The Moonlit Hollow trembled under the weight of unseen forces. The jagged ice formations reflected the artifact's intense golden glow, their sharp edges shimmering ominously. The air buzzed with tension, every vibration resonating through the frozen ground.
Aria crouched near the artifact, her sharp blue eyes darting between the distorted terrain and the horizon. Her claws flexed against the icy ground, every muscle in her body coiled like a spring.
"This isn't normal," she muttered, her tail swishing sharply.
The Frost Mink chirped nervously, pressing itself against her side.
"Stay close," Aria said softly, nudging the tiny creature. "If things go wrong, you'll need to move fast."
---
Xuan Hao stood a few feet away, his blade resting against his shoulder. His calm expression hadn't wavered, but there was a sharpness in his dark eyes as he surveyed the hollow.
"You feel it too," Aria growled, not bothering to look at him.
He nodded slightly, his voice steady. "Something's coming."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "System, give me something useful."
"Energy fluctuations detected. External forces converging. Hostile presence confirmed. Estimated arrival: 3–5 minutes."
Her fur bristled. "So much for a break."
---
The Frost Mink squeaked again, its tiny paws trembling as it scurried toward Xuan Hao.
He crouched slightly, offering the small creature a faint smile. "Nervous little thing, aren't you?"
Aria growled, stepping between them. "Don't get attached. They're not here for you."
Xuan Hao smirked faintly, straightening. "Fair enough. But they might like me better."
Her sharp blue eyes blazed. "You'd better hope that's not true."
---
The artifact's hum grew louder, a piercing vibration that set Aria's teeth on edge. The golden glow pulsed erratically, casting flickering shadows across the hollow.
"System," she thought, her claws scraping against the ground. "What's happening now?"
"Artifact resonance unstable. Energy surge imminent. External interference confirmed."
Her tail lashed, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Interference from what?"
"Unidentified entities converging. Hostile classification: High."
Aria growled softly, her claws digging into the frozen earth. "It's always something, isn't it?"
---
Xuan Hao stepped closer to the artifact, his blade glinting faintly in the flickering light.
"Any idea what we're up against?" he asked, his tone calm.
Aria shook her head, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the horizon. "Not yet. But whatever it is, it's strong."
He smirked faintly. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
She growled, her claws flexing. "You won't be bored for long."
---
The first signs of the hostiles appeared as faint shadows moving through the jagged ice formations. Their movements were deliberate, calculated, and far too coordinated for comfort.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Identify."
"Hostiles detected: Abyssal Wolf Pack (3), Frostscale Lizards (2), and Shadowflame Serpent (1). Threat level: Severe to Extreme."
Her fur bristled. "Great. Just what we needed."
Xuan Hao's dark eyes glinted as he tightened his grip on his blade. "Looks like we've got company."
Aria crouched low, her tail swishing sharply. "I'll take the wolves. Keep the serpent off me."
He chuckled softly. "Giving orders now? I like it."
Her sharp blue eyes glared at him. "Just do your job."
---
The Abyssal Wolves charged first, their glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact. Their sleek black fur glinted faintly in the distorted light, their sharp claws tearing into the icy ground as they lunged forward.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form disappearing into the shadows as she intercepted them.
"Lunar Veil II: 95% Progress."
Her claws raked through the nearest wolf's flank, the creature snarling as it stumbled back.
Xuan Hao moved like a shadow, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Frostscale Lizards hissed and lunged at him, their icy tails striking with terrifying speed.
He dodged effortlessly, landing a devastating blow on one of the lizards that sent it crashing into a nearby ice shard.
---
The Shadowflame Serpent slithered into the hollow, its massive, black-scaled body coiled with lethal intent. Flames danced along its spine, flickering with an eerie blue light as it fixed its glowing eyes on the artifact.
Aria twisted mid-air, landing a precise blow to an Abyssal Wolf's hind leg before glancing toward the serpent. "That thing's going to be a problem."
"Understatement of the day," Xuan Hao called out, narrowly avoiding a lash from the serpent's flaming tail.
The Frost Mink chirped nervously, darting behind Aria for cover.
---
The battle raged on, the hostiles moving with deadly coordination.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through the wolves' strikes, reappearing behind them to land calculated blows.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Energy consumption reduced. Enhanced agility detected."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted as she landed a finishing strike on the last Abyssal Wolf, its snarling form collapsing into the snow.
Xuan Hao countered the Frostscale Lizards with relentless precision, his crimson energy flaring as he struck blow after blow.
The Shadowflame Serpent roared, releasing a wave of blue fire that scorched the icy ground, sending shards of ice flying in all directions.
Aria dodged narrowly, her tail swishing sharply as she circled around the serpent. "System, any advice?"
"Shadowflame Serpent identified. Weakness: Vulnerable underbelly. Recommend coordinated strikes."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "Easy for you to say."
---
Xuan Hao lunged at the serpent, his blade glowing with crimson energy as he aimed for its exposed underside. The creature hissed, twisting its massive body to deflect the attack with its flaming tail.
Aria seized the opening, darting forward to land a devastating strike to the serpent's underbelly.
The creature roared, its body coiling in pain as flames erupted along its scales.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostiles. +300 EXP earned. Major Attribute Boost applied."
---
The hollow fell silent once more, the only sound the faint hum of the artifact.
Aria collapsed onto the snow, her chest heaving as the adrenaline drained from her body.
Xuan Hao stood nearby, his blade dripping with blood as he surveyed the battlefield.
"Not bad," he said, his tone light. "For a guardian."
Aria growled softly, her tail flicking. "Still annoying."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "And you're still stubborn."
---
The Frost Mink scurried over, chirping softly as it nuzzled Aria's side.
"For now," she thought, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut, "we're safe. But the artifact isn't done with us yet."
As the snow began to fall, the Moonlit Hollow settled into a fragile calm, the storm still brewing just beyond the horizon.