It was dark, wet and sticky inside the mouth of the dragon. Isabelle wondered if it would be possible to get out of her situation by simply stabbing the dragon's spiked tongue until it drew its huge mouth open in pain. However, it was hard for her to focus on this plan as the beast lifted its head up and she and Tahsi Junior were thrashed forward towards its gnashing jaws.

"I'm too young to die!" cried Tahsi Junior. "Please, Isabelle, save us!!"

Isabelle equipped a dagger and threw it straight into the center of the dragon's mouth.

[Critical hit]

[69 damage dealt]

That was a disappointingly low amount of damage!

[Clarification:]

[Error: The damage handler is currently overwhelmed due to concurrent system crashes]

[You damage count may not display correctly]

Isabelle rolled her eyes. Classic system.

The dragon growled angrily with fervor. The sharp blade had easily cut through its tongue, but it wasn't enough to get the beast to open its jaws and allow Isabelle and Tahsi Junior to escape. Isabelle looked around for something else to throw and saw a rock lodged under one of the dragon's teeth. She grabbed it, jammed the point into the space between a tooth and its gums, and pulled with enough force to snap fifty rubber bands at once.

The dragon roared, opened its mouth wide, and Isabelle and Tahsi Junior tumbled out onto the ground. Tahsi Junior fell down next to

Isabelle and they both stared up at the creature as it slowly turned its head away from them. It was covered in thick black and red scales, and Isabelle could see that it had four legs and a long tail, as expected.

"I think I killed it," said Tahsi Junior.

"Tahsi Junior, you're fucking retarded," said Isabelle. "That dragon's not dead. It's barely maimed! It'll probably try and kill us once it gets over itself. You know, Tahsi Junior, should really know better than to get yourself eaten by a dragon."

"Yea, well, I've always wanted to try dragon jerky," said Tahsi Junior, "and who knows, maybe I'll find some treasure inside its belly?"

Isabelle shook her head at the stupidity of Tahsi Junior's assertion, and also at the fact that she'd well managed to gaslight him into thinking that he'd caused them to get eaten by the dragon when it had so clearly been her own fault. "Treasure? Why would there be any treasure inside its belly? Dragons don't eat treasure, they either put it in hordes in caves or they put it in their inventories like civilized individuals."

"How the fuck you would know?" whined Tahsi Junior. "I'm the one that's a half-dragon here. I think you're being disparaging and prejudiced against my people, Isabelle."

"I am not," replied Isabelle. "If anything, I'm more sympathetic to your plight than I am to yours." She giggled under her breath, realizing the meaninglessness of what she had just said.

Tahsi Junior glared at Isabelle, then turned his back to her and started to walk away. "Fuck you, Isabelle. Fuck you and your stupid, self- absorbed bullshit. We're done here. Let me know how that treasure works out for you."

"Fine," said Isabelle. "Have fun getting your dad killed by psychopaths or whatever."

But Tahsi Junior did not get the opportunity to storm off with impunity, for it was then that the dragon lurched forward with a terrible roar that shook the deck of the airship like an earthquake.

"Ow! My eardrums!" cried Tahsi Junior.

[-2 hp]

Isabelle was frustrated but also impressed. Losing two hp just from a loud noise? This dragon must've been a lot more powerful than she'd given it credit for. Normally, she would've decided to use one of her spells, but unfortunately, her mana was still disabled. Worse still, the halfling that had promised to re-enable her mana was now dead at the hands of this dragon. Which she too might have become soon if she didn't act quickly. Isabelle opened her inventory. It was the only way.

[Overlord's Glorious Electrifying Axe (enchanted) equipped]

[+45 damage]

[+48 str]

[+18 const]

[+15 stm]

Isabelle watched her muscles inflate to nearly obscene levels as the str and damage bonuses of the axe coursed through her body. She was ready to fight this motherfucking dragon.

[Combat mode deactivated]

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Wait a fucking second. Where was the dragon? Combat mode was deactivated?

Isabelle looked around. The dragon seemed to have completely disappeared.

"What the fuck?!" Isabelle scowled. "Where's the fucking dragon?"

"Were you really so focused on yourself that you didn't notice it fly away?" asked Tahsi Junior with a sneer.

"FUCK YOU!" yelled Isabelle. "I'm gonna stab you with this fucking axe, Tahsi Junior! I hope it hurts! I hope you feel it every time you breathe. I hope you can never hear anything again while I slowly chip away at your bones. I hope that you fucking die! And I hope you fucking know that I did it because you were such a fucking asshole!"

"Sure, go ahead, kill me," said Tahsi Junior. He was smiling, though. "Do you wanna know why the dragon flew away while you were equipping that weapon, mage of shadows?"

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

"I'm not the fucking mage of shadows, Tahsi Junior," hissed Isabelle. "But yes. Do explain."

"Look over there," said Tahsi Junior. He pointed to a thick, swirling cloud.

"Wow. Clouds in the sky? Who knew," said Isabelle, rolling her eyes. "Christ on a fucking cracker, Tahsi Junior, I know you're just a kid but you really are dumb as a boulder."

"Look a little closer, Isabelle," said Tahsi Junior with a snicker.

Isabelle squinted, and then she saw the shape of a tail. And then another tail. And then wings, and then another set of wings. And then what was happening became all too clear.

"Oh my god, that's fucking disgusting," said Isabelle. She noticed that Tahsi Junior was watching intently with a spyglass. She focused on i.

[Take 'Spyglass' from party member 'Tahsi Junior'?]

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Isabelle thought yes.

"Hey! I was using that, Isabelle!" he whined.

Isabelle just shook her head in disgust and walked over to the main cabin. She was done with airships. She was ready to get out of the fucking sky and be back on land already. Back somewhere where she could run away from her problems instead of watching them run away from her.

Isabelle banged on the cabin door three times, then she just pushed it on open. It creaked loudly as it swung to the side.

And there was Shiach. She was sweaty, but she was sweating flames. She was wearing a tight black leather outfit with some metal plates, and she was holding a long, curved sword. Her hair was wrapped into a neat bun on top of her head, but her dark skin showed sweat stains under her arms, and her face was smeared with ash.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

"How's it going, Isabelle?" she asked.

"Fine," said Isabelle. "Why are you covered in ash? Is that how you normally look? What happened?"

"Yeah," said Shiach. "I'm a fucking Phoenixborn, of course I'm covered in ash."

Isabelle suddenly felt a little embarrassed that she'd assumed that Shiach wasn't normally covered in ash. Worse still, she couldn't really tell whether Shiach was being sarcastic or not.

"What's wrong, Isabelle?" said Shiach. "You look pretty pissed off."

"No, I'm not pissed off," said Isabelle. "I'm just... frustrated. I can't use mana anymore."

"But you've slain all the dragons, I take it?" said Shiach.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

"Kind of," said Isabelle. "The last one just kind of... left. With another dragon."

"Well, that's odd. I wonder what sort of strange thing could happen that would convince a dragon to--"

Isabelle made a circle with the pointer finger and thumb of her left hand and jabbed her right pointer finger into that circle repetitively. Shiach gasped.

"Oh," said Shiach. "Oh my gods."

They heard a loud dragon screech echo from outside.

"That was a lot more high pitched than I expected it to be," said Shiach.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

"You don't have to tell me," said Isabelle. She sat on a steamy, wooden bench and looked up at Shiach. "Um. You wouldn't mind if I just hung out here for a second, would you? Being out there while those dragons are going at it makes me really uncomfortable."

"Yea, knock yourself out," said Shiach. She flexed her arms, which were wrapped in the chains that harnessed her phoenixborn energy and powered the airship. "Just be warned, I might moan a little sometimes. It's not a reflection on you, I just can't really help it what with all these chains wrapped around me harnessing my phoenixborn energy and powering the airship."

"That's cool, whatever," said Isabelle.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Shiach nodded and turned away from Isabelle to stare at the brick wall beside her. She was breathing hard, probably from exertion after all the time she'd spent carrying the airship across the world. Isabelle could see the muscles in Shiach's back tensing and relaxing and getting tense again. After a few moments, Shiach spoke.

"So what all has happened, Isabelle? It seems like something really important is going on."

"It's not anything I can control," said Isabelle. "I tried to use my mana, but nothing happened. Jopher, that halfling that was here, was supposed to help me. But now he's dead. He got eaten by a dragon. So I'm stuck without the use of my magic at all, save for a couple of breath weapons. Not a convenient position to be in when you've got to fight dragons, let me tell you."

"Classic," said Shiach with a light moan. "Well, that's unfortunate."

"Yea, that's not all, either," said Isabelle with a sigh. "Your boyfriend also... well, he kind of dumped me."

"Fuck!" screamed Shiach.

"Sorry," said Isabelle. "I just--"

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

"Not you," said Shiach. "I'm just feeling some kind of way what with how tight... these chains are..."

Isabelle's eyes darted around the small, dark room awkwardly as Shiach continued to moan and sigh.

"Also I tried to kill him," Isabelle blurted out. Shiach chuckled. "I bet he deserved it."

"Totally."

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Shiach moaned and writhed in excstasy.

"Um, Shiach?" Isabelle asked uncomfortably.

"Mmmm," said Shiach. "I think I'm about due for a snack."

Isabelle felt very confused and concerned at what exactly Shiach meant by that.

"Shiach, quick question," said Isabelle, clearing her throat.

"Ohh, I'm so close," said Shiach, moaning again. "Why does powering this airship feel so, soo good?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes, stood up, and walked towards the Phoenixborn. "Shiach, look, I've got something important to ask you--"

She grabbed Isabelle by the shoulders and pulled her closer. Isabelle didn't seem to know what to do with her hands. Finally, Shiach leaned forward and kissed her. Shiach's tongue probed Isabelle's mouth and then moved down to her neck. Shiach's hips bucked in the chains as she came, and Isabelle was thrown backwards.

Shiach let go of Isabelle and flopped onto the floor, panting and gasping. The chains rattled loudly in the still room.

"Are you okay?" asked Isabelle. Shiach just laughed.

"Don't worry about me," said Shiach. "I'm fine. Just need a moment to catch my breath."

"Okay," said Isabelle. "But I have a question."

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Shiach sat up and grinned. "Go ahead, ask me anything."

"Do you mind if I level up?"

"What?" Shiach looked confused. "Level up? That's a thing?"

"It is, at least it is for players," said Isabelle. "I can do it. I can level up, and I want to level up really bad."

Shiach shrugged and shook her head. "I don't mind. Go ahead."

Isabelle ran over to Shiach and knelt on the ground next to her, looking up into her face. "You really don't mind?"

"Sure, whatever," said Shiach.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

Isabelle leaned in and kissed Shiach. Shiach moaned in pleasure and kissed back. Shiach's tongue probed Isabelle's mouth and she moaned with it. Isabelle slid off the table and Shiach followed, grabbing hold of Isabelle's hips. Isabelle's back hit the cold stone wall with a loud thud. Shiach pushed herself against Isabelle, who gasped softly. Shiach reached down and undid Isabelle's pants, tugging them down.

"How am I supposed to level up if you unequip my underwear?" said Isabelle with a gasp.

"Isabelle, you never equipped any underwear," said Shiach.

Isabelle realized it was true. She'd been going commando all this time, mainly to avoid any underwear lines showing through her form- fitting dragon armor.

"Shiach, please," Isabelle said. "Let's hurry."

"What?" said Shiach. "Do you want me to take off your pants? Or don't you?"

"Yes," said Isabelle.

Shiach smiled devilishly and started undoing Isabelle's pants. Isabelle helped her as much as she could, but Shiach was strong and had a lot more practice at this than Isabelle did. Within a minute Isabelle was completely naked, and Shiach's lips were on her chest. Shiach licked and sucked Isabelle's skin, and she couldn't help moaning. Shiach's hands slid up Isabelle's legs, gripping her thighs. Shiach gripped Isabelle's ass tightly, and she let out a little yelp as Shiach shoved her tongue deep inside her pussy.

Isabelle screamed in pleasure. Shiach's tongue probed inside Isabelle's pussy relentlessly, and then she pushed it inside her ass. Shiach moaned into Isabelle's pussy and fucked her with her tongue. Shiach's hips bucked and shuddered, and finally Shiach's mouth let go of Isabelle.

"Ohh," said Isabelle. Shiach climbed off her and lay on top of her, and they kissed passionately. Isabelle kissed Shiach's neck and then her chin. Shiach wrapped her arms around Isabelle and held her tight. Shiach's hips started grinding against Isabelle's, and Shiach moaned into Isabelle's mouth as she came.

Shiach collapsed atop Isabelle, and they both laid there gasping for breath.

"That wasn't very long," said Isabelle after a minute, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

"I can go again," said Shiach with a touch of venom in her voice. "Prove it," said Isabelle.

Shiach grabbed Isabelle's pale legs and lifted them up and above her head. Isabelle's pussy was right above Shiach's face, and Shiach licked it eagerly, pushing her tongue inside Isabelle's pussy. Isabelle shivered in delight and pressed her crotch down against Shiach's mouth, her legs locked around Shiach's head. Shiach sucked on

Isabelle's pussy and licked her clit, making her shudder with delight. Isabelle squirmed in ecstasy as Shiach fucked her with her tongue.

"Hey, I think those dragons finally stopped having se--oh my gods!"

Tahsi Junior stood in the doorway, staring at the two ladies fucking on the floor with a look that was at once disapproving and somewhat tittilated. Shiach and Isabelle jumped away from each other and scrambled to put their clothes back on. Shiach turned on her side and hid her sex with her arm, while Isabelle tucked her pussy under her knees.

"Tahsi Junior!" Shiach squeaked. "Oh my gods, I'm sorry! We didn't mean to--"

"Oh, it's fine, don't stop on account of me," said Tahsi Junior with a chuckle.

"We are most definitely stopping," said Isabelle with a scowl.

"Also, I know I told you that the dragons stopped fucking, but I really came in here to ask about the airship," said Tahsi Junior.

"What about the airship?" Isabelle glowered, looming over Tahsi Junior like a naked bully. Her nipples were hard as bullets.

"Well, you see, um, it appears to be falling out of the sky," said Tahsi Junior.

"That would explain why my ears keep popping," said Isabelle.

"Well, shit. I was hoping that was just because of the Beaubinte- shattering orgasms we were having," said Shiach.

"Speak for yourself, Shiach," said Isabelle with an eyeroll. She hadn't even came.

"It's fine, it's fine, I'm sure I can get ahold of the ship, I just need to power it with some of my phoenixborn energy. Isabelle, would you please tighten these chains on me a little?" Shiach rasped.

Isabelle rolled her eyes. She was really quite over it, but it seemed like she needed to in order to keep the airship from crashing, so she trudged over to Shiach and grasped her heavy chains. Then, she turned around.

"Tahsi Junior, get the fuck out of here and stop looking at me!" she barked.

"Yes, sorry," he mumbled as he skittered out of the room and closed the door save for a small crack, which he then peered through.

Isabelle grabbed the chains and pulled them tight around Shiach's muscular arms.

"Tighter," whispered Shiach. "I need to be sure all of my energy goes into this if I'm going to keep us from crashing."

Isabelle tightened the chains around Shiach's wrists and ankles. Then, she leaned in close and whispered in Shiach's ear.

"I can't believe you fucked me," Isabelle hissed. "I told you, Isabelle, I was hungry," said Shiach. Isabelle shook her head and looked at Shiach. "Shiach, do you realize what you're doing?" "Professing my horniness?"

"Yes," said Isabelle. She tightened the chains tighter and tighter and then backhanded Shiach in the face.

[69 damage dealt]

Clearly, the system was still malfunctioning.

"But you're also completely neglecting your job," Isabelle continued. "Which happens to be keeping us all high up in the air and alive on this stupid fucking airship, you thick fucking bitch."

"Now when you call me thick--"

Isabelle gripped Shiach's neck in her hand and tightened. "I mean stupid. Idiotic. Absentminded."

"So not the sexy kind of thick?"

"No! You're very lean! That kind of thick definitely doesn't apply!" Isabelle tightened her vice grip on Shiach's neck.

"Wow, Isabelle, you're really getting upset," said Shiach.

"No," said Isabelle. She squeezed her hand and Shiach's neck began to turn red.

Shiach wheezed. "Please don't kill me, Isabelle." Isabelle released Shiach's throat.

"Okay, that seems like a good idea."

"Thank you."

"Now, I'm going to get this airship flying, and then I will fuck you until you pass out."

"More like fuck me for five seconds and then keel over and start moaning over how sexy you think you are," muttered Isabelle under her breath.

"What?" Shiach asked, concern in her eyes. And then it was too late.

With a horrible jerk and a rumble and a crash, debris flew through the air and everything got blurry. Flames burst out from the side of the cabin walls, and Isabelle could hear the warbling screams of Tahsi Junior in the distance as loud cracks and the sounds of shattering wood echoed.

[Notice: you're ready to level up]

They had crashed. Worse still, Isabelle had completely forgotten to level up.