Chapter 2: The Clock Tower

The trio arrived at Ravenswood's old clock tower, its stone façade weathered by time. Lew led the way, his eyes scanning the structure.

"Notice the clock's face," Lew said, pointing. "It's an ancient design, with symbols instead of numbers."

Ava's intuition flared. "Those symbols look like a code."

Ethan examined the clock's mechanism. "This is an intricate system. I think I can disable the alarm."

With the alarm silenced, Lew carefully opened a hidden panel.

Inside, an inscription read:

"Time's passage marks the first step.

Seek the shadow's silent creep."

Ava's eyes sparkled. "Another poem."

Lew nodded. "This one's more cryptic."

Ethan examined the panel's design. "Look at this symbol. It matches the poem's 'thrice-crowned' reference."

Lew's eyes widened. "Guys, I think we're on the right track."

Suddenly, Ava gasped. "The shadow! It's moving."

As they watched, the clock's shadow crept across the ground, revealing a hidden compartment.

Inside, a small, ornate box awaited.

Ethan carefully opened the box, revealing a miniature sundial inside.

Lew's eyes lit up. "A sundial! This must be the next clue."

Ava examined the sundial's design. "Look at the markings. They seem to match the symbols on the clock face."

Ethan turned the sundial, observing how the shadows fell. "I think I understand. This sundial points to a specific location."

Lew nodded. "Using the clock tower's shadow and the sundial's markings, we can calculate the direction."

Ava's intuition flared. "I think I know where this might lead."

Together, they calculated the direction, leading them to an ancient burial ground on the outskirts of Ravenswood.

As they arrived, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the tombstones.

Ava whispered, "This feels right."

Lew nodded. "The sundial's direction matches the alignment of the tombstones."

Ethan's eyes scanned the area. "Look for any inscriptions or symbols."

On a weathered tombstone, an inscription read:

"Beneath the wings of night's dark queen,

Seek the keystone, ancient and serene."

Lew's eyes narrowed as he examined the inscription. "The 'dark queen' reference is likely mythological."

Ava's intuition sparked. "I think I've heard this phrase before. It's connected to an ancient legend."

Ethan pulled out his phone. "Let's research it."

After a few minutes of searching, Lew found a relevant article.

"'The Dark Queen' refers to Nyx, the ancient goddess of night," Lew read aloud. "In myth, she was said to have wings that shaded the earth."

Ava's eyes widened. "And 'Beneath the wings' might indicate a physical location."

Ethan nodded. "Let's search the burial ground for any symbols or markings related to Nyx."

As night began to fall, they discovered a tombstone with a small, intricately carved wing design.

Lew's analytical mind kicked in. "This symbol matches the sundial's markings. We're on the right track."

Ava's intuition flared. "I think we're close to finding the keystone."

Suddenly, Ethan's flashlight illuminated a hidden compartment beneath the wing design.

Inside, a small, ornate stone lay waiting.

"The keystone," Lew whispered.