The jagged cliffs towered overhead, casting long shadows over the frozen plain. Their sharp edges seemed to pierce the sky, while the icy wind howled through the narrow paths leading into their depths. Aria stood at the base, her sharp blue eyes scanning the winding trail that disappeared into the rocky terrain.
The Frost Mink on her back chirped nervously, its tiny claws gripping her fur. Its companions huddled close at her feet, their wide eyes darting between the cliffs and the open expanse behind them.
"This is it," Aria muttered, her claws scraping against the frozen ground. "Whatever's up there, we don't have a choice but to face it."
---
Xuan Hao stepped beside her, his dark eyes narrowing as he followed her gaze. His blade rested on his shoulder, its faint crimson glow dimming in the shadow of the cliffs.
"Any idea what's waiting for us?" he asked, his tone light but edged with caution.
Aria growled softly, her tail flicking. "No. And I'd rather not find out the hard way."
He smirked faintly. "That's a first."
She shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Keep talking, and I'll make it harder for you to find out anything."
---
The group began their ascent, the uneven path forcing them to tread carefully. Each step sent small shards of ice tumbling down the slope, their faint clattering swallowed by the wind.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "How stable is this trail?"
"Current terrain stability: 60%. Probability of collapse: 25%."
Her fur bristled. "Great. More bad news."
"Continued caution advised."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "That's always your advice."
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously as the path grew steeper, their tiny paws scrabbling for purchase on the icy surface. The smallest one clung tightly to Aria's back, its wide eyes peeking over her shoulder.
"Stay close," she muttered, nudging one of the minks forward. "We're almost there."
Xuan Hao chuckled softly, his tone light. "You sound like a parent on a long journey."
Her sharp blue eyes flicked to him, blazing with irritation. "Say that again, and you're walking back alone."
---
The wind grew harsher as they climbed, whipping through the narrow crevices and carrying with it faint, eerie whispers. Aria's fur bristled, her claws scraping against the icy rocks as she pressed forward.
"Do you hear that?" she growled, her sharp blue eyes darting to the shadows.
Xuan Hao nodded, his blade glowing faintly. "Yeah. Sounds like... voices."
The Frost Minks chirped frantically, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed against Aria's legs.
"Stay behind me," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And don't wander off."
---
As they rounded a sharp bend, the path opened into a wide ledge overlooking the frozen plain below. The view was breathtaking, the endless expanse of snow and ice stretching to the horizon. But Aria's attention was fixed on the massive figure standing at the center of the ledge.
It was a beast unlike any she had seen before—a towering feline with sleek, silver fur that shimmered in the faint light. Its eyes glowed a deep gold, and its presence radiated an overwhelming aura of power.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What is that?"
"Entity identified: Lunar Guardian. High-tier beast. Classification: Protector. Threat level: Extreme."
Her fur bristled. "Protector? Of what?"
"Lunar Guardian role: Protector of the Frozen Cliffs. Oversees the balance of local energy flows."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "Perfect. Just what we needed."
---
The Lunar Guardian's golden eyes locked onto Aria, its gaze piercing and intense. It didn't move, but its presence was enough to make her muscles tense.
Xuan Hao stepped forward cautiously, his blade at the ready. "Think it's friendly?"
Aria growled, her tail flicking sharply. "No. It's never friendly."
The Frost Mink on her back chirped softly, pressing closer to her neck.
"Stay out of this," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes blazing.
---
The Lunar Guardian let out a low, rumbling growl that echoed through the cliffs. The ground beneath them trembled faintly, cracks spidering across the icy surface.
"System," Aria thought, her claws digging into the ground. "What's the plan here?"
"Recommended strategy: Avoid direct confrontation. Current host strength insufficient for engagement."
Her fur bristled. "You're telling me to run?"
"Retreat advised."
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Not happening."
---
The Lunar Guardian took a step forward, its massive paws crunching against the ice. Its golden eyes remained fixed on Aria, its growl deepening.
Xuan Hao tightened his grip on his blade, his dark eyes narrowing. "What's it waiting for?"
Aria crouched low, her claws flexing. "Doesn't matter. If it moves, we hit it hard."
He smirked faintly. "That's more like it."
---
The Lunar Guardian's growl turned into a deafening roar, its golden eyes blazing with intensity. The force of the sound sent shards of ice flying, and the Frost Minks chirped in panic as they scrambled to hide behind Aria.
"Move!" she barked, activating Spirit Step to dodge the massive paw that came crashing down.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced precision and reduced stamina cost detected."
She reappeared behind the Guardian, her claws glowing faintly as she struck its flank. The impact barely left a mark, the creature's sleek fur absorbing the blow.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Weak points?"
"Lunar Guardian weak points: Eyes and underbelly. High durability detected."
Her tail lashed. "Of course it's built like a fortress."
---
Xuan Hao engaged the Guardian from the front, his blade flashing crimson as he aimed for its eyes. The creature twisted with surprising speed, its massive paw slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave through the ledge.
Aria leaped over the shockwave, her claws scraping against the ice as she darted toward the creature's underbelly.
"Keep it distracted!" she called, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
"Working on it!" Xuan Hao muttered, his strikes deflecting off the Guardian's sleek fur.
---
The battle raged on, each strike met with overwhelming resistance. The Lunar Guardian was faster and stronger than anything they had faced, its movements precise and deliberate.
"We're not making a dent!" Aria growled, her claws flexing.
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny bodies trembling as they huddled behind a jagged rock.
---
As the Guardian prepared another attack, a faint, melodic hum echoed through the cliffs. The sound was soft but resonant, carrying an unearthly quality that made the Guardian freeze in its tracks.
Aria's sharp blue eyes widened as the creature turned its gaze toward the cliffs above. Its golden eyes softened, the overwhelming pressure of its aura fading.
"What just happened?" she muttered, her claws scraping against the ground.
"Unknown anomaly detected," the system replied. "Energy signature neutralizing Lunar Guardian aggression."
---
The Lunar Guardian let out a low growl, its golden eyes flicking back to Aria. It didn't attack but remained still, its massive form looming over the ledge.
"For now," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we've survived. But this isn't over."