❄ ❅ ❆ ❄

"Thank you," Santa said earnestly to the old man. He then turned towards Aurora, concern etching his face. "How soon can we leave?"

The Dragon, comfortably nestled around her eggs, appearing somewhat reluctant to move. Yet, a certain steeliness in her posture left no doubt that she was prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

Emrys, raised his hand, signalling Santa to pause. "Wait a moment, Santa. You need a bit of care yourself," he said gently.

Santa, puzzled, replied, "What do you mean?"

Emrys looked at him thoughtfully. "My lad, have you taken a good look at yourself lately?"

In that moment, Santa realized that amidst the chaos and urgency of his mission, he had neglected to even think of his own well-being. Emrys conjured a mirror with a wave of his hand, and Santa was confronted with his own reflection. His usually vibrant red suit was torn and stained with blood and dirt, and what was once pristine white fur now resembled muddy clumps. His beard was unkempt, and his face was covered in bruises and scratches.

Santa sighed heavily. "I know I look terrible, but there's no time to worry about that."

Emrys nodded, understanding his urgency. "Your wounds may heal over time, and I can help with that." He waved his hands, and Santa felt a tingling sensation as his injuries began to itch. "I can't heal you instantly, but I can speed up the process significantly. Unfortunately, your clothes are beyond saving. What you really need now is rest."

Santa shook his head resolutely. "I can't afford to rest. It’s only a matter of time until the village is attacked."

"I understand," Emrys replied. "But I have something that might help. Please, follow me."

Despite his frustration, Santa followed Emrys, leaving Aurora behind as she lovingly nestled around her three eggs, savouring the brief time with them. To his surprise Santa felt a deep, innate connection with both Emrys and the Dragon, as if they were kin in the realm of magic. This bond made Santa believe that whatever Emrys was about to propose could help, even if only slightly.

While they walked, Emrys spoke of the vivid memories he had seen in Santa's mind. "Boy, you've led an interesting life, my lad. So many cookies, unbelievable! And all those presents, and the list! I've never seen so many names... It was truly remarkable to witness all that," Emrys mused aloud.

"Glad someone enjoyed the show," Santa remarked, reflecting on the spell's intensity. He then added, "By the way, that spell you used was quite uncomfortable."

Emrys quickly apologized, explaining, "I set up that spell as a defence while my consciousness was dormant, to save power." He also mentioned that his magic, though powerful, had its limits. Concerned, Santa asked, "What happens if your magic runs out?"

Emrys drew upon what he had learned from Santa's memories to clarify. "The form I'm inhabiting now works much like a battery. It absorbs energy from the natural magic flowing through this place. You see, this mountain is unique, emitting magic from deep within. I can always recharge here, but it does take time."

As they walked, Emrys delved into the detailed magics that bound the enclave together. Santa, completely engrossed, listened intently. With each explanation about the complexities of magic, Santa found himself increasingly fascinated. He realized that the more he thought he understood magic, the more there was yet to learn.

As Santa followed Emrys, he took a moment to look around the enclave. They had moved away from the nest, heading towards a settlement on one side of the cave that resembled a human village. Santa had seen it when they first entered the enclave. The settlement looked like a cozy stone cottage, exuding the charm of village life. Its walls were decorated with hanging lanterns and quaint ornaments, while the windows glowed with warm, welcoming light.

"So, what kind of rest can you offer me?" Santa inquired.

Emrys smiled. "I have just the thing. You see, when the real me roamed these halls, safeguarding these children, I was alone for many years before I left to build my academy." He opened the cottage door, revealing a living space that appeared recently tidied, as if expecting guests.

"During those years, I had to eat and sleep, but I was always impatient," Emrys said as he walked towards a large cupboard. He opened it to reveal a variety of mystical items inside. The most eye-catching were several large pots, each covered with a silky purple cloth and secured with red ropes.

"What are these?" Santa inquired, curious about the pots' contents.

"Give me a second," Emrys said as he shifted the pots around, turning them to reveal carved images on the clay. "Not this one," he muttered, pushing aside a pot with a lion carved on it in search of another. He examined the label on the next pot, shook his head, and set it aside too. Then, leaning in as far as he could, he grasped a container at the back. With a triumphant "Ah ha!" he found the label he was looking for. He pulled it out and handed it to Santa. "Here you go!"

"Um, thanks?" Santa said, his voice tinged with confusion as he firmly grasped the pot.

[Santa has gained: Pot of Respite Pills!]

The pot featured a peculiar symbol on its side – a smiley face that was somewhat disconcerting. "Respite pills?" Santa murmured, reading the notification. He then balanced the pot in one hand while opening the information screen with the other.

⚱️ Item: Pot of Respite Pills

Item Type: Consumable

Rarity: Mythic

Description:

The pot, adorned with charming decorations, contains magical pills that offer more than just relief for a sore throat. Infused with a hint of magic, each pill provides a temporary surge in vitality, magical energy, and mental alertness, equivalent to the effect of three cups of coffee. These tablets are ideal for adventurers needing a quick energy boost during their journeys or in battles, especially when rest is not an option.

Effects:

Restores a small percentage of health over a brief period.

Temporarily enhances cognitive abilities, increasing reaction time and decision-making speed.

Provides a short burst of energy, slightly increasing speed and stamina.

Comes in a variety of flavours, each with its unique additional minor effect.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Cooldown: 10 minutes

Quantity: 50

Special Attributes:

Magical Pot: The pot is enchanted to keep the pills fresh and potent indefinitely, as long as it remains closed when not in use. Each tablet is filled with a burst of magical energy, designed to replenish one's magical reserves.

"Interesting," Santa remarked, as he read.

"One pill bottles up six hours of sleep," Emrys explained, observing Santa's astonished expression. \

Santa couldn't help but think how useful these pills would have been during his global night-time journeys. "Imagine how much easier my Christmas Eve travels could have been."

Emrys chuckled. "Well, they're all yours now. I don't need them anymore." As Santa glanced curiously at the other pots, Emrys swiftly closed the cupboard. "These aren't for you," he said gently, and Santa, not one to argue after receiving such a gift from a man who was still practically a stranger, asked, "why are you helping me?"

Emrys looked at him, a hint of confusion in his eyes, which quickly cleared as he slowly replied, "Santa, when I glimpsed your memories, I didn’t just watch them passively. I lived them, as if walking in your shoes." He noticed Santa's eyebrows rise in surprise. "I experienced your life, and I also witnessed what those villains did to my school, to my tower."

Santa looked a bit sheepish. "But it was my fault the tower fell."

Emrys shook his head. "The school isn't just the building, my boy; it's the students, the next generation, the legacy! You may have failed in your quest to find the children in that tower, but I have no doubt you will find them.”

Santa’s expression steeled with determination.

“Find them. Then they can rebuild."

"So, we're helping each other?" Santa clarified.

"Precisely!" Emrys said with enthusiasm. "And with the Help of my friend here, you two will be a formidable force," he added, looking at Aurora with a smile full of nostalgia. "Her kind is deeply connected to magic, and that tower represents the future of said magic. Plus, as a mother, she has a soft spot for children in need."

Santa nodded, understanding the sentiment.

"Now, if you can help her recover her heart, that would be great," Emrys said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Her current form is, at best, incomplete. But when she is whole, my boy that’s a sight to behold!"

"I'll do my best," Santa promised.

"Fantastic! It's like taking down two Gnolls with one spell! Now, you two should be on your way!" Emrys encouraged with a wave of his hand.

The two men exited the cozy cottage and made their way back towards the stone nest where Aurora's head peeked out, inquiring, "Is it time?"

"It is," Emrys confirmed. "Now Santa, take one of those pills while you're standing, and then you can be on your way."

Santa quickly complied, opening the lid of the pot to reveal the pills inside. Each pill was ancient-looking, dark in colour, and exuded the sweet scents of long-forgotten herbs.

As Santa placed the magic pill on his tongue, an explosion of flavours enveloped his senses of a sumptuous lamb roast. The first note was the rich, savory taste of perfectly cooked lamb, tender and succulent as if it had been slow-roasted to preserve every ounce of its juicy, meaty essence. The lamb's hearty flavour was accompanied by a hint of rosemary and thyme, herbs that danced delicately on his palate, adding depth and complexity to the meat's robust taste.

"What kind of magic is this?" Santa inquired, feeling the pill roll on his tongue.

Next came the sensation of buttery, golden potatoes, melting in his mouth like soft clouds. Each imagined bite was like a perfectly roasted, its crispy exterior giving way to a fluffy, comforting interior, rich with the taste of butter and a touch of garlic.

Santa felt a warm sensation spreading across his chest, and he could sense his energy gradually returning.

"Not bad, right? I enchanted them myself!" Emrys said, his voice carrying a hint of pride, yet his features tinged with envy.

Santa nodded with Emrys and firmly bit down on the pill, breaking its outer shell with a decisive crunch. A new burst of flavours filled his mouth as sweet, caramelized undertones of roasted carrots and parsnips, their natural sugars adding to the overall effect. The vegetables added a gentle sweetness, contrasting beautifully with the savory meat and potatoes.

Santa moaned as his eye closed enjoying every moment of his food induced high.

To complete the sensory journey, Santa experienced the velvety smoothness of a rich gravy, its thickness coating his tongue, binding all the flavours together in a harmonious blend. The gravy's umami taste, enriched with a hint of red wine, brought an indulgent finish to the meal, leaving Santa with the satisfying feeling of having enjoyed a full, traditional lamb roast in a single, magical pill.

"My goodness," Santa mumbled, swallowing the pill with a sense of regret that the rich, flavourful experience had lasted only a few moments.

[+ 25400 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 41]

"Now, isn't this better than those toxic plants and potions?" Emrys asked, smiling.

“Definitely, thanks a bunch,” Santa laughed, glancing at the level-up notification. "So, I can take another one in ten minutes?"

Emrys nodded, then suddenly paused, as if distracted by a distant disturbance. "It's time. The wind has shifted."

Santa looked at him, puzzled. "You can sense that from in here?"

Emrys chuckled. "No, I can hear the change in the wind from the cave entrance."

As Santa chuckled, Aurora gazed intently at the echo of the dead man, her hollow eyes locking with Emrys's stony face in a moment of deep connection. "I'll be seeing you," she said.

"Maybe," Emrys replied. "Now is not the time for goodbyes, you must be off. Santa, Aurora, fly to confront these villains!"

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Santa said with resolve, then leapt onto Aurora's back. She flapped her massive wings, propelling them towards the exit.

"Thanks for everything!" Santa called out as they flew, wind whistling past.

"Save them, my boy, and remember!" Emrys's voice faded into the distance. "Merry Christmas!"

❄ ❅ ❆ ❄

🎄Santa’s party has left: Enclave of the Forgotten

❄ ❅ ❆ ❄

🎄Santa’s party has entered: Land of Mists

❄ ❅ ❆ ❄

As they left the enclave, Aurora vigorously flapped her wings, launching them skyward. A powerful chilly tailwind caught them, speeding their journey northwards. Meanwhile, behind them, the stone wall closed firmly, making the snow-covered peak tremble. An avalanche followed, rolling down to obscure the entrance, effectively erasing all traces of their visit.

Once outside the protective confines of the enclave, a deep, chilling dread gripped Santa, fuelling his conviction that they needed to quicken their pace or risk being too late. Santa gripped Aurora more tightly, his determination growing even as his anxiety intensified with each passing moment.

He was thankful for the gifts he had received, especially the pills, which were more generous than he could have imagined. The nutcracker behemoth they were heading towards was formidable. If that giant was so powerful, he wondered about the strength of its creator. Holding the pot of pills, Santa glanced at the cooldown tracker in his vision. He knew he needed to keep consuming the pills to gain levels, but that wouldn't increase their speed.

As soon as the timer indicated he could, Santa popped another pill into his mouth. This time, his taste buds were overwhelmed by the rich flavour of sticky date pudding, complete with a side of hot butterscotch sauce and classic vanilla ice cream. He immediately felt a surge of energy as he savoured the delicious taste, relishing it for a moment before swallowing the pill.

[+ 21400 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 42]

He wished Emrys had given him a teleportation spell or something. The gift of giving, while sounding promising, seemed irrelevant at the moment. But at that moment, his gaze fell upon Aurora's wings, and a realization struck him, which made him laugh. "Of course!" he exclaimed.

Aurora shot him a confused look but continued to flap her wings diligently. Santa, bubbling with excitement, pointed his hand towards the dragon beneath him and sang, "Merry Christmas!"

Santa felt a surge of festive energy in his palm, which then burst around them in a magnificent shower of pine-scented brilliance.

🎁 The gift of Abundance mastery has increased!

[Aurora has received a gift!]

[Aurora has gained the ability: 🪽Sky Terror Agility (Skill)]

The sudden jolt of energy made Aurora arch her back like a snake soaring through the air, full of exhilarating excitement. Her wings flapped once, then twice, more vigorously. Santa tightened his grip as the wind around them grew stronger, and Aurora accelerated, gaining considerable speed.

❄ ❅ ❆ ❄