The Moonlit Hollow was unusually still, the snow reflecting the faint, golden glow emanating from the mysterious artifact. Aria lay beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the orb she'd dragged back after her fight with the Abyssal Prowler.
It rested near the center of the hollow, its surface shimmering with a faint energy that pulsed like a heartbeat. The Frost Mink sat beside it, squeaking softly as it occasionally nudged the artifact with its tiny paw.
"Don't push it," Aria muttered, her tail flicking in irritation. "For all we know, that thing could explode."
The mink squeaked, tilting its head innocently.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Why do I even bother?"
---
The artifact had been pulsing faintly since she brought it back, and the energy it radiated was both mesmerizing and unsettling. Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just invited something dangerous into her territory.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's the deal with this thing?"
"Artifact analysis incomplete. Fragmented Immortal Artifact properties remain unstable."
Her fur bristled. "Unstable? That's not exactly reassuring."
The Frost Mink let out a soft squeak, circling the artifact as if it were a toy.
Aria growled softly. "I said don't touch it. Do you want to get blown up?"
The mink froze, blinking up at her before backing away with a nervous squeak.
"That's better," Aria muttered, her sharp claws flexing against the frozen ground.
---
Hours passed, and the hollow remained quiet. Aria spent most of the day patrolling her territory, her sharp senses on high alert for any signs of trouble. The artifact's presence had left her uneasy, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it might attract unwanted attention.
Her patrols brought her to the edge of the hollow, where she crouched low, sniffing the ground.
The snow here was undisturbed, the crisp morning air carrying no trace of predators or intruders.
"Too quiet," she muttered, her tail swishing. "The Wildlands never stay peaceful for long."
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking softly as it sniffed the air.
"You're nervous too, huh?" Aria said, glancing down at the tiny creature. "I don't blame you. That thing in the hollow feels like a disaster waiting to happen."
The mink squeaked again, pressing against her leg.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Let's head back. If something's coming, I'd rather face it on my own ground."
---
When they returned to the hollow, the artifact's glow had grown brighter, its pulsing energy casting faint, golden ripples across the snow.
Aria's fur bristled as she approached, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "System, what's happening now?"
"Artifact resonance increasing. Energy signature stabilizing. Potential activation imminent."
Her stomach sank. "Activation? What does that mean?"
"Analysis incomplete. Artifact properties unknown."
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing. "Of course. You're as helpful as ever."
The Frost Mink let out a soft squeak, circling the artifact with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"Stay back," Aria warned, her sharp voice cutting through the quiet. "I mean it."
The mink froze, retreating a few steps as the artifact's glow grew even brighter.
---
The energy radiating from the artifact reached a crescendo, its pulsing glow intensifying until the hollow was bathed in golden light.
Aria crouched low, her muscles coiling as she prepared for whatever was about to happen.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes locked on the orb. "If this thing explodes, what are my chances of surviving?"
"Energy output non-lethal. Likely outcome: Environmental distortion or temporary anomaly."
Her fur bristled. "Distortion? Anomaly? Care to elaborate?"
"Analysis incomplete."
Aria growled softly. "You're the worst."
---
The artifact's glow reached its peak, and then, with a sudden burst of light, the energy surrounding it surged outward in a wave.
Aria flinched, her sharp claws digging into the frozen ground as the wave passed over her. The Frost Mink let out a startled squeak, its tiny body trembling as it pressed against her leg.
When the light faded, the hollow was eerily silent.
Aria blinked, her sharp blue eyes scanning the area. Nothing seemed to have changed, but the artifact's glow had dimmed, its pulsing energy reduced to a faint hum.
"What just happened?" she muttered, her tail flicking.
"Artifact stabilization complete. Properties enhanced. Residual energy detected in host and surrounding environment."
Her fur bristled. "Residual energy? What does that mean?"
"Host capabilities may be affected. Recommend testing."
Aria growled softly. "Great. Now I'm some kind of test subject. Just what I needed."
---
The Frost Mink squeaked, nudging her leg as it glanced at the artifact.
"You're not touching that," Aria said firmly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "I don't care how curious you are. Stay away from it."
The mink squeaked again, retreating a few steps with a nervous shuffle.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "At least one of us has some common sense."
---
She spent the rest of the day testing her abilities, her sharp claws flexing as she activated Lunar Veil.
The shimmering cloak of moonlight enveloped her, but it felt different—stronger, more refined.
"Lunar Veil II: 10% Progress. Enhanced stealth and evasion capabilities detected."
Aria moved silently through the snow, her form blending seamlessly with the shadows. Her movements were smoother, her body lighter as the upgraded skill carried her effortlessly.
"Not bad," she thought, her tail swishing. "If this is what that artifact can do, maybe it's not all bad."
Next, she activated Spirit Step, phasing through a cluster of rocks near the hollow's edge. The energy surrounding her felt more stable, the transition smoother as she reappeared on the other side.
"Spirit Step: 85% Progress. Increased stamina efficiency detected."
A faint smirk tugged at her lips. "Alright, I'll admit it. This might actually be useful."
---
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Aria returned to the hollow, her body buzzing with residual energy from the artifact's activation.
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking softly as it glanced at the orb.
"Yeah, I know," Aria muttered, flopping onto the snow beneath her favorite rock. "That thing's a mystery. But at least it's not trying to kill us. Yet."
The mink squeaked, curling up beside her with a contented sigh.
Aria sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening. "For now, the hollow is safe. But this artifact? It's going to bring trouble. I can feel it."
As the snow began to fall again, Aria closed her eyes, her exhaustion giving way to a faint, uneasy anticipation.