"Proper story's supposed to have a hero," she whispered, the metal meeting metal with a bone-shaking thwack . "But I’ll settle for being the one who’s still standing."
"Proper story’s supposed to start at the beginning. Ain't so simple with this one."
Give your character a clear goal (like Elara reaching the Core) and a reason they must achieve it.
"Keep movin', girl," a voice echoed, though there wasn't a soul in sight. It was just the wind playing tricks, or maybe the ghost of the Librarian who always told her to keep her voice down.