The Lunar Guardian stood motionless on the icy ledge, its massive form radiating an aura of quiet authority. Its golden eyes, piercing and unyielding, remained fixed on Aria. Despite its earlier aggression, the creature showed no signs of hostility now, its growl fading into silence.
Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes locked onto the Guardian as she prepared for any sudden movement. The Frost Minks chirped nervously behind her, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed against her legs.
"What's it waiting for?" Xuan Hao muttered, his blade still drawn and glowing faintly.
Aria growled softly, her claws scraping against the ice. "I don't know. But if it makes a move, I'm not sticking around to find out."
---
The melodic hum from the cliffs above echoed again, faint but steady, like the chime of distant bells. The Lunar Guardian's ears twitched, its gaze briefly flicking toward the source of the sound before returning to Aria.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's that noise?"
"Unknown energy signature detected. Classification: Neutralizing force. Source unidentifiable."
Her fur bristled. "Neutralizing? What does that mean?"
"Energy appears to suppress aggression and maintain balance within the Frozen Cliffs."
She growled, her tail lashing. "Couldn't have kicked in sooner?"
"Timing undetermined. Continued analysis recommended."
---
The Lunar Guardian took a single step back, its massive paw crunching against the ice. The movement was deliberate, almost hesitant, as if it was reconsidering its earlier attack.
Xuan Hao glanced at Aria, his tone sharp but low. "Think it's backing off?"
Aria's claws flexed. "No idea. But I'm not turning my back on it."
The Frost Mink on her back squeaked softly, nudging her neck with its tiny nose.
She sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "Yeah, I know. I don't trust it either."
---
The Guardian's golden eyes narrowed, its head tilting slightly as it observed Aria. Then, to her surprise, it let out a low rumble—not a growl, but a sound that carried a sense of acknowledgment.
Aria blinked, her claws momentarily still. "What... was that?"
"System," she thought quickly. "What's it doing now?"
"Lunar Guardian displaying non-hostile behavior. Current aggression level: 0%."
Her fur bristled. "You're telling me it's not going to attack?"
"Current data supports a neutral stance. Host is advised to proceed with caution."
---
Xuan Hao lowered his blade slightly, his dark eyes narrowing. "It's not attacking anymore. Why?"
Aria shook her head, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the Guardian. "No idea. But I'm not about to ask."
The Frost Minks chirped hesitantly, their tiny eyes wide as they peeked out from behind her.
"For now," she muttered, her tail flicking sharply, "we keep our distance."
---
The melodic hum grew louder, the sound resonating through the cliffs with a hypnotic rhythm. The Lunar Guardian let out another low rumble before turning its gaze to the cliffs above. It stood still for a moment, its ears twitching as if listening intently, before taking a deliberate step back.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's it doing now?"
"Lunar Guardian responding to external energy signature. Behavioral shift detected: Retreat pattern initiated."
Her fur bristled. "It's... leaving?"
"Confirmed. Current trajectory indicates retreat toward higher elevation."
---
The Guardian began to ascend the cliffs, its massive form moving with surprising grace as it leaped effortlessly between jagged outcroppings. Within moments, it disappeared into the mist, its golden eyes the last thing visible before the fog swallowed it completely.
Aria let out a slow breath, her muscles still tense. "It's gone."
Xuan Hao sheathed his blade, his dark eyes glinting faintly. "For now."
---
The Frost Minks chirped softly, their tiny bodies relaxing as they emerged from their hiding spot. The smallest one climbed onto Aria's back, squeaking quietly as it nuzzled against her fur.
"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "We're okay. For now."
Xuan Hao smirked faintly, his tone light. "You're surprisingly good at comforting them."
She shot him a glare, her tail flicking sharply. "Don't start."
---
The group pressed on cautiously, the ledge narrowing into a winding trail that snaked upward along the cliffs. The melodic hum persisted, growing louder with each step, its strange rhythm filling the air with an almost hypnotic pull.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes scanning the path ahead. "What's making that sound?"
"Energy source located near cliff summit. Classification: Unknown artifact. Current influence: Neutralizing and stabilizing local environment."
Her claws flexed. "Another artifact? You've got to be kidding me."
"Artifact properties undetermined. Further analysis required."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "Of course it is."
---
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his tone curious. "What's up there?"
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Something that's probably going to make my life harder."
He smirked faintly. "When doesn't it?"
Her tail flicked sharply. "Keep talking, and I'll show you harder."
---
The Frost Minks huddled close as the trail grew steeper, their tiny chirps blending with the melodic hum. The smallest one clung tightly to Aria's back, its wide eyes fixed on the mist-shrouded summit.
"Almost there," she muttered, her claws digging into the icy surface. "Just hold on."
The minks squeaked softly, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed closer to her.
---
As the group neared the summit, the mist began to thin, revealing a large, circular platform carved into the rock. At its center stood a shimmering artifact—a crystalline structure that pulsed with a soft, silver light. The melodic hum emanated from it, the sound resonating through the air like a living heartbeat.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What am I looking at?"
"Artifact identified: Lunar Conduit. Classification: Energy stabilizer. Current influence: Passive stabilization of local environment."
Her fur bristled. "Stabilizer? Stabilizing what?"
"Energy flows within the Frozen Cliffs. Artifact appears to regulate balance and prevent collapse."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "And it just happens to be here?"
"Artifact placement appears deliberate. Further analysis required."
---
Xuan Hao stepped onto the platform, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the artifact. "This thing doesn't look dangerous. Why was the Guardian protecting it?"
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Because everything here is dangerous. Don't touch it."
He smirked faintly. "Who said I was going to?"
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny eyes fixed on the artifact as they huddled behind Aria.
"For now," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes blazing, "we figure out what this thing is. And then we get out of here."