The narrow ravine finally widened, revealing a desolate, snow-covered plain bordered by jagged cliffs. The transition was abrupt, as though the ravine had spat them out into a lifeless void. The cold wind bit harder here, howling across the barren expanse and carrying with it an uneasy silence.
Aria stepped cautiously onto the open ground, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. The Frost Mink perched on her back chirped softly, its tiny claws gripping her fur tightly.
"Don't get comfortable," she muttered, her claws flexing against the icy surface. "This place doesn't feel any better than the last."
---
Xuan Hao followed close behind, his blade resting on his shoulder as he surveyed the landscape. His dark robes flapped in the wind, and his usual smirk was absent, replaced by a faint frown.
"This place is too open," he said, his tone unusually serious.
Aria nodded, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "It's like walking into a trap."
He smirked faintly, glancing at her. "You say that about everywhere."
"Because I'm usually right," she snapped, her tail flicking sharply.
---
The Frost Minks huddled together behind them, their tiny bodies trembling as they chirped nervously. The smallest mink squeaked, glancing up at Aria with wide, uncertain eyes.
She sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "I know. You don't like it either."
The mink squeaked again, nuzzling against her neck.
"Stay close," she muttered, her tail swishing. "And don't wander off."
---
The group pressed forward, each step crunching against the frozen snow. The wind carried faint, eerie whispers that seemed to echo off the distant cliffs, though there was no one else in sight.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Any hostiles nearby?"
"Hostile detection probability: 50%. Energy signatures faint but present. Classification: Moderate threat."
Her fur bristled. "They're here. I can feel it."
"Continued vigilance advised."
She growled softly, her claws scraping against the ice. "That's always your advice."
---
Xuan Hao stopped abruptly, his dark eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. "There," he said, pointing toward a distant shadow moving against the snow.
Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the figure. "What is it?"
The shadow grew clearer as it approached—a massive, wolf-like creature with sleek black fur that glinted faintly in the dim light. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them, and it let out a low, rumbling growl that seemed to vibrate through the ground.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What are we dealing with?"
"Hostile identified: Abyssal Frost Wolf. High durability, enhanced speed. Weak points: Neck and underbelly."
Her claws flexed. "Of course it's another wolf."
---
The Abyssal Frost Wolf charged, its claws tearing through the snow as it closed the distance with terrifying speed.
"Stay back!" Aria barked, activating Lunar Veil as she disappeared into the shadows.
"Lunar Veil Mastery: Enhanced stealth duration and reduced stamina cost."
The wolf skidded to a stop, sniffing the air as it tried to locate her. Aria reappeared behind it, her claws glowing faintly as she struck its flank. The creature snarled, twisting to counter, but she darted out of reach with Spirit Step.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Improved agility and reduced cooldown detected."
---
Xuan Hao engaged the wolf from the front, his blade glowing crimson as he parried its powerful strikes. Each clash sent sparks flying, the sound of metal against claws echoing across the plain.
"This thing's faster than it looks," he said, his tone sharp.
"Then keep up!" Aria snapped, darting in for another strike. Her claws raked against the wolf's underbelly, drawing a guttural snarl as it stumbled back.
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny bodies trembling as they huddled together behind a jagged rock.
---
The Abyssal Frost Wolf let out a deafening howl, the sound reverberating across the plain. The air around it seemed to shimmer as frost gathered at its claws, forming jagged spikes of ice.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "What's it doing?"
"Frost Aura activated: Hostile gains enhanced durability and frost-based attacks. Caution strongly advised."
Her fur bristled. "Of course it does."
The wolf lunged again, its movements faster and more erratic. Aria activated Spirit Step to phase through its attack, reappearing behind it to deliver a powerful strike to its neck.
The creature snarled, twisting to counter, but Xuan Hao intercepted its claws with a precise slash of his blade.
---
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "How do we bring this thing down?"
"Recommended strategy: Coordinated strikes to weaken target's defenses. Exploit identified weak points."
She growled, darting toward the wolf's exposed flank. "Xuan Hao! Keep it distracted!"
He nodded, his blade flashing as he delivered a powerful strike to the creature's foreleg. The wolf howled in pain, its movements faltering as Aria landed a decisive blow to its neck.
The Abyssal Frost Wolf let out one final, guttural growl before collapsing into the snow, its glowing red eyes dimming.
---
The Frost Minks chirped hesitantly, their tiny bodies still trembling as they peeked out from behind the rock.
"It's over," Aria muttered, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. "For now."
The smallest mink scurried toward her, chirping softly as it climbed onto her back.
She sighed, nudging it gently with her paw. "You're braver than you look, you know that?"
---
Xuan Hao wiped his blade clean, his dark eyes glinting faintly as he surveyed the plain. "That wasn't too bad."
Aria shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Speak for yourself."
He smirked faintly, shaking his head. "You're getting better at this, you know."
Her tail flicked sharply. "And you're still annoying."
---
The group pressed on, the tension lingering in the air as they moved across the barren expanse. The wind carried faint whispers, and the shadows seemed to shift with every step.
"For now," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we've made it through. But I know something worse is waiting."