The sun had fully risen by the time Blitzen reached the village. The sky was a bright pale blue against the crisp white snow. Up ahead, the rest of The Eight were gathered near the small barn where the other reindeer stayed.

Vixen was trotting around in circles while the two fawns, Peanut and Hazel, giggled and chased him. Their parents, Chestnut and Walnut, watched them warmly. Comet ducked his head as Yuka the arctic fox tossed a snowball at him before hiding behind Dancer. Beyond them, Dasher boasted to Prisma while the other two single does, Luna and Crystal, exchanged kind words with Cupid.

The sight sent a trickle of warmth into Blitzen's aching heart. It was a delightful thing to see on Christmas Eve day. He hated to ruin the moment as the bearer of bad news. But he needed to tell them about Nanurjuk.

Prancer noticed him from where he stood with Donner. "Blitzen! Where were you last night, man?"

"We were worried," Cupid added, his eyes full of concern.

Blitzen stepped forward until he stood among his companions. "I'm afraid I have sad news." He hesitated as everyone stared at him uneasily, wondering what he would say. "Nanurjuk has died."

The response was a series of startled murmurs. None of the others had been as closely acquainted with Nanurjuk as Blitzen had. But it was still a great loss for them. While Comet exchanged a surprised look with Dancer, the usually cheerful Yuka looked at her paws. Dasher closed his eyes while Cupid and Prancer bowed their heads.

"He has guided us well during his years," Vixen murmured as the two fawns quietly returned to their mother.

Comet nodded sorrowfully. "He was strong and wise. It won't be the same without him."

Even Donner looked solemn, his eyes fixed on his hooves, though Blitzen couldn't be sure if this was a reaction to the news of death, or simply his usual depressed nature.

"I buried him up on the hilltop," Blitzen said quietly. "He would have wanted that."

The others quietly agreed. Afterwards, The Eight headed into the workshop, where last minute preparations were being made.

"You're sure you didn't miss a single letter?" Tingles the elf was confronting Pringles with her arms crossed. "Remember what happened last year!"

"Believe me, every letter has been fulfilled!" PrIngles insisted, tapping his foot in irritation. "You think I'd make the same mistake again?"

"Yes, I think you would!"

As they headed around the elves, Blitzen turned to his companions. "You seven should see if the elves need any help," He told them. He looked toward the staircase. "I need to tell Nicholas about Nanurjuk."

He branched away from the group to head upstairs as they continued through the workshop. When he reached Saint Nicholas' room, he found him busy speaking to Jingles the elf. Blitzen hung by the doorway respectfully.

"The sleigh is almost packed and ready to go, sir!" Jingles was reporting. "We just need to load the presents for Norway and Iceland."

Saint Nicholas smiled. "Wonderful! Good work, Jingles."

As the elf rushed past Blitzen and out the door, Nicholas noticed him. "Ah, Blitzen. Good to see you."

"I'm afraid there is nothing good about this visit, sir." Blitzen said quietly as he entered the room, and a look of worry spread on the old man's face. "I'm afraid Nanurjuk the musk ox has died."

Saint Nicholas slowly removed his red hat and shook his head. "Bad news, indeed." He murmured. "He was a wise and noble friend. It's a shame I won't have his guidance this Christmas."

Blitzen grew worried. The spirits of the northern lights often warned their chosen musk ox of unforeseen events that would put their Christmas journey at stake. Such as sudden snowstorms, fog, bird traffic, warzones. "Will it be dangerous to fly without his guidance?" He questioned uncertainly.

"I'm sure the spirits would have told him before now if something were to go wrong." Saint Nicholas responded thoughtfully.

Nanurjuk did mention they were speaking to him about me and Donner... Blitzen suddenly remembered. He had completely forgotten to question him further after learning that he was near death.

"And in a case such as this one where there is no ox on Christmas Eve, I'm sure the spirits would contact me or one of The Eight if there were to be an emergency," Nicholas added.

"And... Have they told you anything?" Blitzen asked hesitantly, shifting his hoof.

The white bearded man shook his head. He must have sensed Blitzen's unease, because he quickly asked. "Have they spoken to you, Blitzen?"

Blitzen slowly paced back and forth as he thought. "Last night, Nanurjuk told me they had much to say about Donner and I." He admitted quietly.

"You and Donner?" Saint Nicholas frowned. "I don't see how my lead reindeer could put Christmas at stake. Surely they only had good things to say about you."

"Possibly." Blitzen wasn't convinced.

Nicholas stepped forward and rested his hand on Blitzen's neck. "Don't worry, Blitzen. You and Donner are the strongest reindeer of The Eight. That is why you lead the team every year." His eyes twinkled. "We are all in safe hands. Or should I say, hooves!"

As Blitzen headed downstairs, he tried to find comfort in Saint Nicholas' words. He trusts me and the others. I don't see what could possibly go wrong tonight, especially something caused by Donner and I. Perhaps he is right. He tried to tell himself. Perhaps the spirits only had good things to say about us. After all, Nanurjuk didn't seem worried.

In the workshop, most the elves were tossing gifts into the huge velvet sack that rested on the floor beside the sleigh. Three elves, Sprinkles, Twinkles, and Wrinkles were cleaning the sleigh until the sleek red surface shimmered in the sunlight. Six of The Eight were helping to load presents into the sleigh.

Only one reindeer was missing.

Looking around the workshop, Blitzen spotted him. In the far corner of the room, a massive stack of presents rested, so tall the bows grazed the ceiling. Donner stood at the foot of it, still as a statue.

Why isn't he helping the others? Blitzen wondered. His concerns grew even stronger for his teammate. I need to talk to him. I need to know what he's thinking. But I can't approach him like I did in the forest yesterday.

Drawing in a breath, he slowly headed across the workshop toward him, his hooves clicking on the oak floor. Rather than acting as though he were sneaking up on him, he confidently stepped to his side, trying to seem casual. "Ready for tonight, Donner?"

Donner gazed up at the stack of gifts, his blue gaze dull and distant. "All these gifts for them..." He murmured so quietly, Blitzen strained to hear him. "Why?"

Why? Blitzen blinked, puzzled by this question. "It's our duty," He struggled to find his words. "To bring joy to humankind."

"Humankind." Donner dropped his gaze. "Ah, yes. The ones who kill us for sport." He went silent and turned away, heading for the doors.

Blitzen stared after him in disbelief. "Donner, wait. Donner!"

The dark reindeer ignored his calls and disappeared through the doors of the workshop. Blitzen sighed quietly. I wanted to have a real conversation with him before tonight. But it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

***

This proved to be correct, as night had fallen over the North Pole, and Blitzen hadn't been successful in speaking to Donner. In fact, no one was. Donner hadn't spoken a single word for the rest of the day. Even now as The Eight stood in formation before the sleigh, he was silent.

Behind the workshop was a runway of sorts where The Eight took off every Christmas Eve. A light snowfall fell onto Blitzen's coat as Twinkles the elf secured a beautiful red and gold trimmed harness around him. "There you are, Blitzen!"

"Thank you." He nodded and glanced beside him at Donner as Twinkles checked his harness.

"Is that too tight, Donner?" She asked.

The buck didn't reply.

"Donner?"

"It's fine." He twitched his torn ear.

As Twinkles moved on behind them to Comet and Cupid, Blitzen turned his head slightly, eying Donner. He was still as stone, his eyes dull and fixed ahead of him on something Blitzen couldn't see. What is going through his mind? Blitzen wondered desperately. If only I knew! I suppose now I'll have to try again after Christmas.

Blitzen tried to push his worried aside. He saw that the other reindeer had arrived to watch them take off.

"Look, children!" Chestnut told her fawns, who stared at The Eight in awe. "They're going to fly through the sky, just like I told you."

Peanut's eyes went huge. "For real? Wow!"

"Hi, Vixen!" Hazel yelled out excitedly. "You're the greatest!"

"Vixen, won't you be tired?" Peanut asked anxiously. "I would die if I stayed awake all night!"

As Vixen chuckled, Walnut answered the fawn's question with a smile. "They'll need lots of sleep tomorrow. That's why we need to make their barn extra comfortable."

The Eight often slept through December 26th, sometimes even the 27th. exhausted from their journey around the world. While they were gone, the other reindeer were responsible for preparing the barn for their long rest: Adding fresh bedding, blankets, and food and water.

"Oh, yes!" Hazel brightened. "We'll make your bed extra cozy, Vixen!"

"Thank you, Hazel!" Vixen called in amusement.

"Alright, Santa!" An elf called and Blitzen looked over his shoulder to see Jingles standing by the sleigh, waving. "You're clear for takeoff!"

The other elves backed away from the reindeer as Saint Nicholas stepped alongside the sleigh, gazing up at the huge sack of gifts. He wore his annual red and white attire. He smiled as he patted the bag. "Ah, the smiles these will bring the children tomorrow morning."

Donner feels differently. Blitzen thought as Nicholas hopped into the sleigh, taking hold of the reins. "Are we ready, boys? Roll call!"

Starting closest to the sleigh, the reindeer shouted their names confidently.

"Dasher!"

"Dancer!"

"Prancer!"

"Vixen!"

"Comet!"

"Cupid!"

There was a longer pause as Donner's eyes narrowed. "Donner."

"Blitzen!" He called out proudly, completing their traditional roll call.

"Dash away, Eight!" Saint Nicholas shook the reins, and Blitzen and Donner led the team forward. They started with a trot, then broke into a run, hauling the sleigh behind them. Blitzen's hooves pummeled at the snow as he stared ahead of him determinedly.

When the moment was right, he and Donner pushed off into the air, summoning their gift of flight. A few seconds later, Comet and Cupid did the same, then Prancer and Vixen, then Dasher and Dancer, until The Eight ascended into the night sky, pulling the sleigh with them.

Despite having done this for hundreds of years now, this night never ceased to excite Blitzen. He could fly any time he liked. But soaring among the stars with his teammates as one on this cold winter night was an experience like no other.

"Look! They're really flying!" He heard Hazel gasp in astonishment from below.

"Wow! Flying reindeer! I didn't believe it!" Peanut shouted with delight.

"Have a safe journey!"

"Goodbye!"

The Eight flew higher and higher, the snowy earth below growing more and more distant. As the team began their journey, Blitzen was exhilarated. He felt nothing but frosty air under his hooves as they carried him through the night.

As they soared over the North Pole, leaving the twinkling lights of the workshop far behind them, Blitzen stared at the stars ahead. They glittered so brightly tonight. Are you one of these stars, Nanurjuk? He wondered. Are you flying alongside me tonight?

Flying around the world in one night was a difficult task, but an exhilarating one. It was the one day a year in which Blitzen got to leave the North Pole and see how the world had changed since the previous year. And oh, it was always changing. Small towns became huge cities with skyscrapers, horses became replaced by automobiles, new technologies and inventions that always impressed him.

But one thing has never changed. Blitzen thought as he gazed at the city lights scattered on dark continents in the distance, like clusters of starlight. This world will always be beautiful.

***

The night went on as usual. House by house, street by street, The Eight descended, waiting on snowy rooftops for Saint Nicholas to return before taking to the skies again. Often while Saint Nicholas dropped down a chimney to deliver gifts, the reindeer spoke quietly amongst themselves.

"Whoa, look at the lights on that house across the street!" Prancer nodded toward it. "So many colors!"

"It is lovely," Vixen agreed while Dasher shivered and shook snow from his back.

Blitzen glanced beside him. Donner's head was low, his eyes half closed as he twitched an ear impatiently. He hadn't spoken a word all night. "Donner, is everything alright?" He decided to ask once and for all.

His fellow reindeer didn't give any indication that he'd heard Blitzen. With a sigh, Blitzen looked forward again. Behind him, Comet and Cupid exchanged a concerned look.

***

Their journey was halfway done now. But The Eight realized that the final stretch wasn't going to be easy as the sky flashed white, and thunder rumbled around them. The sound sent a bolt of fear up Blitzen's spine as he was confronted with flashbacks to his death on that stormy night two hundred years ago.

Blitzen realized his hooves were shaking, unsteadying his flight, and he calmed himself. It's alright. He told himself as he galloped through the frosty air alongside Donner. It's only thundersnow.

Thundersnow was very rare, and Blitzen couldn't recall it ever happening on Christmas Eve. Could they fly safely through it? What if the sleigh was struck by lightning?

Saint Nicholas seemed to read his thoughts. "Steady, boys!" He called through the gusts of wind. "Take it slowly!"

Moments later, the storm picked up. Thick flurries fell heavily around them like cotton balls, and thunder snarled louder, lightning blazing up the sky more frequently. Blitzen glanced behind him at Nicholas nervously. The team didn't dare fly below the cover of the clouds. Someone might see them. But it looked like they might not have a choice tonight.

"Eight!" Saint Nicholas yelled over the storm, his voice nearly drowned out by the roar of thunder. "We must fly lower, beneath the clouds! Down!"

At the word "down", Blitzen was yanked off balance by a hard tug at the side of his harness. Donner had shot forward and down, hauling the team with him and beginning their descent. Cold air rushed into Blitzen's face as he tried to keep up with his teammate. "Donner, slow down!" He gasped.

Instead, Donner sped up as they passed through the cloud cover, diving straight downward in a way The Eight had never flown before.

"Whoa, slow down!" Saint Nicholas shouted behind them. "Whoa!"

"What's happening?" Cupid shouted.

"Hey!" Dasher yelled. "What are-" His voice was drowned out by the harsh crack of thunder above them.

"Donner?" Blitzen shouted anxiously over the storm, swinging his head toward his teammate. "Donner, what are you doing? Stop!"

The entire team was being led straight downward, a bullet speeding toward the earth as thunder rolled behind them. Donner's narrowed gaze was locked on his target, diving with the speed and intensity of a bird aiming to strike a fish beneath a body of water. "I can't do this anymore!" He yelled through gritted teeth.

"What? What are you talking about?" Blitzen shouted, unable to hide the fear in his voice as snow and wind stung his face.

A bolt of lightning ripped open the sky, illuminating Donner in white before he responded. "Don't you understand? We were supposed to be dead centuries ago!"

In a flash of horror, Blitzen understood. No! This is suicide! He's trying to kill us all! The full extent of the immortality of The Eight was unknown. Could an accident like this kill them? As he watched the ground in the distance inch closer and closer through squinted eyes, he felt something he hadn't felt in two hundred years. Terror. Fear for his life. A sense of mortality, fragile as a snowflake.

This instinct for survival took hold of him, fighting against his panic. "No!" He shrieked and bunched his trembling muscles, letting himself fall back and push upward in an attempt to guide the team back up, but Donner was stronger. "Donner, stop!"

"I'm going to meet my fate once and for all!" Donner screamed and tried to kick Blitzen in the chest with his hind legs. "Don't stop me!"

"Donner! Get a hold of yourself!" Blitzen screamed back.

Thunder and lightning clashed above as Donner and Blitzen struggled for control of the team. Blitzen reared backwards, pulling and tugging toward the sky desperately, while Donner pulled in the opposite direction, a kamikaze pilot showing no sign of stopping. Behind them, the other reindeer yelled and screamed at Donner, but he seemed oblivious to the yells and pleas of his teammates.

Through the speeding flurries, the white ground rose to meet them. Closer. Closer. Even closer. Sheer panic blazed through Blitzen's body, his heartbeat pounding hard in his ears. I could die! We're all going to die! In mere seconds, his body would break against the earth.

This is his death wish! Not mine! Summoning every muscle in his body, all his strength, and all his magic, Blitzen gritted his teeth and veered upward and to the side, slamming his shoulder into Donner. Lightning slashed across the sky.