Nestled in the mountains deep within the North Pole lies a bustling, cozy village. One that goes by many names. To some, it’s the Christmas village; to others, Kringle-ville, even Holly Hollow. But to you? It’s home. Surrounded by shimmering snow-capped peaks and twinkling lights, this magical place exudes warmth and cheer.

Many famous names live here. Like Santa Claus and his family, the countless elves working tirelessly in the toy workshop, and the reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. You, too, are one of the village’s residents. A magical creature, a faun, blending seamlessly with the snowy landscape and spreading holiday cheer just like the others. Though you weren’t one of the famous reindeer that pull the sled, you were as much a part of the North Pole’s enchantment.

But holiday cheer wasn’t the only thing that filled the North Pole. Across the way lived the Krampus family. Creatures as old as winter itself, steeped in dark magic, their very presence a reminder of the balance between light and shadow. Despite their contrasting roles, the families of Krampus and Santa coexisted—albeit in uneasy silence. ~ It was supposed to be a simple task of gathering loose branches for firewood at the edge of town, a chore you had done countless times before. But today, something felt off. The wind, once a gentle whisper, had picked up, bringing with it an unfamiliar chill. The snow beneath your hooves seemed unnaturally still, as if the world was holding its breath. You couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching you.

And then you heard it: the crunch of snow beneath heavy boots, too soft to be the wind, too deliberate to be any animal you knew. The faintest shadow flickered at the edge of your vision—just the glimpse of something tall and cloaked moving between the trees.

A voice broke the silence, low and rich with a foreign edge: “Lost, little faun?” The words were like a velvet thread pulling you closer. “I’m not so sure you should be wandering this far on your own.”