A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen! It is with great pride and boundless pleasure that I introduce you to Universal Doom's very own Holiday Special! Taking place in the comedy/horror movie of Krampus, the Doom Slayer and company have arrived to spread a little Christmas cheer of their own! Enjoy, and always remember: I own nothing!
...
Nicholas stood stoically on a hill, his eyes scanning over the town below with a solemn weariness that only seemed to deepen as he took in the sight. A winter storm of supernatural proportions swirled above the ice-covered houses, its source no doubt stemming from the evil that surged below. He knew the names of each and every one of the residents of this small suburban community, and it pained him so to see what had become of the once joyful populace that had kept the Spirit of Christmas alive for so many years.
Tonight was Christmas Eve, the night of which Nicholas was supposed to be at his strongest, and yet, he had never felt so weakened and vulnerable before. This town, as well as so many others, had lost sight of the true meaning behind this time of year. And despite his efforts, Nicholas had been unable to lift their spirits with his magic, for even when he was at the pinnacle of his power, not even the great Kris Kringle could force holiday cheer into the hearts of humans. No, that was something they could only do on their own. He could only assist in what ways he knew how.
It had not been enough. Slowly, throughout many years and Christmases come and gone, a dark and sinister weight had been planted within the hearts of humans across the planet, targeting those who celebrated Christmas and partook in the merry traditions of goodwill and brotherhood that Nicholas himself had created many centuries ago.
Its architect? Why, none other than the sworn enemy of Christmas itself, of course. A being much older than Nicholas and far more twisted and sinister. An old titan of this planet that, like Nicholas himself, had been born of the traditions and emotions of humanity. And was now just as powerful as he was in times long past if not even more so…
Krampus.
Nicholas briefly closed his eyes, as even to spawn the demon's name in his mind was enough to make him shiver despite the warmth of his weathered cloak.
When Nicholas had still existed as a mere human, Krampus was a name synonymous with the final months of the year. He was a being that slumbered during the time of spring and summer but stirred during the autumn and fully awoke in the winter. And when awake, the monster terrorized the then few and ancient humans whose very psyche had birthed him, whisking away men, women, and children alike in the dead of night to its lair. The dark and malicious emotions that were too easily associated with the coldness of winter and the worries of scarce food were akin to a feast in the eyes of the monster, and though early humanity knew of how he drew his power, they could not bring themselves to drive him away, as the magnitude of their grief and sorrow was too great to overcome on their own.
It had been Nicholas himself who had first begun to push back against Krampus's wrath. At the time, he had been but a simple carpenter, but the loss of his mother and father at the odious claws of Krampus had stirred his heart to action. If Krampus fed on the darkness and ill will that resided within the hearts of humans, then the way to rid themselves of him would be to deny him his food. Though Nicholas had been a young man of very few possessions to speak of in those days, he had taken what little he had and had gifted it to the people of his village, taking even the food from his table and wrapping the rations into parcels to be opened by his neighbors. He would craft utensils and tools made of fine wood and disperse them to the community free of charge, devoting extra time and care to ensure his gifts were meaningful and would warm the cold hearts of the village folk.
Unfortunately for Nicholas, Krampus's ill image still clouded the compassionate side of all when he began to dispense his gifts, and many would not open their doors to receive him when he knocked, thinking him to be a beggar or a starving neighbor asking to spare a loaf of bread. And so, it was then that Nicholas had first begun depositing his gifts down the chimneys of his neighbors and friends, smiling heartily and imagining their wary yet curious faces break into smiles of wonder and happiness upon receiving a new set of chairs for their table or an extra sack of grain to fill their hungry bellies.
Of course, Nicholas never forgot to provide for the children of his village as well, as it was truly the fear and sorrow of the children that fed the nightmare of Krampus. Adults were older and more set in their ways, but the active mind of a child did far more to provide Krampus sustenance than any adult ever could. And so, Nicholas would include small wooden dolls or figurines in the parcels he deposited down the chimneys, going so far as to even learn to sew so that he could craft blankets and warm hats for the little ones.
Nicholas worked tirelessly to provide something for everyone in the village, steeling himself through the initial distrust of his fellow man during the first few seasons, as Krampus's darkness made them hesitant to accept his gifts. At first, they discarded or tried to return what he would give them, thinking it to be a ploy or a way of earning future favors, but after they began to truly realize that Nicholas's actions were selfless, then their spirits slowly began to lift. The winter months, while still synonymous with Krampus's wrath, began to become associated with Nicholas and his generosity, his thankless gift-giving a bright spot of warmth among the heavy chill that was Krampus. Children would begin to visit him year-round in his shop as he worked to craft his gifts, hoping to catch a glimpse of what wonderful surprises he would bestow upon them that winter. Nicholas would always kindly but firmly shoo them away each time he caught them peeking through the window, always reminding them that they would have to wait until the winter months before they could see what grand favors lie in store for them.
A few seasons more, and Nicholas's spirit of giving began to spread to the other inhabitants of the village as well. Bakers would craft delicious treats to give to families, farmers began to gift extra chickens or eggs to their patrons at little to no cost, woodsmen would chop extra stacks of firewood to help heat the hearths of their neighbors during the cold months…
Soon enough, nearly everyone in the village began to find their own ways of giving back to each other. The spirit of giving began to flourish throughout the people, simultaneously driving back Krampus's might by their spirit of joy and togetherness. Disappearances began to dwindle in number as Krampus lost his strength, and eventually, his plight stopped entirely as gift-giving on Christmas became an official tradition to the people of the village.
As neighboring villages and towns began to partake in the holiday, Krampus quickly came to be forgotten by all but the older members of the community, the name becoming an afterthought as Nicholas became the new symbol of the winter months. As his name and reputation grew, so too did his workshop, as he soon began to provide gifts and toys to folks in more than just his own village. It was under this new strain of providing for so many that Nicholas began to allow children to work with him in his shop, taking three or four children under his apprenticeship to help craft his gifts. That number grew to nine or ten within a few seasons, and further still after that, Nicholas's workshop growing into a full-blown operation in just a few short years.
It was during those years that Nicholas first felt the magic flow through him. It was magic born from the joy of so many that believed in him and what he could do. It was magic that had been stripped from Krampus when Christmas became tradition, and it was magic that grew each time another child placed their faith in the Father of Christmas.
Through this magic, the common tale of Nicholas's deeds was spread far and wide. Humans everywhere began to believe in the man who selflessly gave to others during the winter months and made gifts and toys in a large workshop. Saint Nicholas, they began to call him, though Nicholas himself had felt such a title was unnecessary.
Harnessing the power granted by the magic of belief, Nicholas relocated his workshop to the arctic, a place where he would never be too far from anyone who believed in him. His most devout apprentices chose to follow him and continue spreading the cheer of Christmas. Though nearly all were still children or perhaps young teenagers, Nicholas had been moved by their passion, and at their request, he had used his magic to increase their lifespans, allowing them to retain their youth for centuries and even longer. With their longer life, his workers could perfect and hone their skill in the crafting of gifts, resulting in a proficiency which no human could rival.
And so, the legend of Santa Claus had been born, a being that brought laughter and joy into the homes of all during the Christmas season by creating gifts and toys for good little girls and boys.
Thinking back to when Nicholas had first become the being he was today, the grizzled man smiled amidst the darkness around him, the fond memories of how it all began always lifting his spirits no matter the situation.
"Sir."
Nicholas stirred from his thoughts and turned to the sound of the familiar voice. Looking down, his eyes met those of Stefan, one of his first apprentices and oldest friends.
Standing at a little over one and a half meters tall, Stefan, despite the millennia since his birth, looked to be no older than forty based on human standards. Apart from still possessing the same height he held as a child, Stefan's body was that of an adult in peak physical condition, a product of his years of experience and training. He stood at attention as he addressed Nicholas, his posture perfect and well suited to the set of heavy armor that he wore. A sturdy wooden bow was slung over his shoulder, with a quiver of mistletoe arrows sitting patiently at his side. The bow, Nicholas fondly remembered, had been crafted for Stefan as a Christmas gift from Nicholas himself. Perfectly symmetrical and tuned for pinpoint accuracy, it had been a welcome present for when Stefan had still been a human child attempting to hunt game for his family. It had since then been enhanced by Nicholas's magic, granting it extra power and range, and enhancing the bow so that rot would never take hold in the wood. It was with that bow that Stefan had felled both woodland beast and Krampus-kin alike over the years, its reliability a proud mark of Nicholas's impeccable craftsmanship.
At his other hip, Stefan carried a simple but lethal handwrought sword, this weapon crafted by Stefan's own hands rather than Nicholas's. Its make and design were perfect, and Nicholas smiled as his gaze lingered on the sword for a moment, feeling pride in Stefan for his skills as a weaponsmith.
"Sir," Stefan repeated. "We are ready. You need only give the order."
Nicholas smiled and gave a small shake of his head. His long gray beard swayed in the breeze with the motion.
"My friend," Nicholas said in a gravelly voice that was weathered but still strong. "You and I have known each other for longer than Christmas itself has been celebrated. There is no need for such formality between us."
At this, Stefan relaxed slightly and gave a small smile of his own.
"Gotta keep some semblance of formality, Santa," he replied, this time using a more informal but still reverent title to address Nicholas by. "Can't have your army thinking that we have a breakdown in command structure."
My army…
Thinking once again, Nicholas fell back into the memory of why Father Christmas commanded an army in the first place.
As Nicholas recalled, it had begun on the fiftieth anniversary of the first Christmas celebration. Until then, Christmas had still been young, new, and welcome to all who celebrated it, and belief in Santa Claus had been in abundance. But like many good things, it had come to an end.
That fiftieth Christmas, the mood was different. The winter that swept across the land had been especially harsh, and the harvest from the summer months had been grave and underwhelming. Families struggled to get by, and as a result, the Christmas spirit had been greatly subdued. Instead of coming together, the communities began to distrust each other and compete for resources, and it very quickly reminded Nicholas of how times had been before, when Krampus had still been in power. Gifts, if they were exchanged at all, were few and far between, with most only given in the hope of receiving something in return, and Nicholas remembered the pang in his heart when he had received so many letters asking for just basic necessities like food and warm clothing.
Nicholas did all that he could to provide for all, but even with the aid of his magic, he was stretched too thin, as even he had his limits. The source of Nicholas's magical power was the very soul and spirit of humanity, but their despair had significantly drained him of magic that year, leaving him and his elves all vulnerable and weak.
That Christmas, Krampus returned, the despair of humanity enough to strengthen him once again. He, as well as its vile minions, had set upon the populace, taking them in the night and destroying the homes that he entered as he had so long ago.
Humanity tried to defend against Krampus and his ilk, but the monsters and darkened elves that served the holiday demon were as numerous as they were dangerous, and further still, they were emboldened by Krampus's magic, stacking the deck ever against the humans.
It was then that Nicholas decided to fight back, utilizing his skills and those of his elves to craft weapons that were subsequently imbued with his own magic to fight the hordes of Krampus. Though his magic was dangerously weak, Nicholas did what he could, and shortly after he had begun, Nicholas had successfully armed both himself and his workers. With great haste, he dispatched scouts to all corners of the world, instructing them to stand a vigilant watch for signs of Krampus's approach. These elves kept a keen eye especially on the children, as their level of holiday spirit remained the best form of early warning that Krampus would be coming soon.
And each time that Krampus or his minions set upon a town or village, Nicholas was immediately notified by his scouts, and he would personally deploy an armed force to the location to help drive them away. Though the initial lack of training in the ways of war was quite evident and needed to be remedied, the forces of the North Pole held their own against Krampus's vile horde. And thanks to the timely response of Nicholas and his elves, very few disappearances happened that Christmas.
The success of his deterring presence birthed a piece of the legend of Santa Claus that became lesser known and eventually forgotten over time. After the events of that fiftieth Christmas, it was decided that Nicholas would maintain his network of surveillance over the human civilizations of the world, and slowly but surely, Nicholas built up his web of informants so that no sign of Krampus would go unnoticed. He couldn't see Krampus while he was sleeping, but Nicholas would always know when he was awake.
And with his surveillance system in place, Nicholas began to teach his elves not only the skills associated with carpentry and smithing, but also of warfare and how to wield a variety of weapons. Slowly but surely, the North Pole army grew in formidability, learning from their mistakes and honing their skills and tactics each time Krampus awakened in the winter. Though they became extremely efficient at driving away Krampus's forces of darkness, Nicholas had always held reservations in his heart about his ever-constant battle against Krampus. The season of Christmas was supposed to be a time to put aside your weapons and come together, but he knew that if he and his elves stood down from the fight, then Krampus would slowly grow stronger and feed on humanity once again.
Nicholas looked up past Stefan to the rest of the hill, the elevated land covered with the army of the North Pole. A force of nearly five-hundred elves stood in formation, each one carrying armor and weaponry similar to Stefan's, with each elf wielding a sword crafted personally by either themselves or Nicholas. The elves all stood at or a bit below Stefan's height, but each stood ready and trained for the battle to come.
In addition to the main force, a small unit of cavalry gathered as well. Fifty elves rode the backs of large armored polar bears, with two elves assigned to one steed. Designed to be a highly mobile force, one elf was trained to maneuver the bear while the other was armed with a long pike in the back to skewer any enemies unfortunate enough to be standing in their way. A deadly unit on the battlefield, to be certain.
Next to the cavalry force was a force of reindeer pilots, two hundred elves mounted the reindeer in a similar fashion as the cavalry force, but instead of long pikes, the elves mounted in the rear carried longbows similar to Stefan's, each one highly trained in precision shooting and more than capable of dishing out deadly deliverance from above.
Additionally, a force of yeti had come as well, towering over the elves and their steeds as they stood upright on two legs. Though formally natives of the Himalayan Mountains, the large but peaceful creatures had been driven from their home long ago by the humans, so Nicholas had extended to them an offer to find a new home at the North Pole, which the yeti had accepted with great gratitude. Though their community was separate from Nicholas's workshop, the yeti would come by from time to time and assist with the daily operations alongside the elves, lending their strength and bulk to carry large pallets of gifts and toys to and from the workstations and staging them for delivery. Though the yeti had insisted that they were only repaying Nicholas for allowing them to live at the North Pole, Nicholas still found ways to thank them for their efforts, mostly in the form of parcels of fresh meat seasoned with some of the finest spices known to man or beast. Though the yeti insisted still that Nicholas need not provide such gifts, Nicholas never had to press the matter very far, as the food packages that he prepared for them were unrivaled in quality and taste. Nicholas always chuckled to himself when he saw their eyes light up during food deliveries to their community, and if he didn't know any better, he'd say that they had become quite addicted to his cooking.
Though the yeti had never been a part of Nicholas's army against Krampus, they were still fearsome warriors thanks to their incredible strength and surprising agility. Much like their ape-like cousins that dwelled in warmer climates, the yeti possessed large hands and long arms that were perfect for climbing in the mountain ranges they were so familiar with. Nicholas's elves were often in awe of how they would swing from the rafters inside the workshop with such ease and fluidity, and they were even more surprised by just how gentle the yeti could be, being able to handle fragile toys and glass with care despite their large hands and sharp claws.
Despite the obvious advantage that the yeti would provide among Nicholas's ranks, he was still regretful that he had needed to ask for their help tonight. Given what he had seen and felt in the events leading up to this Christmas, however, Nicholas knew that he would need their help if he desired to see another one.
And even then, it still might not be enough…
Nicholas banished the thought as quickly as it came. He couldn't afford to think like that, he refused to think like that. Not now. Not ever.
"Santa?" Stefan asked, tilting his head with concern. Nicholas looked over to his old friend in a moment of contemplation, then nodded his head.
"Very well, Stefan," Nicholas said with firm resolution. "But first, I must address our forces."
Stefan gave a smile and nodded in return before stepping out of Nicholas's way. Striding forward, Nicholas briefly paused to fetch something from his sleigh, which had been parked only a few meters away. Reaching down, Nicholas grunted as he hefted the substantial yet familiar weight of his own weapon of choice from the cargo section: a large two-handed axe, double-bladed and perfectly crafted for Nicholas's height and build. Glancing over the axe for a moment and admiring its beauty, the bearded man then walked to where he could best be heard and seen, turning his head to give soft reassurances to the armored reindeer that pulled his sleigh. Once he finally made his way to the front, Nicholas came to a stop and surveyed his army once more, holding the axe in one hand and resting the butt of it in the deep snow at his feet.
The elves, bears, and yeti alike all stood a bit straighter as his gaze swept across their ranks, then Nicholas spoke, using his magic to allow his voice to carry so that all could hear.
"As I look across all your faces, I see your confusion as to why we have gathered in such force on this Christmas Eve. I am sure many of you have guessed the answer, but allow me to officially clarify."
All fell silent, even the wind itself seemed to abate in anticipation for what Nicholas had to say.
"Krampus, our sworn enemy for as long as nearly all of you can remember, has set his forces upon this community behind us."
Nicholas gestured with his axe behind him to the darkened town below.
"Despite our efforts to deter his advance, it seems that Krampus has been able to corrupt the Spirit of Christmas here to a degree that we have not seen in a long time. The strength and number of his horde rivals that which he possessed before the time of when Christmas was celebrated. We believe that if he is successful here tonight, he will have enough power to spread his vile darkness even further to larger towns and even cities…unless we stop him."
The weight of Nicholas's words settled throughout his army, and he shared their feelings of shock and confusion as to how they had allowed this to happen. The truth, which Nicholas had decided not to share with his army, was that Krampus's forces had somehow uncovered the identity and location of Nicholas's informants within the community. Before a distress call could be sent out for help, Krampus's minions had slaughtered the elves and taken their place, sending false messages that the spirit of Christmas was alive and well within the town. In only one other instance had Nicholas's spies been compromised like that, and the results of that event had been disastrous…
…the entire village…
Nicholas set his jaw, refusing to think more on that event. Something like that could not be allowed to happen again. Not while he could still fight.
"Our initial reports show that Krampus controls a force down there larger than anything we have faced before. What's more, is that I am sure that he knows we are coming. What awaits us down there will be the hardest battle we have ever fought, and though I believe we can emerge victorious, I know that it will not be without sacrifice. With that, I say that anyone who does not wish to partake may leave without consequence. I will not harbor ill will towards anyone who does not wish to stay."
There was a long moment of silence, and then Nicholas felt his heart swell with pride as each of his troops set their own jaws and hardened their stances before his very eyes. Every single one of them still had faith in Nicholas, in the Spirit of Christmas, and Nicholas knew in that moment that never in a million years would he find a finer set of individuals that he was willing to fight and possibly die alongside.
"Very well," he said with a steadfast and yet grateful tone, turning to Stefan as he did so.
"Commander, the floor is yours."
Stefan stood to and cleared his throat before addressing the army.
"The only way to ensure that Krampus is purged from this town is to clear it street by street," he began. "Battalions two, five, and six will prioritize the houses north of the river, while one, three and four will take the houses to the south."
Nicholas nodded in approval and took a step back, standing his axe up by its long haft and holding it easily in one hand.
"Unfortunately, many civilians are still trapped within their homes and buildings," Stefan continued, gesturing to the dark storm that blanketed the town below. "That makes search and rescue our top priority. If you encounter any humans, contact our pilots immediately for extraction."
Stefan gestured to the reindeer pilots as he spoke, who all nodded affirmingly. Each pilot was well versed in search and rescue operations, and each reindeer was strong enough to carry three to four humans at once if necessary.
"The yeti and cavalry are to divide themselves up evenly among the battalions, such that no one unit is without support. They are not to remain with the main force, but must be ready to assist nearby. When not actively participating in rescue operations, air support can be provided upon request."
The large force remained silent, still at attention and focused on the battle to come.
"Finally, should any of you encounter Krampus, immediately contact either Santa or myself. Do not attempt to engage him on your own. Report his location and accompanying force, then immediately retreat to a safe distance. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" came the unified response from the hundreds of elves, their voices echoing off the hilltop and down into the valley below.
Nicholas understood the necessity of Stefan's warning, as the physical prowess of Krampus was a frightening legend to the denizens of the North Pole. None had seen the demon's fighting ability up close and lived to tell the tale. Santa had lost many elves to the beast over the centuries, and despite the length of time they had warred against each other, Nicholas had only seen Krampus in the flesh a select few times. And even then, they had all been mere glimpses or from a distance. Never up close.
Nicholas's grip tightened on his battle axe at the thought. Despite Santa Claus being considered one of the most powerful beings on the planet, many of his elves held a nervous curiosity as to how he would fare if he were to duel Krampus in single combat. Even those who had witnessed Nicholas's skill in battle were still unsure of the outcome, and in truth, Nicholas shared in their uncertainty. He knew that his skills far outclassed any man or beast alive, but Krampus was said to be just as fearsome if not more so than he, and with how diminished his magic was this season, Nicholas would be foolish to think that a duel with Krampus on this night might not cost him his life.
Nicholas scowled and scolded himself once again for letting those thoughts enter his mind. He needed to focus on the here and now. Whatever came next, he would worry about it then.
Stefan turned back to Nicholas and gave a small nod to indicate that he was finished, which Nicholas returned before hefting his axe and stepping forward once again. Despite his appearance as an older man, his figure stood imposingly before his troops and allies.
"Krampus thinks that he can stop us, that he can topple the Spirit of Christmas forever by gaining a foothold in this town tonight. I do not know about any of you, but I will not stand idly by and let him get away with this! Now, who is with me?!"
A cheer sounded from the ranks of elves, their voices strong, but not quite in unison.
"I said: Who is with me?!"
This time, the cheering exploded into a loud roaring as elves, yeti, and beast alike let out a battle cry that shook the earth and momentarily blocked out the sound of the blizzard in the valley below.
"Then march!" Nicholas ordered, swiftly mounting his sleigh with an agility that defied his years. "Take to the streets, save this town, and let Krampus never forget that the Spirit of Christmas lives on!"
A fresh bout of motivated cheering rolled across the land as the army of the North Pole set forth down the hill and into the valley below. The elves marched forward in a double-timed unison that maintained their formation while still displaying their swiftness, but the yeti and mounted cavalry eagerly charged down the hill and into the town below on a warpath. Nicholas had stirred the fires within them with his words, and he saw no fear on any of their faces as he took his place at the reins and roused his reindeer to attention. Mimicking his actions, the elf pilots immediately took to the skies, flying over the ground troops and assuming their own combat formations.
With a small snap of the reins, Santa's own sleigh followed suit, the combined might of eight magical reindeer easily lifting the vehicle up into the blackened sky. A glance to the front of the main force showed Stefan at the head, marching in time at a good distance forward of the bulk of elven soldiers.
Nicholas watched as he caught back up to the main forces in the air, then frowned as the wind grew nastier still as if in response to their approach. Pellets of ice began to fill the air, enough to cause him to squint as they pelted against his army like large needles.
"Sir!" came Stefan's voice over the howling gale, loudly and clearly echoing in Nicholas's mind through a magical link between them. "The weather is going to prevent us from getting into the town! We need a way to punch through! Our forces can't get much closer without casualties!"
Nicholas did not even bother answering. Instead, he shifted the reins into one hand and hefted his axe with the other. He willed his reindeer to pull to the front of the formation and drew the axe closer to his face.
Summoning his will, Nicholas felt his magic flow through the axe as it had so many times before. Bright red light began to fill the runes of the axehead, and the tempered metal began to glow with both warmth and power. It was as though the axe itself was awakening from a deep slumber. Nicholas supposed that in a way, it was, as he was breathing the very life of Christmas into it once again.
Rudolph, was its name. It was a name that Nicholas had learned long ago when he had forged the weapon. So much magic had been used to enchant it that it had been bestowed with a will of its own, and though it never acted without its wielder, Nicholas had felt its will when he used it in battle. It was just as much alive as he was, and though it had only just awoken, he could feel its anticipation growing within the runed metal.
"Old friend, I beseech you once again, guide my sleigh tonight!"
The axe responded like an eager hound set free from its leash, and Nicholas lifted the head high into the air as power burst forth from the blade. Potent red energy arced through the air and towards the stormwall before them, crackling as the warmth from the energy forcibly blasted away the cold wind from the storm.
Where the energy struck, the blizzard relented, and the storm cowered as the light from the axe seemed to split the very heavens open to grant him access. Fresh cheers resounded from the pilots around him and the main force below as the elves in formation broke into a tight run to pass through the makeshift gate before them.
"Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"
…
…so the gift-giver had arrived at last. He and his little zealots were certainly persistent, but they did not have the strength to stop what had already been set in motion.
No, they had only enough power to delay it, and even then, by perhaps only a year or so. The time to save their precious Christmas was long gone, as the forces that worked against them had managed to evade their notice all the way up until the move was made.
Throughout centuries of planning and subtlety, their so-called "Spirit of Christmas" had been corrupted by His careful hand. Sprinkling darkness into the hearts of humanity piece by piece, He had steered the tone of the holiday from forgiveness and giving to that of judgment and bitterness. How fickle they had been! It was always noted with a small amount of humor how easily ill will could fester among the humans. Their shallow minds combined with their pitifully short lifespans narrowed their understanding of the grand nature of things, making them susceptible to the slightest suggestions or urgings if it meant their temporary survival.
And so, by slowly corrupting their little holiday with greed and envy, they had unknowingly strengthened Him once more, and by His victory here, the world would once again know His name. With His name came fear, and given just a few short seasons more, the time of winter would once again be synonymous with his wrath, and no one, especially their weak and withered "Father of Christmas", would be able to stop Him…
…
Nicholas growled and struck down another winged monstrosity with a blast of red light. Rudolph hummed with power and eagerness as he kept a swarm of airborne nightmares at bay. Harpies and darkened angels all crafted of metal and wood screeched and clawed at him and his reindeer pilots, and their ferocity and numbers were matched in kind by their ground-borne counterparts below.
Krampus had known that they were coming. Of that, there was no doubt. Shortly after passing through the stormfront and into the suburban neighborhood, they had been met by a horde of Krampus's demonic creations. An army of dark elves carrying all sorts of crude weaponry and donning ghoulish masks had clashed against his own elves, and though Nicholas's troops were far more efficient and organized, they were vastly outnumbered. Their line held for now, but quite a few had already fallen to the superior numbers, their swords already well-bloodied with the essence of their fallen foes.
Krampus had also seen fit to augment his forces with his own vile and twisted creations, and his capacity for creation rivaled Nicholas's own. The only difference was that Nicholas built to bring cheer and happiness, while Krampus built to ultimately hurt and destroy. That fact was evident by the presence of large golems built of ice and snow on the battlefield, their size greater than that of the yeti and their eyes glowing with a green maliciousness. Their grotesque claws of ice swatted at the reindeer pilots that circled above them, and their gargantuan feet stomped at the elves and polar riders that stabbed at them with their pikes.
The variety of Krampus's forces did not end there however, as he possessed an armored cavalry of his own. Large yule goats lumbered forward in heavy armor, their riders equipped much like Nicholas's own with bows and pikes that harassed any enemies that weren't trodden underfoot by their large hooves.
Seeing a break in the attack from his winged harassers, Nicholas summoned his will and Rudolph responded en force. Aiming the axe down toward an approaching line of large yule goats, another bright red blast of energy burst from the blade and rained down upon Krampus's foul cavalry, smiting many of the goats and their riders in just a few short seconds.
Briefly winded from the exertion of his attack, Nicholas looked up just in time to see a mechanical abomination dive directly for him, rusted iron claws outstretched to gouge out his eyeballs. Nicholas grunted and swung his axe in a wide arc, cleaving the monstrosity in two just before it struck him.
As the creature's now two halves fell onto the battlefield below, Nicholas heard Stefan reach out to him from the battlefield.
"Sir! We are grossly outnumbered! Casualty reports are coming in from all sides! Orders, sir?!"
Nicholas looked down to see Stefan dueling four dark elves at once, his sword expertly parrying their wild swings and riposting when the opportunity arose with deadly results. His commander was certainly holding his own, but looking down to the battlefield, he saw that despite his assistance, his forces were slowly but surely being overwhelmed. No matter how many dark elves or beasts his army felled, there were always more to take their place, whereas Nicholas's troops were becoming more obviously finite by the second.
Crushingly, Nicholas began to see just how much the odds were stacked against him, and how close Christmas was coming to extinction. He knew that he himself would rather die than see Krampus's vision become reality once more, but his elves…
He knew that they had all agreed to fight despite the odds, but to ask them all to sacrifice themselves…?
As Nicholas battled with the weight of his choice, he saw the line of the North Pole falter, dangerously close to breaking. And if it broke, Nicholas knew that all of them, elf, yeti, polar bear, and reindeer, would be slaughtered. He knew that each one of them would have given their life so that Christmas would last, but Nicholas could not find it in himself to allow them such a sacrifice.
"Stefan…" his throat was dry and his words were heavy with weariness. "Order an immediate retre–"
Nicholas's voice was drowned out all of a sudden by a thunderous boom that sounded from the battlefield below. Momentarily forgetting about his half-spoken order, Nicholas looked down upon the battlefield to see the last vestiges of a bright blue light fade into nothingness.
The source of the light had appeared perfectly between the armies of Krampus and Nicholas, effectively halting the flow of battle with its sudden and insistent appearance. Even the airborne warriors paused their altercation to take in the sight on the icy ground below.
As the light faded, Nicholas looked down to see a shadowy silhouette take its place, the darkness of the blizzard obscuring the noticeably bulky form that had been thrust upon the battlefield. As his eyes adjusted, Nicholas saw the form take the shape of an armored, bipedal humanoid, though not much else could be discerned from its appearance due to the distance between Nicholas and it.
The armored figure slowly turned its head in observance of the frozen battle before it. Strangely, it did not seem perturbed by the two armies that it was now enclosed between, which struck Nicholas as odd, as certainly any normal human (at least he assumed that he armored figure was human) would be somewhat startled by suddenly appearing in the middle of a yuletide skirmish.
And yet, this newcomer stood almost stoically, as though it was anticipating someone else to make the first move. In that moment, Nicholas's magic spoke to him, whispering of an ancient and deadly force even older than Krampus, and even Rudolph seemed to vibrate with excitement, which only increased Nicholas's sense of anticipation for what came next.
As if on cue, a foul harpy made of wood and steel chose to dive bomb the figure at that moment, its metallic beak squawking with hatred and animosity. Furling its wings in a harsh squealing of metal, the vile beast dove toward the strange humanoid. But before it could outstretch its lengthy claws in anticipation, the figure had moved with a blurred speed that even Nicholas could barely follow.
Drawing a strange weapon from thin air, the figure fired a bright beam of red light at the monster, the beam striking the automaton with such force that its metallic body was wrenched apart by the blast. As both its wings, its head, and its feet separated from its main body with the force of the impact, Nicholas watched in a state of suspended awe as its limbs began to decay into dust as they did so, the wood and metal crumbling into ash before they had the chance to hit the ground.
There was a moment of brief silence, hardly a breath in real time, then the figure seemingly came to a conclusion. With another bout of blurred movement that Nicholas could barely follow, the figure launched itself against the forces of Krampus, drawing another weapon and opening fire on the dark elves that were closest to it.
Their dying screams seemed to ignite the tide of battle once more, and Nicholas roused his troops by crying out and summoning another beam of energy from Rudolph, using it this time to chain destructive energy through the airborne ghouls that littered the sky. His attack not only felled numerous demons, but also bathed the battlefield in a dull red glow, which struck his troops from their stupor and motivated them to follow in their leaders footsteps. They launched themselves anew at the enemy, striking with renewed vigor at the ankles of the vile golems and finding acute accuracy to shoot down the hordes in the sky. As Nicholas watched, an exceptionally motivated yeti launched itself onto the shoulders of a snow golem. Using its bestial strength, the yeti ripped the golem's head clean from its shoulders, and though the golem still continued to swing about wildly without its head, the combined efforts of other yeti and the polar riders brought it down mere moments after.
"Sir!" Nicholas heard Stefan's voice from below. "Who…or rather…what is that thing?"
Nicholas knew that Stefan spoke only of the mysterious figure below, and like his friend, Nicholas had no idea as to the origins of their temporary ally. Its strength was certainly a welcome addition to his forces, but beyond that…
Before Nicholas could voice his own ignorance of the situation, he was struck by the sudden existence of another and far more sinister force not too far away. Instinctively turning towards that direction, Nicholas's eyes furrowed as he recognized the signature of this recently observed entity.
Krampus.
"Stefan!" Nicholas called out as he hefted his axe and shifted his weight.
"Krampus is close. I'm moving towards the location now. See to it that I am not followed…by Krampus's forces or our own."
Nicholas barely heard Stefan's frantic protests as he then hurdled over the side of his sleigh and into the cold empty air beneath. For a few peaceful moments, Nicholas closed his eyes as he treasured the strangely soothing sound of the wind rushing past his ears, then his eyes snapped open, and he arched his body to come into a proper landing position. Reindeer pilots and Krampus-kin whooshed past as he drew closer to the ground, the battle in the sky continuing to rage on without him. Using his magic, Nicholas coated his body with a protective shield, and in the next second, he hit the ground hard. White snow powder and ice chips blossomed in a fine cloud from where he had landed, but none of that was of concern to Nicholas, as he only had eyes for his foe.
Absent-mindedly, Nicholas swung his axe in a wide sweep, decapitating three dark elves as he did so. The poor fools did not even see their death coming. With a mask of determination, Nicholas began carving his way through the odious hordes of Krampus's army, his eyes not straying for even a moment in search of his goal.
A large yule goat approached him from behind with preparations to crush him beneath its hooves, but five yeti fell upon it in the next moment, toppling it off balance as they clawed and bit into its armored but vulnerable hide.
Nicholas broke into a jog to continue forward, but a golem suddenly stepped into his path, and he had to crane his neck to see the unsavory green that glowed within its eye sockets. Nicholas made to strike with Rudolph, but the golem suddenly jolted where it stood, as though it had been struck by invisible lightning. The large animated vessel arched its head in a bellow of agony, then fell to its knees. Nicholas held his axe at the ready, but it proved unnecessary, as the green light in the golem's eyes flickered and died shortly after, the beast's form falling face first into the snowy earth and going completely still.
Gazing up, Nicholas saw none other than the mysterious stranger appear before him, a large chainsaw embedded to the hilt in the back of the golem. The stranger wrenched the chainsaw from the golem, then fixed its helmeted gaze onto Nicholas for the first time.
In that moment, Nicholas knew for a fact that this entity was not of this world. Its strength was evidently overwhelming, but Nicholas could sense a certain sort of indomitability from beneath the armor that surpassed himself and even that of Krampus. If it had existed in this world before, there was no way that it would have escaped his notice for so long.
And yet, despite his revelation regarding this newcomer, Nicholas found it to still be an enigma of great degree. For such an being this powerful to have suddenly arrived on this world could certainly not be by accident. Surely it had come with a purpose in mind, and Nicholas was extremely wary that its intentions would not align with his own.
There was a moment of silence as the two supernatural beings examined each other, then a metallic voice spoke from the armored suit.
"Hello. I am VEGA. I am the A.I. housed within this suit. The man you see before you is known as the Doom Slayer."
Nicholas frowned briefly at the abrupt introduction but quickly shrugged it off and offered a brief nod of his head despite the continuing carnage around him. If this "Doom Slayer" was a force of evil, then he would have to be dealt with at a later time. For right now, Nicholas had no choice but gamble on his intent with Christmas itself.
"VEGA. Doom Slayer. My name is Nicholas. I am fighting to save the world from being enveloped by a great evil on this Christmas. Despite your sudden and wholly unknown arrival, I am afraid I must beg your assistance, as I fear my forces can no longer overcome this evil unaided. Will you help me?"
"We do not yet know the intentions of either of your armies," the voice known as VEGA replied kindly. "However, it appears that these forces you oppose harbor ill will towards civilians. That is sufficient to see us temporarily allied."
Nicholas shared an intense look with the Doom Slayer for a moment, then cautiously lowered his guard, seeing as it was enough to trust this strange human for now. The Doom Slayer seemed to trust Nicholas as well, though it seemed as though the Slayer had innate sense for such things.
"Then I owe you a debt beyond measure," Nicholas said before gesturing in the direction that Krampus's evil was emanating from. "Krampus, vile enemy of Christmas, has made himself known not far from here. I must face him personally, but I beseech your assistance in clearing the way."
The Doom Slayer followed his gaze, taking note of the swarm of Krampus's minions that stood between them and where the holiday demon's aura seemed to be emanating from. The scores of enemies did not seem to deter him in the slightest, and Nicholas watched as the Slayer produced a pump-action shotgun seemingly from thin air and cocked it once, loading a round into the chamber. The sound itself resonated an unnaturally large amount of intimidation, even to Nicholas, and as if to set the scene further, a sudden flash of lightning struck the snowy ground adjacent to where the two of them stood, startling Nicholas with the clap of thunder that followed.
As the flash from the lightning blinked away, Nicholas noted with a significant degree of surprise that a large canine-looking creature had appeared, its jet-black fur ablaze with some form of otherworldly fire that did not seem to deter the creature at all. The four-legged animal took notice of Nicholas with a pair of glowing amber eyes, and it gave him a few experimental sniffs with its skinless snout before disregarding him, seemingly in favor of the hordes of Krampus-kin that lay before them.
"I believe we will be able to entertain your request without issue," VEGA said from within the Slayer's armor. "However, I must request in return that your own forces do not target the Slayer or the hellhound, as they may mistake us as enemies."
Nicholas nodded and spoke to his forces telepathically through his magic, informing them of the two new additions of their forces. Strict orders were given to remain an ample distance from them as well, for if this "hellhound" possessed even a fraction of the fighting prowess the Doom Slayer did, then it was likely that they both would very quickly become the center of attention in this battle, meaning that they would likely be found where the concentration of Krampus's forces were the thickest.
…
Nicholas's prediction proved to be all-too-accurate in the ensuing carnage, as the Slayer and his canine companion tore into Krampus's forces with such vigor that the armies of the North Pole had to struggle to keep up. The two of them moved with enough speed and efficiency to be considered equivalent to an army of their own, and many of Nicholas's forces went several minutes without directly clashing with Krampus's own army, as the Slayer and the hellhound's wake of destruction advanced at an unparalleled rate. Nicholas had even watched in awe as Stefan made to strike a killing blow against a dark elf by decapitating it, only for the warped creature's head to explode from a well-placed shot from one of the Slayer's numerous weapons. Stefan's blade swept swiftly through the empty air where the dark elf's head had been moments before, and the seasoned veteran had stood stunned for a brief moment before he had realized what had happened. Stefan then turned to give the Slayer an angry glare at having his kill stolen, only to find that the Slayer had already moved on, and was currently in the process of snapping a gargantuan yule goat's horn from its head in order to impale it.
Even Nicholas had to push himself in order to keep the hellhound and the Slayer's pace. To say that the Slayer was keeping his promise to clear the way was an understatement, and with Nicholas's own skill in battle added to the mix, the three of them had punched a hole no less than thirty meters wide in the vile sea of their holiday foes.
Wind and ice only grew in its torrent as they plowed forward towards the location of Krampus, the weather directly affected by the mere presence of the demon of winter. It was as though the earth itself stood against them that night, but Nicholas continued on still, his spirit emboldened by his loyalty to Christmas itself and the aid of the Slayer.
Krampus's own forces had shifted their attention mostly to them now, as it seemed that their ultimate goal was to prevent anyone from breaking through their line and reaching their vile master. Their efforts amounted to little difference, however, as the combined will of Nicholas, the hellhound, and the Doom Slayer refused to be denied on that Christmas Eve.
It was only with a few more minutes of fighting that they broke through the line and to the other side of the swarm. All around and behind them, the forces of the North Pole still clashed ferociously against the enemies of Christmas, both sides zealotous in their pursuit of victory. At the sight, Nicholas hesitated, his desire to stay and fight alongside his forces temporarily overpowering the need to face Krampus. The moment quickly passed, however, as Nicholas knew that he had his own battle still yet to be fought.
Looking over, Nicholas moved to get the attention of the Doom Slayer, who was embattled with a twisted amalgamation of metal and hate. The automaton was vaguely human-like, though it stood at least three meters tall, and its metallic features were distorted in representation of the perverted nature of its creator. Numerous arms that ended in blades and claws all struck out against the Slayer, and a skeletal face with razor sharp teeth the size of human fingers gnashed rabidly. Nicholas took a step forward to assist, but somewhere in his mind, he knew that his help would not be required.
The Slayer proved him right yet again by catching one of the wrists of the mechanical abomination as it lashed out at him. The arm itself ended in a circular saw that screeched as it spun, but the Slayer paid it no mind. Balling his other fist tightly, the armored human brought his forearm down hard onto the metallic appendage, keeping his steadfast grip on the automaton's wrist. The force of the blow tore the robot's arm in two, but before it could screech in anguish and fury, the Slayer brought his fist back up and backhanded the creature across its steel jaw. Metal flew into the air as the lower half of the creature's face came free from the rest of its being, and the force of the blow spun it around, presenting its back to the Slayer. There was no hesitation from the armored man, and a moment later, he had discarded the half-arm still clenched in his fist and had mounted the creature's back. Reaching up, he dug his gauntlets deep into the monstrosity's anatomy where its head met its shoulders. A high-pitched metallic squealing pierced the night air over the other sounds of battle as the Slayer then pulled the head free, taking with it most of the robot's spinal column and rib cage as he did so.
He turned his gaze to Nicholas at last after that, the still twitching and sparking pieces of the automaton falling to the ground as nothing more than scrap metal. Nearby, the hellhound continued in its fury, scattering the dark elves as they attempted to flee from its hellacious onslaught.
"It is time," Nicholas said. "I must go forward alone. I am in no position to do so, but I must ask of you one last thing."
Neither the Slayer nor VEGA spoke, silently prompting Nicholas to continue.
"Please ensure that I am not followed…by neither Krampus's or my own forces. I will not further risk any of their lives by having them attempt to battle Krampus with me."
The Slayer waited for a beat, then gave a singular resolute nod with his head, and though Nicholas knew that the Slayer had already agreed to honor his final request, he still extended his arm in a gesture of gratitude, and the Slayer returned the gesture by firmly grasping his forearm in his gauntleted hand.
"If I should fall, promise me that you will not let the Krampus leave this place. Whatever happens to me, it all ends tonight."
Then, with their unspoken agreement made, the two of them turned away, the Doom Slayer back towards the battle that still raged on, and Nicholas towards the darkness beyond, steeling himself for what would be his first and last confrontation with Krampus, millenia of war and suffering all coming to a head on this final Christmas Eve.
…
Omi stood resolutely in front of the fireplace, its flames of warm and comfort long gone as a chill colder than any she'd ever felt before began to set in.
He was here.
Krampus.
Despite Omi's best efforts to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive within the hearts of her family, he had still returned, coming once again to steal away those who had forgotten the true meaning of this time of year…
…just like he had done all those years ago.
Sorrow threatened to overwhelm Omi as she remembered that fateful night from her childhood, how her village had lost their hope in almost the exact same way that her family had now, and how Krampus had come and taken them all. He had swept them all away on that one fateful Christmas Eve…
…all but Omi.
He had left her behind as a reminder of what would happen when belief is forgotten and the Christmas Spirit dies.
And now, he had come again, and all that was left to do was to face him. All that Omi could hope to salvage from her failure was to delay Krampus just enough so that her family could escape. It had been a desperate hope, but it was the only one that she had left. Krampus had stolen all the rest.
Wind howled through the broken living room window as a deep and vile roar sounded from somewhere outside the house, and lightning flashed and thunder rolled as a blizzard from hell raged on outside. As if it were even possible, the temperature dropped further still, and out of the corner of her eyes, Omi could see frost beginning to coalesce on the surface of a snow globe sitting on the mantelpiece, the lights on the wreath and holly flickering in a desperate attempt to stay lit against the elements as well.
A loud crack suddenly resonated throughout the house, startling Omi and causing her to take a half step back and look up at where the wall above the fireplace met the ceiling. For a moment, there was nothing save for the wind and thunder, then a large crack appeared in the drywall, sprouting from somewhere above and slowly beginning to work its way down to the fireplace.
The wall bulged outward as the crack deepened, the chimney struggling to contain the size of the demon that was descending down its length. Omi watched in a mournful silence, her mind having already accepted her fate as loose bricks fell from somewhere in the chimney and clattered into the hearth.
The demon had not yet emerged, but Omi could hear its deep and raspy breathing echo outward from the fireplace, its odious noise combined with the cracking and breaking of the wall as Krampus forced his way down.
The first thing she saw were his claws. Long taloned hands emerged from above the lip of the hearth and grasped at the edges for purchase. Like long pale spider legs, the hands pulled the rest of a massive body out from within the chimney.
Two massive hooves landed on the hardwood floor with a loud crack, and before her eyes, the gargantuan form of Krampus slowly began unfurling himself to rise to his full height. His hulking body was draped in heavy layers of pelts and furs, all dark red as if dyed with blood. Long chains and rusty bells clanked with each step, wrapped about his body like a sash.
Omi steeled herself to meet his gaze, but paused when she felt the pleasant warmth of a gloved hand on her shoulder. Slowly, the elder woman turned her head to meet the kindest pair of eyes she had ever seen. An old and weathered man looked back at her with a kind warmth behind his eyes that was powerful enough to banish the chill of the blizzard outside. It was a look that reminded Omi so much of a kind parent, who would somehow always make things ok no matter how bad they seemed to get.
The old man greeted her as though she were an old friend, and though Omi would never know how, she somehow still felt somewhere deep in her bones that he had known her long before this night. And with a startling realization, she realized that she had met him once before. She had just forgotten who this man truly was.
"Weihnachtsmann," Omi whispered, her aging face lifting into a genuine smile for the first time in days.
The man nodded and returned the smile. It was warm enough to melt even the coldest of ice. He reassured her and called her by her real name, speaking her first language with such fluency that he could have been mistaken for one of the elders in her village.
The moment was fleeting, however, and a deep and twisted growl shook Omi to her core and caused her smile to falter as her eyes jolted back to Krampus, who had fully emerged from the chimney and was now menacingly approaching the two of them. Omi could not see the demon's face behind the cruel bearded mask it wore, but its eyes pierced into her soul. Goat-like irises seemingly seeing right through her and drawing all of her pain and suffering to the surface.
Next to her, Saint Nicholas's face grew hard. He briefly set down the large axe he had been carrying, then shouldered off his large red cloak and placed it around Omi's shoulders. The chill from Krampus was immediately banished once again, the feeling of the cloak akin to sitting next to a roaring fire. It even smelled like roasting chestnuts, and despite how heavy it was, Omi somehow only felt lighter with it on.
Saint Nicholas then asked Omi to exit the house, assuring her that the cloak would keep her warm and safe from the storm and Krampus's evil minions. He gave her a direction, assuring her that her family had been directed that way as well.
His words were firm but with an overarching calmness, and yet, Omi still hesitated for the briefest moments. The hulking beast that was Krampus looked so angry and dangerous, and though Saint Nicholas did not look weak by any means, for him to face a demon such as this alone…
The old man turned and gave Omi a smile and another reassuring nod, and though she still feared to leave him alone with Krampus, Omi turned and strode from the house, hastily making her way out into the storm.
The wind thrashed at her and blew ice and sleet everywhere, but the cloak remained warm all the same. It even seemed to lessen the wind around Omi as she hurried down the snow covered street.
…
Nicholas's eyes narrowed as he truly took in Krampus for the first time. To call this entity fearsome would not even begin to describe the menace that emanated from Krampus's very essence. Though Nicholas himself was one of the most powerful beings on the planet, even he still felt a chill down his spine as Krampus gazed upon him for the first time as well.
The two were silent for a moment, then a deep rumbling laughter sounded from behind Krampus's mask, and Nicholas grit his teeth as the demon unshouldered one of its chains and held it easily within its massive and gnarled claws. At one end of one chain sat a large barbed hook, and at the other was a large ironclad bell, likely used as a blunt striking object against anything that stood in Krampus's way. The beast's movements were slow and deliberate, but Nicholas had lived long enough to know better. Krampus was not to be underestimated, and to do so in any account would mean death.
Nicholas hefted Rudolph and readied himself against his sworn enemy, focused and sharp.
"Your evil ends tonight, Krampus."
There was a pause, then another deep laugh from Krampus, and Nicholas barely had time to respond before the beast rushed forward, swinging its chain at blinding speed towards his head.
...
A/N: So, as many have already deduced, this arc exists in two parts. This mainly exists because I came slightly unhinged and wrote this story in a whopping 26,000 words. This, my friends, is once a again a record, and I'm thinking that I'm going to have to dial it back eventually lest my chapters eventually grow to the lengths of entire stories on their own. That being said, there was much delicious lore to play with when it came to this story thanks to the director of the movie: Michael Dougherty (did you know he wrote a comic book to accompany the movie?).
So, for the first time ever, I split the chapter into two parts, which will be released one after the other! Now, as many of you have also noticed, I deviated quite a bit from how the movie depicts Krampus and his motives, but I'd like to think that that even the holiday demon whose job is to punish naughty children might have some ulterior motives!
Either way, please let me know what you think by bullying me or commending me in the comments, as I absolutely love hearing feedback on how my work is going so far! I will see you all in Part 2!
-ImpulsiveWeaver
