Fantasy Adventure Harem – Chapter 3
Chapter 3 — The Sky Monk Who Fell for the Wrong Guy
Scene 1 — Enter Heroine #3 (From the Sky… Literally)
Alden wakes up on a soft cushion.
Which is suspicious.
He opens his eyes—
Only to see a serene, graceful woman leaning over him, her long dark hair floating as if moved by invisible wind.
Her voice is calm.
Too calm.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Ah. You're conscious. That is good.
Alden jerks upright.
ALDEN
Who—where—why—
Why am I horizontal and why are you hovering?!
SERAPHINE
(elbows Valeria)
Ooooh, he's flustered again.
VALERIA
It's his natural state.
Lyra pokes Alden's cheek.
LYRA
Alden, meet Aeris Windwhisper. Sky Monk. Cloud-step master. The girl who just caught you when you fainted like a dropped potato.
AERIS
(smiling serenely)
Your descent was quite graceful.
ALDEN
I faceplanted.
AERIS
Gracefully.
Lyra snorts.
---
Scene 2 — The Third Prophecy Claim
Aeris kneels before Alden — very dramatic, very elegant.
AERIS
Starbound Hero, I felt your awakening from across the realms.
The winds carried your name to me.
ALDEN
(remembers fainting)
That wasn't awakening. That was collapsing.
AERIS
Collapse… awakening…
The difference is spiritual.
SERAPHINE
So you're saying he spiritually faceplanted?
AERIS
Yes.
VALERIA
Acceptable.
Alden pulls his hair.
ALDEN
WHY is everyone so calm about this?!
Aeris reaches into her robe and reveals a glowing charm.
AERIS
This charm glowed the moment you touched the destiny spark.
It means I am bound to your journey.
ALDEN
No, no, no—
I am not collecting women like magical trading cards!
SERAPHINE
Too late.
VALERIA
Fate deals the cards.
You simply… panic at them.
ALDEN
You're not helping!!
---
Scene 3 — A Walk Through Pyrelane (AKA Alden's Paranoia Parade)
Aeris floats rather than walks, gliding as if she weighs nothing.
Crowds stare—mostly at her, partly at Alden, and entirely at the chaos orbiting the group.
AERIS
I have traveled far to join you. The sky temples believe a great darkness stirs.
SERAPHINE
Great darkness? In Pyrelane?
If anything's going to destroy this place, it's the lava goats.
VALERIA
Or its city council.
ALDEN
Focus! Aeris, why me?! Can't the 'Starbound Hero' be someone taller? Braver? Less sweaty?
AERIS
Because your heart resonates with the wind.
Alden blinks.
ALDEN
What does that even mean?!
AERIS
(confident)
I have no idea.
But the monks say it with great seriousness.
Lyra bursts out laughing.
---
Scene 4 — A Sudden Monster Attack (Because Of Course)
A tremor shakes the street.
A low growl echoes.
A gigantic lava rock salamander bursts out of the ground, drooling molten stone.
SERAPHINE
Oh!
That one was my pet for like ten minutes before it bit me.
VALERIA
Your standards are bizarre.
AERIS
(stepping forward)
Its spirit is clouded. Allow me.
Aeris gently raises her hands.
Wind gathers—light, bright, swirling like ribbons.
ALDEN
You can calm it?! That's amazing!
AERIS
…No.
I'm going to punt it.
She unleashes a tornado roundhouse kick.
FWOOSH!!
The salamander is launched into the stratosphere like a fiery Team Rocket.
All three other girls stare.
SERAPHINE
…Okay, she's scary.
VALERIA
I want her on our battle formations.
Lyra floats by Alden, whispering:
LYRA
She also cooks and meditates.
Total wife material.
ALDEN
DO NOT SAY THAT OUT LOUD—
---
Scene 5 — The Winds Declare War (On Alden's Peace)
Aeris steps up to Alden, close. Too close.
AERIS
Alden Veylor…
I vow to follow your path until the prophecy is fulfilled.
She places a feather-light hand over his.
The Starbound Mark glows.
SERAPHINE & VALERIA
(in sync, horrified)
OH COME ON!!!
ALDEN
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!
AERIS
(smiling gently)
The wind chose.
I simply obey.
Alden looks up at the sky like it personally betrayed him.
ALDEN
Someone help me.
Or at least send smaller women.
---
Scene 6 — The Shadow Watching
Unseen by the group, a cloaked figure watches from a rooftop.
A distorted voice whispers:
???:
Three hearts claimed already.
The hero gathers his destined harem…
But will he survive when the sixth arrives?
The figure melts into the shadows.
Alden sneezes.
ALDEN
…Why do I feel like bad things are plotting?
Lyra pats his shoulder.
LYRA
Because they are.
Blackout.