After the formalities, however, an entire feast was served. After the feast, many people left the dining room and the food was removed to create a meeting room. Warlen ushered them to the king’s table and there they found themselves surrounded by the Great Ones and Great Ones in training. Warlen introduced them and their situation and explained to everyone where Hallie came from and who she was. They all seemed intrigued and at the end of his presentation, they were all clambering for the chance to ask Hallie questions or to run tests on her. Warlen denied them all, instead saying that he would make sure to run any and all tests possible. 

Despite the King seeming to be a figure of importance, it was obvious by the way that the Great Ones spoke over him that his role was more of a formality than that of an actual king. Hallie looked over to see him interested in the conversation but before he was able to speak, Warlen continued to talk over him. In fact, Warlen seemed to be directing the whole of the conversation and going on and on about what a great achievement he made by bringing her to their planet. 

Things were beginning to sound quite terrifying to be honest. I didn’t agree to come here for them to poke and prod me. I didn’t take things seriously before, but, to them I am an alien just like in the prophecy. They want to take me apart and see if I am like them. I don’t want to let them do this to me. Hallie thought. 

Warlen continued to give assurances that he had everything handled and would be sure to share initial results after dinner. He led Luke and Hallie to a laboratory much more elaborate than the one that he had in the Teca.

“I’ll need to just run some basic tests on you, Hallie. So, Luke, feel free to enjoy the rest of the building. I gave the librarians a heads up that you will be coming, so they will be expecting you shortly.”

Luke looked at Hallie, eyes questioning whether or not he should take up Warlen’s offer. “Just go, I know you have been looking forward to seeing that library for years now,” Hallie said with a small smile on her face. “I’ll be fine here, we can meet up later today.”

“Really! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Luke exclaimed before he walked out of the laboratory and presumably towards the library. Although it was obvious he worried about leaving her alone, he also didn’t want to miss the opportunity to explore the library here. 

For Hallie, that feeling of intense dread returned the moment that Warlen shut the door. Something about him wasn’t quite right. “What types of tests do you plan to run on me first?” Hallie questioned. He had already assured them that she would not be in any pain as he conducts his research, but she sensed that he was probably not being entirely truthful with this answer. 

“Just some of the basics. I plan to run a few more tests on your Earth clothes and I need to measure your vitals. I want to compare yours against those of people native to Gladus.” Warlen explained impatiently as he directed Hallie to a chair that looked very similar to the dentist's chair. 

As soon as Hallie sits down, slightly shimmering straps come out of the chair to hold down her body as Warlen injects a needle into her arm. “What are you doing? There was no need to tie me down. I am cooperating.” Hallie cries out. 

“You are, for now. However I have the suspicion that you will not exactly agree with my methods, so I am restraining you so that you don’t have the opportunity to escape.” Warlen says as a wicked smile fills his face. 

Hallie woke up strapped to what she could only liken to a… dentist chair. Where in the world am I? Wait a second, Warlen! He injected me with something after using magic to tie me to a chair. 

At the sound of a steady beeping, Warlen chuckles, “Ah, the patient has awoken. I have run some basic tests on you and the results seem to be quite promising. Not only do you have the capacity to learn magic, but you have already experimented a bit. But I suppose you already know that, don’t you?” Warlen said with a sneer. 

Hallie shivered, suddenly realizing how cold the laboratory was. She felt incredibly weak and her restraints showed no sign of weakness that she could use to get herself free. 

“I want to see you use some of your magic. And if you use it to hurt me, I will make sure that Luke pays for it as well as you.” Warlen threatens as he moves to untie the restraints on her arms. 

“You might as well keep me restrained then, the only time that I will even try to use my magic will be to escape this awful place. I will expose you to Luke, you aren’t the wise mentor that he looked up to, you are a villain, a corrupted man. I don’t know what you are planning, but I don’t plan to help you achieve it.” Hallie spat out.

“We’ll see about that.” Warlen responds. He walks to the other side of the room, and begins to press some buttons on his keyboard. “Your arms are untied. If you produce even the smallest amount of magic for me, I will not use this device. If you do not, the chair will shock you using my magical electrical current. It is set low enough that it will not kill, however, it will make sure that you are in excruciating pain.”

“Go for it. I AM NOT HELPING YOU!", Hallie shouted. 

“You should have cooperated,” Warlen said with a smile as he pressed the button on his keyboard.