Level 6.1 is a subterranean expanse of hanging roots and dead boreal trees that form a thick canopy above the horizon. Presumed to reside below the complex of Level 6, it retains many of its superficial features—namely the profound darkness that permeates every corner of the level. However, the level's darkness is not entirely pitch-black. In addition, various light sources, such as lanterns and lamp posts, can be found scattered throughout, along with the level’s faint, natural skylight.
Along with these features, Level 6.1 also contains sturdy, petrified statues haphazardly placed throughout, resembling a variety of entities and other life throughout The Backrooms. The purpose(s) said figures serve is relatively unknown, though it has been reported that they invoke a sense of dread when looked at. These statues are known to gradually turn and shift every few minutes, though how they do so is unknown, as the statues’ bases are embedded several feet in the soil.
The level also contains a wide variety of foliage; the trees within the level are notably fragile—cracking and splintering with ease—with it being relatively easy for gusts of wind to knock them down, often creating a chain reaction which results in the creation of small clearings. The grass and other small florae are dead and wilting, creating faint crunching noises when stepped on. Despite this, living plants have been found in Level 6.1, though these are often concentrated around corpses and thus are seldom in occurrence.
Sparsely scattered buildings and pieces of junk can be seen all throughout the level, ranging from dilapidated shacks to the dismantled wreckage of World War II aircraft—among other things. Additionally, hand powered radios can be found mounted into nearby trees. Although these radios are relatively dysfunctional, some may produce disquieting, garbled static when messed with.
In addition, Level 6.1 contains little-to-no ambient noise, with the only sound present being the occasional gust of wind. The sensory deprivation this induces causes one to have frequent auditory and visual hallucinations, with some reporting a “dulling of the senses” among other symptoms. Whilst these effects initially seem harmless, further research suggests that staying within the level for an extended period of time can induce psychotic meltdowns and aggressive tendencies in most individuals, with many succumbing to Roth Syndrome soon after.
Daniel was never the brightest individual.
While he was generally skilled in the arts, his academic performance was well below average, with his parents eventually making the difficult situation to kick him out due to this.
As he eventually garnered enough money to live alone, he slowly began to teach himself proper self-defense and combat mechanisms. Despite this, Daniel's loneliness eventually started negatively affecting his psyche. His ill-fated bridge jumping attempt caused him to phase through the water below and land him in Level 0.
As he adjusted to The Backrooms, he began documenting his findings in a journal he kept in a poorly maintained leather bag. With his newfound knowledge and expertise, he had eventually made his way to the storage facility—where he had eventually become a valuable asset to the M.E.G. as his ability to fend off groups of entities was quite excellent. As his combat skills grew, he gradually rose the ranks to become one of the M.E.G.'s most important members.
Though this all changed when he encountered the woodlands.
While Daniel was generally comfortable with most levels, Level 6.1 just felt off in a sense where it invoked an innate sense of dread within him. The towering, petrified obelisks made him feel an irrational sense of being watched—where he felt like something could jump out from the shadows and pursue him at any moment.
Despite this, he still logged his thoughts in his journal, including strange details down to the specific models of destroyed aircraft found in the level. His findings proved to be quite beneficial for the M.E.G., who had sent him here on a research mission to log the newly discovered locale.
However, on his mission, Daniel began to gradually descend into utter lunacy, as his mind began to slowly unravel into an array of colors and visions. He could not see anything other than the intense hallucinations of eyes filling his mind, and he began a frantic search for meaning, his thoughts spiraling into confusion. They seemed to move closer with every passing second, distorting his perception of reality. He couldn't tell what was real anymore—each step forward was a bigger leap into madness.
Every shadow seemed to flicker with the eyes' gaze, and every breath he took felt like it echoed within their unending stare. The forest around him began to pulse, shifting as though alive, their surfaces writhing like the skin of some vast, unseen creature. He could feel the weight of their gaze on the back of his neck, his skin growing goosebumps as the sensation of being hunted unnerved him. His limbs began to gradually stiffen and contort as his slow descent into madness took a significant toll on him.
Daniel stumbled forward, struggling to stand from the intense mental deprivation. He reached for his radio, but the static it emitted was thick with whispers. His name. Over and over, repeated by a thousand voices that twisted and contorted like a disquieting, haunting chorus. Was it all in his head? The vision of the eyes grew. Watching. Waiting. Staring. Every surface was now covered in them, and he began to contemplate living.
Though it would not last forever. Eventually, Daniel's limbs had fully seized up, becoming uniform with the many statues throughout the land. His journey had ended prematurely.
And thus the statues remained. Watching, waiting, staring as they always have and always will be.
Page made by Gamma.
Special thanks to Egglord for critique.
Image 1: Liminal forest on r/LiminalSpace
Illimitable Temple │ Hounds │ Party Crashers │ The Abandoned Office │ Senseless │ The Lobby │ Silva Subterraneus │ The Inconvenience Store™ │ Lights Out │ Neon Station
