Krampus: Origins
*I have made this story back in 2015. I finally got to see the film in December of 2016. While I did enjoy it, it really didn't touch base on the origin of the Christmas demon, which is completely fine. I decided to create this story as I do like the Krampus legend and I do hope everyone enjoys this!*
Prologue
Baemi Tribe (pre-Austria), circa Early 10th Century
Summer fell upon the community of Baemi. The grass was a bright emerald green and the setting sun's rays streaked across the sky.
Ishild, a young girl of six with blonde hair and dazzling eyes hides under a table in the gathering hall. "Ishild? Where are you?!" she heard her mother shout.
"Rosmunda, would you please keep it down," her father said and adds, "She might be in already. You know she loves story nights."
Ishild's father was the advisor to the Baemi's chief and he and his family were granted the highest rank in the tribe.
Ishild loved to hear stories about far-away lands and of creatures that were not human. She was always excited for story nights.
"Oh, there you are!" Rosmunda exclaimed and takes her daughter into her arms.
"When will everyone get here? I want to hear Oda's story!" Ishild demands, but her mother chuckles.
"Please be patient darling, Oda is an old lady," Rosmunda replies, but Ishild frowns.
Finally, the gathering hall began to fill up with families and some men prepare a bon fire. A hole in the roof provided air and allowed the sparks to get out.
Then, a trio of bone flutes began to play and the families take a seat around the bon fire. An old woman with white hair and emerald green eyes was brought in.
Oda was the local storyteller of the tribe and she was famous within the community for her tales. Oda walks slowly around the bon fire and begins to chant.
Ishild watches Oda with delight and the old lady begins to tell a story.
"A long time ago, there lived a man and a woman. They lived in peace, but the man desired a child.
"The woman, who was foolish and vain, did not want a child. However, she submitted to her husband's wishes and was soon with child.
"The woman did not like to be with child, therefore she taunted God by proclaiming she would rather have the Devil's child. If only she knew of the consequences that followed.
"The child was born, but it was of this world. It had the cloven hooves of the Devil, the horns of a goat, and its body was covered with black hair.
"Such a horror the woman gave birth to and the man takes the child away to the wilderness to die. Only it didn't die, the dwarves of the wood discover the child and raise it as their own.
"The creature now hunts the meadows in the bleak of winter in search of food. Anyone who dares cross its path will meet an unfortunate fate," Oda said to everyone.
The whole hall was hushed by this story and Oda then stares at Ishild. She places a hand on the child's head.
"I warn you child, beware of this creature, you might be its next meal," Oda teased and the crowd laughs.
"Crazy old lady," Ishild's father said, but Rosmunda scolds her husband.
"Your father doesn't believe in legends," she said to her daughter. The families then leave the gathering hall and return to their homes.
Darkness fell and the tribe's residents turn in for the night. Ishild was tucked into bed, but she didn't fall asleep. Instead, she goes to the window and stares at the starry sky.
The cluster of stars glowed bright and Ishild looks out on the village. Lanterns were lit, including those of the night guards.
Ishild looks around, seeing that no one was patrolling around her house. She then puts on her cloak and climbs out of the window.
She runs toward the dark meadow just beyond the village. Ishild was curious if the creature Oda had told her about was around there, even if it wasn't winter.
She was careful not to get caught by the guards. She had done it before and the trick was to be quiet as a mouse.
Ishild made it to the meadow, it was not dark thanks to the glowing moon. She looks around, but all she could see were flocks of sheep.
She waits patiently for the creature to show up, but nothing appeared. The moon then hides behind some clouds, making it pitch-black. Ishild pants hard and curls up in a ball.
The clouds move away and the moon lit up the night. Ishild looks at the flocks of sheep, they were still there.
Ishild was disappointed and she decided to return home.
Only when she turns around, she notices a wolf that was close by. Ishild gasps and turns to run. The wolf howls and gives chase.
"HELP! HELP!" Ishild cries out and continues to run.
The wolf, however, was caught by something and it was dragged into the darkness.
Ishild continues to cry out and the guards hear her. "Easy child, what is it?" one of them asks.
"A wolf! A wolf is chasing me!" Ishild cries out and a guard takes her into his arms. The others prepared themselves to fight against the wolf, only it didn't appear.
"I swear, a wolf was chasing me," Ishild said, but the men look around the place. They came back and shake their heads.
"Ishild!" Rosmunda shrieks and she and her husband arrive. "What are you doing out here? You know it's dangerous!" Rosmunda shouts at her daughter.
"I'm sorry Mother," Ishild replies.
The family leaves the guards and they resumed their duties. Rosmunda tucks her daughter into bed, "Now go to sleep, no strolling around after dark. You were just chased by a wolf," she said. Ishild nods and her mother leaves her room.
Ishild looks up at the ceiling, but she decides to take a peek out the window, again. She stares up at the stars, they shined so bright that they looked like jewels to Ishild. She then closes the window and goes to sleep.
In the darkness of the forest, the wolf is hoisted onto a figure's back. The creature looks at the lights of the village, but it turns around and disappears.
From the author: What do you think? Again, this is just a fictitious approach to the Alpine legend of Krampus.
Please leave reviews!