"The Depths of Malevolence"

Dr. Thornton-Fiennes's expression turned cold, his voice dripping with menace as he leaned forward, his eyes boring into Vladimir's. "You shouldn't be soft, Vladimir. You're Russian, aren't you? Where's the steel in your spine? The brutality in your heart? You're not living up to your heritage." Vladimir shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to Gristle, who seemed equally uneasy. "Sir, I don't think that's relevant," Vladimir said, trying to keep his tone neutral. Dr. Thornton-Fiennes chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. "Oh, but it is. Russians are known for their cunning, their ruthlessness. And yet, you, Vladimir, seem to be succumbing to weakness. You're not even worthy of your own people." He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Let me tell you about some other Links I've had the pleasure of... acquainting myself with. There was Link from the Legend of Zelda series. I forced him to relive the same battles over and over, with no respite. He eventually became trapped in a never-ending cycle of combat, his mind shattered by the constant violence." Vladimir's expression darkened, his voice barely above a whisper. "And what about Link from the TV show, Chuck? What did you do to him?" Dr. Thornton-Fiennes smiled, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "Ah, Chuck's Link. I forced him to believe that he was actually a spy, just like his friend Chuck. I manipulated his memories, creating a false reality that drove him to madness. He eventually became convinced that he was a secret agent, and his actions became increasingly erratic." Gristle's eyes widened, his voice trembling. "And what about Link from the manga, Link, by Tatsuya Matsuki?" Dr. Thornton-Fiennes leaned forward, his voice taking on a sinister tone. "Ah, that Link. I forced him to draw his own manga, but with a twist. I manipulated his thoughts, making him create artwork that was increasingly disturbing and twisted. He eventually became trapped in his own world, unable to escape the darkness he had created." Vladimir's expression was a mixture of horror and sadness. He was still feeling sorry for Link from the Legend of Zelda series, because he had helped Dr. Thornton-Fiennes with that particular experiment. The memory of Link's shattered mind and constant battles haunted him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was complicit in his torment. Dr. Thornton-Fiennes's eyes seemed to bore into Vladimir's soul, as if he could see the turmoil brewing within him. "You see, Vladimir, I've been playing with these Links for years, pushing them to their limits, testing the boundaries of their sanity. And you know what? It's been... enlightening." The air seemed to thicken, growing heavier with malevolent intent, as Dr. Thornton-Fiennes leaned forward, his eyes blazing with an unholy excitement. "But I think it's time we moved on to the next level. Time we pushed the boundaries even further."