With a wince, Kael regains consciousness. He bats his eyelashes as his blurry vision clears. It was foggy, a place you could barely see. He winced as he supported himself up. He looked up with squinted eyes at the opening that provided a ray of light.

With a sigh he looks down and looks around. He was surrounded by dry, prickly thorns and trees.

" Where am I?," he wondered as he looked around.

He knew it would be useless to try and climb up considering the great depth of the void he fell in. And the ones chasing him could still be waiting for him outside...so, the only alternative would be to go further into... wherever he was.

Then, he's senses kicked in and he realized his mother's book was not in his hands. With worry and trepidation, he crouched down and tried to feel the book as his searching hands patted on the dry leafy floor for his mother's book.

He sighed in relief as his hands felt a smooth cover surface. He smiled as he picked up the book and got up. He sighed again as he stared into the unknown. With great uncertainty, he ventured into the foggy wonder of the unknown.

The North Pole, Santa's Residence:

Mrs. Claus walks back and forth in the living room as the day's events rushed through her mind. She was uneasy. She was worried. Layla sat at the dinning - her hands intertwined as she tried keeping her cool. She looked lost. You could see the fury begging to be released in her eyes.

Everyone was quiet. No one said a word. They all felt something that troubled them. Suddenly, Santa emerged from his room. He was out of his usual santa outfit. He was in something different..

He's white silky hair was packed, with only a strand or two out. His blue eyes still piercing as ever, his face was smooth and rosy. His fat face now chiseled and the way he's beard was cut made him look masculine.

He walked in commanding steps as he approached everyone who was thrown off by the events that just took place.

His gingerbread scent got their attention. Their mouths drop as they see someone completely different.

" Is that my dad!?" Edward asked in shock as he sat up on the couch.

The ice queen and Mrs. Claus looked unbothered....while Layla sat at the dining burning in anger.

"We have no time to waste...Kael must be stopped. Edward and I will go after him while the ice queen and the princess return back to their Kingdom to strengthen their forces," Santa said.

" Why?," Layla asked.

" So that you can strengthen your forces?" Santa answered.

" I meant why..as in why didn't you give him a second chance?," Layla asked with a stern voice

Santa's face softened for a moment, but then his expression hardened. He looked at Layla, his eyes filled with the weight of centuries. "Because sometimes, you can't save everyone, no matter how much you want to. Kael is dangerous, Layla. His powers are growing, and if he isn't stopped, he'll destroy everything-everyone."

"But he's not evil," Layla protested, stepping forward. "He's just scared. He's been pushed away his whole life. How do you not expect him to do this. If you just gave him a chance-"

"Layla..." Santa's voice was calm but firm. "I know you care for him. But you're not seeing the whole picture. Kael's not just another ordinary person. His power is tied to the darkest forces of the North Pole, forces even I can't control. If we don't stop him now, there may be no Christmas left to save."

Layla clenched her fists, her heart torn between loyalty to Kael and the painful reality of the situation. "I can't believe you would give up on him. You're Santa! You're supposed to bring joy, not destroy hope."

"Sometimes hope means making the hard choices," Santa said quietly, turning to Edward. "We need to stop him before his powers are fully awakened. The North Pole itself will fall under his shadow, and that's something I cannot let happen."

Edward nodded, determination swelling within him. "You heard him, Layla. We have to do this. The fate of everything Christmas stands on it."

" And you!," She yelled as she pointed a finger at him. " You shot an arrow at him!," she scowled

" I did what was necessary!" He defended. " Unlike you, who helped him!," he yelled.

Layla's fist tightened..She walked angrily to him with a pointed finger. " Just for that... I'm gonna shove an icicle up your butthole when you come visit at exactly 12 midnight on Tuesday!" She threatened.

" What!?"

" Oh Lord!," The ice queen covered her face in disgrace.

" Who said I was visiting? And why would you shove...why would I...you know what, I give up!," he threw his hands in the air and plopped down on the couch.

" What do we do about the Kael?," The ice queen asked.

Santa turned to her and said: "Edward and I will go after him. You and Princess Layla must return to the Kingdom. You must strengthen your forces. And while you're at it, alert the other kingdoms. They must be ready for anytime."

" I'm telling you... you're wrong about this," Layla warned.

"I'm not wrong. And we must act fast. It's almost Christmas will ," Santa said with conviction, his black coat shimmering "The magic of the season is stronger than you know. But if Kael's power spreads unchecked, it will turn Christmas into a nightmare. The reindeer will help us, but we need to move fast. The clock is ticking. Christmas Eve is in like...two weeks from now so...nearly here, and if we don't stop him before then, he'll release his father..chaos happens here and there...and they'll snap the universe out of existence," he said with a smile.

Layla stood still, feeling the weight of his words. "I'm sorry, did you say snap the universe out of existence?

" Yes!" He smiled and gulped. He knew it'll be catastrophic if Kael reaches his potential. " Okay...now everyone move on...chop! Chop!" he clapped as everyone moved.

The ice queen gestured to Layla. Layla, with her hands on her waist, rolled her eyes and reluctantly followed her mother.

Edward quickly moved to go freshen up.. leaving only Mrs. Claus and Santa in the room. Before he said anything, she shaked her head in disappointment and brushed past him. He sighed. He wished she understood.

💛🖤❄️

Kael walks cautiously down in the void. The atmosphere was stiff and humid. Fog covered everywhere making it difficult to see. The only thing guiding him was the crunching sounds his feet made as his feet stepped on the dry leaves. You could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he ventured into the unknown.

He stopped with a gasp as he heard a thud in the distance. He started hyperventilating. He gulped and continued moving.

Kael's breath grew shallow as he heard rustling nearby. The fog thickened, and his grip on his mother's book tightened. His feet hesitated, but his curiosity pushed him forward. He squinted, trying to make out shapes in the mist, and then- CRACK.

A massive figure loomed in the fog ahead. At first, it seemed like part of the trees-its body dark, twisted, and gnarled like ancient roots. But then, its glowing eyes pierced through the fog, sharp and predatory.

Kael stumbled back, his heart hammering as the creature emerged. It was enormous, its limbs resembling thick, thorny branches, and its mouth was a jagged line filled with sharp, bark-like teeth. It let out a guttural growl, shaking the air around them.

Kael froze in terror. His instincts screamed for him to run, but his legs felt like they were made of stone.

The creature stepped closer, its claws clicking on the ground. It tilted its head, almost curious, and then raised one massive claw as if preparing to strike.

Kael gasped, his fingers fumbling for anything to defend himself. His mother's book wasn't a weapon. He clutched it tightly to his chest, feeling utterly helpless.

But then, the necklace around his neck-his mother's pendant-began to glow softly. A warm, golden light emanated from it, pushing back the suffocating fog. The creature paused mid-swing, its glowing eyes narrowing at the light.

Kael felt the warmth spreading from the pendant into his chest, calming his racing heart. The monster let out a low, rumbling growl-not of anger, but of recognition. Slowly, it lowered its claw, stepping back.

Kael's legs nearly gave out in relief, but then the creature did something unexpected. It nudged him gently with its massive head, like an enormous dog asking for trust.

"What... what are you?" Kael whispered, his voice trembling.

The creature growled softly in response and then turned, gesturing with one gnarled claw for him to follow. Kael hesitated but felt the pendant pulse warmly, as if urging him onward. Gathering his courage, he followed the monster deeper into the void.

The path grew darker, the air colder, but the creature led him with surprising care, avoiding the thorny trees and sharp rocks. Finally, they emerged into a clearing surrounded by the tallest, most ominous trees Kael had ever seen. Their twisted branches seemed alive, reaching for the sky like skeletal hands.

In the center of the clearing stood a bookstand, crafted entirely of twigs intertwined with golden veins that shimmered faintly in the darkness. The sacred glow lit up the clearing just enough to reveal intricate carvings on the bookstand's surface-symbols Kael couldn't recognize but felt deeply connected to.

The creature stopped and looked at Kael, its glowing eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. It nudged him forward gently.

Kael stepped closer to the bookstand, his pendant glowing brighter as he approached. He looked at the creature, then back at the stand. Carefully, he placed his mother's book on it. The golden veins began to pulse, spreading light through the clearing as the symbols on the bookstand flared to life.

A deep hum resonated in the air, and Kael felt a strange power emanating from the book. It was as if the stand was unlocking something hidden within it. The creature let out a low, approving growl, standing protectively behind Kael.

The pages flipped rapidly in a golden light. The light was bright and blinding. The light lit up the place. Kael's breathing picked up the pace. The light shined brightly, the wind raged...what was happening......

Spiral golden light bursted from the pages of the book. The lights swirled and joined together... making a gigantic ball of light.

As Kael looked closely...a human shape was forming. The light dispersed... revealing a woman covered in golden light. The woman's golden eyes met with his and he felt a sense of familiarity and he knew immediately who she was...

“ Mom?,” Kael called out softly.

“ Kael...my son.." her voice bold and sweet as honey

💛🖤❄️💛🖤❄️💛🖤❄️💛🖤❄️

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