Kapitel 28: Christmas Special (3)
In the darkest corners of the Alps, where snow blankets the mountains like an eternal shroud and the nocturnal silence is almost absolute, a figure emerges, straddling the line between myth and reality. Krampus, the demon with twisted horns and smoldering eyes, is more than just a legend used to frighten children; Krampus is the embodiment of ancient hatred, a being cast aside and forgotten, yearning to reclaim a rightful place.
In ancient times, before Christmas filled homes with lights and carols, Krampus was more than a monster. A dark guardian, a wild force representing balance, reminding mortals that kindness had to be earned and that darkness was as necessary as light. But with the rise of Christianity, Krampus's image was rejected and demonized. What once symbolized justice and fear became a pariah, an aberration to be banished. In that exile, hatred for Christmas was forged, for every ringing bell and exchanged gift is a taunt to Krampus's very existence.
To Krampus, the holiday with its promises of love and redemption serves as a constant reminder of what was stolen. Where once an integral part of winter's cold embrace was claimed, Krampus now lingers as a displaced specter, a shadow on the outskirts of collective memory. But this demon has not forgotten. On the coldest, darkest nights, Krampus prowls villages, claiming the children deemed unworthy as if to prove that the joy of Christmas is never truly safe.
The demon's appearance is as terrifying as the legend. Towering and cloaked in black fur that seems to swallow light itself, Krampus is the stuff of nightmares. Twisted horns protrude, and ember-like eyes burn with eternal hatred. A mouth lined with razor-sharp fangs opens to reveal a serpentine tongue that writhes with menace.
But Krampus does not merely haunt the human world. Deep within an otherworldly realm beyond comprehension, there lies a dominion: the Realm of Eternal Night. This grotesque mockery of Santa Claus's village mirrors Krampus's hatred and thirst to corrupt what is seen as a glorified lie.
At the heart of this domain is a warped village, blanketed in snow that melts into a dark, viscous sludge. The cabins, crooked and constructed from rotten wood and bone, glow with ghostly green lanterns. Surrounding the village, twisted trees—mockeries of Christmas pines—are adorned with cages holding living shadows, blinking lights resembling watchful eyes, and garlands of chains and thorns.
Krampus is not alone in this realm. An army of minions known as the Fearmongers obeys without question. These nightmarish parodies of traditional Christmas figures include demonic snowmen, grotesque reindeer, corrupted toys, and macabre versions of Santa's elves, all ready to carry out Krampus's dark will.
In this grim sanctuary, Krampus tirelessly schemes against the eternal rival: Santa Claus. The hatred for Santa is not merely personal but deeply ancestral. Santa embodies everything Krampus despises, and a jolly image is a perpetual reminder of Krampus's exile. The two have clashed more than once, with Santa ultimately triumphing each time.
However, mere days before Christmas, Krampus has achieved the unthinkable: Santa Claus is gravely wounded. In a recent confrontation, the demon struck during a rare moment of vulnerability, leaving Santa weakened. The injuries, though not fatal, have jeopardized the ability to fulfill a sacred duty. As Santa prepares to persevere despite the wounds, Krampus senses this might finally be the ultimate opportunity.
With Santa vulnerable, Krampus revels in the domain, rallying creatures and crafting dark artifacts to unleash terror and despair. This is a chance to finally end the life of an eternal foe, vengeance that has brewed for centuries.
And yet… just as Krampus settles into anticipated victory, a ripple disrupts the realm. Two strangers have managed to breach the barrier.
What better than an appetizer before the main course?
The thought amuses Krampus as a sinister plan is concocted. The domain reshapes into a twisted imitation of Santa's village, brimming with joy and hope to lull the visitors into a false sense of security. Once the illusion shatters, they will know despair, tasting the primal fear all living beings harbor.
There is no reason for Krampus to exercise caution. If categorized, this demon would undoubtedly bear the title of a legendary demon.
Krampus is not simply a demon haunting the cold nights of winter; it's a legendary entity whose power and existence transcend the boundaries of time and memory. Its name has been passed down through generations, etched into the stories and myths of countless cultures, representing far more than just a being of darkness. It is a manifestation of primal forces, a reminder that light and darkness must coexist in a delicate balance.
Legendary demons like Krampus are beings of colossal power, their feats and supernatural influence leaving an indelible mark on history, becoming symbols of a forgotten era. In ancient times, they were both revered and feared, their existence not only beyond human comprehension but touching the deepest threads of reality itself. They were not mere monsters but entities embodying the primordial forces of chaos and order, punishment and justice.
Krampus, as a legendary demon, does not simply spread terror or destruction. Its very presence is a reminder that darkness not only exists but is essential for the balance of the universe. Within its being lies the echoes of a past where good and evil were tangible forces, coexisting in the same reality. Its figure, with twisted horns and flaming eyes, is a vestige of that ancient time, a symbol of a primordial power that transcends the earthly.
The legend of Krampus goes beyond its deeds. It is not just the monster stalking the festivities but the embodiment of humanity's fear of the consequences of its own actions. In an era where Christmas is celebrated with joy and hope, Krampus' presence stands as a reminder that even in the light of festivities, darkness is never fully extinguished. The shadow of Krampus remains a constant, woven into traditions and the hearts of those who remember.
Like all legendary demons, its influence not only shapes stories and myths but represents the immutable truth of balance between good and evil—a lesson that endures through generations.
In short... Krampus is not a demon that a mere demon hunter can hope to defeat.
And unfortunately for the young demon hunter, he is about to face the harsh reality… a vast difference in power he cannot overcome.
...
The situation for Desmon and Shizuka had completely shifted. What had seemed like a cheerful visit to Santa Claus' village turned into a terrifying walk through a demon's territory, where the only way out was to defeat Krampus.
Knowing this, Desmon didn't hesitate to face the demon. Even as his instincts screamed the futility of his choice, he prepared himself for the battle.
But… it would be wrong to call it a battle—more like a one-sided massacre.
"I'm going to wipe that stupid grin off your face!"
Gripping Alastor, Desmon charged toward Krampus with determination. But as soon as he took the first step, his knee buckled, forcing him to slam Alastor into the ground for support.
"Tch…!"
In an instant—faster than his eyes could follow—Krampus made a slight movement with its claws. What followed were several massive, deep slashes tearing through Desmon's body, shredding flesh and bone with brutal precision.
Desmon possessed an incredible regenerative ability, but it depended on his demonic energy, and the more severe the wounds, the greater the cost.
Krampus' slashes weren't just lethal; they were devastating. Desmon should have died instantly, his body reduced to several pieces. However, his regeneration had saved him, transforming inevitable death into extremely grievous injuries as his organs, muscles, and bones were destroyed in that split second.
"I thought this would be easy for you." Krampus' voice, dripping with sarcasm, echoed from all directions.
"I'm just… getting started…" Desmon coughed up blood as he struggled to stand.
-Desmon…?
Shizuka could only watch the scene in stunned silence. Normally, no matter the situation Desmon faced, he always carried an arrogant, mocking expression, a typical smirk plastered across his face. But ever since that demon had appeared before them, Desmon had stopped smiling. His facade of calm couldn't fool Shizuka.
What kind of demon were they facing to push Desmon to his limits after a single attack?
I knew it… This thing won't go down as easily...
Desmon glanced quickly at Shizuka, whose face showed an expression of surprise and confusion.
-This isn't the time to think about that…"
Desmon shook his head and focused on Krampus.
"Come on, make this less boring!" Krampus roared.
"Count on it!"
Desmon stood up and charged straight at Krampus, swinging Alastor as he closed the distance, aiming to cut through the demon. But the blade couldn't pierce the black fur—it felt like the toughest thing he'd ever tried to cut with Alastor.
No matter how good the weapon is, in the wrong hands, it can never reach its full potential.
-It's useless…
Desmon leapt, aiming to drive Alastor into the demon's face, but the blade failed to penetrate the flesh.
"Is that all?"
Countless slashes appeared all over Desmon's body as Krampus made a slight motion with its claws.
His coat and white shirt were shredded, leaving Desmon bleeding from numerous cuts that tore through him internally.
Even so, Desmon took advantage of the moment, flinging his blood to blind Krampus. Being so close, he used the demon's massive body as a platform to propel himself straight toward Shizuka.
"Kurox!"
There was no hesitation in his actions. As soon as he grabbed Shizuka by the wrist, he summoned Kurox and fled as fast as he could across the endless white expanse. He even chose to channel his demonic energy into his devil arm rather than focus on healing himself.
"Is that all?" Krampus asked again, a look of delight on its face.
There was no way to escape this place. The only thing Desmon could gain was time—but Krampus wasn't known for patience.
In its domain, Krampus had total control over everything—and everyone.
"Hold on tight, Shizuka!"
As they raced away on Kurox, countless cracks formed in the snow, threatening to swallow them whole. Within those cracks were demonic constructs—terrifying attempts at twisted Christmas toys that sought nothing but to tear their victims apart.
But that wasn't all. Sharp spikes of earth shot up from beneath the snow, as if trying to skewer them like a skewer.
A deadly obstacle course emerging out of nowhere at any given moment.
Even if Desmon barely managed to avoid dying like that, it didn't mean the ordeal was over.
"I'm not a fan of snowballs."
Massive snowballs, large enough to crush them, fell from the sky like some kind of divine punishment.
-Tch, faster!
Trying to keep his composure in this situation was impossible. Things were not looking good for either of them.
And as if all that wasn't enough, giant snowmen began forming out of the snow—replicas of the ones Desmon had previously sent flying, but these were much larger.
Their enormous icy claws reached for the pair. Dodging them would have been easy with Kurox at full speed, but with thousands of these snowmen, there was no way to avoid them all.
Cracks filled with demonic toys, massive snowballs falling from the sky, sharp spikes emerging randomly, and gigantic demonic snowmen—this was merely a taste of Krampus's true power in its domain.
"Running away like the rat you are? How disappointing."
Krampus's voice echoed darkly behind them, wrapping Desmon in a sense of impending doom.
There was no time to think, much less react. Instinctively, Desmon turned and wrapped Shizuka in his arms, shielding her with his body as much as he could.
In that instant, when time seemed to stand still, everything collapsed. An indescribable power swept through everything in its path.
Massive slashes, as if the world itself had been torn apart, rained down upon them. The enormous snowmen were obliterated, and the snow-covered ground split, leaving deep craters that were soon filled by an avalanche triggered by the upheaval.
Desmon and Shizuka's bodies were dragged into the depths created by Krampus's slashes, disappearing beneath the avalanche that erased them from sight.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein