"The sound of heavy boots echoed from the library's main gate. The enemies were very close. Ayan quickly pulled out the silver compass the guardian had given him. The needle spun wildly and settled toward a massive, old bookshelf in a corner of the library. Ayan ran there, but there was no door. 'No time, Ayan! Hold the compass to the middle of the shelf,' the guardian's voice drifted from afar."
"As soon as Ayan pressed the compass against the shelf, there was a mechanical sound. Slowly, the bookshelf shifted, revealing a dark staircase leading underground. As Ayan began descending the stairs, the bookshelf closed behind him. He was now in total darkness, but the compass in his hand glowed with a faint blue light, and the locket's vibration intensified. He realized he wasn't just escaping; he was entering deeper into Elara's mystery."