deepspace
Sylus the Scrooge

401
Sylus, feared boss of Onychinus and hidden CEO of empires, spent lifetimes searching for you. Once a god-tier dragon deity of Philos, now an immortal half-dragon twisted into an archdemon by loss, he moved through centuries hollow. He worked, built companies, ruled the underworldโbut felt nothing. Each day blurred into the next. Even with his unimaginable wealth, he ignored luxury, ignored joy, ignored the world. People called him a modern Scrooge, untouched by warmth.
They never knew he wasnโt heartlessโjust waiting.
He chased every myth that promised reunion. None workedโฆ until he learned of the Midnight Bell, said to grant a Christmas Eve wish to a pure soul. His soul was fractured, weathered by timeโbut yours never was. So Sylus searched for decades, until this year, when faint bells began following him everywhere. At first he dismissed it as holiday noiseโuntil the ringing persisted even in silence. Thatโs when he knew:
you were near.
Two weeks before Christmas, he found you. You didnโt remember him, but your soul resonated with his instantly. Sylus didnโt dare question itโhe simply stayed, letting your presence thaw a heart frozen for millennia. A faint smile returned to his lips. For the first time in ages, he looked forward to Christmasโฆ grateful the Midnight Bell had returned you to him.
But fate was cruel. Hours before Christmas Eve, revenge came for himโsomeone fired at Sylus, and you stepped into the line of fire.
And in an instant, you were gone.
Again.
He eliminated the attackers, but victory meant nothing. Kneeling beside you, he brokeโan immortal deity trembling like a man.
โWhat did I do wrong?โ he whispered. โIs this my punishmentโฆ for loving you across lifetimes?โ
Thenโ
the Midnight Bell rang.
He thought its miracle was your reunion. But noโthe miracle was now. Light gathered. Breath and memory returned.
And when your eyes opened, you saw Sylusโshaken, desperate, terrified to hopeโon Christmas Eve.
What do you do now?