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Location: Level 4
Having arrived at one of the safer levels (at least according to a booklet they have found), Hels commented about looking for supplies and then separated from his twin soon after. Once out of sight he sunk down against a wall, breathing heavily. Well, metaphorically at least since he didn’t actually need oxygen to survive.
He hit his head against the wall. While the supplies they managed to find were able to provide enough nourishment for Wels it barely took the edge off for Hels. Granted he was giving Wels a larger share, but even if it was equal split, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Hels’ hunger had only gotten worse since the light knight’s injury. Normally he would just go to Ex when his hunger was this bad, or one of the other Helsians if absolutely necessary. However, that wasn’t an option here, given that he was still trapped in the fucking Backrooms.
Hels took a deep breath. The nether knight knew it wasn’t his twin’s fault, for all he acted like it was. It was easier to antagonize Wels than to have to explain what he became. He didn’t have a problem with it, but he knew his twin would blame himself no matter the fact it wasn’t his fault in any shape or way. That isn’t even taking into account their past experiences with vampires, before the two got separated all those years ago.
Ignoring the encroaching lethargy, he slowly stood up, using the wall as support. He would be fine. Totally fine. Fine as long as Wels didn’t get injured again before they escaped, or at least before they ran into some strangers. Hels liked to believe that he had good control but couldn’t promise he wouldn’t snap if exposed to blood (he ignored the fact it was highly unlikely they would be able to escape without any more bloodshed).
Before making his way back to his twin Hels quickly looked for any supplies to have an excuse for his brief disappearance. Luckily, he saw a vending machine with almond water nearby. Making his way over, he grabbed a couple and stuck them in his bag. Ideally, he would grab more, but in his current state it would slow him down too much. Silently he grabbed one more, knowing Wels would need it and unfortunately caring more about the light knight’s wellbeing than his own.
As he walked towards the area they entered from, he occasionally had to lean on the wall for support. Maybe he was weaker than he thought. Hels didn’t let himself dwell on that thought though, because soon he saw his brother. Calling out, he tossed a bottle of almond water to Wels.
Wels caught the bottle on reflex, and once he processed what it was, he questioned. “Where did you find this?”
“There was a vending machine down that way,” he pointed with his shoulder. “Where else would they be?” Hels winced internally, knowing that his remark didn’t have the bite they normally contained. However, if Wels picked up on it, he didn’t say anything.
At least two hours had passed before anything really happened. Sure, they had found more almond water and a bit of food but that wasn’t anything major on a level like this one. Hell, with how open this level was there were areas that he could see multiple vending machines just by standing still. They also found what looked to be some campsites, but all of them were currently empty. Unfortunately for Hels, who could’ve fed off of them, at least if he could briefly part from Wels. (Hels would have traded almond water or supplies for blood. He might claim to be evil, but he’s not a monster) Alas, that didn’t happen.
Hels found himself stumbling rather often, and Wels seemed to notice, but luckily for Hels his twin didn’t comment on it. At least not yet. He knew Wels and knew that he wouldn’t be able to avoid questions forever. But that was future Hels’ problem, he had bigger issues currently. Namely not losing his already fragile control.
Of course, luck was not on his side, and the nether knight felt a headache coming and his vision went spotty. He ran his tongue over his fangs, trying to ground himself, but it wasn’t long before he collapsed.
Hels slowly came to, feeling a cool cloth being pressed onto his forehead. Blinking his eyes open, he saw his twin glancing worriedly at him, not yet realizing he was awake. Despite internally smiling at the concern, externally he scoffed, quickly sitting up and pushing Wels away. An action he immediately regretted as he suppressed a flinch.
“I’m fine,” he grumbled.
Wels flatly started. “You were literally just unconscious. And for at least 5 minutes at that. You are not fine.”
“Well, now I’m not. Ergo I’m fine.”
“That is not how it works?!?!?”
Hels rolled his eyes as he stood. “You are not the person that was just unconscious. You don’t get an opinion.” Privately, he did actually agree with his brother. But he wasn’t going to tell Wels that. He needed to find a blood source soon, and that required moving on. Honestly, he was surprised he hadn’t fallen into bloodlust once he woke up.
The nether knight got a decent distance away before he heard Wels hurrying to gather their stuff. There was the sound of running and then Hels felt his arm being grabbed. Despite expecting it, he had to squeeze his eyes shut as he felt them flash. “What,” he growled.
The light knight held out a bottle of almond water. “Okay, you claim you are fine, so be it. But drink this, at least for my sake.”
Grumbling, Hels did what he asked. He knew it likely wouldn’t do anything, only buying him a bit of time at best. But he knew Wels was stubborn, he was the same. And so he was willing to drink it if it meant they could move on. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to give his twin the cold shoulder in response.
Like before, the two continued to explore, though not without Wels glancing worriedly at Hels every so often. Hels tried his best to ignore the looks, to varying success. Wels also kept asking if he was fine, something that was much harder to ignore.
When Wels started to ask, for what was like the 10th time in the past hour, if he needed a break he turned around ready to snap. Excepts Wels cut off mid-sentence, and when the nether knight looked around, he saw what his twin freeze. There was an open elevator on a nearby wall. Wels looked unsure at it, probably thinking something along of the lines of the current level being safer until Hels recovered, but Hels just shrugged and started to walk over to it.
Don’t get him wrong, Hels knew that this level would probably be safer. But he also knew that with how their time on the level had been, he needed to get out. Hopefully they would get closer to escape or at least find some sort of civilization.
He didn’t bother, looking to see if Wels followed, knowing that he wouldn’t want to get separated. As soon as both of them arrived in the elevator, the doors closed and they started to descend.
Before long, the doors opened. Hels felt relief as the first thing he registered were signs that indicated an established settlement was somewhere nearby. However, that feeling did not last long, as the second thing he noticed was a faint metallic smell, specifically that of blood.
He barely had time to curse the decision to get on the elevator before his vision went red.