Chapter 3 - The Veiled Threshold - Chapter 3: The Spectral Guide

Sera fumbled for her phone, activating the flashlight. The attic door was locked, the key missing. She was trapped.Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought it back. She had to stay calm, to think clearly. Her mother had faced far worse challenges, and she had survived.Taking a deep breath, Sera focused her mind, trying to channel the energy she had felt when she touched the artifacts. She closed her eyes, reaching out to the spirits, pleading for help.A new voice, clear and calm, echoed in her mind. "I can help you, Sera. But you must trust me."Sera hesitated. Who was this voice? Could she trust it?"Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling."I am Elias," the voice replied. "I was a friend of your mother's. I am a spirit bound to this house, and I know its secrets."Sera didn't know whether to believe him, but she had no other choice. "How can you help me?" she asked."I can guide you through the house," Elias said. "I can show you the hidden passages and the secret rooms. I can help you unlock your own abilities."Sera agreed, and Elias began to guide her through the attic, leading her to a hidden panel behind a bookshelf. She pushed it open, revealing a narrow passage that led down into the darkness.With Elias's guidance, Sera navigated the passage, eventually emerging into the library. The attic door was still locked, but she was free."Thank you, Elias," she said, her voice filled with gratitude."You are welcome, Sera," Elias replied. "But this is only the beginning. The darkness is growing stronger. You must learn to control your powers if you hope to protect the threshold