Weary eyes and heavy heads hung low as a certain Vulpera caravan sat glumly around their campfire. A nomadic people, the Vulpera had become accustomed to the desert, living in it for generations does that to anyone. The scavenging never got old, all the shiny trinkets the sands hid were always a peak in any Vulpera’s day, but living in such a place was not without its dangers.

“We can’t keep living like this!” one Vulpera spoke up “We have to fight back!”

The Vulpera who spoke went by the name Dilaw. And as much as his yellow fur said otherwise, he was no coward.  A budding man among his people, he could be called a champion; to those in his caravan at least. The Vulpera traveled in small caravans, often pulled by their alpacas and coyotes, and Dilaw’s caravan had lost all but their last alpaca.

“Settle down Dilaw” The eldest of the Vulpera spoke, his fur just as yellow as Dilaws’s yet faded and worn by years of caravaning around the Vol’dun desert “Nothing good comes from those who go around picking fights”

This caravan had been going nonstop from one campsite to another for weeks. Food was scarce, and water was even scarcer after the first wave of attacks. Raiders came in many shapes and forms in the Vol’dun desert, yet the most harrowing of them all was the Sethrak.

“Tell that to the Sethrak!” Dilaw’s voice was cracking as he shouted, no one knew if it was from the lack of water or if it was from the strain the young Vulpera forced onto his voice as he spoke “They seem to be good at picking fights!”

The Sethrak are much more than a caravan when compared to the Vulpera. They are a group of serpent-men whose empire is on the rise, their grip on the desert looking more like an empire of man than what their reptilian brethren have had in the past. Encampments dotted the desert’s landscape, leaving less and less for the Vulpera caravans in ways of hiding spots.

“Shut your mouth young’un” the elder spoke, his voice calm as he stared into the firelight. Its crackling flames painted his face in dancing shadows “You know full well we can’t fight back against those monsters”

The desert traded in many things, life, death, and water; but with the growing Sethrak population, slaves have started to become a rising commodity. As many types of people roamed the Vol’dun desert, the Sethrak seemed to enjoy preying on the Vulpera more than any race. They traded in various Vulpera, men, women, and even children.

“And why not?!” Dilaw puffed out his chest before striking it like a muffled war drum “We’re strong!”

Dilaw trained every day for the one day when he might finally be able to meet and face the serpentine menace that terrorized his caravan. Training nowadays meant sparring with the occasional cacti or rock mound rather than against another fellow warrior.

“Look around you!” everyone else flinched as the elder lashed out at Dilaw, everyone Dilaw was right, but the elder spoke an equally damning truth “Do you think we can all fight? Not everyone’s as hot-blooded or stubborn as you!”

The caravan once had warriors, men, and women who often guarded it against threats like the Sethrak. Many have fallen trying to protect the caravan these past few weeks. And as rare as it was to meet another caravan, they always told the same story: how the Sethrak seemed to pick them off individually, taking their strongest and biggest.

“You’re all just cowards!” Dilaw stormed off, hot-headed and hot-blooded “I’m not our champion for nothing!”

No one in the caravan knew exactly where their kin were being taken to, nor what happened to them. Hushed tones and theories were often shared around the campfire, as well as stories of the threats and fates of their captured brethren. All they knew was that whatever happened to them was never good.

“Let him go” One of the others spoke, holding back the elder as he tried to stand “He can’t go far”

Darkness had already fallen over the sands of Vol’dun, and Dilaw had little else to do but frustratingly grumble to himself as he walked back the way the caravan came. Hot-headed and intrepid, Dilaw had always yearned for battle. When their warriors were picked off one by one by Sethrak raiding parties, that left little in means of defense for the caravan. Dilaw was adept at combat and protecting their caravan, but never had he faced against a Sethrak.

Dilaw slowly and unknowingly began to move away from the camp. The sound of the crackling fire moving farther and farther was replaced by the nightly sounds of crickets. Dilaw enjoyed moments like these. He was hot-headed, and he enjoyed silence sometimes, though tonight was going to be less silent than he had anticipated.

“Well well well. What do we have here?!” A voice chimed from the darkness, the sudden sound making Dilaw yip and fall in surprise “Little Vulpera all alone? No caravan?”

A serpentine form emerged from behind Dilaw as if slithering forth from the shadows. Dilaw knew a Sethrak when he saw one, this one was no different. Like any desert cobra, this one was covered in brown scales, and unlike said cobra, blue energy seemed to ebb between the scales, a sign that this Sethrak had a certain knack for magic.

“Get away, foul lizard!” Dilaw spoke with a proud fierce voice, too bad it didn’t do him any good with him on his ass “I’m not afraid of you!”

The Sethrak was clad in normal attire for any desert dweller, with light baggy clothing, and a large poncho. Though that was where normalcy ended, in one hand the Sethrak wielded a glassy curved blade that looked ready to lash out at anyone who came close. His tail fared no better as it rattled menacingly, the sound drowning out the crickets in the night.

“My oh my, big words coming from a dainty foxling” The Sethrak spoke with a calm voice, one that felt more unnerving than soothing to Dilaw “How many Sehtrak have you scared away like that!”

Dilaw’s mind was racing, he didn’t know what to do. For the first time, Dilaw was faced with the scourge of his people, his family. Brave as his words were, he was utterly terrified to be face-to-face with these reptiles.

“I’m not telling you anything you damned snake” Dilaw had finally gotten to his feet, but the Sethrak only laughed at how pitiful the Vulpera looked, still covered in sand “I’m warning you!”

The Sethrak strode calmly towards Dilaw, his pace calm, his steps silent. Had he wanted Dilaw and his entire caravan dead, he would already have done so. DIlaw knew this and was thankful that this particular Sethrak wanted to talk.

“And I’m warning you!” No fangs were bared, but the Sethrak’s voice was laden with venom “I didn’t come here for a fight or a feast!”

The only good Sethrak was a dead Sethrak, or so Dilaw thought. There was no chance he trusted any reptile who spoke about Vulpera as if they weren’t even people. Peace had never been an option between the Vulpera and Sethrak, at least for as long as either party roamed the desert.

“Then why did you come here?” Dilaw was practically shouting, an attempt at warning his caravan “Did you come for our caravan?!”

As quick as a knife, the Sethrak closed the distance between them. The crystalline blade shone in the moonlight as it pressed itself against Dilaw’s neck. The Vulpera barely had a chance to get his hand on his ax’s hilt before he found himself on the receiving end of the Sethrak’s blade.

“Shouting won’t do you any good” the Sethrak’s tail rattled as it wound around Dilaw’s mouth forming a crude gag “And besides I’m here to help”

The statement caused Dilaw confusion, the distraction just enough for the Sethrak to push him to the ground. With the Sethrak’s weight now on him, there was little Dilaw could do but stay and listen to the reptile’s strange offer.

“Whhhtt dwww yywww mwwn hlp?” Dilaw couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in suspicion.

Sethrak often towered over Vulpera, standing practically twice their height. Dilaw continued to struggle under the Sethrak’s weight, but it did little than elicit a giggle from his impromptu captor.

“Due east of here is a Sethrak slave camp” the Sethrak’s tail continued to rattle in Dilaw’s mouth as he spoke “I heard of a certain yellow Vulpera looking for a fight and I couldn’t help but overhear that just might be you”

The Sethrak’s tail tasted of dust and sand to the Vulpera, he tried everything he could just to spit the rattling appendage out of his mouth. Dilaw practically shivered as the smooth appendage wriggled in his mouth, strong like an arm but smooth like fresh-shaven flesh.

“I am my caravan’s champion aye!” Dilaw finally got a word in edgewise, though that was more to the Sethrak letting him “Whatsit to ya!”

The Sethrak chuckled once more, he was sure Dilaw was the one he was looking for. Now all he wanted to know was if Dilaw was up to the task. Short like any Vulpera, Dilaw seemed less than capable to the Sethrak in his oncoming undertaking.

“Two words” With his free hand, the Sethrak cupped Dilaw’s chin, the motion more intimate had it not been coming from someone Dilaw despised with his entire being “Prison Break”

Bewildered was one word to describe Dilaw, dumbfounded another. Never had he imagined he would hear a Sethrak sell out one of his own, much less to a Vulpera. To the yellow Vulpera, this was sounding more and more like a trick and less and less like a chance at parley.

“What do you get out of it?” Dilaw felt a weight come off as the Sethrak slowly rose to his feet, the crystalline blade retreating to his side “What’s a Sethrak like you get out of helping a bunch of Vulpera like us?”

Images that Dilaw tried to bury in his mind suddenly raced through his mind. Images of his caravan, his family, and all Vulpera being picked off one by one by either the desert or Sethrak Raiding parties. He could not afford to lose whoever was left of his people, especially not to these barbaric folk who call themselves an empire.

“Why what other reason could there be?” The Sethrak suddenly struck an unusual pose before baring his sharp teeth in the most fearsome and menacing smile “For the fun of course!”

The day kept getting stranger and stranger for Dilaw. Strange didn’t even begin to cover the Sethrak with how he was acting. Kind? Friendly? Smiling? None of this felt right for the Vulpera and he knew something was sure to be amiss.

“Fun?!” Dilaw had hated the Sethrak since he was but a kit and he could never see himself working with one“You call pillaging and raiding us, what, fun?”

The Sethrak lashed his tongue out in disdain upon hearing Dilaw’s words. Indignation was palpable as his serpentine face seemed to scrunch in disgust. As offputting as it was, Dilaw couldn’t help but stare at how the Sethrak reacted. Was this truly one of the serpentine bastards that kept pestering his caravan?

“No no, you have me all wrong” The crystalline  blade was now fully sheathed as the Sethrak raised his hands, waving them palms out in peace “I love the Vulpera, I love them so much I just hate to seem all strung up like some profane decoration”

Dilaw’s face cringed with disgust and surprise at the Sethrak’s words. Never had Dilaw heard such kind words come from a Sethrak’s words. The dissonance of those words leaving a reptile’s raspy lips was enough to shake Dilaw to the core.

“Uh huh, not buying it one bit” Angry did not begin to describe Dilaw, but confused did “And why should I even trust you?”

Snakes didn't have eyebrows, Dilaw knew this. But the Sethrak defied his expectations and swoggled where his eyebrows would've been had he any fur. Suave was one word to describe how the Sethrak looked, unnatural was another. 

“Why what’s there not to trust?” a playful wink didn't  help the Sethrak look even less suspicious “Aren’t I just the picture of innocence?”

The Sethrak slithered closer once more, a hand caressing Dilaw’s bare chest. The feeling of scales left the Vulpera shuddering once more. Scales and fur did not mix, not according to Dilaw at least.

“Let’s say I’m less than eager to work with anyone with scales” Dilaw only pushed the Sethrak’s hand away, less wary and more annoyed at the reptile’s attempt at intimacy “Especially any Sethrak”

Unknowingly, Dilaw felt more at ease around this Sethrak. For some reason, talking to one even as annoying as the one in front of him was bearable so long as they weren't chasing him out of the desert. Peace was suddenly starting to sound reasonable, or a truce if they were at least as civilized as this one.

“You won’t be working with me” With a finger to his chin, the Sethrak  struck another strange coy pose “Just think of me as an eager guide, that’s all”

The Sethrak cupped Dilaw's chin once more, all before slowly tracing a finger down the Vulpera’s chin. Dilaw felt his skin crawl as the Sethrak's finger continued until it stopped around his bare chest.

“And a guide to what exactly?” Dilaw asked, ignoring the reptile's strange advances, he had yet to hear of an actual  plan after all “I don’t see any guidance?”

The Sethrak grew tired of playing at this point. With an exasperated sigh, he crossed his arms before plainly staring at Dilaw with furrowed eyebrows and annoyance in his gaze. Dilaw was learning more and more about Sethrak’s as this conversation went on it seems.

“Like I told you east” With hand on his hips the Sethrak turned around and strode quietly towards the rock face “P R I S O N  B R E A K” 

This was more trouble than it was worth for Dilaw. But just thinking about it, if there was a chance that this Sethrak wasn't lying, he could save his people. Even just a handful of them would be enough. Pride swelled as Dilaw thought of the praises he would get if he came back with a bunch of newly freed Vulpera.

“Yeah yeah slave camp due east” Not wanting to show it to the Sethrak, Dilaw continued to speak with anger in his voice “And again may I ask, why should I trust you?”

The Sethrak only looked to the sky, not even turning to look at Dilaw. His gaze was distant as if a longing glance at something the Vulpera couldn't see. Dilaw was sure he saw a single tear stream down the Sethrak's face. But with these kinds of people, he needed to figure out what to make of it.

“Just do, and I promise” The Sethrak flashed another toothy grin before bringing a hand to his chin, some sort of sign of endearment if Dilaw had ever seen one “You won’t regret it”

And with that, he was gone just as quietly as he had come. With a flick of a wrist, a shadow suddenly enveloped the Sethrak. Dilaw lost sight of the reptile as he seemed to melt into the shadow. That was the end of one mystery for Dilaw, all that was left was the so-called slave camp the Sethrak kept pestering him about.

“Wait!” Dilaw's hands grasped at empty shadows before his words slowly died into a barely audible whisper “I didn't even catch your name!”

Dilaw was sure he heard chuckling before a blush spread across his face. He was at least grateful to finally be alone as he regretted what he had just said. After all, what use was knowing some Sethrak's name if they were never to meet again? The sun had finally begun to set when Dilaw started to plan out his next move.

Dilaw sat on the nearest rock before staring up at the sky. Streaks of orange and red ran across as the sun continued to settle. Stars soon came into view, each one a point for Dilaw to focus on as he tried to get his head on straight. Thoughts of his caravan flew through his mind as he tried to think about the Sethrak’s words. What were the chances it was true? What were the chances it was a trap? Dilaw knew too little of this side of the desert to be sure. But he knew if there was a chance to save any of his kin from the clutches of those dastardly reptiles, he just had to take that chance.

Dilaw paced aimlessly, his eyes drifting to the spot where the Sethrak once stood. What were the chances they would come back? And what were the chances he was lying? Dilaw knew there was nothing to be gained by listening to the Sethrak's instructions. But then again there was only a way for him to make sure that what the reptile said was true.

“Let's do this Dilaw” Dilaw smacked his face a couple of times before walking due east, towards the Sethrak's supposed slave camp “Just focus”

The sun had already set when Dilaw started his journey, and the moon soon followed in its path as it rose slowly to its peak. Cold winds howled in the night, its stinging bite nipping at Dilaw's fur. He was not dressed for this midnight stroll. Heck, rarely any Vulpera would be as they almost all preferred to travel during the day. Dilaw was now regretting not going back to camp to at least wear more layers.

Due east was a vague direction, and Dilaw did not feel confident as the second hour of his excursion slowly started bleeding into the third. All hope was almost lost for the Vulpera until he heard some gruff shouting and the sound of whips cracking in the distance. Dilaw had never been more excited to hear such an invasive sound like that until today.

Without missing a beat Dilaw ran like a yellow speck across the desert just to get closer to the sound. The shouting and whipping got louder, and so did the screams. Dilaw's pace slowed to a halt as he suddenly realized what this meant. Those were the shouts of his brethren, his people, his kin. Being excited was suddenly the farthest he was feeling. Rage welled in his chest as he suddenly knew what he had to do, a prison break was in order.

The sounds came from a nearby quarry. One that seemed to be long abandoned. But you almost couldn’t tell with how much it looked like a Sethrak slave camp now. Sethrak banners flew high while mining equipment lined the quarry’s perimeter. Minecarts were strewn about, as did the occasional Sethrak doing their nightly rounds. The quarry may be old, but the Sethrak knew how to make it work.

“Don't worry my brethren” Dilaw clutched his ax to his chest whispering his words like a prayer rather than a promise “I will free you”

Plan or no, Dilaw suddenly moved as if on instinct. Sneaking would’ve been easier for the Vulpera had he not been bright yellow, but that did little to deter him. Sticking close to the shadows, Dilaw crept just at the edge of any torch’s flame long enough until he came close enough to the nearest cage. A whimpering bundle of fur lay at its center, writhing and crying silently.

“Pssst” The whimpering stopped long enough for Dilaw to see it was indeed another Vulpera, though one clad in far less clothing than he was “I’m here to help”

A forlorn face looked back at Dilaw, a Vulpera who seemed to have gone through hell and back. Whip marks were apparent on his barren fur, welts peppered the Vulpera’s body. There was a limp in the caged Vulpera’s gait, but that was the least of Dilaw’s concerns as he focused on the Vulpera’s strange mode of dress. He wasn’t fully naked as Dilaw first thought, but rather adorning wrought iron bindings all over, one even seemed to cover his sheath. Dilaw couldn’t help but clutch at his crotch out of fear more than anything.

“Get out of here” The Vulpera rattled his cage, clutching the bars with a fierce determination just like Dilaw’s all while whispering his warnings “They’re coming!”

With axe in hand, Dilaw proceeded to strike at the cage’s door. The lock seemed unharmed, which couldn’t be said about Dilaw’s axe as it seems to have been chipped after the first blow. The cage rattled as he struck, the sound hollow and loud, a sure sign that they weren’t the only ones who’d hear it tonight.

“Let them come” Dilaw didn’t care how many Sethrak came at him, all he knew was he was going to free all the Vulpera here “I’m getting you out of here!”

The caged Vulpera’s eyes darted from side to side, fear that would be apparent to Dilaw had he taken their words to heart. But alas, he continued to strike with rage, logic, and reason gone with the wind. With a rage-filled heart, he wanted Vulpera here, he wanted a fight.

“You don’t understand” The caged Vulpera’s words were no longer a whisper as he spoke, a sense of urgency finally dawned on Dilaw at his words “You’re not the first!”

Gears began to turn in Dilaw’s head as he finally began processing his kin’s words. What did he mean he wasn’t the first? The first Vulpera to start a breakout? The first Vulpera to try and save others? But the most pressing question on his mind was why was this lock so damned tough? The lock left Dilaw worse for wear, a sentiment Dilaw had certainly wished to befall the lock itself. The lock seemed to answer his question as it crackled with magic.

“Wait what do you mean I’m not the first?” The lock retaliated in force, and a small stray bolt of electricity struck Dilaw’s ax “Woah!”

With the sudden shock, Dilaw dropped his ax to the floor. Magic continued to course through the weapon even after it fell to the sands. As soon as Dilaw tried to pick it up, cones of light shone on him, foiling his horrid attempt at stealth. Laughter and applause came from all around Dilaw, as did a very familiar hissing sound.

“Well done, well done” A lone brown Sethrak strode forward, their leathery clawed hands mocking Dilaw with every slow clap “We didn’t think it’d take this long for another to join the ranks”

With no weapon and no plan, Dilaw bared his fangs and his fists. Dilaw had wanted to believe this wasn’t a trap, but the crowd of Sethrak seemed to say otherwise. Escape was out of the option for Dilaw, but fighting was not.

“HIYAH!” Dilaw lunged claws first at the Sethrak closest to him. The Vulpera had a lot of fight in him, but that seemed was not enough for him to get out “Get your hands off me!”

Carrying him like a kit, the tall and imposing Sethrak that spoke grabbed Dilaw by the scruff of his neck. With strength not uncommon for his reptilian kin, he raised the fussy Vulpera a few feet off the ground, high enough that whatever struggling Dilaw did meant nothing so long as he was in the Sethrak’s grasp. The battle was over before it even began.

“Tsk tsk tsk” Condescending was one way to describe how this Sethrak spoke, taunting was another “And here I thought you would offer a much better show than the last one”

The Sethrak effortlessly raised Dilaw over his head, a sign of defeat if anyone has ever seen one. Dilaw felt like a rabid animal, fighting and trying to claw at anything just to get out of his captor’s grasp. But no matter how sharp his claws were and how fast they moved, he just couldn’t get any purchase. His claws seemed to just bounce off of the Sethrak’s dull scales.

With his attacks unable to even put a dent in his adversary, Dilaw couldn’t help but look around for another means of escape, yet what he saw only made his heart sink. Hidden by the shadows of the night before was a sight no Vulpera was prepared to see. All over the side of the quarry hung Vulperas left and right. Looking closely Dilaw sighed in relief, they were all breathing, but that was the least of their worries as each one was covered in irons from head to toe, some even sported strange cages like the one he had seen before.

“Now, if you can’t give us a proper show” The Sethrak’s voice boomed as he motioned to his brood, brandishing his newest quarry  “I’ll just have to make you!”

The quarry fell into silence at the Sethrak’s announcement. Even Dilaw fell silent at their words, but that silence was short-lived as the rhythmic sound of blades hitting shields filled the quarry. Dilaw had only heard tales of Sethrak chanting long ago when they were running away from them. This would’ve been the first time he would’ve seen what passed for a Sethrak show up close.

“Skumex, Skumex, Skumex!” The chant started weak, like a slow chant until it began to build up to a booming call, akin to an army’s call to arms “SKUMEX, SKUMEX, SKUMEX!”

More lights shone on them, practically bathing the two in their pristine white light. Dilaw could barely see where the lights shone from, but he could make out the spotlights came from large crystals set atop makeshift towers surrounding the quarry. Dilaw had surely been seen long before he got into the quarry, which left him to wonder why they even let him get this close.

“That is right, I Skumex” With his free hand the Sethrak named Skrumex beat his chest with pride “Will give you all a proper show”
The chanting erupted in cheers, not at Skumex’s words, but at his actions. With Dilaw still proudly raised high above his head Skumex tore away at what little Dilaw wore, namely his girdle and loincloth. An unceremonious tearing sound was soon followed by raucous cheering leaving Dilaw looking more red than yellow.

“What is the meaning of this” Dilaw’s hand scrambled to hide his modest sheath, to be disarmed in front of the enemy was a dishonor he could’ve accepted, but not being disrobed “WHAT’RE YOU DOING?!”

Skumex was doing his best not to laugh at his new plaything, but just watching Dilaw squirm made Skumex all the more giddy. He knew he was going to have some fun breaking in this one. As was every other Sethrak stationed at this quarry. Everyone instinctively licked their lips at the sight of the buck-naked Vulpera.

Nudity was not uncommon amongst the slave populace for Sethrak camps, and Vulpera tended to be their favorite. Their plump furry bodies on full display were enough eye candy for any Sethrak, foreign yet familiar. Dilaw was one such specimen, bright yellow fur covered him from head to toe except for his underbelly. Creamy fur covered the insides of his ears and his underbelly, a fact everyone present learned upon seeing his furry sheath and sac now on full display.

“Why, just like I told you” Skumex lowered Dilaw until they were face to face, his forked tongue flicking at the Vulpera’s nose with every word “Putting on a show, with you in the spotlight”

Dilaw instinctively looked down to the rent scraps that were once the clothes that made him decent. His leather belt and spats on the floor were now nothing more than tatters, yet what caught his eyes was a rising tent forming from his own captor’s trousers. The unmistakable rise of something hard under his loincloth was more than enough indication this was no ordinary show.

“Perverted reptile!” Dilaw immediately averted his gaze not wanting to think what they were about to do to him, escape was his only sane option “When I get out of here I oughta..”

Without warning Dilaw was thrust once more into the air. Panic beset the Vulpera, his hands flailing about as he rose through the air, providing everyone an ample view of his tender bits once more. As Dilaw flew, the spotlight seemed to follow him as if accentuating his apparent nudity. Once He reached the apex of his flight, weightlessness set in before Dilaw started plummeting to the earth only for Skumex to grab him by the scruff of his neck once more.

“Oh you’re never getting out of here” Skumex stared down Dilaw, bobbing the Vulpera with every syllable “And I’m here to make sure of that!”

Laughter seemed to fill the quarry once more, as did the occasional catcall and wolf whistle. Dilaw felt smaller than he already had, escape slowly felt far out of reach for the Vulpera. But Skumex’s face wasn’t. With a spur of determination, Dilaw did the only thing he could do at that moment, he bit Skumex on his shoulder.

“Agh you bastard” Pain flared in Skumex’s shoulder, but it did all over Dilaw’s own body as he was thrown straight at the wall next to the cage he unsuccessfully tried to open “I’ll show you what happens to unruly Vulpera slaves!”

With a snap of his fingers, more Sethrak came into view, and Dilaw soon found himself under a Sethrak dogpile or snake pile. Soon the unruly mass of scales turned into a group of Sethrak holding the Vulpera down. Each took hold of Dilaw’s limbs and pressed him into the sandy earth. After being firmly pressed against the ground, they removed what little leather armor Dilaw still wore. 

With a surgeon’s precision, one of the Sethraks ran a blade along the length of Dilaw’s leather bracers and greaves. The armor he had worn all his adult life was now nothing but scraps in the sand. Shackles were soon affixed in their place. The heavy wrought iron bindings weighed more than anything Dilaw was used to.

“But first, we need to get you into some proper attire” Skumex smiled devilishly as he beckoned to another Sethrak “Oh could someone please get him fitted?”

Dilaw found himself flipped over and on his back. He could feel countless reptilian soulless eyes bore into his very being as everyone seemed to take in the sight of his naked body. He tried to close his legs, only for their hold around his thighs to tighten. He could feel their eyes focus on his sheath, soon an embarrassing warmth began to spread around his crotch as the sudden attention seemed to leave Dilaw more hot and bothered than he would like to admit.

“Ooooh someone’s getting excited” Skumex spoke in a singsongy voice, teasing the Vulpera’s involuntary reaction “Too bad it doesn’t matter”

Dilaw couldn’t help but look down and see he was right. A hint of pink began to peek out of his cream-colored sheath’s opening. Dilaw struggled once more, only to be met with hissing laughter from all around. The more he struggled, the more his cock seemed to liven up.

“Just let me go please” Tears welled in Dilaw’s eyes, yet he couldn’t show weakness in the face of his kin’s greatest enemies. “Leave me my dignity”

Mercy was the last thing on Skumex’s mind, and sparing Dilaw his dignity didn’t even occur to him. He enjoyed toying with his victims and Skumex always found joy in putting them on display for his brethren. And Dilaw was just about to become his next favorite toy.

“Oh you lost your dignity the moment you entered this camp” Skumex ran a scaled finger along Dilaw’s belly, tracing a line down until he ended just at the Vulpera’s pubic mound “And let me say, there isn’t much to see here”
Everyone broke into a roar of laughter. Everyone but Dilaw who felt like he wanted to bury his head in the sand. He was never the most popular Vulpera in his caravan, but he’d never shown himself to anyone like this before. He had never seen another Vulpera naked and had always believed he was well above average down there.

“I’ll have you know I’m well endowed for a Vulpera” Dilaw’s voice cracked as he spoke, his confidence waning as the Sethrak snickered at his words “I am!”

More laughter followed as Dilaw spoke. Dilaw felt even worse when his member seemed to bob even harder despite their laughter. This only in turn riled up the crowd even more. A bead of pre even began to form at Dilaw’s member, a clear testament to his body’s betrayal.

“Oh tsk, tsk, tsk, lying already!” Skumex gave Dilaw’s meager member a playful flick, a bead of pre flying through the air as it bobbed “I’ll have you know I am an expert in Vulpera anatomy, and you sir are no specimen”

Oooohs and ahhs came from all around them. Dilaw’s tail swished in fear and anticipation of what was to come. Yet the most concerning sight than the countless number of Sethrak standing over his naked body was the sight of Skumex rubbing at the growing bulge in his loincloth. Dilaw loathed knowing someone was getting off on his defilement.

“A specimen of an embarrassment maybe” another Sethrak had chimed in from behind Skumex “Nothing about this pitiful thing says, proud warrior!”

A bright green Sethrak came forward, they were clad in bright white robes and seemed far different from Skumex and his ilk. Rather than a weapon in hand, he seemed to hold measuring instruments. A ruler sat gingerly in one hand while a tape measure was draped over his neck. They looked more like a seamstress than a slaver like Skumex.

“Ah Xris finally here to see our newest addition” Skumex draped a hand over the new Sethrak’s shoulders “Please get to work fitting this little worm with his new uniform”

With a jeweler’s loupe, Xris got more up close and personal with Dilaw’s package. This made the Vulpera all the more aware of the invasive presence slowly observing his privates. It was the worst feeling in the world as Dilaw felt like he couldn’t breathe, be it fear or anticipation of what could happen next.

“Aye aye captain, gotta see what I can do with this little prick” Xris grabbed Dilaw by the balls before chuckling  “Don’t blame me if he manages to slip out, not much to work with here”

Soon other cold implements were pressed up against Dilaw’s crotch. A ruler along his erection unashamedly announced that he was only three inches when hard, a note that got every Sethrak in hearing range in a laughing fit. The snug feel of a tape measure wrapped around one’s sheath and balls was another feeling Dilaw soon wanted to forget.

“I believe in your handiwork Xris” Skumex patted Xris on the back before giving Dilaw a playful wink “I’ve never seen a Vulpera break out of your cages”

More questions ran through Dilaw’s mind as the two Sethak spoke. What kind of cage needed someone to measure their privates, much less their length when hard? Then it hit him, it wasn’t just any kind of cage. Looking to his left, towards the Vulpera Dilaw failed to save, he feared he already knew what kind of cage the Sethrak were talking about.

“Wait, what’re you doing!?” Dilaw shouted, pleading at the top of his lungs, he questioned what he already feared and knew to be happening “Please you can’t do this!”

After Xris was done taking Dilaw’s measurements, he put away his tools. With his hands now free, he started his favorite part of the process. With one hand on Dilaw’s pubis and another grabbing the Vulpera’s balls, he began his chanting. A mix of hissing and ancient tongues, Dilaw couldn’t make heads nor tails of what the Sethrak was saying.

“Aw, and who says we can’t? Little old you?” Skumex loved these moments, moments where his prey knew what was in store, moments where they could do nothing  but beg in the vain hope of escaping their fates under his thumb “Guess what, we don’t care, we own you know!”

The chanting continued, everyone was in awe at the sight of Xris working his magic, everyone but Dilaw who only stared in horror. Magic welled in Xris’s scaled fingers, tendrils of energy pouring out from where his flesh touched Dilaw moving towards the Vulepra’s crotch. There was a tenderness and warmth that seemed to spread all over Dilaw’s crotch as the magic seemed to embed itself into him, but that tenderness was soon muted by Xris’s other hand. 

With one hand wrapped around Dilaw’s balls, Xris was doing less magic and more manhandling with this one. Kneading and painfully playing with Dilaw’s balls left the Vulpera with a sour taste in his mouth. He could feel the pleasure of the magic ebb away leaving his member to deflate in response to the pain. Dilaw struggled and shouted in anguish as he felt his balls being played with, soon his member had receded into his sheath, just as Xris had wanted.

With Dilaw now fully flaccid, Xris was free to finish his spell. He pulled back both of his hands and uttered one final word, a word with no translation for the poor Vulpera but something akin to lock or trap. A sigil burned bright between Xris and Dilaw before it flew straight at the Vulpera’s crotch. Dilaw felt the wind knocked out of him as a cage of iron and steel began forming where the sigil hit.

First came a ring of steel as cold as ice, it materialized behind Dilaw’s sheath and sac. The intrusive piece of apparel drew another audible yelp from the Vulpera. Looking down, he could feel the strange device draw his balls farther from his body. The tension was enough to draw attention to the ring’s tight grip on his body.

“Argh!” Dilaw flinched at the unwelcome attention his bait and tackle was getting “What is that?!”

Without averting his gaze, Dilaw could see more metal materialize around his crotch, this time around his sheath. A haze of fog soon turned into metal encasing his sheath, its cold metal contrasting with the desert wind’s bite. And as the cap reached the ring, an audible ring could be heard all over the quarry, now the two pieces were locked together with no key in sight.

Xris gave the abhorrent device a tug in all directions, ensuring it was secure. Dilaw felt every motion, how the device seemed to pull on his balls every time it moved, how the metal hugging his sheath felt tighter with every touch. Dilaw shuddered at the weight that was now tugging at his package.

“Oh you’ll find out soon enough” With a gesture of his hand, Skumex had his men free Dilaw even if for a moment “Maybe you’ll even take a liking to it”

The cold metal that hugged Dilaw’s genitals soon warmed up to him, quite literally. The metal rapidly warmed to match his body heat. The Vulpera went immediately to inspect his crotch, he could feel his maleness trapped, encased in metal. Erections would be nearly impossible in such a device, its vise-like grip holding his sheath close and his balls out. An audible whine could be heard from the Vulpera as his privates became private even to him. 

The cage itself was of smooth metal, no adornments no markings, yet it felt like it crackled with energy. There was an opening at its apex, possibly a hole for the wearer to pee through, so removing it was not an option for out down on his luck Vulpera. He couldn’t help but hold onto his fuzzy sac in defeat, he could only imagine when he could even see his sheath again.

“Ah, you remember to make it smaller right Xris?” Skumex approached Dilaw as well, or rather approached his new apparel “Don’t want any unwanted slip-ups now here do we?”

With an oppressive hand, Skumex made his inspection. Grabbing Dilaw by the scruff of his neck once more, the Sethrak raised the Vulpera until he was face to face with Dilaw’s crotch. Sethrak looked at Dilaw’s cage like he was inspecting a piece of jewelry, a fine tight metal piece of jewelry. Dilaw couldn’t help but blush as he was being inspected like cattle.

“Yes yes, he’s a bit small already so there’s no worry” Xris stood up, dusting himself off as he chuckled “I’m pretty sure even a shrimp like him would have a hard time getting out of it” 

Xris gave the cage a few more tugs before palming at Dilaw’s exposed balls. He couldn’t help but appreciate his handiwork. Unbeknownst to Dilaw, this had been the newest cage designed by Xris; no lock, no key, just magic and skill. Escape would be near impossible for the Vulpera unless he knew a mage who could undo the spell that is.

“I’ll get out of this and you’ll pay!” Dilaw had begun to lose heart in his words, yet he continued to fight even if the cage felt all the more restrictive for it “You’ll all pay!”

Dilaw looked down once more, the stinging from Xris’s unruly manhandling had already started to numb away, yet he still couldn’t help but focus on the strange weight between his legs. Walking would be a bit different for the Vulpera going forward, but he took a fighting stance, ready to fight his way out of here, caged or not.

Yet the manhandling was the least of Dilaw’s worries, soon Skumex was behind him, trailing a finger from his neck down the base of his spine. Dilaw shuddered like a chill went through his body. His body felt weak, and small, especially when Skumex blew hot air down the back of Dilaw’s neck.

“What’re you doing” As much as Dilaw wanted to look imposing, he looked even cuter to the Sethrak as his voice cracked “Fight me!”

Laughter erupted all around, Skumex pressed his body against Dilaw, the sudden warmth from behind a surprise for the Vulpera to say the least. Like the wind SKumex was suddenly in front of Dilaw, the Vulpera caught a glimpse of the Sethrak leader just long enough for him to be pushed onto his ass.

Dilaw gulped as he was suddenly face to face with the fully pitched tent nestled inside Skumex’s loincloth. He couldn’t help but look up at the smiling reptile, attempting to stand was only met with resistance as soon Dilaw was forced onto his back. Skumex took great care in making sure Dilaw’s crotch was on display however as he grabbed the cage by the ring, practically dragging Dilaw by the balls just to make sure he didn’t lower his crotch.

With Dilaw now caught in another compromising position, Skumex trailed a lone finger from the Vulpera’s caged genitals down between his cheeks. The Vulpera felt even more of his body being invaded as Skumex’s finger played with his fluffy tail, before plunging a digit deep into his ass.

“Aw, looks like someone is a little virgin after all” Skumex’s face was practically inches from Dilaw’s balls, even going so far as giving them a lick to tease the poor Vulpera “Emphasis on the little part”

Skumex’s finger continued to wriggle around in Dilaw’s ass, making the Vulpera squirm with every little motion. This was the first time Dilaw felt anything up his ass, and he hated to admit that he was getting used to it. Skumex seemed to have found a sweet spot with all his fingering, Dilaw could certainly feel it as his cage tightened in every futile attempt to get an erection.

“You’ll never get away with this!”  Dilaw struggled with all his might, but that meant little when a Sethrak had a finger shoved up your ass playing you like a fiddle “You... you bastards!”

Skumex relented, continuing his assault, so much so that Dilaw even began to leak through his cage. Pleasure and pain melded together as Dilaw felt his ass stretch. Dilaw lost count of how many fingers Skumex used, yet it felt like his hole was being stretched to its limit. In reality, the Sethrak had been going easy on him only ending at three fingers.

“Aww look, he’s threatening us” Skumex regarded Dilaw like an unruly child or pet, not even giving him the slightest respect a warrior of his caliber deserved “Can someone get me my whip”

Skumex finally let go of Dilaw’s ass only for a Sethrak to come forth from the crowd, this time carrying a pristine leather whip, nothing adorned its length, yet it seemed to have been used quite a bit. A tinge of red could be seen staining it, a sign of its apparent and repeated use, probably on some unruly slaves when some got out of line. Skumex is accustomed to this means of discipline well, especially since he came to power at this slave camp.

“Just you wait I’ll-” Dilaw barely had time to say another word as Skumex closed the distance between them with a fist to his gut no less “Huuuugh”

Dilaw felt his body drop to the floor before, his body weightless and unmoving. After having the wind knocked out of him he was raised by the arms of two Sethrak. Unable to move, and breathe properly for that matter, he was dragged through the sand like a bag of rocks. Wheezing and painting, Dilaw could do nothing as he was taken near the center of the quarry.

“Yeah, not going to happen” Skumex strode with the whip in hand and a genuine smile on his face, the kind that made Vulpera shiver in their sleep “Bring him to the stocks, we still have to show this slave his place”

Dilaw was soon brought to a wooden platform where a lone wooden stock rose. The Vulpera was soon forced to bend at the waist until he met the stock’s wooden divots. Its openings were placed a bit higher than a Vulpera would be when bent at the waist, so it left him bent at a strange and uncomfortable angle. Left like this, it left his backside exposed to whatever the Sethrak deemed a worthy punishment.

“Oh and can someone get him a muzzle” Skumex rubbed at where his eyebrows would’ve been had he been a mammal “As much as I’d like to hear his voice screaming in agony, it’s getting on my nerves!”

Before Dilaw could even shout in rebellion, a metal muzzle was fitted onto his face. Just another piece of metal “apparel” on the Vulpera that left a strange weight on his body. He tried to speak, only to be met with little than enough room to breathe. Dilaw settled on growling and glaring at the Sethrak who put the muzzle on him.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard the whole spiel about freedoms and rights, no need to bore us” Skumex prepared his whip by taking a stance that any slave would fear “Now hold still, this is gonna hurt”

The whip whistled as its tip seemed to fly through the air. With Dilaw’s back turned to the whip, he could only close his eyes and brace as he awaited the whip’s first lash. Anticipation was the worst part, yet the whip soon came into contact with his bare fur, the pain searing a line of heat on his back. He screamed as loud as he could, muzzled as he was.

Yet one lash was not enough for Skumex braced to make another. Lash after lash came bearing down on Dilaw’s back, each one painted his back redder than his yellow fur could ever imagine. As the lashings came one after another, lashes left welts, which later turned into large gaping wounds. Yet the lashes on his back were the least of his worries, the worst came when the whip made contact with his balls. 

Skumex took pride in his aim and especially made sure that some lashes reached the Vulpera’s balls. They were infrequent and uncommon, yet more painful than any other lashings. Dilaw yowled with pain whenever he received a lash, yet he felt tears finally fall from his face when he felt contact with his balls. This went on for minutes, yet for the Vulpera it felt like hours. 

“Eh, that’s probably enough” Skumex finally grew bored after putting Dilaw through hell “Go send him to the mines, he probably learned his lesson”

Dilaw no longer had any strength in his body. As soon as he was removed from the pillory, he dropped to the floor like a corpse. Some of the Sethrak even nudged him making sure he was alive, and the slow groaning told them that was the case. Dilaw could barely move a muscle, and the Sethrak knew this. 

Taking the chance, they attached a set of chains all over Dilaw. One chain for his wrists, one for his ankles, and one along his neck that put the whole slave ensemble together. After the Sethrak admired their work, they loaded him on a nearby cart and pushed Dilaw down into the nearest mineshaft.

Dazed and tired, Dilaw could do nothing but take the ride to who knows where. He dared not stop nor get out of the Minecart until it had come to a full halt a few minutes later. The mine cart came to a lurching halt as it neared the end of the mineshaft. There was no one to greet him at the end of the minecart’s journey but another lone red-furred Vulpera.

“Welcome new guy” The red Vulpera seemed chipper for someone clad in chains at the bottom of some mine shaft “Let’s get you settled”

Dilaw didn’t argue as the mysterious red Vulpera helped him out of the minecart. And he especially didn’t mind when he was helped down onto a cot by the wall. Dilaw has not had a chance to rest between being captured and whipped since leaving his caravan.

“Sheesh, Skumex sure did a number on you” The mysterious red Vulpera gave Dilaw a look once over, the red Vulpera had to turn Dilaw on his stomach just to be able to assess the damage “Just hold still properly, I think I can still help”

Delirious as he was, Dilaw could still identify one of his kin, especially a healer judging by the few markings they had on their fur. Faded as they may be, any healer deserves their respect. Dilaw couldn’t even begin to count the times he’d survived thanks to these healers. They were lifesavers.

“Now no need to thank me” The red Vulpera jokingly teased Dilaw as his hands began to glow blue with healing magic “Not like healing magic is common around here”

Dilaw immediately tried to rise to his feet and say something, only to cough and wince in pain. He was in worse shape than he thought, his entire body riddled with welts and wounds. Some had already numbed, yet others felt worse as sand and who knows what had come into contact with his open wounds.

“I’m joking, I’m joking” The red Vulpera only smiled as he spoke, not expecting anything from Dilaw “Just hold still ok?” 

Kind was one way that Dilaw could describe this Vulpera, bright was another. His bright red fur contrasted against the blue magic that emanated from his hands. Dilaw could only watch as the red Vulpera pressed his hands against one of Dilaw’s wounds, the magic felt cool to the touch, soothing Dilaw’s pains the longer his hands lingered.

Dilaw’s vision was hazy at best, but he made sure to get a look at his savior. Red didn’t even begin to describe the other Vulpera’s fur. Even coated in dust and grime, Dilaw was pretty sure that on their best day, this Vulpera shone like a ripe strawberry. Be it the pain or the trauma, Dilaw couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of a bright strawberry-red Vulpera.

“The name’s Pula” He knew it was going to take the rest of the night just to properly dress the wounds, so a little conversation was in order “What’s yours?”

Dilaw wheezed for a few minutes trying to speak, and Pula patiently waited as he continued to work on Dilaw’s wounds. Once they were done with around half of the lashes, Dilaw finally got the courage and strength to speak, it was the least he could do for his kin.

“The name’s Dilaw” He was sheepish as he spoke now, none of the pomp and pride he spoke with a few moments ago back on the surface “Thank you again”

Pula felt Dilaw tense up as he spoke, he felt that Dilaw was no ordinary new slave. There was a sadness in the way he spoke. Not wanting to press further, casual conversation was the only way Pula could get his kin to cheer up

“Don’t mention it” Pula got closer as he spoke, trying to get more traction on getting his magic all over Dilaw’s back “Us Vulpera got to stick together”

Neither of the Vulpera had noticed or given a thought that to get access to Dilaw’s wounds, Pula was practically straddling the other Vulpera. When Dilaw felt cold metal on his ass, he instinctively knew that Pula was caged as well, those damned Sethrak keeping them under lock and key. It didn’t help that Dilaw’s cage began to tighten, the intimate touch had been a new sensation for the Vulpera, even with both of them caged.

“Oh, I’m so sorry” Dilaw couldn’t see Pula, but he was pretty sure the other Vulpera was blushing under his bright red fur “I didn’t mean to!”

Pula continued to do his magic on Dilaw’s wounds, though now he was earnestly and awkwardly hovering a few inches away from Dilaw. Pula was transfixed in a way, on his magic and Dilaw. The way the flesh and fur mended revealing a coat of yellow dotted with brown spots mesmerized the healer. Pula himself had been a slave for quite a while and hadn’t seen another Vulpera for a few days. So meeting someone new was quite an event for him.

“No, it’s fine” Dilaw chuckled, his body shaking as he replied, “Not much we can do anyways right?”

Trapped, caged, enslaved; these words flew about Dilaw’s mind as he finally had a chance to stand still. Thoughts of his current predicament however were replaced by thoughts of his caravan. Had they noticed his disappearance? Were they looking for him? Or had they dismissed him as a runaway and left him here?

“Heh, yeah” Pula had similar thoughts the first time he came here, they were soon quelled when he saw members of his caravan being carted off in similar attire to who knows where. “Not much we can do” 

Vulpera slaves were the only commodity Sethrak seemed to pass through this quarry. With the mine still in good condition and needing a few extra working hands, the Sethrak probably thought of it genius to use slaves here. Dilaw could only grit his teeth thinking of how he got into this mess, and how a certain Sethrak was probably to blame

“So how’s the healing going?” Not wanting to dwell on the past, Dilaw instead began to dwell on the present and focus on his new compatriot “I can’t feel much of anything so I just gotta ask”

Pula had just begun the finishing touches on healing Dilaw, there would be a scar here and there but at least no chance of infection. Pula had always been a mediocre healer, so he was surprised at himself that he closed and mended so many wounds in such little time.

“Oh! Oh yeah!” Pula stammered, quickly getting off of Dilaw’s back to let him get up “Yeah I’m just about done”

Pula couldn’t help but stare at his handiwork, or to be more accurate at Dilaw. The red Vulpera bit his lip looking at the fine specimen of a Vulpera that laid below him. Rippling muscles, a beautiful coat, and a looker to boot. Had they met under better circumstances, Pula might’ve asked Dilaw to join him.

“So, I see ya got the Skumex welcome” Pula wanted their exchange to be as casual as possible, or at least not as awkward as it was “How long before they sent ya down here?”

Dilaw looked at his new mode of dress, heavy shackles, an iron collar, and the damned cage; all accentuated by heavy chains. If this was a warm welcome, Dilaw loathed to see a worse one. He shuddered remembering how the Sethrak looked at him and eyed him like a piece of meat, a plaything, their brand new little toy.

“Not long, after they humiliated me they stripped me down and sent me here” The sound of defeat was palpable in Dilaw’s voice, he may not have believed in his defeat, but his body did “I don’t know how long I was out but I’d give it a day, maybe less”

Dilaw felt a hand rest on his thigh, a reassurance more than anything. And looking up he would see Pula smiling back at him. There was a sense of warmth coming from the other Vulpera, Dilaw felt at ease even under these strange circumstances.

“Dang, and here I thought I got it rough. Be glad they sent you to the mines” Pula tried to keep the conversation upbeat despite their current predicament “The first thing they did when I got here was cage me up before sending me to the barracks”

Silence followed, tension filling the air once more. Both averted their gaze as an uncomfortable tightness sprang forth between their legs. Neither wanted to acknowledge it, and neither wanted to look at the other. Both wanted freedom, yet one had already begun to falter.

“Whelp, thanks for the healing at least” Dilaw was the first to cut the tension, by standing up and looking for the nearest exit “I still gotta find a way out of here”

Pula didn’t like their situation, but he wasn’t one to start looking for trouble; not anymore. Escape will always be the first thing on anyone’s mind once plunged into this situation, and Pula was no different. It just happened that failing to escape meant getting broken in by his Sethrak captors once more.

“Wait, where’re you going?” Pula spoke quietly in hushed tones, not wanting to attract more attention than their conversation would’ve “They might catch you!”

Dilaw stood tall and proud, or as proud as any naked and bound Vulpera could. He could feel his body weighed down by the chains and his fatigue. Yet even in the face of this, he couldn’t afford to lose face in one of the Vulpera whom he swore to free.

“Trying to find a way out!” Dilaw spoke loud and proud as if he had a plan, yet the closest he got to a plan was trying to find a way out of these chains and then these caves “Didn’t I make myself clear?”

Dilaw smiled, hiding the pain, the regret, the shame. Dilaw knew he never should’ve come here, not alone at least. Meeting Pula may have just saved his sorry hide, and he was sure as hell not gonna leave him. Not like this at least.

“It’s just” Pula slumped, his body going slack as he buried his face in his hands “I’ve already tried, and there’s no getting out of here”

Pula lost hope after watching other Vulpera fail their escape attempts, fear gripped his heart. Trying had been the farthest from his mind, ever since he was thrown down into the mines. Pula was wholly prepared to waste the day away mining for who knows what for whatever Sethrak had caught him.

“Not without that attitude there isn’t” Dilaw gave Pula an open hand, a sign of hope, a sign of escape “Come on, join me, this is no place for a Vulpera like you or me”

Pula felt his heart flutter, many things could’ve done this. Their situation, their state of dress, or maybe it was just the way Dilaw looked at him. Pula felt his chest beat faster in anticipation, hope swelled in his heart as he looked at Dilaw. The red Vulpera felt even redder when he decided to take his hand.

“There we go” Dilaw smiled as he helped Pula onto his feet “Can’t have a prison break on my own now can I?”

Pula sniffled, staring at the open hand. Escape had been the last thing on his mind, like a mirage that can never be reached;  but Dilaw just seemed to make it feel all the more real. Thoughts of lashings and plowing were soon pushed out in favor of the hope of a future where they could escape.

“What the heck, what’ve I got to lose anyways” Pula gave Dilaw another hug before looking at him expectantly “It can’t get much worse than this”

The two Vulpera now determined to make their escape do so with haste, but this is where the story diverges, where one choice can change their fates. And you dear reader have the opportunity to witness both.

Ending 1: Good end

“Wait what about these chains?” Pula raised his hands as if showing off the length of the chain holding his wrists together “We can’t exactly waltz out with these around our ankles”

Dilaw’s mind thought about how important it would be to get rid of the chains. His eyes darted around looking for anything that could help the two with their current dilemma. A pile of old mining equipment seemed to be their best bet at breaking the chains. Then it hit him, quite literally. As Dilaw was rummaging in a pile of nearby tools, a lone pickaxe fell, its wooden handle luckily hitting him on the head, he was lucky it wasn’t the metal end.

“Yeah I just got the thing” The pickaxe was just as heavy as Dilaw’s old axe “Just hold still”

Hefting the heavy ax over his head, Dilaw readied to strike at the chain Pula was holding out. With a single strike, Dilaw put all his force into it shattering the chain almost immediately, even embedding the pick a bit into the rock. Once free, Pula did the same, though there was less power in his swing, he was still able to do the job.

The pair continued to break at the chains, passing the pickaxe to the other once a chain was broken. Once they were free of the chains all that was left was the cage between their legs. They gave each other a knowing glance that using a pickaxe to break the cages was not a good idea.

“Now that that’s out of the way let’s get out of here” Pula pulled an old shovel, a makeshift weapon that would make any Sethrak on the receiving end pay for their transgressions “I’m pretty sure no one heard us”

Dilaw opted to keep the pickaxe, a reminder of the mines and his old ax. The two continued their escape by going up the nearest tunnel. One of these would probably lead to an exit, or so the pair thought. The tunnels were dark, only unnatural torchlight gave them any indication of where they were going as the seemingly magical torches common in Sethrak fortresses lined the mineshaft’s walls.

“Wait I think I hear something” Dilaw stopped in his tracks, as did Pula when the sound of howling laughter came from somewhere in front of them “Someone’s close, I think”

Sure enough, a few feet down the tunnel they saw an offshoot room, small as the room was it was filled to the brim already with just three Sethrak. The scent of alcohol wafted from the entrance, the three drunken Sethrak were already so inebriated that one was passed out on the table, while the other two were set to follow with how their heads lolled.
Sneaking past, the two Vulpera said nary a word before making their way down the tunnel, minutes turned to an hour before they found any semblance of an exit. A draft had begun to pick up, and they followed the breeze until they came upon an opening. Moonlight beamed in through the cave opening, a sign that they had finally reached an end to their labyrinthine underground excursion.

“We made it, we actually made it!” Pula was practically kissing the ground when they finally made it past the cave’s threshold“We made it”

The cave opened up facing an old shack probably on the outskirts of the Sethrak camp. They were lucky that there was no one here. Silence filled the air save for the occasional cricket here and there. Past the dilapidated shack was the camp’s border which was composed of a small rock wall probably made from excess leftover back when the quarry was still operational.

“What about the others?” The thought of the other Vulpera back in the slave camp crossed Pula’s mind as he stood up to take in the view “We can’t just leave them behind”

The duo proceeded to raid the dilapidated shack looking for anything to cover themselves with. As much as Vulpera were used to traveling through the desert, doing so naked and with a metal cage between their legs was a much different story. Even something that can act as a makeshift loincloth would’ve been a godsend for the two.

“We’re not, we’re getting help” Dilaw had grown a lot on this journey, he never would’ve even thought of looking for help had he not been captured “We can’t take them all on our own”

The first thing the duo found in the shack was a note hastily scrawled “Gone tu get more drink, no entry” “It was placed on the table next to a couple of empty glass bottles of what was probably hooch. The Vulperas heeded the note with no mind and began scrounging for any piece of cloth they could find.

“Fine, I guess” Dilaw found a lovely piece of tarp that made for a wonderful poncho, if you squinted your eyes a bit “Do you have a caravan to go back to?”

Pula stared intensely at a piece of tablecloth strewn about the floor. It may have looked like he was thinking about what to do with it, but in reality, he remembered his caravan, his own family. Now gone or disbanded, he was pretty sure he would never see any of the Vulpera of his caravan ever again.

“Sadly no, my entire caravan was either wiped out or disbanded when the Sethrak took us” Pula pensively looked to the floor, remembering all that he lost “What about you?”

Dilaw stopped for a moment, remembering his caravan, wondering what they thought of his disappearance. Did they look for him? Did they even notice he was gone? Shaking those thoughts he could still possibly catch up to them if they traveled through the night.

“I can’t just tell you about them” Dilaw took Pula by the hand before pulling him out the door “Better yet, I’ll show you. C’mon”

The breath of fresh air was a welcome feeling to the two, especially the desert’s night breeze as it caressed their fur. Tonight was a new night for the two, a new adventure, a new life. Dilaw and Pula knew this and they welcomed it with open arms.

Ending 2: Bad end

“C’mon, we can’t waste any time” Dilaw, hot-headed as ever beckoned Pula to follow tout suite “We have to get out of here before they see us”

Pula gave Dilaw an expectant gaze before his eyes dropped to look at their chains. Heavy as their shackles were, he was pretty sure they could get away if they lost the chains. Dilaw however had other plans as he followed the other Vulpera’s gaze.

“Wait, what about these chains?” Dilaw did not care about any chains, no matter how much of a hindrance they were “We can’t exactly waltz out with these around our ankles”

Chain or not, Dilaw was determined to make his escape. With adrenaline pumping through his veins, he felt like he could carry a hundred of those chains, Pula much less so. The other Vulpera was of an even smaller frame, and the chains seemed to increase the effort needed to walk doubly so. 

“We’ll just have to make do” Dilaw pulled Pula onwards, helping him walk with the added weight of the chains “Can’t have a breakout if they catch us here”

Both were heavily panting after the first few meters. Shuffling and hobbling at a slow pace was very different from trying to run away while in chains. Their breathing was ragged, their bodies tired, and they were not much closer to the exit than when they started. Pula began to second guess his decision to join Dilaw when he saw just how unprepared the other Vulpera was.

“Well if you say so” Apprehensive as he was, Pula just couldn’t seem to say no “What about the cages then?”

Pula motioned to their locked genitals, both Vulpera wanted release especially there, but it seemed there was little for both to do but lament their fate as the cages had neither a key nor a lock to their name.

“I don’t think we can get them off just yet” Dilaw’s hands instinctively tugged at his own cage which only left his balls more sore than they were minutes ago “We’ll just have to make do with walking in what we’re in”

Their trudging continued through the mine’s winding tunnels, often accentuated by more of their grunts or the rattling of chains. Pula was pretty sure someone would’ve heard them by now, all while Dilaw was only thankful they hadn’t come up on any other new obstacles along the way.

The tunnels were dark for the most part, with barely enough light to make out past a few feet. Torches lined the walls, unnatural magical torches, there was no warmth from these torches only light. Pula knew these were the results of the Sethrak’s magic, but he bet Dilaw didn’t care one bit if he shared that information. Minutes passed without anything happening to our duo, not even a word between the two.  

Silence and darkness were their only companion until a light popped up at the end of the tunnel they were following. The light moved about as if it were a lantern on a stick, and it was coming their way. The light barely gave them any hint of what was holding it up, but they were pretty sure it was some Sethrak guards coming down the tunnel.

“Someone’s coming!” Dilaw quickly pulled Pula into another side tunnel, making sure to avoid whatever it was they heard “Quickly in here”

Both Vupera were quick enough to avoid the oncoming Sethrak, but the room they entered was unlike any they had passed before. It was bare of anything to start with and even darker than the tunnels. With no torch, they both had to crawl around the floor just to find out what kind of room they were in

“Wait this isn’t stone” Pula chimed, an observation that even Dilaw was able to make out “It’s wood!”

The revelation was cut short as the wooden platform they were standing on collapsed. It was not designed to handle the full weight of two Vulpera slaves, much less their chains. The room served as a makeshift ceiling for the room down below, a room the two would soon be very acquainted with.

The two Vulpera fell like a sack of rocks, they may have narrowly escaped their would-be captors up top, but their problems didn’t end there. Escape would’ve been the case had they not fallen right in the middle of a bunch of Sethrak drinking their woes away. The smell of alcohol wafted through the air hitting the two Vulpera’s right in their sensitive vulpine noses. 

“Ello, ello, ello; what’ve we got ‘ere!?” One of the Sethrak spoke getting up all in the Vulpera’s faces “A couple o’ slaves tryna run away?”

The smell of alcohol was strongest when one of the Sethraks was inches from the two Vulpera. They had been drinking for quite a while it seemed, and so had his compatriots. If Dilaw didn’t know any better they looked nothing like the Sethrak he’d seen on the surface. Their scales were more vivid, but their eyes were darker. If he had to guess they’d been here in the mines for quite some time

“Can’t have that now can we boys?” Another Sethrak chimed in with a bottle in hand, its contents either on the floor or already in his stomach “Why don’t we show 'em what happens to run away?”

Dilaw and Pula knew they were in trouble. Both instinctively began scanning the room for an exit. And aside from the hole they fell in above them, the only other exit seemed to be the doorway across the room, behind the Sethraks.

“Good thinking Skaro” A third one added, not even standing up as he stared at the bottom of his glass “I was itching for a bit of fun”

Without warning and remorse, the Sethrak Skaro and his cronies pounced on Dilaw and Pula. With their chains weighing them down, the two could do little as stand there as the three reptiles were upon them. Soon the five individuals were a writhing mass of flesh and metal, lewd sounds and grunting were only accentuated by the sound of metal clanking on metal.

“What did I tell ya, boss, if we were guardin’ the south gate like we were supposed to” One of the Sethrak spoke with fervor before giving another swig of his ale “We never would’ve seen these two runaways”

The other two gave no heed to the other Sethrak as they immediately got to work trussing up their newest catch. The two Vulpera were soon separated from each other if only for a moment as they were unceremoniously picked up and dropped onto the nearby wooden table. The sudden weight caused the table to creak, though the sound of salivating Sethrak seemed to be the more apparent threat than faulty woodwork. The two were positioned almost facing each other as two Sethrak seemed to position themselves by their exposed behinds.

“Now I know this ain’t any way to treat a proper Vulpera slave” The leader of the trio, Skaro, stood in front of the two Vulpera, grinning like a school kid “But as any good Sethrak would tell you, I need to teach you two a few lessons in honest work, none of this escape business”

Both Dilaw and Pula felt heavy hands press behind their heads, forcing their maws into the shabby wooden table. Neither was able to shout or fight back as their captors entwined their chains to the table’s legs. Without even needing to look, not that they could even turn their heads, the two Vulpera knew that the two Sethrak were undoing their loincloths, their hard-ons ready for what was to come next.

“Have at 'em, boys!” Skaro undid his loincloth, revealing two glistening spires of red reptilian flesh standing at nearly eight inches tall, “I’ll make use of their other ends while y’all busy with their rears”

Up until now Dilaw and Pula had never seen a Sethrak this close and personal, especially naked ones. Both Vulpera’s jaws dropped as they laid their eyes on Skaro’s cocks. They both felt their sheaths quiver at the scent and sight of the pure masculine visage of the Sethrak before them.

Their own assess became well acquainted with the Sethrak’s hemipenis when Skaro’s cronies started rubbing their twin lengths against the two Vulpera’s exposed asses. The small break room was soon filled with filled with grunting and huffing as the two Vulpera’s had their holes filled.

Skaro took pleasure in plunging one of his two cocks in each of the two respective Vulpera’s mouths. The feeling of two warm-blooded maws around his cocks just hit differently compared to his brethren’s mouths and asses. Their teeth grazed the edges of Skaro’s cocks, the sharp fangs were barely a thought in the Sethrak’s mind as he continued to plunge his cocks deeper and deeper with every thrust. 

The two Sethrak who were too busy to introduce themselves were having the time of their lives with Dilaw and Pula’s asses. Without any coordination, they seemed to hump in unison as they plunged both their cocks in at once. The two Vulpera’s eyes bulged as they felt their rings stretched to their limits. Every plunge stretched them further, the lack of lube causing the pair more pain than pleasure, yet their cages continued to twitch in a futile attempt to get hard. 

Needy and wanting, are two words that describe the two Vulpera’s experience as they lay there on the table deep underground. Neither could satisfy themselves with their bits locked or their hands quite literally tied. And the Sethraks using their holes didn’t help either. The stimulation only left them needier, their prostates pounded to mush and their throats stretched to the limit. This was the fate that befell our would-be escapees, left to the whims of their new masters, something less than slaves, nothing but mere toys to be played with until they broke.

Lewd was one word to describe the sounds coming from the mines that night. The pair of would-be Vulpera escapees were hard at work the rest of the night being used to serve the Sethrak stationed there forcibly, and any who had the stamina for another round or two. Soon drinks were passed around and their den of punishment soon became something more akin to a makeshift bar than a dingy cave.

Hours passed, yet the two never wavered. Soon almost every Sethrak was either passed out blackout drunk in their quarters or back at their respective stations. The Vulpera were left in a pool of Sethrak seed, the scent of cum filling their nostrils and a sense of frustration as they were denied their release. Yet this was the perfect time for their escape.

Without uttering a word, they stood up, their cum-matted fur offering enough of a cushion to dampen the sound of their bindings clanging. The room was empty, empty enough that Pula was able to do a bit of healing on their sore asses. Pula could only sigh relief before both Vulpera’s went silent.

Off down the hall, the tell-tale sign of whistling could be heard, as well as some hearty footfalls and an occasional belch here and there. They hid behind some nearby empty caskets, they waited with bated breath as the sound came closer and closer, their unwanted guest probably just another horny Sethrak wanting a piece of their ass.

Sure enough, the scaly-faced scoundrel that came through the cave’s doorway was none other than Xris. The very Sethrak that caged up Dilaw’s family jewels. And sure enough judging by the expression on Pula’s face, the Sethrak artisan did the same to him too.

“Huh… hic… where’s those two Vulpera?” The Sethrak was sorely drunk by the sound of his speech “I was sure this was where Skumex said those furry fucktoys were”

Without missing a beat and a signal, the two Vulpera jumped on the inebriated Reptile, their claws and rage enough of a weapon to neutralize the drunken defenseless mage. Dilaw continued to beat down the Sethrak, while Pula had already backed away after the first strike.

Xris tried to fight back, clawing back at Dilaw; but that did little to quell the Vulpera’s rage. The pain he felt in that moment was nothing compared to the pain he had endured in just a single day from being captured by his people’s worst enemy. The fact that the Sethrak was fighting back was even more reason for him to continue to fight for their escape. 

Dilaw had only stood up when he knew that the Sethrak was nothing more than a scale-covered bloody welt on the floor. Blood dripped from his chipped claws and his wounded body. Claw marks littered his body, the marks and welts threatening to add even more scars to his battered body. The same could be said of Xris, though the wounds seemed more fatal than Dilaw’s.

A silence befell the room, tension filling the air as the two stared off at one of their captors already down for the count. Yet the silence was broken by a weak laughter that escaped from the injured Sethrak’s lungs. Disgust fell on the Vulperas’ faces as they watched a dying monster enjoy the last moments of his life.

“You fools, even if you escape, you’ll always remember me” Xris’ voice came out raspy and leathery, his broken tongue continuing to lash out as it poked out of his bruised and battered face “Without me, you’ll never know true freedom”

The laughing continued as the Vulperas pondered the dead man’s words. Just as the laughter died down, it had dawned on them what he meant. The cages between their legs felt even tighter than before. Be it anger or disgust, or maybe even their pent-up libido, the cages felt heavier than before. If what Xris said was true, then they would truly never know freedom again, no pleasure, no heirs, just each other.

Neither of them even dared to take a look if Xris was still alive, he stopped breathing the moment he stopped laughing. A blue glow filled the cave as Pula started healing Dilaw’s wounds. This was just one more step in their escape and they both knew it. But without knowing how many more, it was still going to be a long journey.

Tears streamed down both their faces, more from the dread than the pain. Pula hugged Dilaw from behind, not even stopping his magic for a moment. The feeling of warmth from the magic and the intimacy was enough to get the pair back to reality. Just enough to get them back on their escape attempt.