Since I was young, I’ve heard the tale. The tale of Chained Claus.

Nobody knows when the great demon Claus got his chains, but everyone knows why.

The hunger driven beast would show his face once a year, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in a single night. Slipping down chimneys and luring them with his voice; delivered to each house by a chariot of ferocious reindeer. And accompanied by a band a bloodthirsty elves.

Many had tried to slay the demon and free the earth from his reign, but alas, he could not be killed.

But once, a blacksmith of exceptional skill came close to restraining the beast. He melted down the antlers of a herd of Mammoth Reindeer, and combined it with liquid diamonds, before welding it into thick, ghastly white chains.

On Christmas Eve, as Claus began his rampage, the blacksmith sat waiting, watching. He coated himself in candy cane juice in hopes of hiding his scent from the monster. Eventually, just as the moon began to descend back down towards the horizon, a small, dark figure crept out of the coals. Claus.

Light as a feather, Claus began his silent way towards the stairs. Upon reaching the first step, Claus was tackled by the blacksmith. He was not startled, though, and began clawing at the blacksmith. Biting down hard on the mans arm, Claus was astonished to find his teeth breaking as he bit into strong sheets of metal.

After creating the chains, the blacksmith had forged himself armor in hopes of protecting himself.

Distracted by the excruciating snap of his teeth, Claus was chained. His bonds had the strength to burn his flesh and would cause unbearable agony. In rage, Claus ascended back up the chimney and fled into the night, his chains in tow.

Although he can still never truly be defeated, he must live out eternity in a portable prison of pain.