ONE POINT FIVE (1.5 in the Amnesia Archives)

Chapter 24

Aknon's POV

I felt like a fool once more as I stared with an open mouth at the place where a deity now stood, or at least the visage of a deity. They were tall and had long black hair which was shaved on one side. Their eyes were dark, and they were taller and more muscular than me. They looked like a true orc warrior. I had no doubt in my mind that this was the likeness of Buruh, but I wasn't sure if they were here in any kind of physical way.

"I seek a way to save my sibling," I said slowly. My mind wasn't working, like it had some kind of spell put on it. I knew that I was just in shock and confused, but I also felt like I wasn't in the right place. Something about them calling me an outsider amongst outsiders had really dug into my heart.

"I'm aware of your sibling's situation," Buruh said, which caused hope and fear to spike within me. "But I cannot aid you directly. I have a similar issue of my own to deal with."

I blinked several times like an idiot. "You-you do?" I didn't quite understand what they meant. How could a deity have a similar issue to me, when they had great powers? I was missing my sibling, after they were kidnapped., How could a deity be trying to solve a kidnapping when they have so many resources at their disposal?

"I can sense your disbelief," they said with a sigh and a slight groan of frustration.

I felt a rush of panic. "Please don't take it as an insult," I said quickly. I didn't quite know how to address them. I wasn't particularly devoted to any deity, besides maybe Odon, so I wasn't sure how they preferred to be regarded. "I am just quite surprised that you're in a similar situation. It is always assumed that the deities can do anything."

"We can do anything," Buruh commented, still seemingly a little insulted. "However, that is useless when you do not know what to do." I disliked how much that made sense.

"Understandable." I didn't know what else to say, and I wanted to rip my hair out at how familiar this feeling was getting. "Is there any aid you can provide? Even if it's not direct, it would be greatly appreciated." It sounded so simple and obvious.

"I can advise you to stop searching for information and use the facts that you know," Buruh said ominously. "Use your weapons, don't forget about them in the face of battle, even if your opponent doesn't have one." They seemed to be thinking as they raised a hand to their chin. "You wasted your time in coming here, you should go back to your sister and work your way up to finding Acer." They looked me in the eyes as my heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. "Acer will be fine without you."

And then I was alone once more.

I took a deep breath and let out a short yell. It was rare that I let my anger take hold of me, but I had to in this situation. I had come here, even facing jail for some strange and unjust reason, only to hear that I should go back. Acer didn't need me; they didn't need anything. I was worried sick about my sibling but turns out they'd be fine without any help.

Mesh came charging forward. "Where?" He had his fists raised, ready to defeat any foes which might have caused my yell.

I shook my head. "Nowhere," I replied in a voice which sounded strangely emotional for me. "Nothing, nothing at all." I turned to him, and my expression must've given my feelings away.

"Nothing?" Mesh repeated after me, slowly lowering his hands, suddenly looking comparable to a teddy bear. "Oh." He waited a few seconds before rushing forward and encasing me in a hug.

I felt like my insides were going to move outside due to the strength of his hold. "Mesh." I had struggled to get his name out. "It's fine." I didn't even believe my own words as I tried to shake my head.