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“Not guilty.”
As the Judge’s gavel slammed onto the desk, Apollo let out a heavy sigh of relief, resting his forehead on the sturdy hardwood podium in front of him. His partner next to him, Maya, was a little more enthusiastic.
“Woo! We did it, Polly, hi-five!”
Apollo still wasn’t enthused that Maya picked up that nickname from Trucy, but regardless, in his weary state, he held his hand up for a hi-five. Maya slapped it so hard, it felt like his hand was burning.
“How could you have so much energy after all that, aren’t you exhausted?” Apollo asked, barely lifting his head from the podium.
“I dunno,” Maya replied, “I guess I’m just kinda used to it.”
The two left the court and met up with Datz and Ahlbi, who were watching from the gallery.
“Great work today, AJ,” Datz remarked, giving Apollo a big thumbs up, “really thought you lost it there!”
“That was soooo cool! I always love watching you corner the witnesses and getting them to talk!” Ahlbi beamed, eyes shining with wonder and amazement.
“I know, right!?” Maya replied before Apollo could respond, “He learned from the best after all!” Apollo smirked at this remark. He guesses he did get his extra flair from Mr. Wright.
“Yeah, I guess so. Still, that was close. It seemed hopeless for a while...” Apollo grimaced, noticing Nahyuta join the party.
“Good work out there Apollo. You’ve come a long way since you started rebuilding the legal system with me.” Nahyuta said, giving Apollo that slight, but welcoming smile he’s used to seeing from him.
“Yeah, feels like it’s been ages since I’ve been doing this…” Apollo humble bragged, scratching the back of his neck to make it look like it’s no big deal to him.
“We’re gonna go out and celebrate this victory! Drinks on me!” Datz proclaimed.
“You mean, you’ll ask Apollo to pay for 80% of it?” Nahyuta asked.
“Y-yeah, that.” Datz bashfully confirmed. Apollo sighed in defeat, knowing he’ll never be able to say no to him.
“Hey, I’ll catch up with you guys. I just gotta do something first.” Apollo mentioned as they headed out. Maya shot him a look, but brushed it off and went along with Datz, Nahyuta, and Ahlbi.
“Alright, we’ll see you then AJ!” Datz replied.
Apollo heard their fading conversation from a distance, with Ahlbi asking if he could try out alcohol this time, and the simultaneous response from Datz and Nahyuta saying yes and no respectively.
Apollo made his way to the Kurah’in cemetery. He heads up here every now and then whenever he feels hopeless or in need of guidance. Today, he’s here for a different reason. He looks around and finds the grave he was looking for.
Dhurke Sahdmahdi. 1983-2028. Engraved on the tombstone, “A dragon never yields”.
Apollo stood in front of the tombstone, gathering his thoughts as he looked upon his foster father’s grave.
“Dhurke… It’s been quite a year.” Apollo started. Today was the one year anniversary since Apollo began working in Kurah’in. The day he decided to continue Dhurke’s legacy.
“It’s been tough, I’ll admit. I’ve won almost all of my cases, and it’s gotten close. But no matter what, I sought out the truth for all of my clients. I didn’t stop until I knew what the full truth was… I’m doing the best I can.”
Unbeknownst to Apollo, Maya was also at the cemetery. She felt something was off about Apollo this morning, and when he excused himself earlier, she secretly followed him, just to make sure he was okay. When she saw where he was headed, it all made sense to her. She watched Apollo from afar, listening to what he was telling Dhurke.
“I haven’t been able to visit the agency as much as I’d hoped to. It’s been case after case, I’ve only been able to squeeze in one visit this whole year. Even then, it was just for a week. I miss them… a lot… but at least I have Maya.”
Maya’s ears perked up.
“She’s been able to visit Kurah’in a lot because of her duties as master of Kurain Village. And having her company felt like I was with everyone at the agency again. She’s pretty great… Heh, if you were still here, you’d probably tease me over how close we’ve gotten.”
Maya tensed up when he said this. It’s true, ever since she’s visited Kurah’in, she and Apollo have gotten a lot closer. Not just as friends, but maybe as something more. They aren’t sure yet, they’re taking things easy, but Maya felt different around Apollo. Somehow more energetic, more excited, she gave him a sense of adventure she never realized she wanted. And… I guess she can admit, she always found him kind of cute. She just… wondered if they could ever be something more. To her surprise, Apollo felt the same way. They’ve tried a couple of dates, they went well, but as of now, they’re still teetering on “maybe”. Maya’s already made up her mind, though.
“... You should be here, Dhurke.” Apollo felt something in his throat. That same feeling you get when you know you’re about to break.
“I wish you could see where I am now. How your dreams of revolution are coming true… I wish I really see you and tell you how things are going… I wonder if you’d be proud of me…” Apollo took a deep breath, trying his best to stay strong. He felt someone walk up to him and hold his hand. He looked over to see Maya, giving him a gentle, teary-eyed smile.
“He’d be proud of you Apollo…”
Maya rested her head on Apollo’s shoulder, their hands still linked, but their bodies closer. They stood in silence, looking at Dhurke’s grave and reflecting on what he meant to the both of them.
Maya had undying respect for Dhurke ever since he saved her from Inga. She just wished she could repay him in some way, especially after seeing him die in front of her very eyes.
“... You know,” Maya broke the silence, “you really are Dhurke’s son.”
“Hm?” Apollo responded, unsure of what Maya meant.
“You’re both strong, capable men who can endure the worst and come out more powerful than ever. I admire that about both of you.”
“I wish you got to know him,” Apollo replied solemnly, “and that him saving you didn’t have to end in tragedy…”
“Well, considering I channeled him, I guess I DID get to know him in some way…” Maya cheekily remarked, hoping to lighten up the mood a bit. Apollo chuckled, rolling his eyes.
“... But really, I know he was a good man. I mean…” they looked at each other, both locking eyes as Maya held Apollo’s hand tighter.
“... he made you the person you are now.”
Apollo couldn’t help but let a single tear roll down his cheek. Maya used her free hand to wipe it off, giving Apollo a comforting, smile.
“... Yeah. You’re right...” Apollo replied. Looking back at Dhurke’s grave.
“I guess he did.”