The morning light broke over the Moonlit Hollow, casting long shadows across the snow-covered ground. Aria stirred beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes flickering open as a chill wind rustled through the air. The Frost Mink was already awake, its tiny blue-furred body perched atop the artifact.
"Of course you're sitting on it," Aria muttered, rising to her paws. "Why not make it even more obvious to the entire Wildlands that we've got something worth stealing?"
The mink squeaked, tilting its head as if to say, What's the problem?
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "You're lucky you're cute."
The artifact's faint golden glow pulsed softly, its energy more subdued than it had been the day before. But the air around it felt heavier, charged with a strange tension that set her fur on edge.
"This thing is going to be the death of me," she muttered, her sharp claws scraping against the frozen ground.
---
She spent the morning patrolling her territory, her sharp senses on high alert. The snow was undisturbed, and the crisp air carried no fresh scents of predators or prey.
Too quiet.
Aria's tail lashed as she crouched low near the stream, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. "System," she thought, her claws flexing. "Anything unusual?"
"Environmental anomaly detected. Resonance from artifact causing disruptions in local energy field. Hostiles may be drawn to source."
Her fur bristled. "Great. So it's not just me being paranoid."
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking softly.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Aria said, glancing down at the tiny creature. "Something's coming. I can feel it."
The mink squeaked again, pressing against her leg.
Aria sighed, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Let's head back. I want to keep an eye on that artifact."
---
By the time she returned to the hollow, the artifact's glow had grown brighter, its pulsing energy casting faint ripples across the snow.
Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the orb. "System, what's happening now?"
"Artifact resonance increasing. Energy output stable but attracting external attention."
Her claws scraped against the frozen ground. "What kind of attention?"
"Unconfirmed. Hostiles likely."
Aria growled softly, her tail lashing. "Of course. Because nothing about this thing can ever be simple."
---
The first sign of trouble came just after midday. A faint rustling sound echoed through the hollow, carried by the cold wind.
Aria stiffened, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she scanned the horizon.
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, its tiny body trembling as it squeaked nervously.
"Stay close," Aria muttered, her claws flexing. "And don't do anything stupid."
The sound grew louder, closer—a steady crunching of snow, deliberate and heavy.
"System," she thought, her fur bristling. "What am I hearing?"
"Unknown entity detected. Threat level: Severe. Recommend immediate defensive action."
Her sharp blue eyes locked onto a shadow moving through the trees at the edge of her territory.
The figure stepped into view moments later, its massive form towering over the snow.
A Frostfang Drake.
---
The creature's icy blue scales shimmered faintly in the pale light, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto the artifact with predatory intent. Its sharp claws dug into the frozen ground as it prowled closer, its long tail swaying behind it like a serpent.
"Hostile detected: Frostfang Drake (Beast Awakening Stage, Peak Phase). Threat level: Extreme."
Aria's stomach twisted, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "A peak-phase drake? Are you kidding me?"
The Frost Mink let out a startled squeak, darting behind her for cover.
"Yeah, I'm scared too," Aria muttered, her tail lashing. "But running isn't an option."
---
She crouched low, activating Lunar Veil as her shimmering form disappeared into the shadows.
"Lunar Veil II: 35% Progress."
The Frostfang Drake growled low, its sharp nose sniffing the air as it tried to track her movements.
Aria moved silently, circling the creature as she searched for an opening.
The drake lunged suddenly, its massive claws slicing through the snow as it struck where she'd been moments before.
"Fast," she thought, her claws flexing. "But not faster than me."
---
The fight was relentless, the drake's massive size and raw power making it a formidable opponent.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through its attacks, reappearing behind it to strike its exposed flanks.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Minor Attribute Boost applied. Enhanced stamina efficiency detected."
Her sharp claws raked across the drake's scales, each strike chipping away at its defenses.
The creature roared, twisting mid-air as it lashed out with its tail. Aria dodged, her tail swishing as she landed a powerful blow to its hind leg.
---
Despite her speed and precision, the battle took its toll. The Frostfang Drake was relentless, its attacks growing more frenzied as its strength waned.
One of its claws grazed her side, drawing a sharp hiss of pain as she twisted away.
"Can't keep this up forever," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "I need to end this. Now."
---
With a burst of speed, Aria activated Lunar Veil again, her shimmering form blending into the shadows as she circled the drake.
The creature snarled, its glowing eyes scanning the hollow as it tried to track her movements.
She struck from the shadows, her claws sinking deep into its exposed neck.
The Frostfang Drake let out a final, pained roar before collapsing onto the snow.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostile. +100 EXP earned. Major Attribute Boost applied."
---
Aria collapsed onto the snow, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her.
The Frost Mink appeared moments later, scurrying toward her with a worried squeak.
"I'm fine," she muttered, glaring down at the tiny creature. "But this? This is why I hate that artifact."
The mink squeaked, nuzzling against her leg.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. You're welcome. Again."
---
Dragging the drake's massive carcass back to the hollow was an ordeal, but Aria refused to leave it behind. The other minks gathered around as she dropped it near the stream, their soft squeaks filling the air.
"Don't even think about it," Aria growled, glaring at them. "This thing is mine."
The Frost Mink squeaked, curling up beside her with a contented sigh.
Aria sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening. "For now, the hollow is safe. But that artifact? It's going to get us all killed."
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 still brewing.