A girl on a riverbank gazes at a muscular merman with long dark hair, holding a golden trident, emerging from the water.

[Panel 1 – Wide shot] Soph stands on the riverbank, arms crossed, staring at the winding River of Sam. The water shimmers, and a tall, sea-merman with legs, long wet hair, and a golden trident rises from the surface. SOPH: “Great… I finally find the River of Sam, and it’s got a face.” SAM (smirking): “Yep. Not just any face — the voice of this river.” [Panel 2 – Close-up on Sam] Sam flips his hair dramatically, droplets sparkling in the sun. SAM: “I’m Sam, keeper of the waters, breaker of silence, teller of the world’s worst jokes.” SOPH: “Oh no. You talk.” [Panel 3 – Sam leaning on his trident] SAM: “What’s a mermaid’s favorite instrument?” SOPH: “Don’t.” SAM: “The sea-sharp! Get it?!” SOPH (deadpan): “Yep, you’re definitely annoying as hell.” [Panel 4 – Sam blocking the way] Sam plants his trident in front of Soph, blocking her path. SAM: “No one crosses my river without paying the toll.” SOPH: “Let me guess — listening to your jokes?” SAM: “Exactly! You must endure three of my amazing jokes.” [Panel 5 – Soph sighing as Sam begins] Sam grins widely, already launching into another pun. SAM: “Okay, first one: Why did the ocean break up with the beach?” SOPH: “…Please no.” SAM: “Because it felt shore it could find something better!” SOPH (muttering): “This is going to be a long day.” [Panel 6 – River view with Soph and Sam mid-conversation] Sam is halfway through joke #2, gesturing wildly. Soph looks at her map, visibly done with life. CAPTION: Will Soph survive the Three See more