The Empire of Titans

A Knife in The Shadow

' In stark contrast to the cramped and dingy holes he had previously inhabited beneath the bustling streets, this particular chamber offered a striking departure. Despite the presence of dampness and the insidious creep of mold that carved intricate patterns along the walls, the room boasted a surprisingly generous expanse. The tattered remnants of cloth, serving as makeshift curtains for the solitary window that peered into the dimly lit corridor, added a touch of forlorn elegance.

And while the cooking pots, coated in a thick layer of dust, may have appeared worn and neglected, they remained steadfastly functional, fulfilling their intended purpose with unwavering dedication. But it was the bed that truly captured his attention. With its robust frame and two simple bedsheets, this humble sleeping arrangement could be deemed a luxurious haven in comparison to the destitution he had encountered in his travels. The thought of stumbling upon such a place while on the trail of a quarry filled him with a sense of wistful contemplation. He had a family? These musings swirled within his mind, prompting reflections on the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one would go to create a semblance of home in the most unlikely of places.

As he found himself amidst the sordid and scandalous ambiance of the brothel quarters, an observation caught his attention, one that was truly worth noting. It was a realization that his sister, with her distinct individuality, had always approached life with a daring spirit, skillfully navigating through the darkest of circumstances and perpetually opting for unconventional paths. Yet, as he soaked in the atmosphere, an entirely different narrative unfolded before his senses. The air surrounding him was thick and stagnant, tainted with the pungent odor of mildew and decaying matter, permeating the very essence of the room. It was a scent that whispered an untold chapter in the intricate tapestry of their "family life," an olfactory cue that Kenny Ackerman, with a slight raise of his eyebrow, promptly identified and acknowledged.

In a matter of mere seconds, an unsettling scene unfolded before his eyes, leaving him both emotionally shaken and bewildered. The sight that greeted him was nothing short of a tragic tableau - the lifeless body of his beloved sister lay motionless, an eerie stillness permeating the air. As if fate had a cruel sense of irony, he found himself face to face with his nephew, who possessed a skeletal appearance.

A surge of despair washed over Kenny, engulfing him like a relentless tide. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, dragging him down into a pit of desolation. This was not the outcome he had envisioned or anticipated, far from the scenario that he had hoped for. Despite any personal differences or distance that may have existed between them, Kuchel was family, and the notion of her demise in this desolate place, her body decaying away in pitiful solitude, struck a chord deep within him.

But it was not just the loneliness of her passing that tormented him. His gaze shifted towards the frail figure huddled in the far corner of the room, a mere shadow of what once was. Kuchel's decision to bring a child into this harsh and unforgiving world seemed incomprehensible to him. Who in their right mind, he pondered, would subject an innocent being to such treacherous circumstances? The sense of anger and bewilderment swirled within him, mingled with the sorrow that threatened to consume his very being.

...And now what?

Levi. Just Levi. Kenny. Just Kenny. There is no need for surnames, no need for more acquaintance. What good would there be for him to say, 'Hey, pleased to meet ya, kid; I'm your mom's brother. We didn't talk often; that's why she died here, and I didn't even know it. Now I don't know what to do with you, and you're half dead anyway.' 'Better to just avoid all the awkwardness in that.

"Kuchel and I were acquaintances... Pleased to meet ya, kid."

The weight of those words seemed to echo through the room, resounding with a sense of both resignation and curiosity. As Kenny observed Levi's silent gaze, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming mix of sympathy and annoyance. The child's hollow eyes seemed to hold a lifetime of untold stories, leaving one to wonder how long he had been abandoned in this desolation.