Arthur smiled weakly at Barbatos, trying to look as harmless as possible.
"Hello there, sir," Arthur said. "I seem to have lost my way… could you please escort me out of here?"
Barbatos stared at him for a heartbeat.
Then he laughed.
A deep, rolling sound that echoed around the lab, bouncing off metal and glass.
"I can show you the way, boy," Barbatos said, lips curling into a cruel smile. "The way to my stomach. Don't worry—it will be painless."
Arthur sighed.
"Knew it wouldn't be easy," Arthur muttered.
He looked around the chamber again—at the pods, the cables, the glowing egg at the center—and decided to stall for as long as he could.
"At least before I die," Arthur said, lifting a hand slightly, "can you tell me what the hell is happening here?"
He gestured at the pods.
"Are you trying to grow a farm by collecting these eggs?" Arthur asked. "If you are, I can really help you… so please don't eat me."
Barbatos's amethyst eyes widened for a brief moment.
