Off in the distance a sand cat and desert owl came close to the movement spotted earlier and it was a caravan. Approaching the caravan carefully I had Hooty flyover where his shadow wouldn’t fall over the caravan and had Dusty tail them and making sure the sun wasn’t behind him to avoid giving an outline that could be easily seen in the distance.

  “Those people are being used to pull those wagons and carriage and the one in the rear seems to belong to the slaver.” This upset me very much the first signs of intelligent life greeted me with one of the most disgusting practices ever created.

  Inside the carriage a pair of siblings disheveled in rags were suffering from mana drain from using their powers to long continue filling container after container with water with their magic. The lack of mana in the world after the system broke has slowly depleted the mana available to people and to the earth itself. With mana gone the world slowly died as what held the world together slowly disappeared all that was left could only be used at a trickle.

  Which is where Cass and Mark found themselves being used to make live giving water for this barren desert that spans the world. Both had the water affinity were most in the world didn’t even have an affinity other than the beasts who somehow with the starvation of mana still were born with different affinities though those with beast taming skills have long died or are to low of level to be of use.

  “Sis, it hurts so bad.” Mark told his sister with his hands hovering over the umpteenth container with water for the day.

  “Just a little longer we are almost done with the quota for the day.” Cass encouraged her little brother.

  The mana headache came quickly to both and the constant use of their affinity with such low levels of mana exasperated the pain.

  “Ah almost done you two?” Said Jasper the slave owner as he reached for one of the containers of water and gulping several mouths full of water and handing the rest to his favorite slave Bellatrix in her silk gown drained the rest of the water and tossing the container at mark hitting him on the head and clattering to the floor of the carriage.

  “Don’t bother talking to those two nothing of importance will ever leave their mouths.” Bellatrix said picking up a grape and feeding Jasper and chuckling at the stares the two gave them at the sight of their hard work disappearing in just seconds when it took minutes of pain to fill.

  “These two will fetch a good price at the market enough for us to retire in the city.” Jasper reminded the two of their fates at the end of this trip.

  “No longer will we have to suffer these dunes and the oppressive sun above; the destruction of their village was a small price to pay for profit.” Laughed Bellatrix.

  At this time Dusty had already snuck to the back of the carriage and hid on the roof out of sight but still able to listen to the conversation those in the carriage.

  “Scum the two of them.” The dungeon core said after over hearing what they had to say, I felt pity for the siblings and from what I could see from Hootie’s eyes the city they talked about was nowhere in sight so a trip for them and the rest of the slave will take time.

  Night fell and the caravan set up camp Dusty and Hooty perched on a nearby dune overwatching the campsite listening and learning from what these people could teach the dungeon core about this world.

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  This following and spying of the caravan lasted for about a week before Hooty could spot a walled city it looked like it would take about another two weeks till they reached their destination. Unfortunately, what information that could be gathered by the traveling group was of little use to the dungeon. Any chance of freeing the slave was unlikely with the strength of Dusty and Hooty. Dusty seemed offended at the denial of attacking the slave and his guards though this didn’t last long as I brushed his fur Hooty on the other hand instantly agreed and he too received attention.

  Later that day when camp was being erected an opportunity arose with the arrival of a sandworm the size of a school bus which threw the caravan into chaos. Chaos in which the dungeon fully intended to take advantage of.

  Screams could be heard as they yelled that a sandworm had appeared, Cass and Mark held onto each other as they were chained to the carriage they occupied, all they could do was watch as they watched as one wagon and its slaves were gobbled as they were never unchained even when camp was set up. Limbs and other body parts scattered among the sand dyeing the sand crimson.

  “What are you doing kill that thing.” Jasper ordered his guards.

  “Leave them and the rest of the slave they’ll buy us time as we run.” Bellatrix suggested while clutching Jasper’s silk tunic.

  “No! you fool of a woman the sandworm will chase anyone that runs our best chance if the guards can’t kill it is that it goes after the others and it eats its fill. Guards cut loose the other slaves and have them scatter kill any that stay put in fear.” Jaspers said while he contemplated running himself.

  The guards did as they were ordered and released the slave of the other wagons killing any that refused then attacked when it surfaced to eat one of the slaves. Soon the bodies of the wagon drivers, slaves and most of the guards littered the ground and the sandworm was defeated.

  “It’s dead sir.” The lone surviving guard said clutching the stump that was once his left arm.

  “Good.” Jasper said and as he was about to give further orders the head of the lone guard fell and a sand cat stood before him covered in blood.

  “This worked out well, but I still feel sorry for the other slaves, but what can you do that sandworm was strong. Good job Dusty your sand blade has improved still a bit messy with it ripping and tearing more than cutting.” A disembodied voice said as the Dusty the sand cat just stared at Jasper and Bellatrix while licking its paw that was still covered in blood.

  This is when Hooty arrived from inside the carriage with key in beak, taking it with my telekinesis I undid the chains of the remaining slaves Cass and Mark included.

  “Who do you think you are!” Demanded Jasper.

  “No one of your concern.” The voice said, and before Jasper or Bellatrix could complain they were set about by the surviving slaves with dropped weapons or even stone. Jasper’s whip didn’t hold them back and Bellatrix was screaming instead of fighting back. Cass and Mark were about to join the other two but were stopped by Dusty.

  “These two are victims just like you leave them.” The voice said with the backing of Dusty and Hooty. This was enough to stop them along with the water offered to them by the siblings.

  “May I ask who you are sir.” One of the slaves said.

  “I have no name, but I do have an offer for all of you if you like.” The dungeon offered as he looked through his options for subordinates.

  Would you like to join unknown as a subordinate

  Offering you will receive food shelter and safety

  When accepting you will be under contract with the issuer unknown and terms can be made before and after signing

  Rule you will provide information to unknown and work to improve unknown’s territory

  Y/N

  A notification appeared in front of everyone.

  “Now you don’t have to accept but you will be left to your own devices alone with what every you can carry.”

  In the end, four people accepted and the other six decided to take their chances in the desert. The two siblings Cass and Mark, and the oldest two of the slaves decided to accept the contract a man named Charles and women named Melody an old married couple hair already turning white.

  Human Cass Level 2 affinity water accepted your contract

  Human Mark Level 1 affinity water accepted your contract

  Human Charles Level N/A affinity N/A accepted your contract

  Human Melody Level N/A affinity N/A accepted your contract

  “Now that’s done pack what you can carry and please follow Dusty and Hooty.” The voice from nowhere said.