The distant peaks of the Feline Den loomed larger as the group continued their trek across the frozen plains. The biting wind howled through the vast expanse, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. Every step brought them closer to their destination, but Aria's sharp blue eyes remained wary, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement.
The Frost Minks clung to her side, their tiny chirps barely audible over the wind. The smallest one perched on her back, nuzzling her fur as it sought warmth.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing against the icy ground. "How much farther?"
"Distance to Feline Den: 20 kilometers. Estimated travel time: 1 day under current conditions."
Her tail flicked sharply. "You said that yesterday, and look where we are now."
"Current conditions include unpredictable variables. Continued caution is advised."
She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "You're great at stating the obvious."
---
Xuan Hao walked a few paces behind her, his dark eyes scanning their surroundings. His blade rested against his shoulder, its faint crimson glow cutting through the pale light.
"You've been awfully quiet," he said, his tone light.
Aria shot him a glare over her shoulder, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "Maybe I don't feel like talking."
He smirked faintly. "Or maybe you're thinking about what's waiting for you at this Den."
Her claws scraped against the ice. "Keep talking, and I'll make you wait outside when we get there."
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously as the wind picked up, their tiny bodies trembling as they pressed closer to Aria. The smallest one squeaked softly, its wide eyes darting to the shadows that seemed to stretch and shift across the snow.
"What now?" Aria muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
The mink squeaked again, pointing with a tiny paw toward a faint outline in the distance.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's out there?"
"Energy signature detected: Neutral. Classification: Remnant structure."
Her fur bristled. "A structure? Out here?"
"Analysis indicates remnants of an abandoned settlement or refuge."
She growled softly, her claws flexing. "Let's hope it's more 'refuge' and less 'death trap.'"
---
The group approached the structure cautiously, its jagged outline becoming clearer as they drew closer. It was a ruin, its stone walls weathered and cracked, half-buried in snow and ice. Faint traces of old carvings adorned the walls, their patterns worn but still intricate.
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the carvings. "This place looks old. Really old."
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Everything out here is old. That doesn't make it safe."
He smirked faintly. "Always the optimist."
Her claws scraped against the stone. "Keep it up, and I'll let you go in first."
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny bodies pressing close to Aria as they peered into the shadows of the ruin. The smallest one climbed onto her back, squeaking softly as it nuzzled her neck.
"Stay close," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "And don't wander off."
The mink squeaked again, tilting its head innocently.
---
The interior of the ruin was cold and silent, the air heavy with the scent of frost and decay. Broken furniture and scattered debris littered the floor, half-buried beneath layers of snow. Faint beams of light filtered through cracks in the walls, casting eerie shadows across the space.
"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "Is this place safe?"
"Current area threat level: Low. No hostile energy signatures detected."
Her fur bristled. "That's not the same as 'safe.'"
"Continued vigilance advised."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "You're always full of helpful advice."
---
Xuan Hao stepped carefully through the debris, his dark eyes scanning the carvings on the walls. "These markings… they look like beast script."
Aria's sharp blue eyes narrowed as she glanced at the carvings. "Beast script? You can read it?"
He smirked faintly, his tone light. "A little. Enough to know this place wasn't built by humans."
Her claws flexed. "Great. More questions I don't want answers to."
---
The Frost Minks chirped hesitantly, their tiny eyes darting to the shadows that seemed to shift and flicker with every step. The smallest one clung tightly to Aria, its tiny claws digging into her fur.
"Relax," she muttered, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly. "Nothing's going to jump out."
The mink squeaked softly, nuzzling her neck.
---
The group moved deeper into the ruin, the silence growing heavier with each step. Faint whispers echoed through the air, too soft to make out but persistent enough to set Aria's fur on edge.
"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's making that sound?"
"Residual energy detected: Memory echoes from past inhabitants. Classification: Non-threatening."
Her tail lashed. "Non-threatening? They sound pretty threatening to me."
"Energy classified as passive. No immediate danger detected."
She growled softly, her claws scraping against the stone. "I'll believe that when we leave here alive."
---
The whispers grew louder as they approached the center of the ruin, the faint outlines of a circular platform coming into view. At its center stood a small, crystalline object, its faint silver light pulsing rhythmically.
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What is that?"
"Energy signature identified: Fragment of Lunar Conduit. Classification: Stabilizer."
Her fur bristled. "Another one? Why is it here?"
"Fragment appears to have been abandoned during prior migration. Current function: Inactive."
She growled softly, her tail swishing. "Of course it's inactive."
---
Xuan Hao approached the fragment cautiously, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied its faint glow. "This thing looks like it's been here forever."
Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Don't touch it."
He smirked faintly. "I wasn't planning to."
Her claws scraped against the stone. "Good. Because if it explodes, I'm not cleaning up after you."
---
The Frost Minks chirped nervously, their tiny eyes fixed on the fragment as they pressed closer to Aria. The smallest one squeaked softly, tilting its head as it pointed with a tiny paw.
"You're not touching it either," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
The mink squeaked in protest, its wide eyes innocent.
---
"System," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What happens if I leave this thing alone?"
"Fragment remains inactive without host interaction. Current environmental impact: Neutral."
Her fur bristled. "So, I can just walk away?"
"Confirmed. No immediate action required."
She sighed, her tail swishing. "Finally, something easy."
---
The group exited the ruin cautiously, leaving the fragment behind. The wind picked up as they stepped back onto the frozen plains, the distant peaks of the Feline Den still looming ahead.
"For now," Aria thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing, "we keep moving. But I have a feeling this isn't the last time we'll see something like that."