling their strange warmth pulse gently against me. They seemed almost alive, as if they recognized my touch.