❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
Before Santa could react, the witch unleashed a bolt of dark magic—a swirling mass of shadowy energy that crackled through the air with a hiss. Santa's eyes widened as he quickly sidestepped, narrowly dodging the attack with a slight wobble.
The dark bolt missed its target, slamming into the wall behind him. The cookie wall shattered into a thousand crumbling pieces.
The witch crossed her arms, a smug sneer on her face as she taunted, "What can you do, old man?"
“This!” Santa shouted, raising his hand and commanding, "Mistletoe Missile!"
A brilliant arc of green and red, pine-scented energy shot forward, more powerful than ever after Santa's recent level-up. But the witch was ready. With a swift, practiced motion, she summoned a shimmering magical shield that absorbed Santa's explosive spell.
“Pathetic!” she sneered, her eyes shifting to the doughy wall beside her. Smirking, she flicked her fingers, and the wall began to twist and morph. Before Santa’s eyes, a new Rumball Ogre emerged, bulkier and angrier than the last. With a roar, the monster tore itself free from the wall and charged at Santa.
[Rumball Ogre, Level 7]
Bolstered by his magical meal, Santa tightened his grip on his oversized toy mallet, feeling its reassuring weight in his hands. The Rumball Ogre charged, its thunderous footsteps shaking the ground as it barrelled toward him. Santa planted his feet firmly, his muscles tensing like a coiled spring. His eyes narrowed in focus, tracking the ogre’s every move.
As the creature closed in, Santa adjusted his stance, pulling the mallet back. The ogre lunged, and Santa swung with all his might.
Boom!
[+780 EXP]
The impact thundered, caving in the ogre’s hardened shell and sending it hurtling back to where it came from and shattering into a million pieces.
The witch screamed in frustration, then began hurling insults, starting with "You chubby—"
“Easy there, madam!” Santa quickly cut her off. “No need for such language! Those words will land you straight on the naughty list!"
The witch let out a furious shriek and unleashed another bolt of energy. It whizzed past Santa, who nimbly crouched, narrowly dodging the attack.
As the magical duel raged on, Santa and the witch exchanged a relentless flurry of spells and attacks. Santa's mallet struck rhythmically against the witch's magical shield, each hit reverberating like a drumbeat, gradually weakening her defences. But with every opportunity, the witch would swiftly restore her shield to full strength, forcing them to start the battle anew.
Throughout their intense confrontation, the witch’s sinister spells repeatedly struck Santa, each blow searing with dark energy. Yet, much to her bewilderment, the dark magic seemed to dissipate against his undead form, its impact somehow diminished.
"Why isn't my death magic affecting you?" the witch shrieked.
Santa, enduring the pain with a grimace, replied sternly, "Perhaps your powers have waned with age."
“No, that can’t be!” the witch snarled, her pride clearly wounded. She waved the book clutched in her gnarled hands. "With this, the Book of the Living Dead, I wield the power to do anything—kill anyone! I’ve even breathed life into my baked creations, binding them to my will!"
Amidst the chaos of dodging and parrying her relentless spells, Santa felt a sudden realisation strike him. Could this be the power that S.E.R.G. had mentioned? The power to bring back the lifeless? His heart raced at the thought, but he quickly masked his intrigue with a defiant stance.
"Your madness knows no bounds," Santa said, as he swung his mallet again. "You wield power you don't understand. Life is sacred, not a tool for your twisted fantasies!"
The witch cackled; her eyes gleaming. "Sacred? Life and death are mere playthings in my hands. With this book, I am unstoppable!"
“Unstoppable? Let’s see about that!” Santa narrowed his eyes. "That power belongs to those who respect life—not those who seek to corrupt it! Especially not an ancient ugly hag like you!"
The witch’s shriek echoed through the chamber, a sound of pure rage and frustration. Her eyes, wild with fury, flickered as she became careless, her magical shield wavering. Santa’s sharp gaze caught the split-second opportunity, his grip on O.A.T.H. tightening as he braced himself.
"Now's my chance," he muttered, determination etched in every line of his face.
He swung the mallet with all his might, muscles straining as he channelled every ounce of his strength into the blow. The hammer connected with the witch’s shield, shattering it into a cascade of glittering fragments that dissipated into the air.
The witch stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock. “You… how dare you!” she spat, but her voice wavered, fear creeping in.
Santa wasted no time. "Mistletoe, Missile!" he roared, thrusting his hand forward. A brilliant bolt of green and red energy shot from his palm, slicing through the air with a festive scent. The magic struck the witch squarely in the face, the force of it snapping her head back.
She let out a scream, clutching her nose as the searing magic blinded her, her sinister plans grinding to a halt.
"Not so powerful now, are you?" Santa growled.
The witch staggered, disoriented, her hands fumbling to regain control. But Santa was relentless. He raised his hammer high, the weight of O.A.T.H. heavier in his hands, yet infused with the collective strength and justice of all those he had sworn to protect.
"For Christmas," Santa whispered, his voice a vow, "and for those who believe."
With a mighty roar, he brought the hammer down on the witch’s head.
Boom!
The impact was deafening. The sound of her skull cracking was like a gong that echoed through the chamber.
As the dark magic drained from her, the witch crumpled to the ground.
Santa stood over her, breathless but resolute. "Evil will never win," he said softly, his eyes glistening with a mix of sorrow and triumph.
[+1200 EXP]
As Santa watched, the witch's body crumbled, her dark magic dissipating into the air. Along with it, her twisted dreams of cookie dough domination faded, leaving only a faint trace of her evil behind.
❄ Quest completed! ❄
[+1000 EXP]
[Level Up! You are now Level 10]
[Santa has gained the ability: Holly Barrier (Passive)]
Triumphant yet heavy-hearted, Santa turned from his defeated foe and hurried to the motionless form of his dear friend. Kneeling beside Baublekin, Santa's heart sank as he realised the grim truth—he was gone. Another cherished companion lost. Overwhelmed with grief and frustration, Santa clenched his fist and struck the floor, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the room.
A solitary tear traced down Santa's cheek and disappeared into his beard.
"My friend," Santa whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You were so brave... You didn't deserve this... None of you did." He sniffed, allowing grief to wash over him, his heart heavy with sorrow. But as he mourned, something caught his attention, pulling his thoughts from the pain. A flicker of hope sparked within him. It was the book the witch had clutched so fiercely—could this be the key S.E.R.G. had promised?
With each step toward the book, Santa's heart pounded with a blend of hope and fear. The pain, struggle, and loss he’d endured—all of it had led to this moment. His hands trembled as he reached for the book, the weight of possibility pressing down on him. Could the power he sought truly lie within these pages? Could this spell undo the heartache of his journey and bring back his fallen friends? Holding his breath, Santa picked up the tome and opened it.
[Santa has looted: Book of the Living Dead!]
His eyes quickly scanned the ancient text, searching desperately for the magic that could breathe life back into Baublekin. The fate of his friend, and perhaps even Christmas itself, hung in the balance. As Santa pored over the tome, a soft chime echoed in the chamber. A glowing light flashed, and a text box materialised before him.
Special Class Unlocked (Available)
Unique
Class Specialisation: Yuletide Revenant
Required Level: 10
Required State: Undead
Required Class: Wizard (Festive Enchanter)
Requirements met: 3/3
Class info: Allows the caster to reanimate the dead and bring fallen allies to life.
Accept? Yes/No
"Reanimate the dead?" Santa murmured, contemplating the weight of the words. He reflected on his own existence—undead, yet filled with a vitality that felt more potent than ever, though in a way he had never experienced before.
"Requirements met? Allows the caster to reanimate the dead and bring fallen allies to life..." he read aloud, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and fear.
Without hesitation, Santa made his choice, embracing the path laid out before him. As he did, a surge of ancient, mystic energy flowed through him, filling him with power beyond anything he had ever known. The book, once fiercely guarded by the witch, began to crumble, its pages disintegrating into ash before his very eyes.
The ash swirled in the air, each speck glowing with an eerie light. Like enchanted snowflakes, the particles drifted toward Santa, drawn to him by an unseen force. They circled him in a tightening spiral, crackling with dark magic and ancient secrets.
As the ash touched his skin, it didn’t fade away but instead sank into him, dissolving into his very being. Santa’s breath caught as the raw power seeped through his pores, an overwhelming surge of energy that both thrilled and unnerved him. His muscles tensed, his heart pounded with a rhythm that felt both strange and familiar.
The transformation was immediate. Santa’s vision sharpened, colours deepening, and the world around him took on a vivid, surreal quality. His hearing became more acute, catching the faintest whispers of ancient spells. The ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse in time with his heart, as if reality itself was responding to his newfound power.
With each breath, the ash infused him deeper, merging with his soul. He could feel the dark magic from the book reshaping his own essence, forming something far more potent than he had ever imagined. His thoughts grew clearer, his purpose sharper, as the weight of his new abilities settled heavily on his shoulders.
When the last of the ash had vanished into him, Santa stood still, the room around him buzzing with residual energy. He was no longer just the jolly bringer of Christmas cheer—he had become a Yuletide Revenant, wielding the power to command life and death.
🎅Santa: Yuletide Revenant - level 10
STM: 16 (4)
INT: 16
WIS: 18
STR: 15
AGI: 10 (2)
CHR: 10
Frost Resist (5)
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
RA: 0/1
Spells:
Yuletide Resurgence
Mistletoe Missile - Rank 10 (Max)
Skills:
Roar of the Northern Winds
Gift Giver's Guile
Candy Cane Leap
Passives: 8
Santa’s eyes widened as the list of new skills and abilities unfurled before him. “Holy moly,” he muttered under his breath, barely able to contain his shock. The sheer number of skills available to him now was staggering, each one a potent tool at his disposal. But amidst the awe, a single thought anchored him: Baublekin.
His gaze shifted from the glowing list of skills to the motionless form of his friend. A glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes, pushing aside the shadows of despair that had begun to settle. The idea of reversing Baublekin’s cruel fate no longer felt like a distant dream—it was within reach.
Santa’s hands trembled slightly as he navigated through the magical menu before him, each spell and ability calling out with its own unique energy. But he knew what he was looking for. His breath hitched as his eyes landed on the new spell that could change everything.
Without hesitation, he focused on the spell, feeling its power thrumming beneath his fingertips. The ancient magic responded to his will, the air around him growing thick with energy. He could feel the spell’s potential, its ability to bring back what had been lost.
Santa took a deep breath, steadying himself for what was to come. “Hang on, old friend,” he whispered, his voice filled with determination. “I’m bringing you back.”
🪄 Yuletide Resurgence
Description:
Yuletide Resurgence is a powerful spell that brings the dead back to life, endowing them with physical forms and a renewed sense of purpose. These reanimated beings retain their intelligence and memories, echoing the joy and wisdom of their former lives.
Effect:
Revives the deceased, who are then known as the 'reawakened'.
The reawakened possess unique abilities influenced by their past experiences and Christmas traditions.
Spell incantation:
"By the frosty winds of the North, and the starlit skies so vast,
I call upon the Yuletide spirits, echoes of Winter's past.
Rise from your silent slumber, in the snow where you lay,
Awaken now, as I beckon, on this magical sleigh.
With the jingle of bells and a cheer so bright,
Return to the realm of the living, under the aurora light."
Cooldown: 6 hours.
Santa scratched his beard thoughtfully as he examined the incantation of Yuletide Resurgence. His eyes shifted to Baublekin, lying still on the cold ground. Determined, he extended his hand toward the fallen elf and began to recite the spell.
Each word carried the weight of Christmas as Santa spoke with careful precision. As he chanted, a tingling sensation of magic coursed through him—a vibrant energy that flowed from his touch, weaving into Baublekin’s lifeless form.
"By the frosty winds of the North, and the starlit skies so vast," Santa intoned, his voice steady and clear.
As he continued, "I call upon the Yuletide spirits, echoes of Winter's past," a shimmering aura of light enveloped his hand, growing brighter with each line of the incantation.
Finally, with the last words, "Return to the realm of the living, under the aurora light," the energy surged from Santa into Baublekin.
For a tense moment, the room was filled with silence.
Then the system chimed in with a notification.
🗡Ally has come online.
Baublekin (Level 2 ‘ghoul’) ‘Tinkerer of Toys’ has risen!
Baublekin (Level 2 ‘ghoul’) ‘Tinkerer of Toys’ has joined Santa’s party!
Baublekin sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with shock. "Well, jingle my bells, that was weird!" he said, shaking his head as if to shake off the remnants of a strange dream. He touched his face, his expression one of sheer astonishment. "I swear I just died."
Santa, watching his old friend grapple with the reality of his resurrection, couldn't help but chuckle, a lightness filling his heart despite the dark surroundings. "Yes… You did hit a bit of a rough patch," he said, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
Baublekin's gaze darted around the room, trying to piece together his last memories. "Did we win?"
Santa nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. "Yes, my friend, we did," he affirmed. "The dungeon is free from the witch's clutches."
A puzzled frown creased Baublekin's brow. "Wait, a rough patch? So, I was… dead?"
Santa's expression turned solemn as he nodded again. "Yes, you were, but then..."
Baublekin's eyes grew alarmingly wide as realisation dawned on him. He frantically patted his face, his fingers tracing over skin that felt strangely cool and different. His movements became increasingly erratic, a sense of panic bubbling to the surface. "This... this isn't normal." Baublekin's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "What am I?"
Santa paused, searching for the right words to explain. His gaze then fell upon the text box that appeared, detailing Baublekin's new status. "Well," he began carefully, "according to this, you're a level 2 ghoul."
A mix of confusion and wonder crossed Baublekin's face. "A ghoul? Level 2? This is all so..."
Santa nodded, understanding his friend's response. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But it seems you've been given a second chance, albeit an undead one."
“Undead?" he stammered, his voice laced with a mix of fear and disbelief. He looked at his hands, noticing their pale, almost translucent appearance.
“Yes, you're undead now. It was the only way."
"But, undead? Like a zombie in those spooky stories?" Baublekin's voice quivered as he spoke. "Am I going to... crave brains or something bizarre like that?"
Santa chuckled, but his laughter was tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "No, I doubt that... though I can't say for sure." He paused, his expression turning serious. "You might find yourself stronger, more resilient. And in a way, immortal."
Baublekin looked down at his arms, as if expecting to see some visible sign of this eternal life. "Immortal? So, I'll never... pass on?"
"It seems that way," Santa replied, his voice soft. "But with this new form comes new purpose. We can use it to save Christmas, to bring back the joy."
Baublekin's eyes widened as he processed this information. "This is a lot to take in. I feel... different." He paused. "Wait, was this the power you were searching for?”
Santa nodded.
Baublekin’s expression darkened as realisation dawned on him. "Does this mean... the others?" he asked, his voice laced with dread.
Santa's face fell under the weight of the truth he had to share. "Yes, Baublekin. The elves... they’ve faced the same fate as you. That's why I’m here, why we’re doing this. We have the power to save them, to bring them back."
A heavy silence fell between them before Baublekin took a deep breath, his expression determined. "For the others, for Christmas, for the children... I guess being undead isn't the worst thing."
Santa squeezed his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "Together, we'll make this right."
Baublekin managed a small smile, a glimmer of his old self shining through. "So, what's next?"
Santa's eyes sparkled. "First, I need to check these new skills I've gained. Then we leave this wretched place behind."
Together, they delved into Santa's new abilities, their eyes wide with wonder at the array of gifts displayed on the menus.
🪄Frosty Fortitude (Passive)
Increases Santa's resistance to cold and ice.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
🪄Mistletoe Mastery (Passive)
Increases the effectiveness (Area of effect and Potency) of any mistletoe-based spells or abilities Santa uses. It also passively heals allies standing under a mistletoe conjured by Santa.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
🪄Reindeer Resilience
Santa gains enhanced stamina (2) and endurance, akin to that of his steadfast reindeer. This ability allows him to endure longer battles and recover more quickly from fatigue or minor injuries.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
🪄Holly Barrier (Passive)
Conjures a protective shield made of magical holly when Santa’s life is at risk. This barrier reduces incoming damage and has a chance to reflect spells back at the caster.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
❄ Jingle Bell Agility (Skill)
Enhances Santa's agility (2) and speed, allowing him to move swiftly and evade attacks more easily. Every step generates a soft jingle bell sound, which can either distract enemies or boost the morale of allies.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
❄Candy Cane Leap (Skill)
Allows Santa to perform a high leap, using a magical candy cane (or similar weapon) as a pole vault. This can be used to quickly traverse obstacles or gain a tactical advantage in combat.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
❄ Gift Giver's Guile (Skill)
Enables Santa to conjure small, magical gifts that can be thrown at enemies to distract or disarm them. These gifts explode upon impact, releasing a variety of effects such as stunning or temporarily confusing the enemy.
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
After gawking at Santa's new abilities, Baublekin and Santa navigated back through the winding corridors of the Cookie Dungeon. Santa's sharpened sonar ability revealed a hidden route on his floating mini-map that looked like a quicker way out. With a nod, they followed the path, the faint glow from Santa's map lighting the way.
The duo pressed forward, discovering that the path was part of the Witch's secret tunnel network. As they rounded a corner, flickering shadows revealed a group of chocolate goblins. Once fierce and relentless, the creatures now seemed sluggish, their movements lacking their former vigour. Santa readied his hammer and stepped forward.
With a swift swing, Santa’s hammer connected with the nearest goblin, sending it crashing into the wall, where it crumbled into pieces. Baublekin, ever quick, darted between the remaining goblins, his cork gun popping with precision as he made quick work of them. The skirmishes ended in moments, the goblins barely putting up a fight.
Each time a goblin fell, Santa and Baublekin felt a small surge of energy—a trickle of experience points that barely registered.
[+20 EXP] [+25 EXP]
As they headed toward the exit, the cookie dungeon's structure visibly weakened without the witch's power. Santa couldn't resist testing whether any lingering magic remained in the crumbling walls. He picked up pieces of the debris within arm's reach, nibbling on them as they walked. Each bite was met with a thoughtful chew, but it quickly became clear that any magic that had once infused the sweet remnants was long gone. Even so, Santa continued his impromptu snack, savouring the crunchy edible chaos around him.
Notifications popped up sporadically, a small but satisfying acknowledgment of their progress, even if the magic was gone. The cookie walls and sugary decorations around them lost their lustre and began to soften, as if the dungeon itself was giving in to its inevitable demise.
Finally, they reached the dungeon's exit—the portal was now-arched doorway with faint light spilling through the cracks. Baublekin, ever cautious, peered out, squinting against the sudden change. "Looks like we're finally getting out of here, huh?" he whispered, still half-expecting another challenge.
Santa wiped a cascade of crumbs from his beard. "Yes, it seems so. This adventure has been... difficult."
Baublekin nodded. “Yeah, no more Cookie Dungeons for me, please.”
🎄Santa’s party has left: The Cookie Dungeon (Level One)
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄
🎄Santa’s party has entered: The Eggnog Swamp
Exiting the dungeon, Santa and Baublekin were transported back into the clutches of the Eggnog Swamp. The sudden shift from the fantastical, sugary realm of the dungeon to the murky depths of the swamp caught them off guard.
Panic set in momentarily before Santa's survival instincts kicked in. He quickly grabbed Baublekin, ensuring his friend was close. With powerful, determined strokes, Santa swam upwards, navigating through the dense eggnog that threatened to slow them down.
Gasping for air, Santa and Baublekin broke through the swamp's surface, greeted by the vast open skies of the North Pole. Polaris, the majestic guardian, awaited them, his eyes glinting with a mixture of relief and pride.
“You did it!” Polaris said.
"Ah, Polaris, thank goodness," Santa coughed, as they clambered onto the bear's vast back.
Baublekin nodded, still panting. "I never thought I'd be so happy to see dry land... or, well, a dry bear!"
“Good to see you two safe and sound,” Polaris rumbled, his voice steady and reassuring.
As they settled in, Santa and Baublekin quickly recounted their adventure within the Cookie Dungeon, speaking over each other in their excitement and exhaustion.
"We fought goblins, outwitted floating cookies, and faced down a witch who tried to unleash an army of cookie nightmares," Santa said, his voice still carrying a hint of the adrenaline from their battle.
"And Santa levelled up! You should've seen him—devouring the dungeon like it was a Christmas feast!" Baublekin added with a wide grin.
Polaris listened intently, his gaze steady as he swam through the thick eggnog, his powerful strokes carving a path. "Hold tight," he advised, his voice calm and resonant, a comforting presence as they left the dungeon behind and made their way back to safety.
“Where to then? Back to the shack?” Polaris asked.
Baublekin shook his head. “I’ve been away in my retirement for too long. It’s time to go home.
Santa grinned, giving the elf a hearty pat on the back. “It’ll be great to have you back,” he said warmly.
Polaris nodded and began to swim toward the Candy Cane Forest. Santa couldn’t help but smile as the familiar red and white stripes came into view. “Back in familiar territory…” he remarked, his eyes scanning the horizon with a sense of relief.
As they neared the edge of the swamp, Polaris slowed his pace, breaking the silence with his deep, resonant voice. “I’m afraid this is where I must leave you,” he said solemnly. “I need to return to the dungeon. With its power fading, we can’t risk any of the monsters escaping.”
Santa and Baublekin exchanged concerned glances. “We understand,” Santa replied, his voice tinged with regret. “Your duty to guard the swamp is just as important as our quest.”
“Thanks for getting us this far, big guy,” Baublekin added.
Polaris gave a gentle nod, his eyes reflecting the weight of his responsibility. “Be cautious, both of you.”
Santa tightened his grip on his hammer, his resolve firm. “We will. Thanks again for everything.”
With a final nod, Polaris turned and lumbered back toward the heart of the swamp, leaving Santa and Baublekin at the forest’s edge.
🎄Santa’s party has left: The Eggnog Swamp
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄
🎄Santa’s party has entered: The Candy cane Forest
Baublekin scanned the forest with a nostalgic smile on his face.
"It's just us now,” said Santa. “Are you ready to face whatever these wolves have in store for us?"
Baublekin’s grin faded. "Wait, what do you mean, wolves?”
❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅ ❆ ❄