4. Krampus

CHAPTER 4

KRAMPUS

T he small human's eyes shine with intelligence far beyond the dull-witted adults I've encountered since awakening. Strange that such a tiny creature shows more promise than its progenitors.

"Are you really blue all over?" Sam pokes my arm with a stubby finger.

"Indeed. And quite deadly." I flex my bicep, earning an impressed gasp.

"Cool! Do you know Rudolph?"

My mind flashes to the legendary warrior of the Ataxian resistance. "Ah yes, Ryu Dalf! The mightiest of warriors."

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer!" Sam breaks into song, bouncing on tiny feet. "Had a very shiny nose!"

I frown. This version lacks the proper blood and glory of the original battle hymn.

"And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows?"

"Yes! Like a light bulb!"

"The proper lyrics are Ryu Dalf with your power blade so bright, won't you maim and slay tonight." I demonstrate with a swooping motion. "Won't you maim and slay tonight?"

Sam giggles. "That's not how it goes! But I like your version better."

This offspring shows remarkable potential. Perhaps its mother - my mysterious liberator - possesses similar qualities. "Close enough, little one. Is your mother home?"

"She's inside. Want to meet her? She makes the best hot chocolate!"

The door bursts open. A small figure emerges, covered head to toe in bulky padding that makes her look like an Earth sports warrior. The scent hits me - it's her, my liberator.

"Do you have the hot chocolate the child speaks of?"

"No." She charges forward with surprising speed. "But I've got a fresh cup of whoop ass!"

The stick in her hands whistles through the air. It connects with my shoulder, the impact barely registering against my hide. Another blow lands across my chest.

"Get away from my child you blue-furred freak!"

"Now see here-" The stick cracks against my jaw.

"Take that! And that!"

Each strike punctuates her words. The sheer audacity of this tiny female attacking a being of my power would be amusing if it weren't so insulting. But the life debt... curse these ancient customs.

I back away, raising my hands. "If you would just listen-"

"Nobody threatens my family!" She advances, stick raised high.

"Mom, wait!" Sam calls out. "He's nice!"

Another swing forces me to duck. The female's fierce protection of her offspring is admirable, if misplaced. I continue my retreat, grinding my teeth at the indignity of it all.

"Die, monster!"

The stick connects with my horns. Stars explode behind my eyes - not from pain, but pure frustration at being unable to defend myself. Who knew freedom would come with such... complications?

Enough of this nonsense. My muscles bunch and release, propelling me skyward. The night air whistles past my fur as I soar over the quaint dwellings these humans call homes. Their garish holiday displays blur beneath me - strings of lights forming patterns that mean nothing to my ancient eyes.

The drainage ditch breaks my fall with a splash of stagnant water. Perfect. Now I smell like wet fur and defeat. The indignity of retreating from a female wielding nothing but a stick...

"How rude." My voice echoes off the concrete walls. "After I showed such restraint with her offspring."

The life debt weighs heavy on my conscience. By the ancient laws of my people, I must repay the one who freed me from that cursed sleep. Even if she did try to bash my brains in with sporting equipment.

"Well, I have no choice but to try another approach."

The water drips from my fur as I consider my options. Perhaps flowers? No, too traditional. Chocolate? The small one did mention her prowess with the beverage. But that seems insufficient for a female capable of such ferocity.

A proper courtship gift should reflect the recipient's warrior spirit. Something that shows I recognize her strength while acknowledging the debt between us. Yes, that might work.

The lights from her dwelling still shine through the trees. Such a fierce protector of her young deserves better than hiding in ditches like common vermin. I will find a way to repay this debt with honor.

But first, I need to dry off. And possibly find something to get rid of this smell.

The ditch water sloshes off my fur as I haul myself onto solid ground. My compad survived the dunking - Ataxian tech proves superior once again. The primitive Earth communications network connects with a few taps.

"What manner of barbarism is this?"

A group of females screech at each other over some trinket called a Birkin bag. Another show features humans consuming insects for currency. Yet another shows females competing for the attention of a single male through increasingly desperate tactics.

"These must be their cultural documentaries." I scroll through more footage. "Though the production values leave much to be desired."

A muscle-bound male throws a table across a room while shouting about his ex-mate. "Now that's more like it." Finally, some proper warrior spirit.

The next program shows humans locked in a dwelling together, forming and breaking alliances like packs of savage beasts. "Fascinating. Their society operates on betrayal and deception."

My claws click against the screen as I take notes. According to these records, Earth females respond well to dramatic gestures and public displays of dominance. The males often present them with sparkling rocks or temporary dwelling spaces in exotic locations.

"This explains much about my liberator's aggressive response." She must have expected a proper challenge, not mere conversation.

More research reveals humans gathering in packs to consume fermented beverages and dance in synchronized patterns. Their mating rituals involve elaborate deceptions they call "dating shows."

"By the ancient gods." I shut off the compad. "These creatures are beyond salvation."

The urge to raze this primitive rock to cosmic dust grows stronger with each program. But the life debt remains. Perhaps I should count myself fortunate that my liberator only attempted to bash my skull in, rather than forcing me to consume insects or compete for her attention against other suitors.

A sleek black vehicle roars past, kicking up slush. The stench hits my nostrils - that sickly-sweet odor of grolgath biomatter. My lip curls back, exposing fangs. Those scale-skinned vermin think their image inducers can fool my senses?

"Not today, lizard-spawn."

The vehicle's open windows make no sense in this climate. Unless... they're tracking her scent. My liberator's unique fragrance still lingers in the air - vanilla and cinnamon mixed with fierce determination.

My claws extend as I calculate trajectories. The shortest path between two points involves considerable property damage, but time grows short. I launch myself through the air, rebounding off a garish inflatable snowman. My weight sends it spinning, spraying artificial snow in my wake.

The grolgath vehicle turns onto her street. Red and green lights blur past as I bound from rooftop to rooftop. My muscles burn with the effort of maintaining speed. If they harm one hair on either of their heads...

Their vehicle stops. Three figures emerge, their movements jerky and unnatural beneath their human disguises. The leader raises something that definitely isn't a standard Earth weapon.

A guttural growl builds in my chest. The life debt demands I protect her, but more than that - the thought of these vermin threatening my fierce little warrior and her remarkable offspring sets my blood boiling.

My next leap carries me onto a lamppost wrapped in tinsel. The metal groans beneath my weight. Below, the grolgath approach her door with weapons raised.

Time to remind these lizards why they called me The Destroyer.