The battle was over, but the tension in the Moonlit Hollow hadn't dissipated. The shattered remnants of ice and snow bore the marks of claws, tails, and fangs. The blood of the fallen hostiles stained the frozen ground, the stark crimson contrasting with the pale glow of the artifact.
Aria lay beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes half-closed as she focused on her breathing. Her sides ached from the drake's relentless attacks, and exhaustion weighed on her limbs like lead.
The Frost Mink was pressed against her, squeaking softly as it nuzzled her side.
"I'm fine," she muttered, her claws flexing against the ground. "Stop fussing."
The mink squeaked again, its tiny eyes filled with worry.
Aria sighed, her tail curling around the tiny creature. "Okay, maybe I'm not fine. But I will be."
---
Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his blade resting against his knee as he surveyed the battlefield. His dark robes were stained with blood, though his expression remained calm.
"Well," he said, his tone light. "That was a lively one."
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "If you have the energy to talk, you didn't fight hard enough."
He chuckled, glancing toward her. "And yet, here we both are. Alive. You're welcome, by the way."
Her tail flicked sharply, her claws scraping against the ground. "Don't push your luck."
---
The artifact's glow had dimmed slightly, its hum no longer as piercing as it had been during the battle. But the air around it still felt charged, heavy with residual energy that made Aria's fur bristle.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes flicking toward the artifact. "What's going on with that thing?"
"Artifact resonance stabilizing. Energy output reduced. Current threat level: Moderate."
Her ears twitched. "Moderate? After all that?"
"Energy fluctuations have subsided. Hostile attraction probability: 30%."
Aria growled softly, her tail swishing. "So we get a break, but not for long."
---
The Frost Mink scurried over to the artifact, its tiny paws pressing against the edge of the barrier Xuan Hao had constructed.
"Careful," he said, his tone light. "That's not something you want to mess with."
The mink squeaked, tilting its head as if to say, Why not?
Aria groaned, rising to her paws with visible effort. "Leave it alone," she growled, nudging the tiny creature away.
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his faint smile returning. "You're awfully protective of them."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed, her claws flexing. "And you're awfully nosy for someone who's supposed to be helping."
He smirked faintly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Noted."
---
The morning passed in relative quiet, though the tension in the hollow remained palpable. Aria spent most of the time patrolling the perimeter, her sharp senses tuned to every sound and movement.
The snow had settled once more, covering the traces of the earlier battle, but the jagged ice formations created by the artifact's surge remained, casting long shadows across the hollow.
Xuan Hao worked near the artifact, reinforcing the barrier with faint threads of crimson energy.
"You're not going to stop messing with that thing, are you?" Aria asked, her tone sharp.
He glanced at her, his dark eyes thoughtful. "If it means keeping us alive, no. Besides, someone has to make sure it doesn't blow up again."
Her fur bristled, her claws scraping against the ground. "If it does, that's on you."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'll take the blame, but we both know you'd miss me."
Aria growled, her tail flicking. "Don't flatter yourself."
---
By midday, the Frost Mink and its companions had gathered near the stream, their tiny squeaks filling the hollow as they played in the shallow water.
Aria watched them from a distance, her sharp blue eyes softening slightly.
"They don't know how lucky they are," she thought, her claws flexing. "They don't have to deal with this mess."
"System," she said, her gaze shifting to the artifact. "How long do we have before the next wave of trouble?"
"Hostile detection probability increasing gradually. Estimated safe period: 24–48 hours."
Her tail swished. "So we get a day or two. That's better than nothing."
---
Xuan Hao approached her, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity. "You seem quieter than usual."
Aria huffed, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Maybe I just don't want to talk to you."
He smirked faintly, leaning against a nearby rock. "Fair enough. But you should know, I've been thinking about your next move."
Her fur bristled. "My next move?"
He nodded, his tone calm. "You can't stay here forever. The artifact's energy is only going to keep growing, and it'll draw stronger enemies as it does."
Her claws scraped against the ground. "And what do you suggest?"
"There are places in the Wildlands where you might find allies," he said, his expression serious. "Or at least, places where the artifact's energy won't make you such an easy target."
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You think I need help?"
Xuan Hao smiled faintly. "Everyone needs help sometimes, even you."
---
The Frost Mink scurried over, squeaking as it nuzzled against Aria's leg.
She sighed, glancing down at the tiny creature. "And what do you think? Should we pack up and leave?"
The mink tilted its head, squeaking again as if to say, I go where you go.
Aria huffed, shaking her head. "Not helpful."
---
As the sun began to set, casting the hollow in hues of gold and orange, the artifact's glow pulsed faintly, its hum steady but subdued.
Aria perched on her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. Xuan Hao sat nearby, his blade resting across his lap as he watched the artifact.
"For now," Aria thought, her tail curling around her paws, "we have some breathing room. But this isn't over."
---
Xuan Hao broke the silence, his tone calm. "You've been quiet all day. What's on your mind?"
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You ask too many questions."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "And you give too few answers."
Her claws flexed against the rock. "Maybe I don't owe you any."
He smirked faintly, leaning back. "Fair enough."
---
The Frost Mink stirred, letting out a soft squeak as it curled up beside Aria.
Xuan Hao watched the interaction with quiet interest. "You're different, you know," he said, his tone thoughtful.
Her sharp blue eyes flicked to him, narrowing. "Don't start."
He smiled faintly, his gaze shifting back to the artifact. "Alright. I'll leave it at that—for now."
---
As the stars began to appear, the Moonlit Hollow settled into an uneasy calm. The artifact's golden glow pulsed rhythmically, its hum a quiet reminder of the challenges yet to come.
Aria lay beneath her favorite rock, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut as exhaustion finally caught up with her.
"For now," she thought, her tail curling around the Frost Mink, "we'll rest. But tomorrow? Tomorrow will be another fight."