Argiala stood before Elle looking down at her with a mixture of pity, sadness and a little bit of anger.
“You know, I loved mythology that is one of the main things which is how Lakapuis and I meet and started this whole thing.” Announced Argiala
“Then why don’t you join those people you have brainwashed.” Snapped Elle
“Who said I haven’t?” inquired Argiala with a grin as she lifted her hair a bit to show her ears where unnaturally long…Elle’s eyes
widened as she looked at this…elf?
“You should know under our laws humans have no rights.” explained Argiala as she crossed her hands over her chest and looked down at Elle again. “And because you are a human, you don’t get a phone call, you don’t get a lawyer or even a court date. Your fate is in Lakapuis hands for the most part and a little bit of my own.”
“So Lakapuis has you brainwashed as well?” inquired Elle as Argiala shrugged.
“Maybe a little, I wanted to grow subjects from scratch, but Lakapuis wanted to go with actual humans and he was right.” admitted Argiala “I was the one who recommended starting with Centaurs and other human like creatures but we have moved beyond that.”
“What….” Started Elle
“We have moved beyond humanoid creatures to more animal creatures, but we still want them to have human like intelligence. We have found some ways to give animals human like intelligence which works for some of our goals but not all. For some creatures need full human intelligence.” Explained Argiala “This is where Lakapuis and I are having our latest disagreement. He wants to use the reporters and other trespassers on our land as test subjects to prefect his new methods and help us toward our final goal.”
“And what goal is that?” inquired Elle always the reporter, but Argiala was too smart to fall for something so simple
“Always the reporter I see…well maybe not a reporter in the near future.” stated Argiala with a note of a threat in her voice which sent a chill down Elle’s spin. “As a reporter who trespassed on to this island to intrude on us and our land you will not be given much mercy. The man down the hall came here looking for a loved one, that is understandable and his punishment while similar will not has harsh. I will cut to the chase and make things simple; you have a few choices before you.”
“And they are?” inquired Elle
“Lakapuis is already preparing what you would call a lab, but we call a temple.” stated Argiala “You will walk in there a human, but you will not walk out…if you walk at all as a human.”
“What?” inquired Elle “I am becoming like them? You can’t do that?”
“We can and unless Lakapuis is testing a new transformation method I don’t think you will become one of the types of citizens we already have.” explained Argiala “It is possible but he will likely use you as a test for a new type of citizen, we are always working on that or one of the intelligent creatures we want to join us here."
“My God.” Said Elle as she realized what Argiala was saying, she could end up as some kind of mythical monster with a human mind or a new type of humanoid creature.
“Yes, the more remorse you show when before Lakapuis the more likely he will take what you want into consideration, he may even let you pick.” stated Argiala “However if you show anger, hatred and refusal to accept your punishment, then….”
“Punishment, this is a crime against humanity!” snapped Elle
“There is no humanity on this island and you came here, we didn’t make you come.” countered Argiala “And an outburst like that will just make Lakapuis decide for himself what type of citizen you will become and he can be very cruel if he wants to. Remember that when the time comes.”
“Guards!” yelled Argiala as the guards returned and opened the cell down at once. Argiala turned and began to walk out before stopping at the door. “Please think about what you plan to say before Lakapuis, I will be there and if your words are correct, you may find your new life here better if not it will be worse. Goodnight, we will see you in the morning.”