
The Spirit of Christmas

Long ago, there was a kingdom in the North known for its military prowess. Warriors rode into battle on the backs of gigantic reindeer, whose fierce antlers were as sharp and deadly as the crooked white canes wielded by the soldiers.

One day, a young warrior named Santa was training in the mountains with his trusted reindeer Rudolph. They came across an injured polar bear lying in the snow. Santa removed his scarf and dressed the bear's wounds. He let the bear consume his water and food, gradually restoring its strength.

Suddenly, the bear stood up and transformed into Christmas, Goddess of Winter.

"Human, why have you taken pity on this bear, who is your natural enemy?"

"Oh great Christmas," said Santa, bowing his head. "Enemy or not, the act of giving is the greatest joy I know."

"Foolish human!" cried Christmas, her face wild and furious. "Winter abhors selflessness! The law of Winter is preservation of the self. Now, see what folly you have wrought!" 

Christmas instantly transformed back into the polar bear and leaped, teeth gnashing and claws swiping. Santa was a formidable warrior, and he nimbly dodged the bear's initial strike. He swung the blunt end of his crooked cane at the bear's head. But the bear was fast too, quickened by the Spirit of Christmas. She grabbed the cane with her jaws and yanked Santa closer.

"Maul Santa!" Christmas roared.

Before Santa could move away, the polar bear removed Santa's chin with one swipe of her powerful claws.

Santa stumbled to the ground in shock. Before the bear could strike again, Rudolph barrelled into the great beast, sending them tumbling into the snow. Santa scrambled to his feet, leaped, and plunged the sharp end of his crooked cane into the polar bear's heart. 

The bear roared in agony, roars turning to cold, windy screeches as she transformed back into Christmas. 

"You fool! Do you mean to destroy Winter itself?" she demanded.

"No. I will become it." 

Santa yanked the cane out of Christmas' chest, her still-beating heart impaled. Santa sank his teeth into the heart and consumed the blood within. Santa immediately felt a rush of power as Christmas' spirit poured into him. He felt the icy cruelty of Winter's spirit dance and mingle with the fiery generosity of his own. His belly expanded as if to contain this duality. His cheeks grew rosy with immortality. A fluffy white beard sprouted from his chin as his wounds healed. 

Now Santa was Christmas, and Christmas was Santa.

Santa's coat. Rudolph's nose. Candy cane. All were soaked red with the blood of Christmas. 

Santa threw back his head and laughed.

"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!"