They stared each other down. From an outside perspective, in terms of both magical and physical strength, they were equals. Within the black circle, however, they knew there were small details that created a divide; details that made Ogron in charge. For starters, there was nothing Gantlos couldn't do magically that Ogron couldn't give back twice as hard. The second; though the men were centuries old, Ogron had maintained a younger form. His body may not have been as well built as Gantlos's was, but he was better at hand to hand combat. This was due to Ogron's power. The way to hurt him was to wield a physical weapon, so naturally he became increasingly stronger in close range, Gantlos mainly used distance attacks. Finally; temperament. Gantlos was quick to defend his loved ones yes, but he was just as quick to anger. Ogron was much more patient, much more cunning, and that— that is what truly separated them.

Ogron's icy stare would have caused anyone else to fall and grovel, but Gantlos was not so obedient.

"You do realize," Ogron breathed in, then out, "that you could have jeopardized the entire plan, correct?"

"I know what I did." That was the wrong answer. Gantlos watched Ogron turn on his heels and walked swiftly to his bedroom. He returned possibly five minutes later with a box, Gantlos recognized it. Inside held two cuffs. Simple looking, but the inner part was barbed, they were fine going on, hurt coming off. The physical pain they would cause isn't what made Gantlos shift from defiant to uncomfortable, though; it was what they did. They temporarily barred a person from their magical connection.

"On." One word, the command was sharp enough to cut Gantlos, yet he refused to give Ogron the satisfaction.

"You're bluffing."

"Am I?" The redhead hissed, "Put. Them. On."

"What? Are we gonna fight like men or something?" The blonde taunted to conceal his nervousness.

Ogron looked up with a glazed over stare, "Or something."

Gantlos could have sat and bantered all night, but once Ogron had his resolve, it was unwavering. Gantlos rolled up his sleeves. He shoved the cuffs on his wrists, wincing just a moment before going stone faced again.

"How does it feel?" Ogron loved that sadistic question.

"…" Gantlos couldn't answer, he didn't want Ogron to know that his core felt ripped from him, that there was a hollowness that charred his lungs and burned his throat.

"GACK!-" A swift punch into the stomach took Gantlos by surprise.

"Sweet Gantlos," the mockery made gantlos grimace, " You should answer me when I speak to you," Ogron punched him once more, this time Gantlos fell to his knees.

"Now I hate doing this, I love you so much," Gantlos wanted to roll his eyes, Ogron sounded like a narcissistic mother. "But actions need consequences. Otherwise this group would fall apart. I don't want to hurt you, but you forced my hand." Gantlos looked up only to receive a quick kick to the jaw. It took him to the floor. Blood trickled down his lip as he planted his palms, trying to get up. He didn't make it to his knees before Ogron kicked his ribs.

"Gantlos, you love us so much, I understand you want to protect us. But we do not, Duman does not,need your protection."

Gantlos tried to catch his breath, Ogron took a fistful of his hair, forcing eye contact.

"Get up. Fight me like a man. Or are you only capable of strength when you're desperate for something?" He let go, watching Gantlos get to his feet, his anger seared into him, he throws punch for Ogron's face, but Ogron caught the fist. Gantlos was able to land a punch to ogron's gut, met by reaiming the punch to his face. Ogron stumbled back, his nose now dripping with bright red, He smiled.

"Finally a real challenge,"

Gantlos cringed as Ogron smiled.

Gantlos didn't want to fight Ogron, "I know I meddled, but this plan is-" Ogron swept his feet, causing a fall backwards . Ogron's foot met Gantlos in the chest. Then again, then at the face, then the chest. The stomping assault went on for a while. The blonde gasped and rolled when it was over . He groaned, the only reason Ogron was winning was because he threw Gantlos off guard in the beginning. His hand once more entangled in blonde hair, swiftly bringing his face to his knee.

"Guh…." Gantlos groaned. So much pain. He only hoped it was over.

Ogron crouched, looking the battered wizard in the eye, he leaned in, licking Gantlos's blood off his lips. He cupped gently on the bruised face.

"Actions have consequences, darling Gantlos," he spoke in a whisper, but authority was still absolute. "Do you understand?"

"….Yes…" it hurt to speak

"I'm sorry?"

"…Yes s-sir " Gantlos couldn't help but stumble over his words.

Ogron pushed blonde hair out of Gantlos's face, "Do you understand I am in charge now?"

"Yes sir,"

"Good boy. However I need you to prove it," Ogron rose, shoving the bottom of his shoe into Gantlos's face, "lick my boots,"

Gantlos couldn't fight back at this point, he stuck out his tongue and shakily licked the shoes. Tastes of dirt and who knows what else assaulted Gantlos on his tongue, he was disgusted. Not just from the boots, but in himself. He should have just trusted Duman. Ogron smiled down and crouched once more. He stroked Gantlos's hair, praising him.

"Youre such a good boy. Strong, brave, protective Gantlos, you are so good," his purrs added insult to the blonde's injuries. Ogron jolted his head to look at him once more, "Don't ever forget this, burn it into your memory. "My darling Gantlos, I do love you," Gantlos was exhausted. The words weren't necessarily ingenuous, but at the moment sounded like mockery once more. Gantlos felt something. Fuck. Ogron put a rope around his neck. He hissed as he was dragged outside.

Ogron finally released his grip and watched Gantlos writhe for a moment. Then he hovered over him, planting his palms on either side. Pinning Gantlos, whispering in his ear.

"My darling, so good, so brave, but you're as stupid as a dog, so like the mongrel you behaved like, you will sleep out here," he gestured to the outdoors. "Is that fair?"

"..yes, sir," he was praised and patted once more.

"So good, very good, you're a good mutt. Are you a good boy? Are you a good hound?" Ogron wanted the blonde in tears.

"Yes-"

"Bark, dog"

"….woof woof"

"Gantlos, I love you, and do this because I care…" he lick new blood off Gantlos's lips, then stood up, returning into the house. Gantlos wouldn't sob, that was weak, but that didn't mean tears didn't form as he shivered under the stars.