The Moonlit Hollow was quiet, but the silence felt fragile, like the stillness before a storm. The artifact's golden glow pulsed faintly, casting shifting patterns of light against the jagged rocks and snow. Aria lay beneath her favorite perch, her sharp blue eyes locked on Xuan Hao.
The human cultivator sat cross-legged near the artifact, his dark robes blending with the shadows. His eyes were closed, and faint threads of crimson energy shimmered around him as he meditated.
The Frost Mink curled up between them, its tiny body rising and falling with steady breaths.
"I still don't trust him," Aria thought, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "He's too calm, too collected. No one that powerful shows up here without a reason."
The system's calm voice broke into her thoughts.
"Host's caution is justified. Anomalous cultivators often pursue hidden motives."
Her tail flicked sharply, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Thanks for the confirmation. Now tell me how to deal with him if he tries anything."
"Insufficient data. Recommend continued observation."
Aria growled softly under her breath. "Useless as ever."
---
The morning sunlight crept over the horizon, bathing the hollow in pale gold. Xuan Hao opened his eyes, the crimson energy around him dissipating as he rose to his feet.
"Good morning," he said, his tone calm. "I assume you've been watching me all night?"
Aria let out a low growl, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
"I'll take that as a yes," he said, brushing the frost from his robes. "Good. Suspicion is healthy."
Her fur bristled, her claws scraping against the ground. "What do you want, human?"
He smiled faintly, glancing toward the artifact. "The same thing you want: to keep this thing safe."
Her sharp blue eyes flicked to the artifact, then back to him. "Safe from you, maybe."
Xuan Hao chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. But for now, I suggest we focus on what's coming next."
---
The Frost Mink scurried over to Xuan Hao, sniffing at the edge of his robes. He crouched, offering the tiny creature a faint smile.
"Still curious, aren't you?" he murmured, his tone soft.
Aria growled, stepping closer. "Leave it alone."
Xuan Hao straightened, his dark eyes meeting hers. "You're protective of them. That's rare for a beast."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted, her tail lashing. "And you're too interested in things that aren't your business."
He smirked faintly, stepping back. "Fair point."
---
The day passed slowly, the tension in the hollow growing heavier with each passing hour. Aria spent most of the time patrolling the perimeter, her sharp senses tuned to every sound and scent.
Xuan Hao remained near the artifact, studying it with quiet intensity. The faint threads of crimson energy around him flickered occasionally, as if responding to the artifact's hum.
The Frost Mink darted between them, its tiny paws leaving faint tracks in the snow.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Any signs of trouble?"
"Artifact resonance stable. No immediate hostiles detected. Probability of future hostile convergence: 60%."
Her fur bristled. "Sixty percent. It's always a matter of time."
---
By midday, the artifact's glow had grown slightly brighter, its pulsing energy sending faint ripples through the snow.
Xuan Hao frowned, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the shifting light. "It's resonating more strongly than yesterday," he murmured.
Aria crouched nearby, her sharp blue eyes fixed on him. "And that means what?"
"More trouble," he said simply. "The stronger it resonates, the farther its reach extends. Every beast in the Wildlands will sense it eventually."
Her claws flexed against the ground, her tail swishing. "Then why haven't you left yet?"
Xuan Hao smiled faintly. "Because I'm not stupid enough to leave this thing unguarded. And because I'm curious."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "Curiosity gets people killed."
"Only if they're careless," he replied.
---
The Frost Mink scurried to Aria's side, squeaking softly as it nuzzled her leg.
Xuan Hao watched the interaction with quiet interest. "You've built quite the bond with these creatures," he said.
Aria huffed, glancing down at the tiny mink. "They're annoying, but they're mine."
He chuckled softly. "Spoken like a true guardian."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Don't patronize me."
Xuan Hao raised his hands in mock surrender. "Noted."
---
The afternoon was uneventful, but Aria's instincts remained on edge. The quiet felt unnatural, and the artifact's energy was growing harder to ignore.
She perched on her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. Xuan Hao stood nearby, his dark robes blending with the shadows as he sharpened a sleek, curved blade.
The Frost Mink sat between them, its tiny body trembling slightly as it squeaked.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Aria muttered, her tail swishing. "Something's coming."
Xuan Hao glanced toward her, his dark eyes thoughtful. "You have good instincts."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "I don't need your approval."
He smirked faintly, returning to his work. "Fair enough."
---
By sunset, the tension in the hollow had reached a breaking point. The artifact's glow pulsed erratically, its hum filling the air like a warning.
Aria crouched low near the stream, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the treeline. Every muscle in her body was coiled, ready to strike.
"System," she thought, her claws flexing. "What's the situation?"
"Multiple entities detected. Threat level: Severe. Estimated arrival: Imminent."
Her fur bristled. "How many?"
"Five hostiles identified. Coordinated movement detected."
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Here we go again."
---
Xuan Hao rose to his feet, his blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Looks like we have company," he said, his tone calm.
Aria growled, her claws scraping against the ground. "Stay out of my way."
He smirked faintly, his dark eyes glinting. "I'll do my part. Just try not to die, alright?"
Her tail lashed, but she didn't respond.
---
The hostiles appeared moments later, 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. Behind them, three Frostscale Lizards slithered into view, their icy blue scales shimmering as they hissed softly.
"Hostiles confirmed: Abyssal Hounds (2) and Frostscale Lizards (3). Beast Awakening Stage: Advanced Phase. Threat level: Extreme."
Aria's sharp blue eyes narrowed. "It's always packs. Can't I ever get a break?"
Xuan Hao stepped forward, his blade gleaming as he twirled it with practiced ease. "Shall we?"
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing. "Let's make one thing clear. I'm not doing this for you."
He chuckled. "Noted."
---
The battle began with a flurry of movement.
The Abyssal Hounds charged first, their sharp claws slicing through the snow as they lunged toward the artifact.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form disappearing as she intercepted them.
"Lunar Veil II: 70% Progress."
Her claws raked through the nearest hound's flank, the creature snarling as it stumbled back.
Xuan Hao moved like a shadow, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. One of the Frostscale Lizards hissed, its icy tail striking at him, but he dodged effortlessly, landing a devastating blow to its side.
---
The fight was chaotic, each predator moving with deadly precision as they coordinated their attacks.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through the hounds' strikes, reappearing behind them to land calculated blows.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced stamina efficiency detected. Minor Attribute Boost applied."
Xuan Hao's crimson energy flared as he countered the Frostscale Lizards, his movements fluid and efficient.
For a brief moment, Aria found herself grudgingly impressed.
"Maybe he's not completely useless," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
---
By the time the last hostile fell, the hollow was littered with blood and snow.
Aria collapsed onto the ground, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her.
Xuan Hao stood nearby, wiping his blade clean with a calm expression.
"Not bad," he said, his tone light. "For a guardian."
Aria growled softly, her tail flicking. "Don't push your luck."
The Frost Mink scurried toward her, squeaking softly as it pressed against her leg.
"For now," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut, "the hollow is safe. But this human? He's trouble."