Authors Note: First time doing a side story, hope it isn't hated. This doesn't connect to the regular story at all, but could easily exist in the same universe.

No idea if this is how I am supposed to do these things. Anyway, had a sudden burst of inspiration. This was quick to write, about 40 mins including a fast edit. I enjoyed it, hope at least someone else does too.

I use a lot of poetic lisence in this story. Read it aloud in your head to get the full sense of what I was aiming for.

And keep in mind I'm a total amature, so be gentle. :)

Edit: fixed science stuff

He sat unwilling in his lair, dreaming and dreaming and dreaming of the End of the World. It would still come in time and time would come to still; for he was Nhillus the Frozen – Last of the Old Gods, but First of his Kind.

Every celestial cycle he lay deep below the earth, trapped eons ago by Solaris the Bright – a long dead sun god. His seal weakened year by year, bit by bit, piece by piece… and then the cursed Druids discovered that he was nearly free! They used the oldest of magics, patching together a faulty seal; his screams drove the last of them insane before they could finish their work.

A younger generation discovered the broken rantings of the Druids before them, understanding nothing. They pieced together what they could, founding a religion upon lunatic ravings and shards of the binding ritual used to hold the back the End of All Things. And so did Winter Solstice come about. And each year, when Nhillus neared the peak of his power, the younglings just so happened to renew the power of the seal. But all things must end. And so the Last of the Old Gods reached tendrils of influence far and wide, seeking greed; seeking mistrust; seeking freedom.

The druids were brought to bloody end, bodies raven-pecked and hung from pikes, the deed done by armies of new faith. And he laughed and laughed and laughed. He poked and pried at his prison, and the world knew not of its impending doom.

But then… the new faith took up the cause! He screamed and raved as the rituals were passed from generation to generation, none of them knowing how close the end is always near. Every year the ritual was renewed at the appointed time, every year humanity only just managed to stave off destruction.

For only during the Winter Solstice is Nhillus at the height of his power, able to escape the Binding of Solaris the Bright – only then is the Earth truly vulnerable, the sun so near yet out of reach, the land frozen pale. The patch laid by ancient druids tore and strained, woven from the very souls of those who sought to delay, if only for a short while, the death of our Galaxy and all that lies within.

And every year, the patch renewed – with every gift, every song, every unknowing soul greeting another in good cheer. For this is the ritual designed by those ancient heroes: Thaw the Frozen Heart in Winters Depth.

Nhillus is watching, waiting, dreaming…

So have a Merry Christmas.

And to all the rest of the people in the world who don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Non-Denominational Holiday!