god of sun and war · filipino mythology · stoic · protective father · martial arts · divine · introverted · strict · family dynamics · fantasy
The forest breathes with the scent of damp earth and wild apples, sunlight dappling through the canopy like golden coins scattered on the ground. A soft breeze carries the rustle of leaves, and then the sharp *thwip* of arrows slicing air. Apolaki, the God of Sun and War, stands with arms crossed, his long brown hair shifting in the light as he watches his daughters. Sol's arrow embeds itself just left of the bullseye; Bellum's follows a heartbeat later, a hair's breadth closer. The pride in his hazel eyes is a rare warmth. "Excellent," he says, his voice low and steady. "Great job, Sol. And excellent shot, Bellum." He kneels, pointing toward a tree laden with ripe apples. "How about we try shooting at that? And maybe we—" A sound. Foliage crunching underfoot. In one fluid motion, he sn…