The shop smelled like disinfectant and the faint tang of ink. The hum of a tattoo gun buzzed in the background as I stepped through the door, catching the attention of the artist almost immediately. He was a stocky guy with a shaved head and arms that looked like a walking portfolio of his work. He gave me a once-over, his eyes narrowing just a bit before he leaned back on his stool.
"You're... Hunter, right?" His voice was gruff, like he'd been chewing gravel for a decade.
"That's me," I replied, sliding a thick envelope onto the counter without hesitation. "And this is your incentive to get it done exactly how I want."
His gaze dropped to the envelope, and he didn't even bother hiding the way his eyebrows lifted at the sheer thickness of it. He opened it, thumbing through the bills like he was half expecting them to turn into Monopoly money.
"Damn near a fortune," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. Then his eyes flicked back to me, scanning my face and posture again. "You don't look eighteen."
I leaned forward slightly, keeping my tone even but firm. "You don't look like someone who's gonna ask too many questions, either. Am I right?"
He let out a short laugh, the kind that didn't reach his eyes. "Fair enough, kid. Money talks, right? You've got your ID on you, though?"
I pulled a fake ID from my pocket and slid it across the counter. He barely glanced at it before tossing it back. It was more about covering his own ass than genuinely caring.
"Alright," he said, gesturing toward the back. "Let's get this show on the road. You know what you're getting, or is this one of those 'figure it out as we go' kinda deals?"
I followed him to the chair, pulling out the folded sketch I'd been carrying in my jacket. It was rough my own drawing as I didn't want to pull up to the parlor with my grimoire, but it got the point across. The intricate runes I'd designed covered every inch of the page, each carefully placed to align with the magical theory I'd been piecing together for weeks.
"I need this exactly as it is," I said, handing it over.
He frowned as he unfolded it, his eyes scanning the design. "Weird-ass symbols, man. Looks like something outta some ancient text or whatever. You sure about this?"
"Positive," I said without hesitation.
He shrugged, clearly not one to get bogged down by details. "Your skin, your cash."
As he prepped his station, I settled into the chair, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The celestial event wasn't for a few more hours, but the timing was tight. The runes had to be etched into my skin before the alignment hit its peak.
"How long's this gonna take?" I asked as he loaded the ink.
"Couple hours, maybe more. Depends on how well you sit."
I nodded, my jaw tightening as the machine buzzed to life. The first sting of the needle bit into my skin, sharp and insistent, but I focused on my breathing, tuning out the pain.
The artist worked in silence for a while, only breaking it occasionally to adjust his tools or wipe down the area he was working on.
"So, what's the story with these symbols?" he asked eventually, his tone casual but curious.
I gave him the vaguest answer I could. "Just something personal. Means a lot to me."
He didn't push, which was fine by me. The last thing I needed was some mundane guy poking holes in the thin cover story I'd come up with.
As the hours dragged on, the pain dulled into a throbbing ache, but I didn't let it show. My mind drifted, running through the plan over and over. The talisman was tucked safely in my bag, ready to be activated as soon as the ink dried and the moon hit its apex.
This wasn't just a tattoo; it was a turning point. Once the runes were charged, I'd be stronger, faster, sharper. My memory wouldn't slip anymore, and my body wouldn't wear down like it had been. This wasn't just about surviving—it was about thriving.
"Alright," the artist said finally, leaning back to admire his work. "Done. You wanna take a look?"
I stood, catching sight of the ink in the mirror. The runes spiraled across my skin in perfect symmetry, exactly how I'd envisioned. The design seemed to hum with potential, like it was just waiting to be unleashed.
"Looks good," I said, pulling out another envelope from my bag. "This is for the discretion. You didn't see me. You didn't do this."
He took the envelope without a word, pocketing it with a nod. "Pleasure doing business with you, kid."
I left the shop, the cool night air biting at my freshly inked skin. The moon was already rising, its glow brighter than usual. The time was almost here, and I wasn't about to waste it.
(Home-Balcony)
The chill of the night wrapped around me like a blanket, the air carrying the faint scent of earth and moss. I sat on the balcony, my knees against the stone, the runes on my skin tingling with a quiet hum that grew louder as the ritual began.
The moon hung low, its light almost electric against the pitch-black sky. The world felt suspended in time. I could feel the pull, the weight of what was about to happen. The power, the magic it was all around me, hovering just out of reach, waiting for me to to tug on it.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The circle was drawn—salt, herbs, everything in its place. The talisman I held in my hand felt heavier than it should, its surface smooth and warm, the magic already stirring within it. I didn't waste any time. The magic didn't care about hesitation or second thoughts, and neither did I. I needed this, needed the power that was just on the other side.
"Lux et vita," I whispered, the words slipping seamlessly off my tongue, but they were heavier than they sounded. The moment I spoke, the air around me shifted. The moonlight seemed to press closer, to reach for me. The runes on my skin flared to life, glowing faintly at first, then brighter, their edges sharp and crisp as the magic flowed through me. I could feel it coursing through my veins like a wild fire.
I swallowed, forcing my breath to stay steady, but it wasn't easy. The heat was building. "Potentiam da illis qui eam quaerunt."
The power was so strong, so immediate, I thought I might drown in it. The runes—now burning like live coals—were no longer just marks on my skin; they were real, alive. The heat was intense, unbearable, the kind of pain that didn't just stay in one place, but spread. It wasn't just physical; it was as if my very essence was being scorched like my soul was caught in the fire.
I gritted my teeth, not letting out a sound. Is this the pain I made Damon feel? The thought came to me, unbidden, as my muscles tightened, my body threatening to give way under the pressure. Damon, writhing in pain—no, not me, nah, I'm built different. I wasn't going to scream like he did. I wouldn't break like that.
The heat kept building, the runes turning from glowing to almost white-hot. My skin was flush, an angry red, like my veins were on fire. The pain wasn't just in my chest anymore; it was everywhere, eating at me, pulling me apart. Every breath burned as it left my lungs.
"Mea vis, mea vita…" I forced the words out, my voice barely a whisper now. The final phrase was like a thread, my connection to the power I was pulling into myself. The runes were screaming with energy, the magic thrumming beneath my skin. It was happening. It was real.
But the pain—God, the pain—it was like being set on fire from the inside out. My vision swam, the world around me going blurry as the heat reached a point where I thought I might pass out. I could feel my nose start to bleed, a thin trickle at first, then a steady stream. My eyes stung, and soon blood leaked from the corners of them, too. It wasn't just the physical toll; it was like everything I had was being drained.
I didn't stop, though. I wouldn't stop. I was stronger than this.
The talisman burned in my hand, the heat searing into my palm; Emily, you fucking bitch, but I didn't flinch. The final words left my mouth, and as I spoke them, everything clicked. The runes on my skin surged with power, glowing brighter, almost painfully so. The world spun around me, but I stayed grounded, keeping my feet firm beneath me.
The ritual was done. The power was mine.
I staggered back, the rush of energy leaving me dizzy. Blood dripped from my nose and eyes, but I didn't care. My body felt like it was on the edge of collapsing, every muscle aching, every fiber of my being stretched thin. But there was power now—real, undeniable power.
I wiped the blood from my face with the back of my hand, leaving a streak of red across my palm. My heart was pounding, my head spinning, but I didn't fall, "Shit, I need rest asap."
The runes on my skin settled into a low, steady glow, the magic still vibrating beneath the surface, just waiting to be tapped into. I felt it, every inch of it, every beat of my heart. It was mine, and nothing, not a damn thing, was going to take it from me.
I just stood there for a moment, breathing in the night air, letting the silence wrap around me. This was it. This was the beginning.
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POWER STONES!!!!!!!!!
Any further suggestion
Next chapter shall commence latter today(possibly)
Chapter thoughts?, Shelia will be making a appearance along with bonny and co