I. Origins

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Roku gazed at the vast expanse of the underground city, where the air was thick with grime and desperation.

At the tender age of five, his world comprised narrow alleys, dilapidated buildings, and the harsh reality of survival. His memories were painted in hues of poverty and longing for something he could not name.

He clutched a worn, tattered cloth in his tiny hand—a remnant of his only connection to Kuchel Ackerman, the woman who had cared for him since birth. Roku's arrival in the world was marked by tragedy; his mother's fleeting existence was extinguished alongside his first breaths.

Kuchel had stepped forward, shouldering the burden of nurturing a child who bore no relation to her. But life in the underground was relentless, and the scarcity of resources cast a shadow over their meager existence. Kuchel had fought tirelessly to provide for both Levi and Roku.

One day there was a knocking on the door, and a man appeared, a man whose presence heralded turmoil.

It was Kenny Ackerman, Kuchel's weary gaze met Kenny's as he strode toward their dwelling, the lines of fatigue etched deeper on her face than Roku remembered. Two years had passed since Kenny's last visit, leaving a palpable tension in the air that seemed to thicken with every step he took.

"Kuchel," Kenny's voice boomed, a mixture of authority and familiarity cutting through the dreariness of the underground.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Kuchel's response was curt, her gaze cold as she nodded in acknowledgment. Roku clutched onto Kuchel's tattered cloak, seeking solace in her presence amidst the brewing storm.

"You've brought the kid along, I see," Kenny's eyes fell upon Roku, assessing him with an indifferent gaze that sent shivers down the boy's spine. "Roku's been with us since he was born," Kuchel stated firmly, her voice tinged with defiance.

"He's family." Kenny's expression remained unchanged, but a flicker of annoyance danced in his eyes. "He ain't your blood, Kuchel. And he's been nothing but trouble for you, especially in times like these."

A heavy silence enveloped the room as Kuchel's jaw tightened, the weight of Kenny's words hitting her harder than she'd care to admit. The atmosphere turned taut as Kenny stepped into their humble abode, his presence looming over the cramped space.

His gaze swept over the modest furnishings, the weariness in Kuchel's eyes, and the wary expression on Roku's face. "I hope you've managed without my 'helpful advice' these past couple of years." Kuchel's response was terse.

"We've managed just fine.", Roku watched the exchange with a mix of trepidation and curiosity, caught in the crossfire of emotions swirling between the two adults who held vastly different perceptions of his existence.

Kenny's presence lingered like an unwelcome shadow, a harbinger of discord and discomfort. The atmosphere grew stifling, suffocating Roku with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tension.

"Kuchel, that boy ain't yours. He's just dead weight, throw him away, you will end up dead with Levi if you don't." Kenny's gruff voice echoed through their shabby dwelling.

Roku's heart sank as he witnessed the anguish etched on Kuchel's face. He felt the weight of unwantedness settles upon his small shoulders. His presence, once a beacon of hope for Kuchel, now seemed to be a curse, a symbol of her struggles.

The decision was made with a solemn finality that crushed Roku's spirit. Tears glistened in Kuchel's eyes as she whispered her goodbyes, "I am sorry Roku" her voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and resignation.

With a heavy heart, Roku turned away, his steps faltering as he walked into the unknown. Alone in the labyrinthine passages of the underground, Roku grappled with conflicting emotions. He felt the searing ache of abandonment mingled with an indomitable longing for Kuchel's warmth, a longing that tethered him to her memory.

As dusk descended, Roku found himself amidst the unfamiliar faces of the underground's destitute inhabitants. He was adrift in a sea of strangers, a forsaken child in a world where survival demanded resilience beyond his years. His journey had just begun, marked by the bittersweet weight of love and loss, leading him toward an uncertain destiny in the shadows.

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End of the Chapter