Another Knight in Vegas

Your face turns red with embarrassment, "Well, I kinda got bored of hunting the Dragon, and I figured that it was Fred's job anyway, so I asked Seeker to bring me here." Josh nods, "I know the feeling. But don't you know that Fred is dead?" You wave your hand dismissively, "Like he's really dead. I mean this is all just a story and he's the main character. Some Author will just have to bring him back."

Josh chuckles at your words, "So this is just a story, eh?" You shake your head, "NO, it's a storyline. It's one of many, all found in a database called "The Never Ending Quest". That's what Seeker says, anyway." Josh raises his eyebrows, "Never Ending Quest? But if it has no end then that must mean that the Dragon never gets killed." You nod in agreement. "So then, wouldn't it make sense that we should do everything in our power to keep the Dragon alive?" Josh asks, "I mean, we wouldn't want the story to just stop with a 'and they lived happily ever after'. Wouldn't that effectively put an end to our own lives?" You look at Josh curiously, you hadn't thought of that. But what did it matter anyway, Fred was dead, you were in Vegas and the Dragon was snug as a bug in the Southern Caves. And you definitely had no intentions of going back there.

Josh then puts his hand on your shoulder, "And as long as there are dragon-slayers, isn't the Dragon in danger?" You frown, what was Josh getting at? And what did it have to do with you? You were no longer a part of the Quest storyline. You suddenly get very nervous when Josh leans in closer and whispers in your ear, "What if I were to tell you that this wasn't a story? What if I were to tell you that the Dragon was real and that Las Vegas, Nevada was the fiction?"

"But that's ludicrous," you argue.

Josh nods, "Indeed. Almost as ludicrous as if I said that I'm not really Sir Josh at all and that the real Josh is trapped in the body of a bunny in a cage in a cave somewhere in the caverns of the Dragon." Your mouth grows dry. What was Josh talking about? "And wouldn't that make a wonderful twist for your Never Ending Quest?" Josh continues. "With Fred dead, the King's only hope lies with Sir Josh. But he's trapped in a cage with no way out. And that leaves only you, my young friend. But you are brave and strong and a master swordsman. How will the Dragon stop you? How about by gaining your confidence and trust? And who would you trust more than an old comrade-in-arms?"

OK, now you're kinda freaked out. Josh is definitely taking his role as a character in a sword-and-sorcery fantasy story way too seriously. You look over to Seeker who is still swamped by the crowd. That's when Josh tightens his grip on you. "Guess what," Josh whispers sinisterly, "I'm taking over this storyline and the first act begins with your death." Before you can react Josh pulls out his sword and shoves it deep within your belly. You open your mouth in surprise, but your words are drowned as blood floods your throat. You grab at the hole in your body which splits wide open as Josh guts you. You fall to your knees, your vision fading, and your body growing cold. You're not quite sure anymore, but you have the distinct feeling that this isn't an imaginary story after all.

"Well this sucks..." you whisper to yourself and keel over on the ground. The last thing you see before your spirit leaves your body is a knight named L.E. running up to the treacherous Sir Josh. In L.E.'s arms is a cute, white, bunny rabbit.

1. What now?

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