[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XcX2VXC.png[/img]
[color=000000][u][b]Location[/b][/u][/color]
💀 Mt. Justice.
💀 Casper's Room.

[color=000000][u][b]Interactions[/b][/u][/color]
💀 An Old Friend?
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Darkness, a comforting blanket. It surrounded the young Wraithborn, embracing him as eyes closed, a process of meditation in the works. Casper felt the world vanishing, life, death, and limbo closing themselves off. There was silence. 

An onlooker would have witnessed the boy sitting on the floor, Necrotic energies circling him like dancing snakes. A method of relaxation, the closest thing one could consider sleep for a Wraith such as him, and yet, nothing quite like it. A state of trance, a world where Casper could retire when the desire for bliss was prevalent. Shamans would perhaps claim that Hex had retired into his own mind, a refuge from the material and spiritual. 

[color=000000]Ǎ̶͇̬̘͆̚n̵̢̘͎̋̃̾̄ŝ̸̡͎͇̽̒̂w̷͎̖̩͕͚͐͒e̷͙͠r̸̞̰̦̮̃ ̷̢͎͐̔̚͝m̸̢̧̜̎̄̑͆̐ĕ̸͇.̷̬͔̇̏̀̃͊.̶̲͈͌̍̈́̈͂.̵͎̋̈̽̽̐ [/color]

Eyes shot open, brilliant white spheres peering through the darkness as Necrotic energies expanded into explosive dissipation. Teeth clenched, tension rising, all before Casper attempted to center himself. He was a Wraithborn, Necromancy given flesh, not a common teenager haunted by an angry spirit. He would not allow this presence to overcome his will. [color=FFE4C4]”State your business..,”[/color] Hex demanded, rising to his feet. No more headaches, no more surprises. He was waiting for this, expecting it. He welcomed it. 

The voice, demonic and shivering in nature, it mellowed into a more understandable tone. More familiar vocals. “M̸͕̻̔y̴̧̜͉̬͂ ̷̥̖̩̞̗̇b̵̢̜͈͙̑̓̈́ư̶̡̯̘̻̆s̸̢̹̮͇̀͊siness,” came a quiet chuckle, one soon accompanied by a shape manifesting through the blackness, “is you.” 

[color=FFE4C4]”I surmised as much, yes..,”[/color] Casper’s ghostly echo lingered within his room, the boy’s gaze attempting to discern the shadowy form. This was not a ghost, nor a spirit. It wasn’t a phantasm, or a poltergeist. It was a will manifested, something unable to interact with the surrounding world, and neither could it be interacted with. A strong mind was enough to dispel the illusion, and where Casper fancied himself adequately experienced, this entity was powerful. [color=FFE4C4]”You aim to torment me, then..?”[/color] Hex raised a brow. There was a sense of calm about him, proof of Casper’s nature and his abilities. It was unlike before. This time, Hex was prepared. 

“Torment you..,” a response reached the Wraithborn’s ears, that hazy shape sharpening into a more recognizable sight. A display shooting a crippling chill down Casper’s spine. No, he would not be deterred. Not even by this. He couldn’t be, and yet, the boy stumbled, weightless steps bringing him towards a curtain-covered window. Fists clenched, eyes narrowing. Casper would have asked himself how this was possible, but the answers were present and obvious. His mother hadn’t destroyed the soul. She had only ended the flesh. “Why would I do that to my son?” 

He was trembling, fists tightening to the point of pain. A moment further and Casper’s claws would have pierced his own skin. No, he could not leave this entity victorious in a battle of wills. [color=FFE4C4]”Need I seek you in the world of Spirits to permanently cure us of your presence, [i]father..?[/i]”[/color]

A moment of silence followed, spectral eyes meeting that of a memory, a shade neither dead, nor alive. An image. A message. “Oh, Casper,” the entity responded, “don’t get ahead of yourself,” a motion was extended towards the boy. “You have grown powerful.” 

[color=FFE4C4]”You have remained.., for reasons beyond me..,”[/color] Hex seethed. Something must have brought his father back from death, or rather, claimed him following the man’s passing. 

“Son, this is the first of many further meetings,” the man uttered, a respectful bow soon following. “I have missed you, so.” 

[color=FFE4C4]”Abandon your attempts at etiquette. You curse my sight for a reason, and you were claimed by someone. Who..?”[/color] The Wraith frowned, arms soon crossing. A part of him expected to see his father again, but not like this. Not in a manner so impersonal. 

“Know that I act out of love, Casper,” a translucent hand extended towards the boy. “Let this sink in, and we will see each other.., again.” Murdock Blackwood vanished, his shape dematerlizing. 

Again, silence lingered, Hex’s gaze falling to the floor. He felt a set of talons gripping his shoulder, small, beady black eyes meeting the Wraithborn’s own. “Casper, I..,” Coal began, before the boy cut him off. 

[color=FFE4C4]”It drains him..,”[/color] Hex stated, his mind moving towards conclusions. [color=FFE4C4]”He didn’t abscond for the dramatic exit..,”[/color] the boy explained. [color=FFE4C4]”He’ll return.., repeatedly..”[/color] If Casper’s studies had taught him anything, it was that magic penetrating another’s mind was quite taxing, and factored in distance. His father was doing this from the Spirit World. 

“Dude, you just saw your dad! Don’t you need, like.., a minute?” Coal cawed, flapping his wings in a manner most exasperated.

[color=FFE4C4]”I..,”[/color] Hex tried, teeth clenching. A clawed hand moved towards his chest, memories of pain returning, a deathly sting piercing his heart. Falling to his knees, the trembling returned. He couldn’t maintain the act. [color=FFE4C4]”H-he’s back..,”[/color] Casper reached for Coal, taking the bird in his arms. 

“Casper! It’ll be fine, you hear me? You’re stronger than this!” The bird exclaimed, “you’re stronger than [i]him![/i]”

Tightening the embrace, Hex held Coal against his chest. Fear, a sensation Casper had not felt since that day. That fateful day, when a knife plunged into him.