I looked into the glass case of jewelry. I was interested in the rings and necklaces. Bracelets and earrings don't interest me. The glass was smudged, so I smashed it, the broken pieces falling over the jewelry. I pulled out everything, cutting myself on the glass. I shook my hand to the side, splattering the wall with my blood. The scratches healed quickly, as they always have. I peered over the shining silver and gold before me. The gems were beautiful.

I can tell whether I like something automatically. If I have to think about it, I obviously don't like it enough. I was drawn to some here, though.

I grabbed a silver necklace with a deep red, full moon shaped gem. It had slight crater details. I put it on, as my neck felt empty without anything. I was used to wearing jewelry, so it felt odd to have nothing. I put two rings on my fingers, too. Both silver, as I don't like gold. One was thick, with a decent sized, round, white gem, which I put on my left thumb. On my right middle finger, one with a kite-shaped, dark green gem.

While looking, I saw a pure black one. It was cold to the touch, completely made of stone. I placed it on my pointer finger, and then Hex's head shot up. He ran over, concerned. It angered me, as I told him not to look at me. My insides started burning up, encompassing in fury.

"What did you just put on, Sin?! It's from the demon realm! It's not good!"

"I told you not to look at me!" I growled, Hex surprised by my deep tone.

"I'm looking after you! Let me see what you put on! Your eyes have turned light purple!"

I lightly kicked Hex's legs, knocking him to the ground. I heard one snap as he fell, though I just tried to trip him. The bone was sticking out of his leg, severely severed. It broke out of his muscles, tendons sticking to the bones. It was bleeding onto the ground.

"Don't cross me!"

"I'm sorry. You put on something dangerous. Can I check it out?" Hex begged, wincing. His leg was bleeding, and his face showed agony. It was twisted backward, but he was more focused on the ring. I showed the ring to him, glaring at his face. Hex tried not to make eye contact.

"I'm using my magic. Please allow me to."

"Fine, but hurry. I'm impatient," I huffed, turning my head away from him.

"I will."

Hex cleared his throat, trying to calm down and distract himself from the pain.

"This accursed item of the demon realm brings suffering. Without knowledge, the darkness will spread. I seek to know the truth behind this enchantment. I'll beat back the demons with my fangs, piercing into their petty magic. Unravel the truth of this devilish item. Reveal thy mischief. Bestow demonic knowledge."

"You're taking too long," I snapped, spitting near him. Hex was silent, his eyes closed. He opened, a shocked look on his face.

"Take that ring off. It multiplies your strength, but it also does the same to your aggression. It's making you violent and fuming."

I was filled with strong feelings of resentment. Hex was the one who pissed me off in the first place. I couldn't feel anything but rage, and the air in the cold shop was hellishly hot.

"You're the only one who's caused my rage! Stop treating me as if I'm hopeless!"

I tapped my foot on the exposed bone, piercing it through his leg. Some of it broke off, falling onto the floor beside him. Marrow and blood fell out of it. Hex's eyes showed his suffering, water coming out of them.

"Please stop. I can't handle any more pain. I beg of you, remove the ring," Hex frantically persisted, his voice weak and filled with agony.

"Beg harder. Apologize for making me seem pathetic."

"I'm sorry. You're not pathetic. You're stronger and older than me. Please remove that ring, as it's not a good thing. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

I stepped on his wound once more, still annoyed by his response. The bone pierced him more, the tip at the bottom starting to crack into pebble-sized chunks. Blood was spreading all over the floor, smeared on both of us. Hex's wounds were trying to heal, but I kept injuring them further, prodding with the tips of my toes.

"Don't say this "I don't want you to hurt yourself" crap! Stop looking down on me! I can control myself! Why don't you beg for your own life? That's what's in jeopardy right now. I can smash your throat in at any second."

Hex was shaking from fear. Tears started rolling out of his eyes. I was grinning at him, causing Hex to have more fright.

"I apologize. Don't kill me! I want to keep living! Please don't smash my throat in! You're my favorite sibling, Sanneroal! I'll use my magic to your benefit!" Hex wept, snot falling from his nose. Sobs came from Hex's mouth while he begged. I had instilled a phobia of his demise within him fully. I sighed, backing off.

"I WILL use you, Hixrinas. You'll never become king, so you might as well devote yourself to me. Just because I'm letting you live now, doesn't mean I'll spare you forever. If you were one of our other siblings, you'd be dead. Keep fear in your heart and remember this."

"Yes, brother... I devote myself to you... Please allow me to lie here and heal," Hex pathetically groaned, laying his head on the ground. While he lay to heal, an idea sprung into my head.

"First, bind yourself to me. I know you've learned those spells, and don't think I can't tell if you try to bind me to you."

"Please don't make me, Sin!"

I held my foot over his throat, almost crushing it. I stopped right before touching him, then moved my foot back to the floor. Hex started feeling his neck, astonished that it was still whole. He stared at me, his pupils twitching.

"Bind us, or you'll die. You'll lose your life either way," I demanded, smirking at him.

"Sin... Sanneroal... Please don't."

I held my foot up as a warning, causing Hex to start panicking. He was gaping at me, complete worry on his face. His face was soaked in tears. His body, in blood.

"I won't make your death quick. It'll be long and painful."

"Don't kill me! I'll cast the spell. I'll cast... the spell," Hex begged, his voice turning into mutters of disbelief. Water poured from Hex's eyes, as he was giving his soul to me. I was satisfied, laughing at his pathetic face. He was wailing loudly, as he didn't think I'd ever do anything against him. Hex shouldn't have taken me so lightly. I was dealing with his crap, but I'd never had to be with anyone for this long, at least in the past few years.

"Don't mess up the spell," I warned, snarling.

"To relinquish a will, all of a future shall disappear. No physical pain may be inflicted on the superior, nor can an inferior deny any request without receiving punishment. Death binds, though the higher won't be affected by the lower's. Invisible chains take hold of limbs, feelings, and soul, handing the leash to the other. Ultimate devotion is forced, immense suffering felt otherwise. I bind myself, Hixrinas Sputum Robirak, to you, Sanneroal Cruorin Robirak. To finish this binding, carve a marking into the flesh of the inferior."

"Don't mind if I do. Show me your back. This will be large."

Hex turned, his leg flopping over. His hands were becoming covered in blood. Hex was tensing, afraid of what I was going to do. Tears were swirling with the blood below him.

I opened my mouth, sticking my fangs out. I made sure I wouldn't inject him with anything, holding back my instincts. I scraped my fangs against his back, creating two gashes that went from his right shoulder to the left part of his lower back. Hex screamed, still crying. I licked his blood from my teeth, sticking my fangs back to their normal position. His blood was strangely sweet. Mine is horribly bitter.

"Is the binding complete?"

"Yes. Look at my back," Hex answered, his voice dull with no sobs. My eyes shifted back to the wound I inflicted. The skin had closed over it, but his blood could be seen through it. It glowed, giving a faint light.

"Heal your leg. I know you have a spell for it. I want to leave and take a bath."

"Race forth time on my leg. Heal."

The leg started to piece back what it could, adjusting in the joint. The muscles started forming, the bones connecting back together underneath. Blood gushed out onto the ground, though more was pooling up on the leg. The skin closed over it, Hex's leg restored. Hex stood up, dull-eyed. The crying had ceased, and he looked as if his feelings were numbed. I removed the ring, putting it in my pocket. My mind cleared up, and I felt calm.

I looked around, realizing what I'd done. I wasn't agitated, so I started to regret. Occasionally, I would handle a situation drastically. For instance, I poured boiling oil on the face of one of our sisters, so half is terrible scarring. She borrowed some of my jewelry without permission, so now nothing can make her look beautiful. Not with Hex, though. If I was to do anything, it'd be minor, like spitting on him or gently flicking his forehead. Why'd I keep the ring on?!

"Are you okay, Hex?! I didn't mean to be that severe!"

"I'm okay, Sanneroal," Hex replied, sounding low and as if he was just trying to tell me what I wanted to hear.

"You don't sound okay! Your voice is dulled!"

"How would you like me to speak?"

"Don't ask me!"

Hex stopped talking, looking at me for instructions. I was panicking, as I took his everything.

"Can you undo the spell?" I asked, hoping with my everything that it wasn't permanent.

"Yes."

"Go on! How can you undo this!"

"I need to inflict you with a marking that's similar to my own. If we both want to keep our wills, the binding will be over. You need to want to give my life back," Hex explained, barely moving his mouth in the process. Just opening enough so he could speak faintly.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I need your permission to hurt you. I can't otherwise."

"Undo the binding!" I shouted, my mind in turmoil.

"Yes, Sanneroal."

I turned, waiting for him to hurt my back. Hex annoys me occasionally, but he's the best brother I have. He actually has strength and intelligence. I can't stand the others. I knew why I injured him, but I couldn't wrap my mind around it. Binding is the worst thing anyone can do to another. I couldn't really understand why I'd done it, especially with a smile.

I stood still, bracing myself. I heard his fangs expand, then felt pain when they scraped against my back. His fangs aren't as big as mine, so it probably hurt significantly less than when I did it to him. The skin healed over, creating a similar wound to the one on Hex.

"Are you okay, Hex?"

I quickly turned around. Hex was on the ground, holding his head. He was shaking, clearly terrified. I bent down, trying to hug him, but he moved back.

"Are you afraid of me?"

"You said to keep fear in my heart... You bound me to you," Hex murmured, sobbing. I felt awful.

"No. I didn't mean that. It was the ring. You know it was the ring," I frantically spoke, afraid of Hex fearing me. He was bawling, his voice stuttering.

"It was mostly the ring. You still wanted to do that, if even a little. I couldn't do anything if you didn't say I could. I couldn't even speak unless you asked me a question!"

"I fixed it! Now we have matching scars! I have problems with anger, so it makes sense that I'd want to do that, at least somewhat. I wouldn't actually do that!"

"But you did. I thought you'd keep my soul. It was terrifying," Hex said, tears falling. I tried to wipe them off, but he scooted farther away. I felt a pit in my stomach, my eyes slightly tearing up. I kept myself from crying.

"I didn't keep your soul. Doesn't that prove that you shouldn't be afraid?"

"You could've killed me. It'd be easy for you to kill me."

"You've always known that I could. I'm fine with offing our other siblings, but I wouldn't kill you," I told, trying to hug him again. He allowed it, startled when I touched him. I rubbed his back, tears falling on my shoulder. "You can stop crying. I'm not going to hurt you. I don't want to see you upset."

"Never put that ring on again. You're strong enough."

"I won't. I know how to get rid of it."

"How?" Hex asked, heavy breathing in his words. He sucked up his snot, rubbing his tears on my skin. He was gasping for air, trying to calm himself.

"Kill the old woman. I'll hide it in her throat."

"Can we talk more before that? I don't think I can move. I'm paralyzed with fear. I can't stop shaking, Sin."

"What about?" I asked, holding tightly onto him. He needed affection, especially after what I did.

"Are you going to force me to devote myself to you? I'll use my magic when we need it, but I don't want to be bound by you. I have my own goals."

"You don't need to. What are your goals? Before we came here, I hadn't talked to you for a year," I questioned. I tried to sound mellow, as it was hard to see Hex in this state. Small talk seemed to be my best option.

"Though I won't be king, I still want to lead. If I become skilled enough with magic, I'm sure I could become a general."

"Based on your skills now, I'm sure I could make you one of the main six when I'm king. If I killed the rest of our brothers, you could be king when I die, as long as I don't have kids at that point. It took Father a few thousand years before he decided to have us."

"I like the sound of that plan. The others are idiots, anyway. They'd certainly trigger a revolution," Hex said, his voice slowly reverting to its normal sound.

"Can you stand, Hex?"

"I think I'm better."

I stood up, helping Hex up as well. He wobbled but was okay. He was still a little scared, but his face stared going back to normal. I was terrified of Hex being fearful of me. I don't always act like it, but I do love him as a brother.

"Should I just kill the lady? I'm not drinking from someone so old when we have other options. I doubt you will either, Sin."

"I'm gluttonous, but not enough so where I'd suck her blood. I saw appetizing humans on the way here, so I can find one of them again," I replied, drooling at the thought of blood.

"I'll test out some of my magic, then. I shouldn't use anymore after this, though."

"Are you going to try an original? I want to see one."

"Sure. I've never made one work, though," Hex answered. I patted him on the back and smiled to show that I believed he could do it. He wiped away the last of his tears and grinned back.

Hex stood in front of the woman, thinking to himself. He looked up, ready to go. I stood back, as I didn't want to get involved in the attack.

"With forked tongues and shining scales, venom fills their victims. One bite could kill, but multiple are horribly painful. Slither away from your body, though you cannot leave. Sting your body, though it will kill you. Erupt with hissing. Grow snakes."

The woman's flesh started pulling apart, snake heads forming. The eyes started to stretch into shape beside flesh colored scales. Tongues slipped out of newly formed mouths. The snakes kept expanding until they each reached about two feet. Some came from her stomach, while others out of her cheeks and hands. After realizing they couldn't separate anymore, the snakes attacked the main body, filling it with teeth marks and venom. The snakes collapsed, dying with the woman.

Hex turned back to me, his fear seemingly gone. He was beaming with joy. I was gaping at the sight, as it was amazing and brutal.

"I-I did it. I've been trying to make this work for a year! I finally created an incantation that works!"

"That was awesome! It's hard to make out what she used to be, though."

"I'm surprised it worked so well. I expected one or two the first time. She was covered, though! It was horrific, but it's my own spell!" Hex exclaimed, smiling. I ran up to him, rubbing his head. His hair was messed up, but he didn't really mind. I smiled back, happy for him.

"It doesn't surprise me. You're the hex prodigy. That's why you're Hex!"

"That, and it sounds like the first part of my name. Hix and Hex are similar, just like San and Sin. Let's go take baths. We can get blood after and celebrate!"

"Sounds like a plan."

I shoved the ring from my pocket into a snake's mouth, putting my hand down its throat. I closed its mouth, as it'd go through rigor mortis with the ring trapped within.

Hex grabbed the clothes for us, and we left. Hex led, as I wasn't accustomed to anywhere but the castle. This was my first time in a town, as I hadn't even been in one in our own realm.