Qrow.

Chapter 61 | Blindfolds

Within the intricate sewer system, a few caves could be found. They acted as homes to many of Croc's "babies". Hidden well under the water, in the darkest of caves, Apollo found himself in chains. His body may continue to recover from these beats, but his life force hasn't. Every time Croc's touched him, he's used a small amount of Thursday's power to drain it. Being the Lord of the Bats, naturally he had the ability to suck the life out of someone like a vampire bat would. All the abuse has left the once great and powerful Lord of Fates nothing more but a weak prisoner.

His pale skin seemed nearly translucent now. The light pink of his hair had become a muted, dirty color. Even his eyes, of which were said to put men on their knees with one glance, were dulling. There wasn't much left of him. He wasn't able to replenish his life force like he should've been able to. And now, Croc has left him to rot here for days. Apollo's mind was starting to rot away. At least when his little brother was beating him, he had some kind of contact with life. Being all alone was slowly driving him mad.

It was unintentional, of course. Croc didn't really care if he lost his mind but he wasn't exactly planning on it to happen either. He hadn't given Kuza any specific orders to avoid Apollo. Maybe that was a mistake on his part. Kuza figured it wouldn't hurt to go visit him. While his boyfriend was gone, he had nothing better to do. 

Apollo slowly raised his head as he heard footsteps in the cave. He groaned, losing interest quickly. "What the Hell do you want?" 

Kuza crossed his arms over his chest. "You know, I'd think you'd want to be a little nicer to me. After all, you're hanging from the ceiling in shackles." 

"Dead men have no need for manners. In case you haven't noticed, your dearest boyfriend has me at death's door. He's drained so much of my life force that that lizard of yours could probably kill me now."

The small creature perched on Kuza's shoulder hissed. Attempted to hiss, anyways. Being a baby, he couldn't make it sound too convincing just yet. Kuza wasn't that happy with what Apollo had said either. "First off, he's not a lizard. He's a tuatara. His name is Mojo. Second, if you're so close to death and have nothing left to lose, why don't you tell me the truth about a few things? Not that I should really trust you or anything, but there's a few things that I want to know and Croc isn't going to tell me."

He sighed, "Fine. I suppose speaking with you is better than being left to my own thoughts for much longer. Though you should know, I once despised you. I've found it hard to move past my years of hatred."

"A lot of people want me dead because I used to work for the royal family. It's nothing new. But I'm curious, what would you have against me? Last time I checked, the Orlandos were your allies." 

"It's not a business affair, as much as a personal one." Apollo replied, "I still remember it clearly, the day we all thought would liberate us; The day it was announced that Prince Vepar and General Cerulli were to wed. I thought that if such a thing could occur, that my own secret would finally see the light of day. The years passed and Carmella continued to keep her hand over my mouth. 

Then you came along. A blind man could see you and Cerulli were fucking each other. It wasn't fair. You were allowed to stand beside him, to be in the people's eyes every day! While I had to continue to work in the dark where no one knew who I was. Your secret was in the open while I was forced to keep mine to myself. I suppose I should tell someone, if I'm destined to my grave. Just, please, don't tell my brothers. Over time, I've decided it'd be best if they didn't know."

"I'll keep it to myself, as long as you don't tell Croc we had this conversation." Kuza said.

Apollo looked up at him through his long hair. "You have yourself a deal. The truth is, I was forced to carry on the legacy of a man who wasn't my actual father. It was Lumi's birthright to become the head of the family. Not mine. He, along with Covey, Thursday, and Croc, all are sons of Beleth. I, however, was the product of my mother's affair with Salome Le Doux."