Chapter 168 Aetherion
'Wait...I just thought of something, this dragon is female right?'
Xavier finally realized the dragon was indeed a female, and currently she was in a human form, so just like Mira she would most definitely have a hole.
To Xavier, he had been dead for days, or probably weeks had passed down there, but here time didn't move, but he felt time moving, and after surviving, he needed something to relieve his stress.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked as Xavier was eyeing her entire body, she really picked a beautiful female to shapeshift into.
"Why do you think I'm staring at you? What reason does a male have to stare at a female?" Xavier replied.
"I'm a dragon, I'm not a human...dragons are ferocious creatures when it comes to intimacy, you'll be consumed by me" She replied.
"Impossible, males are of different types, I'm sure whatever male you've been with is a beginner, but I'm not, also you won't be able to do anything if I command it," Xavier spoke, and she couldn't speak.
But Xavier wasn't so horny that he couldn't wait for them to exit the dungeon; she wasn't going anywhere, so he was going to take his time. For now, he still wanted Mari to wake up so he could explain to her.
If she wasn't willing to continue, he would exit the dungeon; either way, he was getting out, and once he was out, he would gather supplies and leave this continent.
Xavier could easily gather supplies with his inventory, which was no problem. He had seen his newly acquired dragon change a lot of times and knew he would be comfortable on her back even without a saddle; he just had to hold on tight.
Even if he does fall, he has his [Wind Stride], so he would just run back to the dragon. Xavier's hope was that the capital wasn't destroyed.
Mari moved her head and Xavier quickly turned towards her.
Mari slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the glow of the place. She looked weak but awake and then she turned towards Xavier.
"Mari…" Xavier quickly went to her side.
She didn't have the same reaction she had earlier, and Xavier knew she was just getting her bearings. Once she got herself back, Xavier stepped away.
"You punched me" Mari spoke as she stood up.
"Mari, it's me, Xavier...this is what I look like under the illusion mask, I used it to hide the fact that I'm human, also she was just trying to protect me, not injure you," Xavier spoke.
Mari looked at him in shock, "You… a human? You look like a human, but you still don't smell like a human; you still smell like a wolf. How is that possible?" Mari asked.
"I have no idea why, but I'm really Xavier. We came into the dungeon to fight golems and clear the dungeon," Xavier replied.
"Who is she? She also doesn't smell like a human; she has a strange smell." Mari spoke as she turned towards the dragon.
"This is Star, she's not really human, so should we..."
"I'm a dragon" She spoke cutting off Xavier, "And my name is Howling Star, not Star"
After she spoke two horns sprouted from her head, tiny horns that rested on her head.
Mari froze for a moment, her eyes wide, then she quickly dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground.
"A dragon…" she muttered. "Forgive me, I didn't know. Please don't kill me."
Xavier was surprised at the sight. He didn't expect Mari to react this way to seeing a dragon. To them, dragons must be like gods, but to humans, they're a powerful beast that could destroy towns and cities, so they kill them before it does.
"Stand up, Mari. You don't have to bow. She's under my command now," Xavier replied, even though the chain on her neck wasn't visible to Mari; Xavier could see it well.
Mari slowly lifted her head, staring at him in shock. "Under your command? A dragon?"
"You don't have to tell her, and when did my name become Star" She asked.
"From here on, your name is Star, it's just a short form, I can't call you Howling Star, it's too long and a little corny," Xavier spoke.
Mari looked at Howling Star again, her fear slowly turning into amazement as both of them spoke. She knew for a fact that the being in front of her was a dragon, but to see her and Xavier talk was surprising.
"I didn't know such a thing was even possible…" She finally stood up, dusting herself off. Her tone shifted completely, her voice softer now.
"Xavier… how strong are you really?"
Xavier didn't answer right away. He just shrugged. "Strong enough to survive. That's all that matters"
Mari's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity replacing her earlier hostility, she knew the person in front of her was Xavier because of the familiar smell, but when she met them earlier, she was too focused on the fact that two humans were in front of her.
Xavier crossed his arms, glancing at Howling Star, who stood quietly with her arms folded, she didn't even want to speak anymore as Mari stared at her.
"So… a dragon really listens to you? That makes you her rider, then you can go to the sky city"
"Sky city," Star chuckled as Mari spoke, "It's called Aetherion, and only the first floor is accessible to dragon riders. It has 100 floors." Star spoke.
"Ohh, what happens in the sky... Aetherion?" Xavier asked.
"Everything and anything, the first floor has the river of healing, where dragons and their riders go to recover, it can heal any injuries as long as the dragon or rider is still alive, each floor a dragon can go through, their strength and power increases significantly"
"So how many floors have you been to?" Xavier asked with a smile, since there were 100 floors, she should have been to at least 30 and above.
"Three" Star replied.