“You show restraint where it isn’t necessary.” Kilian scolded, watching as the other apprentice huffed in frustration at the defeat and dropped the wooden staff to the ground. 

“There are no rules here. And I can tell you right now, I know your opponent wouldn’t have been so kind in restraining her hand.” Kilian pointed out, looking to the blonde woman who simply crossed her arms and smirked at Dash. The Overseer walked up and stood just a foot away from Dash, gauging her reaction, watching what she did as he got closer.

Dash tightened up as her knuckles whitened from the grip on her weapon. Her eyes watched him closely, the fear rising up in her throat. She was ready to fight him. 

“A win is a win. I just decided to win on my own terms and stop playing your little game.” She spat back, her feet planted to hold her ground. Her breath shallowed a bit as the adrenaline began to fade. 

“I have more control than she does over my anger. Who’s the weaker one in that situation?”  

“Oh the game has only just begun,” Kilian began, ignoring Dash’s question about the weaker one between them. “If you think this little sparring match was a test of control or strength, just you wait.” the man warned, taking one step closer and looking down at the Neophyte before him. 

She had her strengths, though from where he wasn’t sure. Research was planned, on her past, her strategies, every little movement she made, every word she spoke. Kilian would dissect every little detail about Dash that he could find until he reigned in full control of the girl. 

“You’re just bully. A pitiful, worthless bully with no strength of his own.” Dashara turned her back as she walked away, putting more distance between them. 

Reaching one hand out, Kilian took hold of Dash in a form of stasis as the girl threw names and insults at him. His head tilted back slightly, eyes closed as he took in a deep breath. By now, Ehla had started to take her leave, hurrying out the door in which she had appeared from before.

Exhaling a deep breath finally, Kilian held that stasis and walked towards Dash, slowly, methodically, letting each footfall make a sound as he grew closer. Coming around in front of her, he moved his hand down to force her into a kneeling position on her knees, in which he kneeled onto one knee so that they were face to face. A sinister, yet soft smile lay upon his face as his deep blue eyes looked into hers. 

“You have no idea what strength I hold,” he began, staring directly at her as one hand remained suspended, keeping her still, “I could show you, if you like… Your eyes, I’ve seen them many times before. Fear, anger, hatred, all meant for me. Your eyes are just like so many others, all of those I’ve seen right before I [i]cut[/i] their worthless husks down where they stood.” 

“Then...fucking end it.” Dashara struggled to speak. 

“You misjudge your worth, Dash.” He spoke, one hand raising up, forefinger and thumb resting on her cheek as he looked into her eyes. 

“S-stop. Please.” Her voice felt weak and pleading. She became dangerously aware of her pain in the left side, but her focus remained on him. 

Feeling her shake just at the tips of his fingers, Kilian tilted his head slightly to the side as he watched the girl. 

“Now, this isn’t the girl Mahree was talking to before, was it? What was it you said? About not giving them the win? Don’t be like an animal; but animals beg for mercy, don’t they?” He asked removing his fingers from Dash’s chin before he stood up straight. 

“You will attend your classes, you will obey what I say and when I say it. And I [i]will[/i] kill your friend, and make you suffer by watching as I do it. Then you’ll suffer until I’m done with you. Do you understand?”

Dash inhaled sharply when she no longer felt his fingers on her. Her eyes forced themselves shut with some effort as she refused to answer. She curled her hands into fists, but she still couldn’t rise or move beyond the little things. And even those took serious effort.

Hearing no answer, and seeing her attempts to avoid answering and avoid looking at him, Kilian shrugged before he motioned the two apprentices over to Dash. They took hold of her arms as he removed the stasis and turned towards the main door, his back to Dash for a few moments as he walked. 

“Or, I can take my two minutes right now. I’m sure Mahree is feeling a little lonely again, I could pay her another visit.”

“LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS!” Dash shouted, her strength renewed in her voice. She fought the ripple of pain that surged from her action. 

“This is between you and me.” 

Stopping in his tracks, Kilian did not turn, which allowed the smile on his face to be hidden.

“Then give me an [i]answer[/i].” He repeated, turning to the side so that he could look back to Dash. 
“Do you understand?”

“I understand it.” Her words chosen carefully. 

Her choice of words caught Kilian off guard. The man stared at her for a few long moments, contemplating his next actions as the girl stood, held by the apprentices. 

“Good.” He said, his smile now showing upon his face before he turned and disappeared through the doorway. “To her quarters!” he called from the hallway before disappearing completely. 

Moving immediately, the apprentices kept a very tight grip on Dash before turning towards the opposite doorway, heading for her quarters and leaving the young woman to think on the events in the pit. Dashara pulled against their grip feeling the reward for her efforts with fresh pain and panic. Her head followed Overseer’s path out. Fear for Mahree and most of all, herself overwhelmed her anger and suffering.