The Moonlit Hollow rested under a canopy of stars, the quiet broken only by the soft rustling of the Frost Minks as they scurried around the now-dormant artifact. Its golden glow had faded to a faint shimmer, but Aria could still feel the strange energy lingering in the air.
She lay beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the orb.
"What are you?" she muttered, her claws scraping against the frozen ground.
The system chimed softly in response.
"Fragmented Immortal Artifact. Current state: Stabilized. Effects on host and environment: Ongoing."
Aria growled softly. "Yeah, I got that part. What I want to know is what it's going to do next."
"Analysis incomplete. Potential outcomes include environmental anomalies, hostile attraction, or skill enhancement."
Her fur bristled. "Hostile attraction? You could've led with that!"
The Frost Mink squeaked, bounding to her side as if to reassure her.
Aria sighed, her tail flicking. "Of course you're not worried. You don't have to do the fighting."
---
Morning came too quickly, the pale sunlight creeping over the horizon as Aria rose to her paws. She stretched, her muscles still buzzing faintly with the residual energy from the artifact's activation.
"I need to know what I'm dealing with," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "If this thing is going to cause trouble, I need to be ready."
The Frost Mink scurried beside her, its tiny paws kicking up small puffs of snow.
"You're coming with me, huh?" Aria said, glancing down at the tiny creature. "Fine. But no distractions. I mean it."
---
She spent the morning testing her abilities, starting with Lunar Veil.
The shimmering cloak enveloped her, its enhanced stealth allowing her to move more fluidly through the shadows. She darted between trees and rocks, her form blending seamlessly with the terrain.
"Lunar Veil II: 20% Progress. Enhanced stealth and stamina efficiency detected."
Her movements felt effortless, the skill's upgraded capabilities sharpening her reactions and extending her range.
"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 transition was smoother, her stamina draining less with each use.
"Spirit Step: 90% Progress. Nearing mastery. Skill refinement detected."
Aria smirked faintly. "Alright, artifact. I'll give you this one. You've made me faster."
---
Her training was interrupted by the faint sound of movement in the distance. She froze, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as her ears swiveled toward the source.
The sound grew louder—a steady crunching of snow, too deliberate to be prey.
"System," she thought, her fur bristling. "What am I hearing?"
"Unknown entities detected. Threat level: High. Analysis indicates multiple signatures."
Her claws flexed. "Great. Hostile attraction in action."
The Frost Mink squeaked nervously, pressing against her leg.
"Stay close," Aria muttered, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. "And don't make a sound."
---
The intruders appeared moments later, their sleek forms emerging from the shadows of the forest.
A group of Abyssal Hounds prowled toward the hollow, their black fur glinting faintly in the light. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact, their sharp claws scraping against the frozen ground as they moved closer.
"Hostiles detected: Abyssal Hounds (5). Beast Awakening Stage: Advanced Phase. Threat level: Severe."
Aria's stomach sank.
"Five of them?" she thought, her claws scraping against the ground. "That's overkill, even for me."
The hounds growled low, their movements deliberate as they spread out, circling the hollow.
"They're after the artifact," Aria realized, her tail lashing. "And they're not leaving without a fight."
---
She crouched low, activating Lunar Veil as her shimmering form disappeared into the shadows.
"Lunar Veil II: 25% Progress."
The Abyssal Hounds paused, their sharp noses sniffing the air as they tried to track her movements.
Aria moved silently, her sharp claws flexing as she circled behind the nearest hound.
She lunged, her claws raking across its flank. The creature let out a startled snarl, stumbling as blood stained the snow beneath it.
The other hounds turned, their glowing red eyes narrowing as they locked onto her.
"Here we go," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing.
---
The fight was chaotic, each hound lunging at her with razor-sharp claws and snapping jaws.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through their attacks, reappearing behind them to strike with precision.
"Spirit Step: 95% Progress. Skill nearing mastery."
Her strikes were calculated, targeting the hounds' legs and flanks to weaken them. But their pack instincts made them relentless, their coordinated attacks forcing her to stay on the defensive.
One hound lunged at her, its claws grazing her side. Aria snarled, twisting mid-air as she struck back, her claws raking across its face.
Another hound charged from the side, but she dodged its attack, her tail swishing as she circled around to land a devastating blow.
---
The Frost Mink watched from the safety of the rocks, its tiny body trembling as it squeaked softly.
Aria glanced toward it briefly, growling under her breath. "Stay there! I've got this!"
The battle continued, the hounds growing more desperate as their numbers dwindled.
Aria's sharp strikes wore them down, each one falling until only one remained.
The final hound snarled, its glowing red eyes blazing as it lunged at her with all its strength.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form disappearing as she sidestepped the attack.
She reappeared behind the hound, her claws striking its exposed flank. The creature let out a final, pained snarl before collapsing onto the snow.
---
"Quest Complete: Defend Artifact. +80 EXP earned. Minor Attribute Boost applied."
Aria collapsed onto the snow, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her.
The Frost Mink scurried toward her, its tiny paws leaving faint tracks as it pressed against her leg.
"You're late," Aria muttered, glaring down at the tiny creature. "Again."
The mink squeaked, nuzzling against her leg.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. You're welcome."
---
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Aria returned to her shelter, the artifact still faintly glowing in the center of the hollow.
The Frost Mink curled up beside her, its tiny body warm against her side.
"For now, we're safe," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut. "But this artifact is more trouble than it's worth."
As the snow began to fall again, the Moonlit Hollow settled into a fragile peace, the faint hum of the artifact a constant reminder of the storm it had yet to bring.