Kaza's demeanor had shifted since the encounter with the men at the door. There was a steely resolve in his eyes, a firmness to his jawline that hinted at a man not to be crossed. Mesabi, still groggy from his earlier fainting spell, stirred as Kaza entered the room once more.
"Good morning, Mesabi," Kaza said, his voice deceptively gentle as he approached the bed where the boy lay. Mesabi blinked up at him, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to him.
"Morning," Mesabi replied softly, shifting nervously under Kaza's intense gaze.
Kaza perched himself on the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on Mesabi's. "It seems you've found yourself in quite the predicament," he said, his voice low and even.
Mesabi swallowed, feeling a knot of fear forming in his stomach. He had a sinking feeling that things were about to take a turn for the worse.
"From now on, you belong to me," Kaza continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And as such, there are rules you will follow. Failure to comply will result in... consequences."
Mesabi's heart pounded in his chest as Kaza laid out the rules, each one more stringent than the last.
"Rule number one," Kaza began, his voice firm. "You will address me as Master at all times. Disobedience will result in a day without food."
Mesabi's eyes widened in shock at the severity of the punishment. A day without food? How would he survive?
"Rule number two," Kaza continued, his gaze unwavering. "You will obey my every command without question. Failure to do so will result in a day spent in the dungeon."
Mesabi shuddered at the thought of the dark, damp dungeon he had caught a glimpse of earlier. The mere idea of being locked away in that place sent chills down his spine.
"Rule number three," Kaza went on, his voice taking on a menacing edge. "You will keep this room spotless at all times. Any mess or untidiness will result in a severe whipping."
Mesabi's eyes widened in horror at the mention of a whipping. He had never experienced such cruelty before, and the thought of it made his stomach churn.
"Rule number four," Kaza continued, his voice like ice. "You will wear the collar I have provided you with at all times. Removal without permission will result in a week spent in chains."
Mesabi's hand instinctively went to his neck, feeling the cold metal of the collar against his skin. It was a constant reminder of his new status, a symbol of his servitude to Kaza.
"Rule number five," Kaza said, his voice low and dangerous. "You will never speak unless spoken to. Talking out of turn will result in a day spent in isolation."
Mesabi's throat felt tight at the thought of being cut off from all human contact. The loneliness would surely drive him mad.
"Rule number six," Kaza continued, his eyes narrowing. "You will perform any task I assign to you. Refusal will result in a public flogging."
Mesabi felt bile rise in his throat at the thought of being humiliated in front of others. The shame would be unbearable.
"Rule number seven," Kaza said, his voice growing colder with each rule. "You will never look me in the eye unless given permission. Eye contact without permission will result in a day spent in the stocks."
Mesabi's heart raced at the thought of the stocks, his mind conjuring images of being bound and exposed for all to see.
"Rule number eight," Kaza said, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "You will never attempt to escape. Any such attempt will result in a month spent in solitary confinement."
Mesabi's breath caught in his throat at the severity of the punishment. A month alone in the darkness? It was a fate worse than death.
"Rule number nine," Kaza continued, his eyes glinting dangerously. "You will never speak of your past life or your reasons for being here. Any mention of your past will result in a week spent in the dungeon."
Mesabi felt a pang of sadness at the thought of never being able to share his story with anyone. His past may have been troubled, but it was still a part of him.
"Rule number ten," Kaza said, his voice softer now, almost mocking. "You will be at my beck and call at all times. Failure to respond immediately will result in a day spent in the cage."
Mesabi's heart sank at the thought of being locked away like an animal. The claustrophobia would surely drive him mad.
"Rule number eleven," Kaza said, his voice dripping with malice. "You will never raise your hand against me or any of my servants. Any violence will result in a public whipping."
Mesabi shuddered at the thought of the pain, the humiliation of being beaten in front of others.
"Rule number twelve," Kaza said, his voice growing softer now, almost... pained. "You will never speak out against a fellow member. Disagreements are to be settled privately, not aired in public. Any breach of this rule will result in a day spent in the dungeon."
Mesabi felt a knot form in his stomach at the idea of stifling his opinions. How could he possibly keep his disagreements hidden away?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN2CxCPHPI
"Rule number thirteen," Kaza said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "You will never speak of your desires or wants. Your only purpose is to serve me. Any mention of your own needs will result in a week spent in chains."
Mesabi's heart ached at the thought of never being able to express himself, to ask for something as simple as a kind word or a moment of respite.
"Rule number fourteen," Kaza said, his voice growing colder with each word. "You will never make eye contact with any of my guests. Any such breach of etiquette will result in a day spent in the stocks."
Mesabi's heart sank at the thought of being punished for something so trivial. The fear of displeasing Kaza was overwhelming.
"Rule number fifteen," Kaza's voice was a whisper, filled with dark promise. "You will never forget that you are mine, completely and utterly. Your body, your will, your very soul, all belong to me."
Mesabi felt a chill run down his spine at the finality of Kaza's words. He was no longer Mesabi, the boy who had once roamed free. He was now nothing more than a slave, a possession to be owned and controlled.
"Now, do you understand the rules, Mesabi?" Kaza asked, his voice cold and distant.
Mesabi nodded numbly, his heart heavy with despair. He was trapped, bound by Kaza's rules, and unable to escape.
"Good," Kaza said, his tone final. "Now, let us begin your training."
With that, Kaza stood and left the room, leaving Mesabi alone with the weight of his new reality bearing down on him.
Alone in the silence, Mesabi couldn't help but wonder... would he ever find a way to escape the clutches of his cruel master? Or was he doomed to spend the rest of his days under Kaza's oppressive rule?
As the door clicked shut behind Kaza, Mesabi felt a wave of despair wash over him. The weight of Kaza's rules bore down on him like a leaden cloak, suffocating and relentless. He was a prisoner in his own skin, bound by chains of servitude and fear.
With a heavy heart, Mesabi resolved himself mentally to endure. He had no choice but to obey Kaza's commands if he wanted to survive. But deep down, a flicker of defiance burned within him, a small spark of hope that refused to be extinguished.
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