Chapter 12

The world outside was blanketed in snow, the quiet stillness of the night broken only by the heavy breath of the reindeer as they paced nervously in the stable. The North Pole was bustling, despite the tension that weighed heavy in the air. Inside Santa's workshop, the chaos was palpable. The elves, their eyes wide with concern, scurried about, trying to make sense of the broken pieces of Christmas that had almost slipped away from us all.

But the true weight of it all rested on the fragile form of Santa himself, lying propped up on a cushioned chair, his once jolly demeanor now replaced with the grim reality of his condition. Blood stained his red suit, and his body was bruised and battered from the earlier battle with Krampus and his minions. His breathing was shallow, and his eyes—those twinkling eyes that once held a sparkle of eternal joy—were clouded with worry.

The clock was ticking.

"We don't have much time," Santa rasped, his voice hoarse but filled with determination. "Tomorrow is Christmas, and I can't be the one to deliver the presents."

I stood at the edge of the room, watching him as he struggled to keep his composure. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, like the very night itself was holding its breath, waiting for a decision.

"Santa," I said, stepping forward, my presence still imposing even without the grandeur of my divine form. "We'll figure something out. You've done enough. Now, rest."

He shook his head weakly, the lines of worry deepening across his face. "No, Hades. Christmas won't be the same if I'm not the one to deliver the gifts. It's more than just the presents. It's about the magic, the joy, the hope that comes from me. I'm not strong enough to do it. But... maybe you could."

I blinked, caught off guard by his request. "Me? Deliver presents? I'm not exactly known for spreading joy."

Santa smiled weakly. "You're wrong. I've seen your heart. You've done far more for Christmas than you know. And tonight, you will be the one to deliver it."

For a long moment, I stood there, considering his words. There was no question that the weight of the task was immense, but I had no intention of letting Christmas slip through my fingers. Not when I had the power to ensure it didn't.

"Fine," I said, my voice steady despite the unease gnawing at me. "But I won't do this half-heartedly."

Santa's eyes flickered with a sense of relief. "I knew you'd come through. But... there's one thing. You have to look the part. You can't deliver presents dressed like that."

I stared down at myself, clad in my usual black attire. It wasn't exactly the look of jolly good cheer.

With a slight wave of my hand, I summoned the magic to shift my appearance. The air around me shimmered, and in an instant, my usual attire transformed into a custom-tailored suit of deep black and gold. The rich fabric gleamed like the midnight sky, with intricate gold embroidery adorning the sleeves and trim. A belt of polished gold secured the waist, and the iconic red-and-white beard of Santa sprouted from my chin, adding to the illusion.

I couldn't help but smirk. "It'll do," I said, adjusting the long black gloves. "But don't expect me to look jolly while I do it."

Santa chuckled softly. "I wouldn't ask you to. But you've got the magic of Christmas in you, Hades. Just trust it."

Anne, who had been quietly standing to the side, stepped forward. "We're coming with you."

I raised an eyebrow, my eyes narrowing slightly. "What?"

"You're not going alone," Anne said, her voice filled with resolve. "Christmas is about more than just the presents. It's about people. And we're part of this, too."

Moros nodded solemnly. "We've seen it—the light of Christmas, the hope it brings. We can help."

Dionysus, who had been lounging in the corner with a flask in hand, gave a lazy grin. "Yeah, you can't expect me to just sit here and miss all the fun. Besides, Christmas isn't so bad. What's wrong with delivering a little joy, eh?"

I felt a strange mixture of surprise and something else. I hadn't expected this. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The Ghosts of Christmas. They had their role to play, too.

"Fine," I said with a resigned sigh. "But you better be ready for this. It's going to take everything we've got."

Anne gave me a determined nod. "We're ready."

And just like that, we were off. We boarded Santa's sleigh, the sleek, shining vehicle that had carried the magic of Christmas for eons. The reindeer were already hitched, their hooves pawing the ground impatiently. As the sleigh rose into the air, the world below became a blur of twinkling lights and snowy rooftops. We were no longer just delivering presents—we were delivering hope.

The first stop was a small village nestled in the mountains, its inhabitants asleep in their homes, unaware of the magic unfolding above. We hovered just above the rooftops, the sleigh's runners barely brushing the snow as we landed softly on the snow-covered ground. Anne and Moros quickly scrambled to unload the presents, while Dionysus, ever the joker, tossed a few into the wrong chimneys just for fun.

"Dionysus," I growled, "focus."

"Relax, Hades," he grinned, leaning back against the sleigh. "They'll find their way eventually."

I didn't have time to argue. The clock was ticking, and there was still so much to do. I darted down the chimney, landing softly inside a small cottage. The warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth was a stark contrast to the cold, endless night outside. I moved swiftly, placing gifts beneath the tree and filling stockings with care. But as I worked, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility settling on my shoulders. This wasn't just a task—it was a mission. Christmas was depending on us.

I reappeared outside just as Anne, Moros, and Dionysus finished their rounds. We piled back into the sleigh, and with a snap of the reins, the reindeer took off again, soaring high into the sky.

The next stop was a sprawling city, its skyline twinkling with lights. We soared above the skyscrapers, weaving through the air as the sleigh glided silently between the towers. Below, the streets were empty, but the houses were filled with families fast asleep, unaware of the magic passing above them.

We landed softly on a rooftop, and as I prepared to slip down the chimney again, I noticed something unusual—a flicker of light in the distance. A small group of children, standing in the snow, their eyes wide with wonder.

I froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. They were looking directly at the sky, as if they could sense the magic. And perhaps, in that moment, they did.

I could feel the tug of something deep within me—something that wasn't just power. It was the connection to the heart of Christmas. I could feel the warmth of it, the joy, the hope. I wasn't just delivering presents anymore. I was delivering belief.

I turned to Anne, who had appeared beside me. "The children. They can see us."

She nodded. "It's the magic. They believe."

I could hear the soft whispers of hope in the air. "Then let's make it count," I said, and with that, I leapt from the sleigh and landed softly in the snow. The children gasped, their eyes wide with awe as they stared up at me, their breath visible in the frosty air.

"Santa?" one of them whispered.

I smiled beneath my golden beard, my heart swelling with something I hadn't expected. "Ho ho ho," I said, my voice rich with warmth. "Merry Christmas, little ones."