---
The Moonlit Hollow rested uneasily, its jagged ice formations bathed in faint starlight. Despite the relative calm, Aria felt an undeniable tension in the air, as though the hollow itself was holding its breath.
Her sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon as she perched on a snow-covered boulder, every instinct on high alert. The Frost Mink clung to her back, its tiny claws gripping her fur as it chirped nervously.
"It's too quiet," Aria muttered, her tail flicking sharply. "That's never a good sign."
The mink chirped again, its wide eyes darting toward the artifact.
"Yeah, I know," she said softly, her sharp gaze hardening. "Something's coming. I can feel it."
---
Behind her, Xuan Hao stood near the artifact, his blade resting lightly on his shoulder. The faint golden glow illuminated his dark robes, but the calm expression on his face didn't fool Aria. His dark eyes flicked toward the horizon with the same tension she felt.
"You've been staring at that thing for hours," she said, leaping down to approach him.
He smirked faintly. "And you've been pacing for just as long. What's your excuse?"
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "I'm keeping us alive. What's your excuse?"
Xuan Hao chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Fair enough. But you're acting like it's already here."
"Because it is," Aria growled, her claws flexing against the frozen ground.
---
The Frost Mink scurried toward the artifact, its tiny paws leaving faint tracks in the snow.
"Don't even think about it," Aria barked, cutting off the mink's path.
The creature squeaked, tilting its head in confusion.
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "They seem braver than you give them credit for."
Aria shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "And you seem more irritating than usual."
"Noted," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender.
---
The tension in the hollow grew heavier as the minutes passed, the artifact's hum deepening into a faint vibration that resonated through the frozen ground.
"System," Aria thought, her claws scraping against the icy surface. "Status update."
"Energy fluctuations detected. Probability of hostile attraction: 35%. Estimated time frame: 1–2 hours. Hostile classification: Severe to Extreme."
Her fur bristled. "How many this time?"
"Hostiles detected: Abyssal Wolf Pack (2), Iceclaw Bear (1), and Shadowfang Wyvern (1)."
Aria growled softly, her claws digging into the ground. "A Shadowfang Wyvern? Are you kidding me?"
"Negative. Shadowfang Wyvern confirmed. Caution strongly advised."
---
Xuan Hao stepped closer, his dark eyes glinting. "More bad news?"
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "The kind that flies."
His smirk faltered slightly. "A wyvern, then."
"Yep."
"Well," he said, his tone growing serious, "at least we'll know where to aim."
---
The first sign of the hostiles came as faint shadows moving beyond the edges of the hollow. The shapes shifted in the darkness, blending into the jagged ice formations until they stepped forward, their forms illuminated by the faint golden glow of the artifact.
The Abyssal Wolves appeared first, their sleek black fur rippling as they prowled forward with predatory grace. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact with a singular focus, their claws digging into the snow.
Behind them, the Iceclaw Bear lumbered into view, its massive white body covered in frost that glinted under the starlight. Its glowing blue eyes burned with icy malice, each breath releasing a visible puff of frozen air.
And above them all, the Shadowfang Wyvern descended from the sky, its massive wings stirring the icy wind. Its dark scales shimmered like polished obsidian, and its glowing yellow eyes radiated predatory intent as it circled the hollow.
---
The Abyssal Wolves struck first, their claws tearing through the snow as they charged toward the artifact.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form disappearing into the shadows as she intercepted the first wolf.
"Lunar Veil II: Mastery achieved. Host gains extended stealth duration and reduced stamina cost."
She reappeared behind it, her claws raking across its flank in a precise strike. The creature yelped in pain, twisting to counter, but she vanished again with Spirit Step.
The second wolf lunged for the artifact, its glowing red eyes locked onto the golden orb.
Xuan Hao moved swiftly, his blade flashing with crimson energy as he intercepted the wolf mid-air. The strike was clean and brutal, cutting deep into the creature's side and sending it crashing into the snow.
"Focus on the big ones," he called to Aria, his voice sharp. "I'll handle these."
---
The Iceclaw Bear let out a thunderous roar, its massive paws crunching the frozen ground as it advanced. Frost began to gather around its claws, the air around it growing colder with each step.
Aria darted toward it, her sharp blue eyes fixed on its vulnerable joints.
"System," she thought. "Weak points?"
"Iceclaw Bear weak points identified: Neck and foreleg joints. High durability detected."
The bear swiped at her with its massive paw, but she twisted away, narrowly avoiding the blow before delivering a precise strike to its foreleg.
The creature roared, staggering slightly, but it recovered quickly. Frost began to coalesce around its mouth, and with another deafening roar, it unleashed a wave of icy energy that crystallized the ground beneath it.
Aria activated Spirit Step, phasing through the blast to reappear behind the bear. She struck again, this time targeting the joint of its hind leg, forcing it to stumble.
---
Above them, the Shadowfang Wyvern circled the hollow, its enormous wings creating powerful gusts of wind. The creature let out a piercing screech as dark energy gathered in its maw, the air around it crackling with tension.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "What's the plan for that thing?"
"Shadowfang Wyvern weak points identified: Wing membranes and chest plate. Recommend coordinated strikes to reduce mobility."
She growled, glancing at Xuan Hao. "Wyvern's mine. Cover me!"
He nodded, his dark eyes narrowing as he dispatched the last Abyssal Wolf with a decisive strike.
---
The wyvern dove toward the artifact, its fanged maw open wide as it released a burst of dark energy. Aria leaped toward it, her claws glowing faintly as she aimed for its left wing.
Her strike landed true, the wyvern screeching as its wing faltered mid-flight. The creature twisted, snapping at her with its massive jaws, but she phased out of reach with Spirit Step.
Xuan Hao moved in from the ground, his blade glowing with crimson energy as he delivered a devastating blow to the creature's chest. The wyvern roared, its movements growing more erratic as it lashed out with its tail.
Aria reappeared above it, driving her claws into its vulnerable neck. The wyvern let out one final, piercing screech before collapsing to the ground, its massive form stilling as the energy around it dissipated.
---
The hollow fell silent, save for the steady hum of the artifact.
Aria collapsed onto the snow, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
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 against her side.
"For now," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut, "we've survived. But it won't stop here."