The runic tattoos twisted and snarled up her arms, scribbling out onto her fingers. As she moved the colors rippled like oil on water. 

Universe: witch in the woods
Character(s): io and hesperos
Prompt: “The runic tattoos twisted and snarled up her arms, scribbling out onto her fingers. As she moved the colors rippled like oil on water.” from @givethispromptatry
Summary: io never lost her voice… 
Warnings: some descriptions of pain

Io grimaced as she hoisted herself up off of the hardwood floor, her thing frame feeling as though it weighed ten times more than it did. Her arms shook from the pressure, vision blurred from the tears that dripped down her face, leaving the ground beneath her a swirling mess of the wood of the floor and the green of her hair. A side effect. It was a known fact that human bodies were not made with magic in mind. There was always a price, always a cost… She swiped at the tears with one hand, mind foggy with annoyance and pain, a motion which immediately sent her clattering back to the ground as only her other hand and knees were incapable of holding her exhausted body up.

“Io?”  A voice that echoed throughout the room spoke, soft but deep. “Are you alright?”

With no small amount of effort, Io pushed herself into a seated position on the floor. Her gaze, still blurry but focusing slowly, locked onto ten glowing green eyes. Hesperos sat perched on the back of a chair. She moved in an attempt to stand only to crumple again. Io glanced up at him. Taking a long deep breath, calming her frazzled nerves. 

 ‘Did it work?’ she spoke or rather tried to. She brought a shaky hand up to her mouth and she could feel her lips moving and air passing out of her lungs, but there wasn’t even a hint of noise. She trailed her fingers down her chin and ran them over the dried blood marking on her throat. A symbol of what she was willing to give.

“It seems so….” Hesperos answered, able to hear the soundless question through the link they shared as Demon and Witch.

An exhausted smile spread its way across the witch’s face. She moved in an attempt to stand only to crumple again. 

“Your body is exhausted. Take caution when moving or you may hurt yourself.” 

Despite the warning Io pushed on, forcing her trembling limbs to obey her as she pulled herself up to shakily stand. She nearly tripped over one of the many nearly melted candles as she stepped past the border of the intricate circle she’d spend the entire day meticulously drawing (even a single sigil out of place would be a disaster). She took a few weak steps towards the door and pushed it open, wincing as the movement pulled at the cut on her wrist (the blood had to come from somewhere). 

Io pulled her arm close to herself, looking at the healing cut. It didn’t take anywhere near as much effort as it usually did to coax her body to heal it quickly. She watched in fascination as the cut sealed itself like a seam being pulled together, not even leaving a scar, even though her gasp was silent. It seemed as through that small push was all it took. She suddenly felt a surge of magic energy, like she’d never felt before. Io’s exhaustion cleared being replaced by a quiet sense of urgency as she flung the door open and stepped out into the small clearing in front of her house. Even though she hadn’t even heard neither a single flap of wings nor a step, Hesperos sat perched on a nearby tree. 

She stretched her arms out at her sides, the energy was so intense she swore that it was jumping between her fingers like lighting. She’d always had a strong connection with the woods surrounding her home but now? Now it felt like every root, every leaf, every breeze, was like her own finger. She allowed herself to focus on the edge of her control, the barrier that surrounded her woods, and without even twitching a finger she felt it expand, taking the entire woods under her control. 

An ecstatic smile spread its way across the witch’s face. It had worked the ritual had worked! Io wanted nothing more than to make her woods a safe place for herself, Hesperos and all the other animals and creatures that lived in it. But her power wasn’t strong enough. Hesperos had suggested a ritual. It was a trade of sorts, she would offer something in exchange for more power. The more precious the item, the more she got in return. She gave her voice, a piece of herself and the power she’d received was no disappointment.

She glanced down and stood shocked. The runic tattoos twisted and snarled up her arms, scribbling out onto her fingers. As she moved the colors rippled like oil on water. A mark, a mark of her sacrifice, of her power. They would find their shape eventually, a shape that suited her, but now the marking were volatile and writhing like snakes on her skin. 

‘I can’t believe it worked.’ Io didn’t bother moving her mouth at all, only directing the message at Hesperos.

She only heard a single flap of wings and then felt the crow land on her shoulder. “Impressive to say the least,” Hesperos commented, his voice ringing in her ears. “Not many witches could pull off such a taxing ritual.”

‘Worth it.’ 

“And what of your voice?” He accentuated his word with a tilt of his head.

‘What of it? I barely speak to anyone but you regardless. Why do I need it at all?”

“But what if a day comes when you need it once more, such a ritual can’t be undone.”

Io shrugged in indifference the only thing on her mind being the possibilities of this new power. ‘You told me before I even tried. I know what I’ve done. I’ll figure something out then if I need.’ 

“Io, my faithful witch. Should you ever find a need of a voice. Then I can speak your words for you.” For just a moment, Io felt the weight on her shoulder disappear and in its place a very human hand lay on her shoulder.

Io smiled. ‘Thank you.’