The Moonlit Hollow lay cloaked in a heavy stillness, the faint hum of the artifact reverberating through the snow-covered ground. Its golden glow pulsed softly, casting long, eerie shadows against the jagged rocks and crude barriers Aria had built.
Aria sat atop one of the larger stones near the center of the hollow, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the horizon. The Frost Mink was curled up beside her, its tiny body rising and falling with steady breaths.
"I don't trust this calm," she muttered, her tail flicking with irritation. "It's too quiet."
The mink squeaked softly, opening one eye to glance up at her before snuggling deeper into her fur for warmth.
"Lazy," Aria said, glaring at the creature. "You should be helping me keep watch, not napping."
The mink squeaked again, its reply muffled by a yawn.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Figures. You're all fluff and no fight."
---
The morning light crept over the horizon, bathing the hollow in pale gold. Aria stretched, her muscles still sore from the previous day's battle with the Frostscale Lizards and Frostfang Serpents.
Her claws flexed against the frozen ground as she stood, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "System," she thought, her ears swiveling toward the faint hum of the artifact. "Status report."
"Artifact resonance stable. Energy field expansion at 80%. Increased likelihood of hostile detection within the next 12 hours."
Her fur bristled. "Twelve hours? That's not much time."
"Correct. Recommend fortifying defenses and maintaining vigilance."
Aria growled softly. "You think?"
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking nervously as it glanced toward the artifact.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Aria muttered, her tail swishing. "Something's coming."
---
She spent the morning patrolling the hollow, her sharp senses on high alert for any signs of movement. The snow remained undisturbed, the crisp air carrying no fresh scents, but the tension in the atmosphere was impossible to ignore.
Her sharp claws scraped against the ground as she paused near the stream, her blue eyes scanning the surrounding terrain. "This is the calm before the storm," she thought, her tail flicking.
The Frost Mink followed her closely, its tiny paws leaving faint tracks in the snow.
"You're sticking close today," Aria said, glancing at the creature. "Nervous?"
The mink squeaked, tilting its head.
Aria sighed. "Yeah, me too."
---
By midday, the oppressive energy from the artifact had grown stronger, its glow intensifying as it pulsed in erratic rhythms.
Aria crouched low near the center of the hollow, her sharp blue eyes locked on the artifact. "System," she thought, her claws flexing. "What's happening now?"
"Artifact resonance nearing threshold. Energy fluctuations detected. Hostiles may converge sooner than expected."
Her fur bristled. "Sooner? How much sooner?"
"Estimated arrival: 2–4 hours."
Aria growled softly, her claws scraping against the frozen ground. "Of course. Why would I ever get the full twelve hours?"
The Frost Mink let out a worried squeak, pressing against her leg.
"Stay close," Aria muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And don't wander off."
---
She spent the next few hours reinforcing her barriers, her sharp claws slicing through fallen branches and dragging heavy stones into place. Her muscles burned from the effort, but she refused to stop, her instincts screaming that she needed to prepare.
The Frost Mink and its companions tried to help, their tiny paws pushing snow into uneven mounds around the edges of the hollow.
Aria paused briefly to glare at the tiny creatures. "That's not helping."
The minks squeaked in unison, their wide eyes gleaming with a mix of indignation and innocence.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don't get in my way."
---
The tension in the air grew heavier as the afternoon wore on. By the time the first shadows began to lengthen, Aria's fur was bristling, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon with unwavering focus.
The Frost Mink scurried to her side, squeaking nervously as it pressed against her leg.
"They're coming," Aria muttered, her claws flexing. "I can feel it."
---
The hostiles appeared just before sunset, their massive forms emerging from the shadows at the edge of her territory.
Two Abyssal Hounds prowled forward, their sleek black fur glinting faintly in the fading light. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact, their sharp claws scraping against the frozen ground as they moved closer.
Behind them, a Frostfang Drake loomed, its icy blue scales shimmering as its long tail swayed behind it like a serpent.
"Hostiles confirmed: Abyssal Hounds (2) and Frostfang Drake (1). Beast Awakening Stage: Advanced Phase. Threat level: Extreme."
Aria's stomach twisted.
"A drake and two hounds?" she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "That's overkill, even for this place."
---
She activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form blending into the shadows as she moved to intercept the hostiles.
"Lunar Veil II: 55% Progress."
The Abyssal Hounds paused, their sharp noses sniffing the air as they tried to track her movements.
Aria struck first, lunging at the nearest hound with her claws extended.
The creature snarled in surprise, its glowing eyes blazing as it twisted to face her.
The second hound charged at her from the side, its sharp claws slicing through the snow as it lunged.
Aria dodged narrowly, activating Spirit Step to phase through its attack and reappear behind it.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced stamina efficiency detected. Minor Attribute Boost applied."
She landed a devastating blow to the hound's flank, her sharp claws raking through its black fur.
The Frostfang Drake roared, its massive body barreling toward her as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto her shimmering form.
"Here we go," 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.
The Abyssal Hounds were fast and relentless, their sharp claws and snapping jaws forcing Aria to stay on the defensive.
The Frostfang Drake was slower but far more powerful, its massive strikes shaking the ground with every attack.
Aria darted between them, her strikes precise and calculated as she targeted their legs and flanks to weaken them.
One hound lunged at her, its claws grazing her side. Aria snarled, twisting mid-air as she struck back with a powerful swipe.
The drake lashed out with its tail, the force of the strike sending snow and debris flying as Aria narrowly dodged.
---
The battle raged 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 Abyssal Hounds down one by one.
The Frostfang Drake roared, its icy blue scales glinting as it lunged at her with renewed fury.
Aria activated Lunar Veil again, her shimmering form disappearing as she sidestepped the attack.
She reappeared behind the drake, her claws striking its exposed flank.
The creature let out a final, pained roar before collapsing onto the snow.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostiles. +180 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 artifact? It's going to get us killed."
The mink squeaked softly, nuzzling against her leg.
Aria sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. You're welcome. Again."
---
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.