Page 35 of The Chamber

“Got it,” Jeremiah announced triumphantly, cracking the final character. A hidden door slid open, revealing a dark, narrow passage and another door at the end of it.

Kenneth’s heart hammered against his ribcage as they approached the new massive, black iron door. A dim flicker of torchlight cast ominous shadows across the engraved metal, which seemed to groan in protest when Kenneth reached out to touch it.

“Looks like we’ve got one last challenge,” Jeremiah said, his voice steady. “It doesn’t seem to have a keyhole or any handle.”

“Then we’ll need to think outside the box,” Kenneth said. He ran his fingers over the intricate engravings on the door, seeking a hidden mechanism or clue.

“Maybe there’s a pattern or combination?” Jeremiah suggested, joining Kenneth in examining the door. Their shoulders brushed together, and Kenneth felt a jolt of warmth at the contact.

“Could be. Let’s break this down.” Kenneth traced the lines connecting a series of symbols, forming an ever-growing web across the iron surface. “These characters—they look familiar.”

“From the room we just left?” Jeremiah asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“Actually, from several different places in the Chamber. It’s like a mental map. We need to figure out the correct path to take.” Kenneth’s fingers danced over the engravings, his eyes following every twist and turn. “We’ve come so far. I don’t want to fuck this up now.”

“Hey,” Jeremiah said softly, reassuringly touching Kenneth’s arm. “We’ll find the solution. I’m confident.”

Kenneth took a deep breath, his resolve renewed. “Let’s start with these four symbols here. They form a square and look like the world’s basic elements—fire, water, air, and earth.”

“Sounds promising,” Jeremiah agreed. “What if we press them in that order?”

“Let’s try it.” Kenneth pressed the characters one by one, holding his breath as he pushed the final one. The door shuddered and groaned, but it didn’t budge.

“Damn,” Jeremiah muttered. “Maybe we should try the reverse order and other combinations if necessary, but hurry.”

“Good idea.” Kenneth followed the new sequence, and this time, the door emitted a deafening metallic screech before slowly grinding open. He exchanged a triumphant glance with Jeremiah, pride swelling in his chest at their accomplishment.

“Kenneth,” Jeremiah whispered, his voice strained with emotion. “We did it.”

“Thanks to you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Let’s get out of here,” Jeremiah shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. His eyes were wide and unblinking, alive with a fiery determination that seemed to light them from within. Together, they stepped through the doorway, breaking free from the oppressive confines of the Chamber of Endurance.

“Freedom,” Kenneth breathed, feeling the sun on his face for the first time in what felt like an eternity. His lips parted in a smile, broadening until it reached his eyes, crinkling them at the corners. A gentle sigh escaped him, and he stood there, immobile for a moment, every muscle in his body seeming to loosen and relax as the golden rays bathed him.

As they walked away from the nightmare behind them, his hand found Jeremiah’s. They wove their fingers together as they faced an unknown future with strength, resilience, and love.

SIXTEEN

RETURN TO LIFE

Kenneth’s hand trembled as he stirred his coffee, the spoon clinking against the ceramic mug. He glanced around the bustling cafe, feeling out of place.

Laughter rang out, and conversations buzzed, but to Kenneth, it all seemed alien, a sharp contrast to the dark confines of the Chamber. He shivered, remembering the cold walls, the oppressive silence.

Even now, the air felt heavy with uncertainty, and he struggled to believe that the real world could remain stable and not erupt in a new, brutal challenge.

“Long time no see, huh?” A familiar voice cut through the haze, and Kenneth saw Jeremiah sliding into the seat across from him.

His broad shoulders and warm smile were always a welcome sight within the cold walls of the Chamber, but now Kenneth’s response was somewhat conflicted. He felt all the old attraction to Jeremiah, but his presence also served as a stark reminder of their shared nightmare.

Kenneth’s face faltered, and his voice wavered as he struggled to reconcile the pleasure of seeing his old friend with the painful memories that his appearance dredged up. The internal conflict left him feeling torn, unable to respond with his usual warmth and ease.

“Y-yeah,” Kenneth stammered, forcing a smile. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Tell me about it.” Jeremiah leaned back in his chair, studying Kenneth’s face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you alright?”

Kenneth frowned, taking a sip of his now lukewarm coffee. “Maybe I have,” he murmured, his mind wandering back to the horrors that unfolded in the arena. The visceral memories hit him like a tidal wave—screams piercing the darkness, blood staining the ground beneath them, and the ever-present sense of impending doom. No mere dream could create memories that lingered so long. That much he knew.

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