The cold bit into Aria's fur as she trudged across the desolate expanse of jagged ice and frost-covered rocks. The Moonlit Hollow, now reduced to a treacherous chasm, was far behind them, but its destruction lingered in her thoughts like a heavy shadow.
The Frost Mink clung to her back, its small claws gripping her fur as it chirped softly. Its companions followed in a loose line, occasionally pausing to sniff the air before scurrying to catch up.
"Stay close," Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. "I'm not rescuing you if you wander off."
The smallest mink squeaked in response, nuzzling against her fur as if to say, We know.
---
Xuan Hao walked a few paces ahead, his blade resting against his shoulder. The faint crimson glow that usually surrounded him had dimmed, replaced by a quiet tension in his movements.
"This place gets worse the further we go," he said, his voice cutting through the silence.
Aria growled softly, her claws flexing against the icy ground. "You're just noticing that now?"
He smirked faintly, glancing back at her. "I'm just saying it out loud. You know, for morale."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "Do me a favor and keep your morale to yourself."
Xuan Hao chuckled, his tone light. "You'd miss me if I didn't talk."
"Try me," Aria muttered, her tail flicking sharply.
---
The frozen wasteland stretched endlessly before them, a bleak and featureless landscape broken only by jagged ice formations that jutted from the ground like ancient bones.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Are we heading in the right direction?"
"Path confirmed. Current route leads toward stable terrain. Estimated travel time: 3 hours."
Her claws scraped against the ground. "Three hours? You couldn't have mentioned that sooner?"
"Current environmental analysis only recently stabilized."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "Convenient."
---
The Frost Mink chirped softly as it shifted on her back, its tiny body trembling against the cold.
Aria sighed, nudging it gently with her paw. "You're not going to freeze on me, are you?"
The mink squeaked in protest, its small eyes determined.
"Good," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes flicking to the horizon. "Because we don't have time for weakness."
---
Xuan Hao slowed his pace, his dark eyes scanning the distant mountains shrouded in mist.
"You think there's anything worth finding out here?" he asked, his tone casual.
Aria growled, her claws flexing. "Anything worth finding usually comes with something worth fearing. Be careful what you wish for."
He smirked faintly, tilting his head. "You're always so optimistic."
She shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Keep pushing and see how optimistic I get."
Xuan Hao chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll pass."
---
The air grew colder as they pressed on, the wind howling through the jagged formations like a mournful wail. The Frost Mink and its companions huddled closer to Aria, their tiny bodies trembling as they chirped nervously.
"They're spooked," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And so am I."
She glanced at Xuan Hao. "System says three hours. Think you can keep up that long?"
His smirk widened. "Worried about me?"
Her fur bristled. "Hardly. I just don't want to carry your corpse."
"Noted," he said, his tone light.
---
The path grew more treacherous as they moved further from the hollow. The ice beneath their paws groaned with every step, and the jagged formations seemed to loom closer, their sharp edges gleaming ominously.
"System," Aria thought, her claws scraping against the ground. "How stable is this terrain?"
"Current stability: 60%. Probability of collapse: 20%."
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "That's not comforting."
"Probability remains within acceptable parameters."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "I'd love to know what your definition of 'acceptable' is."
---
Xuan Hao stopped abruptly, his dark eyes narrowing as he scanned the path ahead.
"Something's off," he said, his tone sharper than usual.
Aria tensed, her sharp blue eyes flicking to the horizon. "What is it?"
He didn't answer immediately, his hand tightening around his blade. "The air feels... wrong."
The Frost Mink chirped nervously, pressing closer to Aria's side.
"System," she thought, her claws flexing. "Any hostiles nearby?"
"Hostile detection probability: 35%. Energy signature identified: Moderate threat level."
Her fur bristled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Great. Just great."
---
A faint movement caught Aria's attention—a shadow flitting between the jagged ice formations, too quick and subtle to identify.
"Did you see that?" she growled, her sharp blue eyes locked on the spot.
Xuan Hao nodded, his blade glowing faintly. "Yeah. We're not alone."
The Frost Mink and its companions chirped frantically, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed closer to Aria.
"Stay behind me," she muttered, her claws scraping against the ground.
---
The first attack came without warning. A blur of icy blue shot toward them, its claws glinting in the faint light.
Aria activated Spirit Step, phasing out of the creature's path and reappearing behind it. Her claws raked against its flank, but its tough, frost-covered hide resisted the blow.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "What is this thing?"
"Hostile identified: Frostfang Stalker. Moderate durability, high agility. Weak points: Neck and underbelly."
She growled, her claws flexing. "Got it."
---
Xuan Hao intercepted the second Frostfang Stalker with a burst of crimson energy, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The creature snarled, twisting to counter, but his movements were faster, his blade finding its mark at the base of its neck.
"Nice one," Aria muttered, darting toward the first creature.
She feinted left before delivering a powerful strike to its underbelly, her claws piercing its frost-coated hide. The creature yelped, collapsing to the ground with a final snarl.
---
The remaining Frostfangs hesitated, their glowing blue eyes flickering as they assessed their prey.
"They're regrouping," Xuan Hao said, his tone calm but firm.
"Not for long," Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
She activated Lunar Veil, her form disappearing into the shadows.
"Lunar Veil Mastery: Host gains improved stealth efficiency and reduced stamina cost."
Reappearing behind one of the creatures, she delivered a decisive blow to its neck, sending it crumpling to the ground.
---
The final Frostfang let out a low growl, its claws scraping against the ice as it lunged toward Xuan Hao.
He sidestepped smoothly, his blade flashing as he struck the creature's exposed flank. The Frostfang staggered, but before it could recover, Aria leaped in, her claws driving into its vulnerable underbelly.
The creature let out a final, pitiful snarl before collapsing into the snow.
---
The hollow fell silent once more, the only sound the faint whistle of the wind.
Aria slumped onto the snow, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.
Xuan Hao wiped his blade clean, his dark eyes glinting faintly. "You're getting faster."
She growled softly, her tail flicking. "And you're still irritating."
He smirked faintly, sheathing his blade. "Fair enough."
---
The Frost Mink chirped softly, its tiny eyes wide as it pressed against Aria's side.
"For now," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we've made it through. But there's more waiting ahead."