Eddie
Yeah, Dad. I couldn’t really sleep.
Dad
That’s okay. The game recognizes that you were idle, so it counts as resting.
Dad
I think you should be at full power.
Eddie
I guess that’s good. What do I do now?
Dad
Here comes the fun part, and you need to be extra careful now.
Eddie
When don’t I need to be careful in this game?
Eddie
You’ve been saying that to me since I started.
Dad
It’s a dangerous game.
Dad
That’s okay, but you can do this. Is your volume off?
Eddie
Yeah, it’s been off. I had it on vibrate.
Dad
I think that’s okay for now, but if it makes any sound at all, you might want to silence it completely.
Dad
You still have the necklace?
Eddie
Yes, I’m wearing it.
Dad
Good. It should be fully charged now, so you’ll still be invisible.
Eddie
I kind of like the invisibility.
Dad
It’s the best, but the power in it varies.
Dad
You can’t rely on it totally. But it’s good for now.
Dad
Here’s what you need to do. You need to leave the storage area.
Dad
For the most part, you just need to move.
Dad
Don’t attack anyone. Attacking someone will show your location.
Dad
It’s best that you keep your location a secret as long as you can.
Eddie
Makes sense. What else?
Dad
When you leave the room in the castle, go to the right and keep walking down the hall.
Dad
After around the fifth doorway, there should be a couple of small doorways that lead to spiral staircases.
Dad
Take the second one. Go now and let me know when you get there.
Eddie
My heart is pounding.
Dad
You’ll be okay. Trust me. Just stay close to the wall. Walk quickly. Don’t make noise.
Dad
Orcs might be able to smell you, but just keep moving.
Dad
They won’t know where you are if you keep moving.
Eddie
Great to hear. Okay, I’m heading out now. I’ll text you when I get there.
Eddie
OMG that was intense!!
Dad
You’re in the stairway?
Eddie
Yes, there was one orc who smelled me and started walking toward me.
Dad
But another orc called him at the last second.
Eddie
Yes, how did you know?
Dad
You keep forgetting that I played this game once or twice.
Dad
I know just about every single thing that happens by heart.
Eddie
There’s no randomness in the game?
Dad
There is, but the main script is the same.
Dad
It can change slightly based on what you do, but overall the game follows the same patterns.
Eddie
Interesting. So what do I do now?
Dad
You’re in the side stairwell. It’s a spiral, and you can take that all the way up to the top.
Eddie
Is that the end of the game? Where the Leader is?
Dad
The catch is that Mankill is going to appear right before you see the Leader.
Dad
You’re going to have to fight both of them.
Dad
It’s okay. You can do it. You’ve been gaining fighting experience the whole game.
Eddie
Are you sure about this?
Dad
Yes. And besides, it’s the only way back home.
Dad
When you reach Mankill, here’s what you need to do. Memorize this pattern!
Eddie
What are you talking about?
Dad
You know how in your games there are patterns for doing things? Well, the same is true here.
Dad
For Mankill, it’s block left-right-right. Use your axe to strike his side.
Dad
I’m not done! Block left-right-left-right-left-left. Use your axe to strike his shoulder.
Dad
And then, block right-left-right-right-left. Use your axe right to his head.
Dad
You MUST remember that pattern.
Eddie
HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO REMEMBER ALL THAT???
Dad
Do it. Read this over and over on your phone until you have it.
Dad
Any false moves, and you have to start the sequence again and it just weakens you and makes him stronger.
Eddie
What’s the Leader going to be doing while I’m doing all this?
Dad
He’s going to wait while you fight Mankill and wait for you to get weakened before he appears and fights you.
Eddie
If I make it out of here alive, I’m done with video games.
Dad
I’ll hold you to that.
Dad
Now memorize the order. When you beat Mankill, the Leader will appear.
Dad
First thing is to grab the amulet off Mankill’s chest and use it to help deflect the Leader’s blasts.
Dad
That way you can get close enough to kill him.
Eddie
Sure, sounds like a piece of cake.
Dad
You’re going to do this! Now memorize and go.
Dad
There is no hoping here. You’re going to do this!
Eddie
Dad! I beat Mankill!
Dad
I knew you could! I told you!
Eddie
But he hurt me bad.
Eddie
He punched me in the side while wearing these metal gloves.
Eddie
I think my ribs are broken.
Dad
Didn’t you do what I told you??
Eddie
I did! Please don’t yell.
Eddie
I did do it. He was just so fast.
Eddie
I don’t think I can do this now. I can’t beat the Leader.
Eddie
I’m in too much pain.
Dad
You MUST ignore the pain! Get up or he’ll kill you!!
Dad
The Leader’s there already?
Eddie
OMG it hurts!! Dad, I can’t beat him!
Dad
You have Mankill’s amulet??
Eddie
No, I couldn’t get it!
Eddie
He fell on it and I couldn’t get it before the Leader showed up.
Dad
I told you to get it first thing!!
Eddie
Don’t yell at me now! I’m hiding behind an overturned table.
Eddie
He’s coming closer. What do I do??
Dad
You NEEDED that amulet!
Eddie
There has to be another way to beat him.
Dad
Let me think a second.
Eddie
I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO THINK!!! He’s going to kill me!
Eddie
He’s talking to me. Telling me that he’s going to kill me!
Dad
Okay, you need that amulet. Listen, TRUST ME!! When he crosses by the window, rush him.
Dad
Just tackle him when he’s by the window!! Run full speed at him!
Dad
Eddie, it’s been a few minutes. I hope you did what I said.
Dad
Forgive me for that. Let me know when you wake up in the cabin.
