by Bill Tiepelman
The Enchanted Christmas Cathedral
It wasn’t your typical Christmas Eve. Snow fell in cascading waves, swirling through the night like a celestial ballet. But this wasn’t a night of silent wonder—it was a night of peril. Deep in the frozen reaches of the Northern Realms, the Enchanted Christmas Cathedral stood illuminated, its spires like jagged teeth reaching into a star-laden sky. The scene was set, and at its heart, Santa Claus was no jolly old man with a belly full of laughter. Tonight, he was a legend. A Call to Arms The North Pole had been under siege for weeks. Krampus, the shadowy demon of anti-Christmas, had raised an army of ice trolls and frost wraiths, intent on shattering the spirit of the holiday once and for all. The attack was precise, brutal, and calculated. Toy workshops were frozen solid. The reindeer were captured and confined to icy prisons. Even Mrs. Claus had to fend off frost-spawn with her rolling pin (and she took down more than a few). Santa knew he couldn’t rely on cheer and goodwill to save the day. No, this required a warrior—a general. Digging deep into his past, a past shrouded in myth, Santa unsealed the Vault of Eternity beneath the cathedral. Inside, the Frostblade of Everlight glowed with a cold, radiant power, and beside it lay his armor—a masterpiece of intricate elven craftsmanship, adorned with holly leaf motifs, candy cane etchings, and an intimidating set of pauldrons shaped like roaring snow lions. As Santa donned his battle gear, his booming voice echoed through the sacred hall. “They’ve messed with the wrong holiday spirit.” With a swipe of his Frostblade, he summoned the ancient Frostwyrm, a legendary ice dragon bound to him through an oath made centuries ago. The dragon emerged from the depths of the cathedral’s frozen undercroft, its crystalline scales shimmering like the stars. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. The Siege of Christmas Eve The battle raged across the cathedral courtyard. Towering Christmas trees became makeshift barricades as Santa's loyal elves fought valiantly, wielding sharpened candy canes and explosive ornaments. Krampus himself emerged from the shadows, his massive horns wreathed in frostfire. “You’ve had this monopoly on joy for centuries, Claus!” he roared. “It’s time for chaos to reign!” Santa grinned, his beard glistening with ice. “Chaos? You’re barking up the wrong pine tree, buddy.” With a war cry that shook the heavens, he leapt onto the Frostwyrm’s back and launched into the fray. The dragon unleashed torrents of freezing blue flames, carving through the ranks of frost wraiths like a torch through tissue paper. Santa dove into the heart of the chaos, his Frostblade slicing through troll armor with ease, each strike leaving trails of shimmering frost in the air. A Comedic Interlude Not everything went according to plan, of course. At one point, Santa found himself momentarily distracted by a particularly ambitious elf named Nibsy, who had invented a “Peppermint Rocket Sled” to outflank the trolls. The sled exploded mid-flight, showering the battlefield in flaming gumdrops. “Nibsy!” Santa bellowed, ducking as a stray gumdrop whizzed past his head. “This is why I vetoed your gingerbread tank idea!” “It’s a work in progress!” Nibsy yelled back, his face covered in soot, before grabbing a sharpened candy cane and charging into the melee. The Final Showdown As the battle reached its crescendo, Santa faced off against Krampus in the shadow of the cathedral’s massive stained-glass window. The demon moved with surprising agility, wielding his twin scythes with deadly precision. The clash of their weapons sent shockwaves rippling through the courtyard, shattering ornaments and toppling Christmas trees. “Give up, Claus!” Krampus snarled. “You’re just a relic of a dying tradition!” Santa smirked, his eyes blazing with determination. “Dying tradition? I AM Christmas!” With a mighty swing of the Frostblade, he channeled the full power of the holiday spirit, unleashing a blinding wave of light and frost. The sheer force sent Krampus flying into a snowdrift, where he lay groaning, defeated. “And that,” Santa said, planting the Frostblade into the ground, “is why you don’t mess with my holiday.” Peace Restored With Krampus vanquished, the frost wraiths dissipated into the night, and the ice trolls retreated to their mountain lairs. The elves cheered, raising their weapons high, and the Frostwyrm let out a triumphant roar that echoed across the tundra. Santa looked around at the battlefield, now littered with broken ornaments, candy cane shards, and half-melted snowmen. He sighed, rolling his shoulders. “Guess I’ve got a lot to explain to the insurance elves.” Mrs. Claus appeared, her rolling pin still in hand, and gave him a knowing smile. “I’ll make cocoa,” she said. “You clean up this mess.” As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the Enchanted Christmas Cathedral stood tall and proud, a beacon of hope and resilience. Santa mounted the Frostwyrm one last time, ready to deliver gifts to a world that would never know how close it came to losing Christmas. Because Santa wasn’t just a legend. He was a warrior. And Christmas was his battlefield. Take Home the Magic of the Enchanted Christmas Cathedral Now, you can bring the awe and wonder of "The Enchanted Christmas Cathedral" into your own home. Whether you're looking for a stunning piece of holiday décor or a heartfelt gift, explore our exclusive collection of products inspired by this legendary tale: Tapestry – Transform any room with the grandeur of the cathedral and its mythical scene, beautifully woven into a stunning wall tapestry. Canvas Print – Elevate your holiday décor with a museum-quality canvas featuring the legendary Santa and his frost dragon. Greeting Card – Share the magic with friends and family this holiday season through our exquisite greeting cards. Wood Print – Bring a rustic, timeless feel to your home with this stunning wood-printed version of the epic scene. Each product captures the spirit of the Enchanted Christmas Cathedral, ensuring that the story’s magic lives on long after the season ends. Visit our shop to find your perfect piece of holiday fantasy: shop.unfocussed.com.
