Dad
Eddie! Are you okay?? How are you feeling?
Eddie
I feel like a bulldozer drove over me. Why didn’t you warn me??
Dad
I couldn’t interfere with the game. I knew you’d be okay.
Dad
Trust me, I’ve been through that experience hundreds of times.
Eddie
It hurts like hell.
Dad
You don’t have to tell me. I still cringe, thinking about it.
Dad
You’re lucky that Norville isn’t even at full strength right now.
Eddie
He’s right next to me.
Eddie
He doesn’t understand why you’re not here.
Dad
Don’t tell him too much yet.
Dad
As far as he knows, the phone is magic. Remember that.
Dad
He can’t know that there’s an outside world.
Dad
Then he might not do what he’s supposed to do.
Dad
We need him to do everything the exact same way as always so you can get home.
Eddie
I know. You told me already
Dad
Just making sure. As far as he knows, that phone is like a crystal ball or something.
Eddie
He’s asking about your amulet. Why I have it and not you.
Dad
Tell him I’m being held captive at the fortress, and you need his help to rescue me.
Eddie
Dad, I feel kind of funny lying.
Dad
Eddie, you MUST get his help.
Dad
If that’s the only way to get it, then do it.
Dad
After you tell him, delete my last few texts, just in case.
Dad
Good. The necklace should work now. At least for a limited time.
Eddie
So, why aren’t I invisible now?
Dad
Because you’re not in danger now. It only works when there’s danger.
Dad
Ask Norville to teach you how to fight.
Eddie
He says he doesn’t want to.
Eddie
He says he doesn’t do that anymore. And to stop asking.
Eddie
Dad, aren’t you getting it? He’s getting pissed! I’m not asking him again!
Dad
Okay, tell him that you understand, but it’s a shame because you traveled a great distance to have the renowned wizard, Norville the Wise, train you.
Eddie
I’m not telling him that.
Dad
YES, YOU ARE!! Trust me! Tell him.
Eddie
You’re not seeing his face, Dad. He’s NOT in the mood.
Dad
Eddie, tell him NOW!!
Dad
He’s laughing, isn’t he?
Eddie
He’s telling me that I sound just like you and that I learned my flattery well.
Dad
Norville hasn’t changed a bit.
Dad
If I remember correctly, he’s going to start showing you within the next ten seconds.
Eddie
Yes, he’s showing me the best moves to kill an orc.
Eddie
I am! You keep interrupting!
Dad
Okay, okay. Just listen to what he has to say.
Eddie
Ew, he’s showing me that the best way to kill an orc is by slicing him in half.
Eddie
Oh, this is so gross.
Dad
Yes, their stomach is the softest part, if you get the blade in just right.
Eddie
Yuck! He just said the same thing.
Dad
Is he telling you how to defeat Mankill?
Eddie
He’s saying I need to AVOID Mankill.
Dad
Well, yes. For now. But you need to be ready just in case.
Eddie
He’s saying I’m not ready for Mankill.
Eddie
How can I be ready for a troll or an orc, but not for a guy?
Dad
Mankill is not just any guy. He’s the fiercest fighter in the whole game.
Dad
Well, except for the Leader.
Eddie
He’s saying if I see Mankill, I have to run away.
Dad
What? He’s not showing you how to fight him?
Eddie
No, he won’t do it. Says it’s too dangerous.
Dad
Nothing, I just don’t remember him doing that.
Dad
Okay, don’t worry. I’ll teach you to kill Mankill.
Eddie
What do you mean that you don’t remember? I thought you played this like a gazillion times.
Dad
I did. I don’t know. It’s been a while. Years, actually.
Dad
Maybe I’m not remembering the order of things.
Eddie
I don’t know, Dad. That doesn’t sound very convincing to me.
Dad
No, it’s nothing. I’m probably just mixing up the order of things.
Eddie
Dad, we hear some noises outside.
Dad
Already? I thought you’d have more time.
Eddie
What do you mean, already? What’s going on?
Dad
What’s Norville doing?
Eddie
OMG, it’s the coolest thing. He opened this hole in the middle of the room.
Eddie
It’s like a television screen. We can see outside!
Eddie
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!
Eddie
There are like fifty guys surrounding the cabin!
Eddie
You knew, didn’t you?
Dad
Eddie, I told you it’s a resting stop. Not a staying stop.
Dad
You can’t stay there forever.
Dad
You’re going to have to move if you want to defeat the game and get back.
Dad
Do you have the axe??
Eddie
Yes, I’m holding it.
Dad
What’s Norville doing?
Eddie
He has this long wooden stick.
Eddie
Okay, stop correcting my words!
Eddie
Dad, Norville just told me I’m invisible again! Do I hide?
Dad
No, you can’t hide this time. Stay close to Norville! Do NOT leave his side!
Eddie
That’s what he just told me.
Dad
Eddie, I know you don’t like fighting, but you need to swing that axe at ANYONE who gets close!
Eddie
Dad, I don’t think I can!
Dad
Yes you can! This isn’t the time to play games.
Dad
Well, it is. But only THIS game!
Dad
Swing at ANYONE who comes close. Except for Norville. Don’t hit Norville!
Eddie
They’re smashing the windows!
Eddie
Breaking down the doors!
Dad
Stay by Norville’s side, use that axe, and run!
