The descent from the cliffs was silent, the only sounds the crunch of snow beneath their feet and the faint whistle of the wind. The Frost Minks stuck close to Aria, their tiny chirps subdued as they peered nervously at the shadowy landscape ahead.
Aria moved cautiously, her sharp blue eyes scanning the jagged path. Her body still buzzed faintly with the energy from the Lunar Conduit, her new skill making the cold bite less sharply and the snowy terrain seem less treacherous.
"System," she thought, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "Is this energy going to stick around, or is it temporary?"
"Artifact energy integration complete. Skill and energy boost are permanent enhancements. Further developments may occur with continued synchronization."
She growled softly. "Let's hope your definition of 'further developments' doesn't include explosions."
---
Xuan Hao walked beside her, his dark eyes narrowing as he glanced back at the cliffs. "That thing up there," he said, his tone cautious, "it felt... ancient. Like it's been here forever."
Aria growled, her tail flicking sharply. "Everything in this place feels ancient. That doesn't make it less dangerous."
He smirked faintly, his tone lightening. "And here I thought you'd finally found something you liked."
Her sharp blue eyes shot him a glare. "I like surviving. That's it."
---
The Frost Minks chirped softly as the wind picked up, carrying with it faint whispers that seemed to echo from the cliffs. The smallest one climbed onto Aria's back, its tiny claws gripping her fur tightly.
"You're not running off, are you?" she muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
The mink squeaked softly, its wide eyes peering over her neck.
She sighed, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Good. Stay there."
---
The path grew steeper, the jagged rocks forcing them to move slowly. Aria's claws scraped against the icy surface as she led the group, her movements deliberate and precise.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Are we heading into another death trap?"
"Current terrain stability: 65%. Hostile energy signature detected: Distance unknown. Classification: High threat."
Her fur bristled. "Of course there's a high threat. Why wouldn't there be?"
"Continued vigilance advised."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "You're always full of useful advice."
---
Xuan Hao stopped abruptly, his dark eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows ahead. "Do you feel that?"
Aria tensed, her sharp blue eyes flicking to the horizon. "Yeah. Something's coming."
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed against her legs.
"Stay behind me," she muttered, her claws flexing.
---
The ground trembled faintly, a deep, rumbling growl echoing from the cliffs above. Aria's fur bristled as she turned to face the sound, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
The Lunar Guardian emerged from the mist, its massive form silhouetted against the jagged peaks. Its golden eyes locked onto Aria, radiating an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
"System," she thought, her claws scraping against the ground. "Why is it back?"
"Energy disruption detected. Guardian returning to assess host's integration with artifact."
Her tail lashed. "Assess? That sounds suspiciously like a fight."
"Probability of confrontation: 85%."
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You could've led with that."
---
The Lunar Guardian stepped forward, its massive paws crunching against the ice. Its golden eyes glowed faintly as it let out a low rumble, the sound vibrating through the air.
Xuan Hao tightened his grip on his blade, his dark eyes narrowing. "What's it waiting for?"
Aria crouched low, her claws flexing. "Probably deciding whether to crush us or just watch."
He smirked faintly. "Comforting."
---
The Frost Minks chirped frantically, their tiny bodies trembling as they scrambled behind Aria. The smallest one climbed higher onto her back, squeaking softly as it buried its face in her fur.
"Stay back," she growled, her sharp blue eyes locked onto the Guardian. "I don't need you getting squished."
The mink squeaked hesitantly but stayed put.
---
The Guardian's growl deepened, its golden eyes narrowing as it lowered its head slightly. The air grew heavier, the pressure of its aura pressing down on them like an invisible weight.
"System," Aria thought, her claws digging into the ground. "What's it doing now?"
"Guardian energy signature escalating. Host confrontation likely."
Her fur bristled. "You're saying we're fighting it?"
"Recommended strategy: Avoid direct confrontation. Guardian strength significantly exceeds host capability."
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Then how do we survive?"
"Evasion and defense advised. Immediate retreat recommended."
---
The Guardian lunged suddenly, its massive paw striking the ground where Aria had been standing. She activated Spirit Step, phasing out of its path and reappearing behind it.
"Spirit Step Mastery: Enhanced speed and precision detected."
She growled, her claws flexing. "I'm not running yet."
---
Xuan Hao darted in, his blade glowing crimson as he struck at the Guardian's exposed flank. Sparks flew as the blade met the creature's sleek fur, but the attack barely left a mark.
"This thing's tougher than before," he muttered, dodging a swipe of its massive tail.
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "It's not going to make this easy."
---
The Guardian twisted with surprising speed, its golden eyes locking onto Aria as it let out a deafening roar. The force of the sound sent cracks spidering through the ice, and the Frost Minks chirped in panic as they scrambled to hide.
"Move!" Aria barked, activating Lunar Veil to vanish into the shadows.
"Lunar Veil Mastery: Improved stealth and evasion efficiency detected."
She reappeared near the Guardian's flank, her claws glowing faintly as she aimed for its vulnerable underside.
---
The Guardian twisted again, its massive paw swiping toward her with blinding speed. She barely dodged, her claws scraping against the icy ground as she regained her footing.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "How do we get out of this?"
"Guardian aggression linked to artifact disruption. Reestablishing balance may reduce hostility."
Her fur bristled. "And how do we do that?"
"Artifact resonance required. Host must stabilize Guardian energy."
She growled, her tail lashing. "You could've mentioned that sooner!"
---
The Guardian lunged again, its golden eyes blazing as it struck at Xuan Hao. He dodged smoothly, his blade flashing as he countered with a powerful strike to its shoulder.
"Aria!" he called, his tone sharp. "Whatever you're doing, do it fast!"
"I'm working on it!" she snapped, her claws flexing.
---
Activating Frost Veil, Aria dashed toward the Guardian, her form blending seamlessly into the icy terrain. She leaped onto its back, her claws glowing faintly as she focused on the energy resonating within it.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "How do I stabilize it?"
"Host must establish direct synchronization. Contact with Guardian required."
Her fur bristled. "Contact? That's insane."
"Synchronization process initiated upon host readiness."
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Fine. Let's do this."
---
Aria pressed her claws against the Guardian's sleek fur, her body buzzing with energy as the system activated. The silver light from the Lunar Conduit flickered faintly in her vision, and the Guardian let out a low, rumbling growl.
"Synchronization process: 50% complete. Host is advised to maintain contact."
Her claws dug deeper, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "I'm not letting go."
---
The Guardian's movements slowed, its golden eyes dimming slightly as the silver light enveloped them both. The pressure of its aura lessened, and its growls faded into silence.
"Synchronization complete. Guardian hostility neutralized."
Aria let out a slow breath, her claws retracting as she staggered back. "Finally."
---
Xuan Hao approached cautiously, his dark eyes narrowing. "What just happened?"
Aria shook her head, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "I stabilized it. I think."
The Frost Minks chirped softly, their tiny eyes peeking out from behind her.
"For now," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we're safe. But this isn't over."