The narrow ravine stretched ahead, its jagged walls towering like frozen sentinels. The stillness was suffocating, broken only by the crunch of snow beneath their feet and the occasional faint chirp from the Frost Minks. The air here felt heavier, as though the weight of the ice bore down on everything below.
Aria kept her sharp blue eyes trained on the shadows that seemed to shift with every step. Her tail flicked sharply behind her, a visible sign of her unease.
"This place is worse than the hollow," she muttered, her claws scraping against the frozen ground.
Xuan Hao walked beside her, his blade resting casually on his shoulder. "You said that about the last place too."
She shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "And I was right. Want to test my accuracy again?"
He smirked faintly, his tone light. "Not particularly."
---
The Frost Mink on her back chirped softly, its wide eyes darting nervously between the ice walls. Its companions followed closely, their tiny paws leaving faint trails in the snow.
"They don't like this either," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
She sighed, glancing over her shoulder at the smallest mink. "Stay close, okay? I'm not losing anyone here."
The mink squeaked in response, pressing against her fur.
---
The ravine grew narrower as they pressed on, the walls closing in until the path was barely wide enough for them to walk side by side. The shadows seemed darker here, the jagged ice formations casting eerie shapes that danced with every flicker of light.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "Are we walking into a trap?"
"Hostile detection probability: 45%. Energy signatures faint but consistent. Classification: Low to Moderate threat."
Her fur bristled. "That's not comforting."
"Continued monitoring advised."
She growled softly, her tail lashing. "You always say that."
---
Xuan Hao slowed his pace, his dark eyes narrowing as he scanned the path ahead.
"Feel that?" he asked, his voice low.
Aria tensed, her sharp blue eyes flicking to the shadows. "Yeah. We're not alone."
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed closer to her side.
"Stay behind me," she muttered, her claws scraping against the ice.
---
The first movement came from above—a faint rustle of snow dislodging from an overhanging ledge. Aria's sharp blue eyes snapped upward just in time to see a sleek, shadowy figure leap from the ice wall.
"Incoming!" she growled, lunging forward to intercept the creature.
It was another Frostshade Lynx, its icy fur blending seamlessly with the terrain. Its claws gleamed as it swiped at her, the force of its attack sending shards of ice flying.
Aria activated Spirit Step, phasing out of its path and reappearing behind it. Her claws raked across its back, drawing a sharp yowl from the lynx as it stumbled.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Weak points?"
"Frostshade Lynx weak points: Spine and chest. High agility detected."
Her tail lashed as she darted in for another strike, her claws aiming for its vulnerable chest.
---
Xuan Hao engaged a second lynx that emerged from the shadows, its glowing eyes locked onto him with predatory intent.
The creature lunged, its claws striking out in a blur. He sidestepped smoothly, his blade flashing as he countered with a precise slash to its flank. The lynx snarled, twisting to strike again, but his movements were faster.
"Keep moving!" he called, his tone sharp but calm.
"Working on it!" Aria snapped, her claws sinking into her opponent's chest with a decisive blow. The lynx let out a final yowl before collapsing into the snow.
---
More shadows flickered at the edges of the ravine, their movements quick and disorienting.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "How many are we dealing with?"
"Hostiles detected: Frostshade Lynx (3). Threat level: Moderate."
Her fur bristled. "Three more? Great."
The Frost Minks chirped frantically, their tiny bodies huddling together as they pressed against her side.
"Stay close," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "I'll handle this."
---
The next lynx lunged at her, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Aria activated Lunar Veil, her form disappearing into the shadows as the creature struck empty space.
"Lunar Veil Mastery: Enhanced stealth efficiency and reduced stamina cost."
She reappeared behind it, her claws glowing faintly as she delivered a powerful strike to its spine. The lynx snarled, twisting to counter, but she dodged easily, her movements fluid and precise.
Xuan Hao dispatched another lynx with a burst of crimson energy, his blade cleaving through its chest in a single, powerful arc.
"You're slowing down," he said, his smirk faint.
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes flicking to him. "Keep talking and see what happens."
---
The final lynx hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering as it assessed the situation.
Aria crouched low, her claws flexing as she prepared to strike. "Don't think about it," she growled.
The lynx darted toward the Frost Minks, its movements a blur.
"Not today," Aria snarled, activating Spirit Step to intercept it mid-charge. Her claws sank into its chest, the force of her strike sending it tumbling to the ground.
The creature let out a pitiful yowl before falling still, its icy fur blending into the snow.
---
The ravine 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. The Frost Minks chirped nervously, pressing against her side.
"It's okay," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "We're fine. For now."
---
Xuan Hao sheathed his blade, his dark eyes scanning the path ahead. "You're getting faster," he said, his tone light.
Aria growled softly, her tail flicking. "And you're still irritating."
He smirked faintly, shaking his head. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
---
The group pressed on, the jagged walls of the ravine looming overhead like frozen sentinels. The Frost Minks huddled close to Aria, their tiny bodies trembling as they let out soft, uncertain chirps.
"For now," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we've made it through. But I know there's more waiting ahead."