The Moonlit Hollow felt heavier than usual, the air charged with a strange energy that made Aria's fur bristle. The artifact's glow had grown stronger overnight, its hum a low vibration that resonated through the frozen ground.
Aria crouched on her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. The Frost Mink was curled at her paws, its tiny body trembling slightly as it pressed against her leg.
"Something's different today," she muttered, her claws flexing against the cold stone. "System, give me an update."
"Artifact resonance unstable. Energy fluctuations detected. Environmental disturbances likely."
Her tail flicked sharply. "Environmental disturbances? What does that mean?"
"Potential anomalies in local terrain or energy fields. High probability of hostile activity."
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Of course. It's never simple with this thing."
---
Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his dark robes blending with the shadows. The faint crimson threads of his defensive formation shimmered around him as he studied the glowing orb.
"It's changing," he said, his tone calm. "The energy it's releasing feels... different."
Aria leaped down from her perch, her claws scraping against the ground as she approached him. "Different how?"
He glanced at her, his dark eyes thoughtful. "More focused. It's not just radiating aimlessly anymore. It's... reaching out."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Reaching out? To what?"
Xuan Hao shrugged, his expression unreadable. "That's the question, isn't it?"
---
The Frost Mink scurried over to the artifact, its tiny paws pressing against the barrier Xuan Hao had constructed.
"Careful," he said, his tone light. "You don't want to get caught in that."
The mink squeaked, tilting its head as if to say, Why not?
Aria growled softly, nudging the tiny creature away. "Don't mess with it."
Xuan Hao chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're surprisingly protective for a beast."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted, her claws flexing. "And you're surprisingly annoying for a human."
He smirked faintly, stepping back from the artifact. "Fair enough."
---
The morning passed uneventfully, but the tension in the hollow was impossible to ignore. The artifact's hum grew louder, its glow pulsing in erratic rhythms that set Aria's nerves on edge.
She spent most of the time patrolling the perimeter, her sharp senses tuned to every sound and movement. The snow remained undisturbed, but the oppressive energy in the air made her fur stand on end.
"System," she thought, her tail swishing. "What's the status on the artifact?"
"Energy fluctuations increasing. Resonance threshold approaching. High probability of significant disturbance."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "Significant how?"
"Unconfirmed. Possible outcomes include terrain alteration or hostile attraction."
Aria growled softly, her claws scraping against the ground. "That's not helpful."
---
By midday, Xuan Hao was seated near the artifact, his dark eyes focused on the glowing orb. The faint crimson threads of his defensive formation flickered around him as he meditated.
Aria approached cautiously, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What are you doing now?"
"Monitoring," he said without looking up. "This thing is building toward something, and we need to be ready when it happens."
Her fur bristled, her tail lashing. "And you're just going to sit there?"
He smirked faintly, opening one eye to glance at her. "You're welcome to join me, if you think you can focus."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "Don't test me."
---
The Frost Mink scurried over to Xuan Hao, sniffing at his robes.
He chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle the tiny creature's fur. "You're braver than your guardian, aren't you?"
Aria snarled, stepping between them. "Keep your hands to yourself."
Xuan Hao raised his hands in mock surrender, his faint smile returning. "As you wish."
---
The first signs of trouble came in the early afternoon. A faint rumbling sound echoed through the hollow, accompanied by a sharp, icy wind that cut through the trees.
Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. "System, what's happening?"
"Environmental disturbance detected. Energy surge imminent."
Her fur bristled. "Energy surge? From what?"
"Artifact resonance exceeding threshold. Initiating terrain alteration."
Aria growled, her claws scraping against the ground. "You could've warned me sooner."
---
The artifact's glow brightened suddenly, its hum rising to a piercing pitch that made Aria's ears flatten.
The Frost Mink let out a startled squeak, darting behind her for cover.
Xuan Hao stood quickly, his dark eyes narrowing as he watched the artifact. "It's happening," he murmured.
The ground beneath them began to tremble, faint cracks spidering through the frozen earth as the air grew heavy with energy.
Aria's sharp blue eyes blazed as she crouched low, ready to strike. "What now?"
"Brace yourself," Xuan Hao said, his tone calm. "This might get messy."
---
The artifact's golden glow pulsed violently, releasing a wave of energy that rippled outward, distorting the air and snow around it.
Aria felt the force of it in her chest, a sharp pressure that made her growl softly. The Frost Mink pressed against her leg, trembling.
When the wave dissipated, the hollow had changed.
The snow was gone, replaced by jagged shards of ice that reflected the artifact's glow. The trees around the perimeter had withered, their branches twisted into unnatural shapes.
And in the distance, faint shadows moved through the frost-coated trees.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "What just happened?"
"Terrain alteration complete. Hostile entities detected. Threat level: Extreme."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "How many?"
"Seven hostiles identified. Estimated arrival: Imminent."
---
Xuan Hao stepped forward, his blade gleaming faintly as he drew it from its sheath. "Looks like we've got company," he said, his tone calm.
Aria growled softly, her tail lashing. "Stay out of my way."
He smirked faintly, his dark eyes glinting. "As you wish."
---
The hostiles emerged moments later, their massive forms moving through the frost-coated trees with deliberate precision.
Four Abyssal Wolves prowled forward, their glowing red eyes locked on the artifact. Their sleek black fur glinted faintly in the distorted light, their sharp claws scraping against the frozen ground.
Behind them, two Frostscale Lizards slithered into view, their icy blue scales shimmering as they hissed softly.
And towering above them all, a Frostfang Drake loomed, its glowing yellow eyes burning with predatory intent.
"Hostiles confirmed: Abyssal Wolf Pack (4), Frostscale Lizards (2), and Frostfang Drake (1). Beast Awakening Stage: Peak Phase. Threat level: Extreme."
Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "This just keeps getting worse."
Xuan Hao's blade glinted as he stepped forward. "Shall we?"
Her claws flexed against the ground. "Let's get this over with."