The Frozen Cliffs lay behind them, fading into the mist like a distant memory. Aria led the group across the vast expanse of snow-covered plains, her sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon. The icy wind bit through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of frost and stillness.
The Frost Minks huddled close, their tiny chirps soft as they pressed against her legs. The smallest one perched on her back, its wide eyes darting nervously at every shift in the shadows.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing against the frozen ground. "Are we on the right path to this Feline Den?"
"Confirmed. Current trajectory leads toward the Feline Den. Estimated distance: 28 kilometers."
Her tail swished sharply. "Still too far. Can't you make it shorter?"
"Path optimization not available. Continued travel required."
She growled softly. "Of course."
---
Xuan Hao walked beside her, his dark robes flapping in the wind. His blade was strapped to his back, but his posture was relaxed, his dark eyes scanning the landscape.
"You're awfully quiet," he said, his tone light.
Aria shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "It's called focusing. You should try it sometime."
He smirked faintly, his tone teasing. "I thought you liked my talking."
Her claws scraped against the ice. "Do I look like I'm in the mood?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough."
---
The Frost Mink on her back chirped softly, nudging her neck with its tiny nose. Aria sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly.
"What now?" she muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
The mink squeaked quietly, tilting its head as it pointed with a tiny paw toward the distant horizon.
Aria followed its gaze, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
"System," she thought quickly. "What's ahead?"
"Energy signature detected: Neutral. Classification: Shelter."
Her claws flexed. "Shelter? Finally, some good news."
---
The group pressed forward, their pace quickening as they approached the faint outline of a rocky outcropping. The jagged formation rose abruptly from the snow, its sharp edges casting long shadows in the pale light.
As they drew closer, Aria spotted a narrow entrance carved into the rock, partially concealed by a curtain of frost-covered vines.
"This must be it," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing.
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes glinting faintly. "You sure? Looks more like a cave to me."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "If it keeps the wind out, I don't care what it looks like."
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously as they approached the entrance, their tiny bodies pressing closer to Aria. The smallest one climbed higher onto her back, squeaking softly as it peered into the shadows.
"You're not scared, are you?" Aria muttered, her tail flicking.
The mink squeaked in response, nuzzling her fur.
She sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "Relax. If anything jumps out, I'll handle it."
---
Xuan Hao stepped forward cautiously, his dark eyes narrowing as he peered into the cave. "Doesn't look too bad," he said, his tone casual.
Aria growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You always say that right before it gets worse."
He smirked faintly. "You're not wrong."
---
The group entered the cave, the chill of the wind fading as the walls closed around them. The interior was surprisingly spacious, the rough stone walls glinting faintly with frost. The floor was uneven but dry, and the air was still, carrying the faint scent of earth and ice.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes scanning the space. "Is this place safe?"
"Environmental stability: High. Hostile energy signatures: None detected. Current classification: Safe shelter."
Her fur bristled. "Safe for now, you mean."
"Probability of immediate threat: 0%."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "I'll take it."
---
The Frost Minks chirped hesitantly as they explored the cave, their tiny paws scrabbling against the stone. The smallest one climbed onto a low ledge, squeaking softly as it peered around.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Aria muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "We're not staying long."
The mink squeaked in protest, tilting its head innocently.
She sighed, her claws flexing. "Fine. A little rest won't hurt."
---
Xuan Hao leaned against the wall, his dark eyes glinting faintly as he watched the minks. "They're braver than they look," he said, his tone thoughtful.
Aria shot him a glare, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Don't get any ideas."
He smirked faintly, shaking his head. "I wouldn't dream of it."
---
The group settled into the cave, the Frost Minks curling up in a pile near Aria's feet. The smallest one climbed onto her back, squeaking softly as it nuzzled her fur.
"For now," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we rest. But this is just the beginning."
---
As the wind howled faintly outside, Aria's thoughts turned to the Feline Den and the journey ahead. The Lunar Guardian and the Conduit were behind her, but the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her mind.
"System," she thought, her claws scraping against the stone. "What's waiting for me at this Den?"
"Feline Den classified as advanced training ground and sanctuary. Host is advised to prepare for increased challenges and interactions with higher-tier beasts."
Her fur bristled. "Sounds like a nightmare."
"Host survival probability: 72%."
She growled softly, her tail flicking. "Thanks for the encouragement."
---
Xuan Hao's voice broke the silence, his tone curious. "What do you think this Den is going to be like?"
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Annoying. Probably full of rules and tests."
He smirked faintly, his dark eyes glinting. "So, like every place we've been so far?"
Her claws flexed. "Keep talking, and I'll make you take the tests for me."
---
The Frost Mink on her back chirped softly, its wide eyes fixed on her. Aria sighed, nudging it gently with her paw.
"For now," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we'll rest. But tomorrow, we move."
The wind outside howled, its faint whispers fading into silence as the group settled into the quiet of the cave.