Chapter 15 #2
“Well, aren’t you brave,” I murmured, kneeling to pet its soft head. The lamb leaned into my hand, letting out a quiet bleat as I smiled. “You need to get back inside your hut, little one, before we find out if demons like lamb chops.”
I shooed it gently, and the lamb let out another small bleat before trotting back into its small barn hut, its tiny tail wagging as it disappeared inside.
I stood, watching it for a moment, then turned and moved toward the center of the viewing area, putting more distance between myself and the innocent animals.
The silence wrapped around me again, thicker now, as I stood in the middle of the petting zoo. My breath misted in the cold air as I scanned the darkness, waiting. But nothing happened. The longer I stood there, the more convinced I became that our plan had failed.
“He’s not coming,” I muttered, frustration curling in my chest. I turned, glancing at the enclosures before deciding to head back to the others. “We’ll regroup and head back to the tree light—”
A low, guttural growl cut through the stillness, freezing me in place. My heart jumped as I turned sharply, my hand instinctively moving to my back to draw my saber.
Krampus stepped out of the shadows, his massive form towering over the fences as his glowing eyes locked onto me. His lips twisted into a cruel smile, and I tightened my grip on the hilt of my blade, my pulse hammering in my ears.
“Finally,” I muttered, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at the edges of my resolve. “Let’s end this.”
Krampus’ glowing eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his hooves crunching against the frost-covered ground. His gaze swept the area, and a low growl rumbled deep in his throat. “I feel the magic,” he snarled, his voice guttural. “You think you can trap me, little hunter?”
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my saber, a slow smirk spreading across my face despite the fear twisting in my chest. “Oh, I don’t think, big guy,” I said, my voice dripping with mockery. “I know. You’re headed to Scorchwood, one way or another.”
His nostrils flared, and his lips peeled back into a snarl, revealing serrated, jagged teeth. “You dare speak to me like that?” he growled, his voice vibrating through the air. “I will feast on your bones.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, waving my saber lightly. “You’ve got all the scary demon lines down. Too bad you’ll never get the chance. You’re done, Krampus.”
The taunt hit its mark. His rage erupted like a storm, and with a deafening roar, he lunged at me, his claws slashing through the air.
I dodged, rolling to the side as his massive hand slammed into the ground where I’d just been standing.
Dirt and frost exploded into the air, but I didn’t stop to catch my breath.
I swung my saber, aiming for his side, and felt the blade connect, slicing through his flesh.
He howled in pain, the sound distinct and furious, but it only seemed to fuel his rage.
He turned on me, and swiped with his claws again. I barely managed to block him with my saber, the force of the blow reverberating up my arm. My knees buckled slightly, but I gritted my teeth and held firm.
“You’re slow,” I said through clenched teeth, twisting the blade to push him back. “And predictable.”
“You’re arrogant,” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “And weak.”
He swung again, and this time his claws caught my arm, tearing through my coat sleeve and leaving a shallow gash.
The pain burned, but I pushed it aside, ducking under his next strike and slashing upward with my saber.
The blade caught him across the chest, and dark blood splattered onto the ground.
The sound of footsteps pounding against the frozen earth made my heart jump.
A moment later, the others appeared, rushing into the petting zoo.
Aurora leaped over the low fences with ease, her wolfish speed carrying her toward us, while Nishi unsheathed her kris knife, her eyes blazing with determination.
Tegan drew her dagger and began to circle us. Liam extended his baton and circled in the opposite direction from Tegan. Salima and Eve stood near the perimeter, their hands glowing faintly with magic as they began reinforcing the wards.
“Keep him contained!” I yelled, sidestepping another one of Krampus’ wild swipes. “He can’t leave the boundaries!”
Aurora lunged at him, her claws flashing as she raked them across his back. Krampus roared, spinning to face her, but Nishi was already behind him, slashing at his legs with quick, precise strikes. He stumbled, his movements growing more frantic as he realized he was surrounded.
“You’ll regret this!” he bellowed, swinging wildly as he tried to break free of the circle we’d created around him. His claws connected with one of the fence posts, shattering it into splinters, but the wards held strong, keeping him contained.
I darted forward, slashing at his arm and dodging back before he could retaliate.
Blood dripped from his wounds, steaming against the cold ground, but he wasn’t going down without a fight.
The others pressed him harder, each attack chipping away at his strength, but his rage burned brighter with every blow.
“Stay focused!” I shouted, my breath coming in short bursts as I readied myself for another strike. “We end this here!”
And with that, I lunged forward, my saber gleaming in the dim light as I aimed for the shoulder of the demon who’d wreaked havoc for far too long.
With a sharp cry, I twisted my saber in my grip as I drove it through Krampus’ massive shoulder.
The blade sank deep, tearing through muscle and sinew, and he roared in pain, his glowing eyes blazing with fury.
His knees buckled and he crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud, clawing at the hilt in a desperate attempt to dislodge it.
But Nishi was faster.
She was at his side in a blur of motion, her supernatural cuffs glinting in the dim light as she grabbed his arms. Her movements were swift and precise, and she had one wrist secured before Krampus could react.
He snarled, twisting to fight her off, but she yanked his other arm back with supernatural strength and snapped the second cuff into place.
“No!” Krampus bellowed, his voice shaking the ground as he thrashed against the restraints.
Blood dripped from his wounds, steaming against the cold ground, but it was clear his strength was failing.
He struggled, his massive form heaving with effort, but there were too many of us.
We closed in around him, cutting off any chance of escape.
He roared again, his voice echoing through the empty petting zoo, but it was weaker this time, tinged with desperation. “No! You can’t do this! You can’t—”
I stepped closer, yanking my saber free from his shoulder with a sickening squelch.
Blood splattered onto the ground as I stood over him, my chest heaving, my grip tight on the hilt of my blade.
His glowing eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for the first time, I saw something there that almost looked like fear.
I smirked, tilting my head as I stared him down. “Merry Christmas, asshole,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “Enjoy your holiday in hell.”
Krampus let out one final, guttural scream, his massive body sagging against the weight of his defeat. The cuffs glowed slightly, their magic binding him tightly, and the fight drained from his eyes. The others stood around him, their weapons at the ready, but it was over. He wasn’t going anywhere.
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing slightly as I took a step back, the subtle metallic tang of blood and magic still hanging in the air. We’d done it. Krampus was contained.
Now, all that was left was to send him back to where he belonged.