Darkon watched with predatory intensity as the last of this new, rather large group of humans fell into the trap he had set. They were a diverse group, ranging in age from what Darkon recognized as more teenagers, to the one old male that Darkon highly doubted would survive.
They seemed frightened, or at least some of them did, the others were still trying to help what Darkon assumed were their friends. That was an admirable trait, but the attempt was entirely futile. Darkon knew this better than another might have. He himself had once tried to fight off a teknoplant.
The humans were being captured, despite the valiant efforts of their friends. Such loyalty could hardly go unnoticed, especially for one who had very little else to notice. Darkon hissed, remembering again that he was suddenly an invalid.
As soon as I find the person that did this to me, I will take great pleasure in torturing them to death, Darkon seethed silently. Darkon leaned back against the vines that made up his new throne, growing a little bored with the humans' antics. At least I know that they will make good warriors, if nothing else.
The last of the humans had finally been captured, and now Darkon relaxed, settling down to observe and monitor the testing. Ness, Cain, Raven, Ryan, Cindy, Shara, Devon, Conrad, Ulysses, Fritz and Katherine. Hmm, apparently most of them are family, and the rest of them are friends of that family. Interesting.
That would explain why they were all so quick to protect each other. Sentients, in Darkon's experience, would far more readily sacrifice someone they didn't know than give up a friend. They were screaming now, like the young human Jessy had screamed, but with so many different voices it seemed like a kind of music. The music of madness, perhaps.
Darkon sensed it when the female human named Cindy gave up her fight, her last fading screams overlapped by those of the other humans. Now there were only ten voices raised against the ever-present silence underground.
Darkon wondered how many of them would survive to the end of the process.