Fantasy Adventure Harem – Chapter 5
Chapter 5 — The Water Mage Who Didn't Mean to Propose (But Accidentally Did)
Scene 1 — A Wet, Miserable Escape
Alden is soaked.
Rin dragged him through three alleys, five rooftops, one public fountain, and—somehow—a bakery window.
SERAPHINE
(panting)
STOP! RUNNING!!
VALERIA
(Holding her helmet)
I swear I am going to frostbind your ankles, thief!
AERIS
This chase lacks harmony.
RIN
This chase lacks speed.
C'mon, Alden! Hustle!
ALDEN
I AM HUSTLING!
THIS IS MAXIMUM HUSTLE!
Lyra zips by, holding a soggy pastry.
LYRA
You got frosting on your destiny mark! Cute!
---
Scene 2 — The River Shrine of Miraelyn
They finally reach the edge of Pyrelane, where hot stone gives way to a lush river forest.
A graceful crystalline shrine sits atop shimmering blue water.
A calming mist drifts outward.
AERIS
This place hums with spirit energy.
SERAPHINE
Great. Maybe it can calm ME down.
VALERIA
Unlikely.
A gentle voice echoes from the shrine:
???:
"Return… return the serenity you carry…"
ALDEN
Please let that be a nice voice.
I can't handle any more surprises today.
The river surface ripples.
A young woman rises from the water—
—blue hair cascading like a waterfall,
—robes shimmering like flowing currents,
—eyes gentle and radiant.
She gasps softly.
???:
Oh…
Starbound Hero…
Alden's pupils dilate.
ALDEN
…NO.
Nope.
Please don't be number five.
LYRA
(cheerfully)
Aaaaand introducing Harem Member #5: Miraelyn Tidewell!
High Priestess of the Azure Shrine, Heir of the Ocean's Veil!
SERAPHINE
She's… pretty.
VALERIA
Suspiciously pretty.
RIN
I'm fine with this. Pretty girls increase our team score.
---
Scene 3 — The Accidental Proposal
Miraelyn approaches Alden slowly, reverently.
MIRAE
For centuries… I have waited for the one who bears the Starbound Mark.
The water whispered your name to me.
ALDEN
Water needs to stop talking about me.
MIRAE
When your spark awakened, our fates entwined.
Thus, by ancient rite…
She kneels.
Everyone freezes.
AERIS
…She's kneeling.
SERAPHINE
Why is she kneeling?!
VALERIA
That is a… marriage posture.
RIN
Oooh. Bold.
Miraelyn places her palms together and bows deeply.
MIRAE
Alden Veylor…
Will you accept my eternal tidebond?
ALDEN
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!
Lyra lifts a tiny finger.
LYRA
Translation:
She just proposed.
ALDEN
SHE WHAT?!
SERAPHINE
HEY!! You can't just SKIP THE LINE!!
VALERIA
There IS no line!
RIN
There is now. And she cut it perfectly. I respect the hustle.
AERIS
Proposal noted.
The winds approve.
Alden looks like he's about to die.
---
Scene 4 — The Monster No One Noticed
Just then—
A huge burst of water erupts behind the shrine.
A THUNDEROUS ROAR.
A massive Abyssal River Leviathan rises from the depths—
dark scales, glowing eyes, and a mouth that could swallow a house.
ALDEN
WHY DOES EVERY IMPORTANT MOMENT COME WITH A GIANT MONSTER?!
MIRAE
(ashamed)
I… may have forgotten to finish calming the guardian spirit.
SERAPHINE
THIS IS SOMETHING YOU "FORGOT"?!
VALERIA
Weapons up! Position!
RIN
Steal or stab?
AERIS
Kick.
ALDEN
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO—
LYRA
(pats him)
Just panic. It seems to work.
---
Scene 5 — The Water Mage's True Power
Miraelyn steps forward, eyes glowing aqua.
MIRAE
Spirit of the River Abyss…
Return to gentle tides!
The leviathan lunges.
Alden screams.
Miraelyn lifts her hand—
And the entire river rises like liquid glass.
WOOOOSH.
In a single sweeping motion, she cocoons the beast in a vortex of shimmering water until it shrinks into a harmless little fish.
Everyone stares.
SERAPHINE
…That was amazing.
VALERIA
Powerful. Controlled. Strategic.
RIN
Pretty AND terrifying. Aesthetic goals.
AERIS
I like her.
Alden trembles.
ALDEN
WHY IS EVERYONE SO STRONG BUT ME?!
Lyra shrugs.
LYRA
Because you're the main character.
Your power unlocks last.
---
Scene 6 — The Tidebond Seals
Miraelyn approaches Alden again, cheeks pink.
MIRAE
My apologies…
I did not mean to frighten you.
I only wished to honor the prophecy.
She touches his mark.
It glows—
Brilliant blue.
A soft wave of magic ripples outward.
SERAPHINE
NO WAY—
VALERIA
Her bond triggered the Mark.
RIN
So she's official.
AERIS
Welcome, Sister of the Flow.
Alden sinks to his knees.
ALDEN
Why…
Why does destiny hate me so much…?
Miraelyn kneels beside him, concerned.
MIRAE
Did… did I do something wrong?
ALDEN
No…
You're just…
TOO NICE!!
Miraelyn smiles shyly.
MIRAE
Then…
You accept my tidebond?
ALDEN
NO I DON'T—
I mean—
I accept NOTHING—
This is all going too fast—
PLEASE SLOW DOWN—
Lyra pats him again.
LYRA
Too late.
Five hearts gathered.
A shadow sweeps across the sky.
The group looks up.
A massive dragon silhouette glides above the treetops.
???:
(roaring voice)
STARBOUND HERO…
YOUR SIXTH DESTINY APPROACHES…
Alden lets out a broken whimper.
FADE OUT.