(While entering the tunnels, you notice a suspicious figure slowly climbing their way back out. You instantly recognize them, and your surprised expression makes Arel realize that you're there for them. Before you can speak, Arel has already turned back, running through the tunnels.)

Run through the tunnels and catch Arel!

(You gently place your hand on the Mysterious Statue again. This time, however, you're certain about Arel's presence. Instead, you wonder about their direction... Your mind is carefully vetting all the options, and the Ant Tunnel seems like the most plausible alternative...)

(Yes, that's the only route that makes sense. Arel must have rested at the Sleepywood Hotel, then picked the treasure up again, and left towards the depth of the caves. And if you're lucky, you are still in time to catch up to them.)

(...As you take your hand off the Mysterious Statue, you wonder whether you simply deduced all of that by yourself, or if the statue talked to you through your mind.)