Archive of Our Own ^beta

Clay Terran was Apollo’s best friend. Dhurke had heard a bit about Clay from Apollo. Clay had been one of his only constant companions after he left K’hurain. Dhurke was a cheerful, look-on-the-brightside, make your own luck sort of guy. One who wouldn’t yield until he got the hand he wanted to be dealt. It hurt to hear all the shit his beloved son had gone through. And he wished he didn’t have to put him through more. It seemed he had been to hell and back, losing more people than your average joe. How he still managed to smile as radiant as the stars in the sky he didn’t know. Apollo was stronger than he looked, his small frame and weird hair giving off a dorky, awkward vibe. He was so proud of him. If only he could say that in person now…

It was strange being dead, even more so being channelled by Maya. When Apollo found out the truth, he knew he was broken inside. Who could blame him? He had so many questions and emotions stirring inside, unchecked, that he couldn’t release just yet. He ploughed on, bearing the pain like an experienced soldier. He supposed, in situations like these, Apollo probably was. A tough kid, who had to work his way on his own for most of his life, the people he built connections with betraying or leaving him. Life wasn’t fair, and Apollo was the perfect example.

Yet he stood, determined to find the truth, despite personal cost. He had the purest heart, choosing to say ‘no’ to what life through at him. He stubbornly refused to lose his child-like optimism, believing in people time after time. He had never known someone so stubbornly kind and empathetic. And, well, he never would again. But other people in this world might. Apollo had touched the lives of the people he met, giving them confidence and humility, and restoring their faith in humanity. He got slapped in the face, and smiling turned the other cheek.

He didn’t let anything go in vain. Clay was the best example of this, his enthusiasm and the starlight in his eyes taken on by Apollo like the passing down of traditions from father to son, or so he had been told, never having met Clay himself. But he saw the stars in his son’s eyes and knew they burned brighter than before. Dhurke’s own motto had inspired Apollo to continue in his footsteps and help his brother rebuild K’hurain. If there was only one person Dhurke would want to be succeeded by, it would be him. It was an honour to see the man his son had become. It was an honour to pass on the torch. In his eyes, together with Rayfa and Nahyuta, they would bring about a prosperous golden age in the kingdom of K’hurain. In his eyes, there was no one more worthy. When Apollo came to K’hurain, the darkness lifted, and the sun rose.