The Moonlit Hollow was anything but peaceful. The artifact's hum was louder than ever, its intensified glow casting golden ripples across the snow. Aria lay beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes locked on the artifact as the Frost Mink nestled beside her.
Its faint warmth did little to ease the tension in her chest.
"This thing is going to be the death of me," she muttered, her claws scraping against the frozen ground.
The Frost Mink squeaked softly, tilting its head as if to say, What else is new?
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Don't give me that look. You're the one who thought bringing that fragment back was a good idea."
The mink squeaked again, curling into a tighter ball beside her.
"Yeah, hide while you can," Aria muttered, her tail flicking. "Because when something comes for that thing, you're not going to like it."
---
The morning air was crisp and biting as Aria rose to her paws, stretching as her sharp claws flexed against the frozen ground. The artifact's glow had dimmed slightly, but the oppressive weight of its energy still hung heavy in the air.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Status report."
"Artifact integration complete. Resonance stable. Energy signature heightened. Probability of hostile attraction: 70%."
Her fur bristled. "Seventy percent? That's worse than yesterday!"
"Correct. Hostile attraction likely within the next 24 hours."
Aria growled softly. "Of course. Because why would I ever catch a break?"
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking nervously.
"Yeah, I know," Aria muttered, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. "Something's coming. I can feel it."
---
She spent the morning reinforcing her barriers, dragging fallen branches and stacking rocks around the hollow's perimeter. Her muscles ached from the effort, but she pushed through, her sharp claws slicing through the frozen wood with grim determination.
The Frost Mink and its companions tried to help, but their small paws were more of a hindrance than a help.
"Stay out of the way," Aria growled, nudging one of the smaller minks aside as it attempted to dig a trench in the wrong direction. "I mean it."
The mink squeaked, scurrying off with an indignant shuffle.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Why do I even bother?"
---
By midday, the oppressive tension in the air had grown unbearable. Aria crouched low near the stream, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the horizon. Every instinct in her body screamed that danger was near.
"System," she thought, her claws flexing. "What am I looking at?"
"Unknown entities detected. Threat level: Severe. Estimated arrival: Imminent."
Her stomach twisted. "How many?"
"Four entities identified. Analysis suggests coordination."
Aria's sharp claws scraped against the frozen ground. "Another coordinated attack. Perfect."
The Frost Mink pressed against her leg, squeaking softly.
"Stay close," Aria muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And don't make a sound."
---
The hostiles appeared moments later, their massive forms emerging from the shadows at the edge of her territory.
Two Frostscale Lizards slithered into view, their icy blue scales shimmering as they hissed softly. Behind them, a pair of Frostfang Serpents coiled menacingly, their glowing yellow eyes locked on the artifact.
"Hostiles confirmed: Frostscale Lizards (2) and Frostfang Serpents (2). Beast Awakening Stage: Advanced Phase. Threat level: Extreme."
Aria's fur bristled. "Lizards and snakes working together? That's new."
The creatures spread out, their movements slow and deliberate as they circled the hollow.
"They're after the artifact," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And they're not leaving without it."
---
She activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form blending into the shadows as she moved to intercept the hostiles.
"Lunar Veil II: 50% Progress."
The Frostscale Lizards paused, their sharp noses sniffing the air as they tried to track her movements.
Aria struck first, lunging at the nearest lizard with her claws extended.
The creature hissed in surprise, its icy scales cracking under the force of her strike.
The Frostfang Serpents hissed in unison, their long bodies coiling as they prepared to strike.
"Alright," Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Let's see what you've got."
---
The fight was brutal, each predator moving with deadly precision as they coordinated their attacks.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through their strikes, reappearing behind them to land calculated blows.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced stamina efficiency detected. Minor Attribute Boost applied."
Her strikes were relentless, targeting the lizards' legs and the serpents' tails to weaken them. But their numbers and coordination forced her to stay on the defensive.
One Frostscale Lizard lunged at her, its sharp claws grazing her side. Aria snarled, twisting mid-air as she struck back with a powerful swipe.
The Frostfang Serpents lashed out with their sharp fangs, their glowing yellow eyes locking onto her as they struck in perfect unison.
Aria dodged narrowly, her tail swishing as she circled around to land a devastating blow to one of the serpents' flanks.
---
The battle dragged on, the predators growing more desperate as their strength waned.
Aria's sharp claws tore through their defenses, each strike chipping away at their coordination.
Finally, with a series of calculated attacks, she brought the Frostscale Lizards down one by one.
The Frostfang Serpents hissed, their movements becoming frantic as they tried to retreat.
Aria didn't let them escape.
With one final burst of speed, she lunged at the remaining serpent, her claws striking its exposed neck.
The creature let out a final, pained hiss before collapsing onto the snow.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostiles. +150 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," Aria muttered, glaring down at the tiny creature. "But this is getting out of hand."
The mink squeaked softly, nuzzling against her leg.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. You're welcome. Again."
---
Dragging the carcasses back to the hollow was exhausting, but Aria refused to leave them behind. The other minks gathered around as she dropped the bodies near the stream, their soft squeaks filling the air.
"Don't even think about it," Aria growled, glaring at them. "These are 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 this 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 yet to come.