The Moonlit Hollow was bathed in the dim glow of twilight. Long shadows stretched across the icy ground, broken only by the jagged formations of frost that surrounded the artifact. Its golden light pulsed faintly, a heartbeat of power that refused to fade.
Aria crouched near the edge of the hollow, her sharp blue eyes locked on the horizon. The Frost Mink perched on her back, its tiny claws gripping her fur as it chirped nervously.
"Calm down," she muttered, her tail swishing. "You're going to fall off if you keep squirming."
The mink let out a soft squeak, settling slightly but not loosening its grip.
Aria sighed, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "Yeah, I know. Something's coming. I can feel it."
---
Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his dark robes blending into the encroaching shadows. His blade rested against his shoulder, the faint light of the artifact reflecting off its polished edge.
"You're on edge," he said, glancing at Aria.
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And you're too calm."
He smirked faintly, tilting his head. "One of us has to be."
Her claws scraped against the ground. "If you keep talking, it won't be you for long."
Xuan Hao chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough."
---
The Frost Mink scurried down from Aria's back, bounding toward the artifact with hesitant steps.
"Stop," she barked, her sharp blue eyes flashing as she intercepted the tiny creature.
The mink froze, letting out a soft chirp as it tilted its head.
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his faint smile returning. "You're getting better at that."
Aria growled, her tail swishing sharply. "At what?"
"Guarding them," he said, his tone light. "Maybe you're warming up to the role."
Her fur bristled. "Or maybe I'm just trying to keep them alive while you stand around doing nothing."
He smirked faintly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Touché."
---
The hollow grew colder as the sun dipped below the horizon, the icy wind carrying a biting chill. Aria remained near the perimeter, her sharp blue eyes scanning the darkening landscape.
"System," she thought, her claws flexing. "Status update."
"Artifact resonance stable. Energy fluctuations minimal. Hostile detection probability: 25%."
Her ears twitched. "That's creeping up again."
"Fluctuations suggest external interference. Source remains unidentified."
Aria growled softly, her tail lashing. "It always comes back to interference. Where is it coming from?"
"Data insufficient. Continued monitoring advised."
---
Xuan Hao approached her, his dark eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
"You've been muttering to yourself a lot lately," he said, leaning casually against a jagged ice shard.
Aria turned to glare at him, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "And you've been hovering like a bad smell. What's your excuse?"
He smirked faintly, his tone calm. "I'm just keeping an eye on things. Someone has to."
Her claws flexed. "If you're implying I'm not—"
"Relax," he interrupted, his smile widening. "I trust you've got it covered."
Aria growled, her tail swishing sharply. "I don't need your trust."
---
The Frost Mink and its companions chirped nervously as they gathered near the stream. Their tiny bodies huddled together, their wide eyes darting toward the horizon.
Aria's gaze followed theirs, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
"They feel it too," she thought, her claws scraping against the frozen ground. "It's closer than before."
The smallest mink let out a high-pitched squeak, scurrying back to press against her leg.
She sighed, nudging it gently. "Stay close. We don't know what's coming yet."
---
By the time the stars appeared, the hollow was steeped in an eerie quiet. The artifact's glow flickered faintly, its hum vibrating through the frozen ground like a distant drumbeat.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes locked on the horizon. "How much time do we have?"
"Hostile detection confirmed. Estimated arrival: 1–2 hours. Hostile classification: Moderate to Severe."
Her fur bristled. "How many this time?"
"Five hostiles detected. Threat levels range from High to Extreme."
She growled softly, her tail lashing. "Great. Just great."
---
Xuan Hao joined her at the perimeter, his blade resting lightly against his shoulder.
"Let me guess," he said, his tone calm. "They're coming."
Aria nodded, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Soon."
He smirked faintly, his dark eyes glinting. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
Her claws flexed. "You won't be saying that when they're tearing you apart."
Xuan Hao chuckled softly. "I'll take my chances."
---
The Frost Mink scurried back to Aria, chirping frantically as it tugged at her fur.
She sighed, glancing down at the tiny creature. "What is it now?"
The mink squeaked, its wide eyes filled with fear.
"For once," Aria muttered, her claws scraping against the ground, "you're right to be scared."
---
The first signs of the hostiles came as faint shadows moving at the edges of the hollow. Their shapes were indistinct, blending into the darkness like wraiths.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Identify them."
"Hostiles detected: Abyssal Wolf Pack (3), Frostscale Lizard (1), and Nightshade Spider (1). Threat levels: Severe."
Her fur bristled. "A Nightshade Spider? Seriously?"
"Confirmed. Nightshade Spider detected. Caution advised."
Xuan Hao tightened his grip on his blade, his dark eyes gleaming. "You look excited."
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing. "You're mistaking excitement for anger."
---
The Abyssal Wolves charged 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: 98% Progress."
Her claws raked through the nearest wolf's flank, the creature snarling as it stumbled back.
Xuan Hao moved swiftly, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision as he countered the Frostscale Lizard's attacks.
The Nightshade Spider remained in the distance, its massive legs clicking against the icy ground as it crept closer to the artifact.
---
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' strikes, reappearing behind them to land calculated blows.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced stamina efficiency and minor Attribute Boost detected."
Her sharp blue eyes glinted as she delivered a final strike to the last wolf, its snarling form collapsing into the snow.
Xuan Hao faced off against the Frostscale Lizard, his crimson energy flaring as he dispatched it with a devastating blow.
The Nightshade Spider lunged for the artifact, its sharp legs slicing through the barrier with alarming speed.
---
Aria growled, darting forward to intercept the spider before it could reach the artifact. Her claws raked against its armored body, sparks flying as she struck.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Weak points?"
"Nightshade Spider weak points identified: Underside and leg joints. Coordinated attacks recommended."
She growled softly, her claws aiming for its legs as Xuan Hao joined the fight, his blade glowing with crimson energy.
Together, they struck the spider's vulnerable points, forcing it to collapse in a heap of twitching limbs.
"Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostiles. +350 EXP earned. Major Attribute Boost applied."
---
As the last hostile fell, the hollow fell silent once more, the artifact's hum steady but subdued.
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 fight. But it won't stop here."