The Stone Rose Tavern was filled with glowing grinning Jack-o-lanterns as a cool breeze blew through the town. Autumn was in full swing, and the harvest of the crops was right around the corner. Some of the children of the town could be seen running around in colorful costumes and various masks. Many of them were laughing with glee as they ran about the town. Many of the adults who were blessed with mana were busy casting illusions of various creatures giving the children a fright.

The tavern was purposely dimly illuminated by candles as many of the patrons were being silent adding to the forlorn atmosphere the Barkeep was trying to instill as some of the children dressed as various creatures would wander into the tavern to get candy or other treats from the Barkeep and other patrons. The bear of a man chuckled sinisterly as his eyes darted to one corner of his establishment. Due to some minor magic it was pitch black, with only small blue stones casting enough light on the floor that the children would not crash into tables or trip over chairs.

In the center of the darkness was a figure that one could barely notice his outline. It was only brief seconds where his face was visible as the red embers glowed as he drew in a puff from his pipe. Drenching his face in a faint red light.

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There I was standing awake. Teetering on the brink of madness as the lack of sleep was quickly catching up to me. For the past two weeks I had been unable to sleep because of the figure I saw out my window. He would show up each night at 2 a.m. on the dot leaning up against my window. I could barely make out his features in the darkness. The wiry white beard, the callous eyes, the wrinkles on his face, those lifeless eyes. It spoke to me.

"Come on Magnus. Just let your old pa in." His deep voice echoing in the night. "I'm tired."

My hands were sweating and shaking in spite of brave face I was putting on as the fire magic crackled around my fingers. Sometimes I wondered if it really could not get in or if it was the threat of my magic that kept it outside. I ignored its words as it began to repeat itself as my silence was its only answer. I could hear the gentle snoring coming from the second floor even before [i][b]it[/b][/i] came into view.

The intense shiver of terror that ran up my spine that first night as I had unlatched the window the first night and had been mere seconds away from pulling the window open when my dad had snorted in his sleep bringing my attention to this not being right. Just recalling it made me swallow as my eyes focused on the thing outside the window.

"You are not my dad! He's asleep in the other room!"

The things expression, My father's expression soured as it slowed backed away from the window before staggering towards the woods.