Krux loved the Great Outdoors, but they didn't always love him back.
This was what he thought as he pushed through blinding snow, the storm having come up quickly out of a once-beautiful winter day, he'd dressed warm, but numbness was nipping at his fingers, threatening frostbite if he didn't rush to safety.
The wind was harsh, burning his eyes and making it hard to breathe, but he squinted through it, managing to spot the entrance to a cave.
He had to practically wade through the snow, which melted into slush in his boots-soaking his heavy woolen socks and carrying the cold ever deeper into his bones. Nevertheless, on tired feet and burning legs, he dragged himself forward, falling against the wall of the cave; allowing it to hold his weight. His gloves caught on the rough stone as he walked farther into the dark, and the snow soon gave way to rock.
Even through the storm, enough light filtered in from the outside for him to make out the drifts of detritus and dead leaves, there was a musty smell in the cavern, with an underlying scent of rot that aroused a feeling of primal unease deep in his very soul.
Briefly, he glanced towards the exit, but dismissed the thought with a shake of his head.
Going out there would mean death.
He turned back to the darkness and set about building a fire, setting stones in a rough circle and piling in fuel and kindling, thankful for the presence of dry branches in his makeshift shelter, then got out his flint-and-steel, cursing to himself as his numbed, trembling hands fumbled with the objects.
Finally, the tinder caught and smoldered, internally, Krux took a moment to cheer, and then leaned down, blowing gently on the ember to hasten its growth, and within a few minutes, he had a roaring fire to drive away the chill deep in his bones.
As he warmed his body, his stomach grumbled. He hadn't eaten since that morning, right before he set out to find Her nest.
His fingers had stopped shaking, but he still fumbled with his backpack as he tried to get to the food he's brought along with him. He'd brought trail mix, of course, but he had the fire started, so he ignored the quick snack and went for his camping pan and canned food, settling in for a warm meal as he waited out the storm.
Just after he started cooking, he heard the sound of rustling in the leaflitter.
Krux froze, hand going to the blade at his side. All sorts of nasty things could be hiding in these caves.
He weighed his options, eyes sliding between the dark of the cave and the worsening blizzard, and before he could act, a figure rose from the dirt and dead leaves.
It was humanoid, with both tealish scales and unkempt, greasy black hair, and Krux relaxed his grip on the knife, lowering his arm, but stayed alert.
This was a person, likely someone who'd been bitten by a fangpyre back during the war. Hopefully, he could avoid a fight.
They stared at him with wide, strangely familiar pale brown eyes, "brother?"
Krux dropped the knife with a gasp. It felt like he'd been punched in the gut, "Acronix!"
He lunged to his formerly lost sibling, pulling him into a hug, Acronix stiffened under his grip but quickly relaxed, resting his chin on Krux's shoulder.
The elder twin pushed him away, relief receding as concern and confusion set in, "Acronix, what... what happened to you? Where were you? How did you end up here?"
His brother looked away, face scrunching up as though he wanted to cry "I- a lot has happened" he mumbled out, "brother, we're all in danger, some- something's coming, and if we don't stop it, everything will be destroyed"
"What do you mean?" Krux, annoyed at his brother's vagueness, allowed his voice to slip out a bit harsher than he should've.
"I..." Acronix tensed, then turned away, hiding his eyes with his hands.
Krux felt ill, glancing back toward the exit of the cave, but did his best to shake off his unease.
"Acronix" he said, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder, "it's okay, lets just focus on getting you home"
The two turned toward the entrance to the cave, watching the driving snow.
"Later" he added, "we'll focus on getting you home later, in the meantime" he rushed back to the food he'd had cooking over the fire, which was luckily only slightly burned, "You should have something to eat"
Acronix eyed the proffered meal hungrily, but only took half, scarfing it down as though it was the only thing he'd ever eaten.
Krux frowned, "you're welcome to have it all, brother, there is more"
His brother only hesitated a moment, as if to give him time to change his mind, before digging into the rest. Krux simply smiled as he went to prepare more, holding back tears.
It'd been so long since they'd ate together last.
Or... Not exactly. By the time Krux's meal was done, Acronix had long since finished his, but, no matter.
They had to discuss how to get him out of there.
Krux knew exactly where he was, if he left now he could get to the nearest village by tomorrow afternoon- but his brother couldn't come with him.
He told him this, and Acronix shrugged, smiling to hide the pang of terror he felt at the thought "Come back for me in the spring- I've lasted years up here, I can handle a couple months"
Krux bristled "I am not LEAVING you up here"
"I'm sure you have an alternative" Acronix said, dryly, rolling over in the sleeping bag his brother had insisted on giving up to him.
"As a matter of fact, dear brother" said Krux, with an air of smugness he often held when he thought he had the upper hand "I do"
He shifted, trying to find a comfortable position on the pile of leaves and snow he was using as a bed, "before I came out here, I told people where I was going, if I'm not back in a couple weeks, they'll come looking"
Acronix gave him a concerned look, "you intend to spend weeks out here?"
"Longer, if necessary"
Acronix sat up, bristling, "You're not doing that" he said, crumpling the fabric of the sleeping bag in his claws as he did so.
Then, his expression shifted, and he looked down at the heavy, waterproof fabric, "brother" he started, cautiously, "how far do you think you could drag me?
_
Krux dragged the makeshift sled into the village, two full days after his brother had brought the idea up, spotting one of the locals, he dropped the rope and ran at them, "I FOUND 'EM!" he said, bursting with excitement and urgency as he grabbed them by the shoulders, a look of fear crossed their face, knocking his hands aside, they backed away, "you where warned-"
Krux laughed, joyous and manic, and shook his head, "oh, no not that, come, here!"
He grabbed them by the wrist, dragged them to the sled, and gently pulled aside the fabric.
Catching sight of the scaley face, they paled, backing off and looking at him like he was dangerous, "whats the meaning of this?"
Covering him up again so he wouldn't get too cold, Krux said "he's my brother, went missing during the war, I-I thought he was dead"
The story might've been fake, but the emotion that tightened his throat, making his words come out choked and rough, was real.
They hesitated, looking uncertain.
"Come on" he said, lifting up one side of the sled, "let's get him to the inn"
The innkeeper had his doubts, when the two came barging in caring what almost looked like a body, but decided against turning away a paying customer, and soon enough, he'd got Acronix set up in his room.
Laying on the bed, warmth drawing him out of his slumber, Acronix began to shift.