The air in the Moonlit Hollow grew heavier with each passing hour, the kind of oppressive stillness that made every sound seem louder. The artifact's golden glow pulsed erratically now, its hum deepening into an unsettling vibration that resonated through the icy terrain.
Aria crouched near the edge of the hollow, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. Her instincts were on edge, her fur bristling with the anticipation of another fight.
The Frost Mink scurried nervously at her feet, letting out a series of anxious chirps.
"I know," she muttered, her tail swishing sharply. "They're coming. It's just a matter of when."
The mink pressed against her leg, trembling slightly.
She sighed, nudging it gently with her paw. "Stay close. You're not going anywhere without me."
---
Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his dark robes fluttering in the frigid breeze. His blade rested against his shoulder, and his dark eyes flicked between the artifact and the frozen landscape.
"It's getting louder," he said, his tone calm but edged with tension.
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "What's your brilliant plan this time?"
He smirked faintly, his gaze shifting to her. "You mean besides surviving? I thought you'd have one by now."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted. "I don't need a plan to know how to fight."
Xuan Hao chuckled, shaking his head. "You're consistent, I'll give you that."
---
The Frost Mink bounded toward the artifact, its tiny paws leaving faint tracks in the snow.
"Stop," Aria growled, her voice sharp as she darted forward to block the creature.
The mink froze, tilting its head with an innocent chirp.
Xuan Hao glanced at the interaction, his faint smile widening. "Protective as ever."
Aria's fur bristled as she turned her sharp blue eyes to him. "Keep your comments to yourself."
He raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone light. "Noted."
---
The day passed slowly, the tension in the hollow growing heavier with each passing moment. Aria spent the time patrolling the perimeter, her sharp senses attuned to every sound and movement.
The snow remained undisturbed, but the oppressive energy radiating from the artifact made her fur stand on end.
"System," she thought, her claws scraping against the ground. "What's the status?"
"Artifact resonance unstable. Energy fluctuations escalating. Hostile detection confirmed. Estimated time frame: 2–4 hours."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "How many hostiles?"
"Six identified. Threat levels range from High to Extreme."
Aria growled softly, her tail lashing. "Of course it's six. It's never just one or two."
---
Xuan Hao watched her from a distance, his dark eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
"You've been pacing all day," he said, leaning casually against a jagged ice formation.
Aria turned to glare at him, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "And you've been standing there like a useless lump. What's your point?"
He smirked faintly, his tone calm. "Just wondering how long it'll take for you to burn out."
Her fur bristled. "If you'd stop talking, I might have time to think."
Xuan Hao chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Thinking is overrated."
---
The Frost Mink scurried back to Aria, chirping nervously as it tugged at her leg.
She sighed, glancing down at the tiny creature. "What is it now?"
The mink squeaked, its wide eyes darting toward the artifact.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Is it destabilizing?"
"Artifact resonance nearing critical threshold. Probability of environmental disturbance: 60%."
Her claws flexed. "And the hostiles?"
"Arrival estimated within 2 hours. Hostile attraction confirmed."
Aria growled, her tail swishing sharply. "Looks like we're out of time."
---
Xuan Hao approached her, his blade resting lightly against his shoulder. "It's almost time, isn't it?"
She glanced at him, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You're acting calm for someone who's about to fight for his life."
He smirked faintly, his dark eyes glinting. "I've been through worse."
Her fur bristled. "If that's supposed to impress me, it didn't."
Xuan Hao chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Fair enough. But let's focus on surviving first."
---
The artifact's hum grew louder, its glow flickering wildly as faint cracks began to spread across its surface.
The Frost Mink darted behind Aria, trembling as it let out a series of frantic chirps.
"Stay back," Aria muttered, her claws flexing. "This is going to get messy."
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Report."
"Artifact destabilizing. Probability of hostile engagement: 95%. Prepare for immediate confrontation."
Her tail lashed. "Thanks for the warning."
---
The first signs of the hostiles came as faint shadows moving through the trees at the edge of the hollow. Their movements were deliberate, predatory, and far too coordinated for comfort.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What am I looking at?"
"Hostiles identified: Abyssal Wolf Pack (3), Frostscale Lizards (2), and Frostshadow Drake (1). Threat level: Severe to Extreme."
Her fur bristled. "A Frostshadow Drake? You're kidding me."
"Negative. Frostshadow Drake confirmed. Caution advised."
Xuan Hao's dark eyes glinted as he stepped forward, his blade gleaming faintly in the artifact's glow. "Well, this should be fun."
Aria growled softly, her claws scraping against the ground. "Speak for yourself."
---
The Abyssal Wolves lunged first, their glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form disappearing into the shadows as she intercepted them.
"Lunar Veil II: 97% Progress."
Her claws raked through the nearest wolf's flank, the creature snarling as it stumbled back.
Xuan Hao moved with practiced ease, his blade slicing through the air as he engaged the Frostscale Lizards. Their icy tails lashed out in coordinated strikes, but he dodged effortlessly, landing devastating blows that left their scales shattered.
The Frostshadow Drake loomed in the distance, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on the artifact as it let out a low, rumbling growl.
---
The battle was chaotic, the hostiles striking with deadly precision as Aria and Xuan Hao fought to hold the line.
Aria used Spirit Step to phase through the wolves' attacks, reappearing behind them to land calculated strikes.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Increased agility and stamina efficiency detected."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted as she landed a finishing blow on the last Abyssal Wolf, its snarling form collapsing into the snow.
Xuan Hao countered the Frostscale Lizards with brutal efficiency, his crimson energy flaring as he dispatched the final lizard with a precise strike.
The Frostshadow Drake roared, its massive wings spreading as it lunged toward the artifact.
---
Aria darted forward, her claws glowing faintly as she aimed for the drake's vulnerable joints.
"System," she thought, her tail swishing sharply. "Weak points?"
"Frostshadow Drake weak points identified: Wing membranes and leg joints. Coordinated attacks recommended."
She growled, her claws raking against the drake's wing as it roared in pain, staggering back.
Xuan Hao moved in tandem, his blade striking the creature's hind leg with a burst of crimson energy.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostiles. +350 EXP earned. Major Attribute Boost applied."
---
As the last hostile fell, 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 faded.
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've made it through another one. But it won't stop here."