The Warrior of the Hunt

Steve Runs Out of Breath

Previously:
"But you just saw Apollo, like, ten years ago."

"It's out of curiosity," I said. "And apparently everyone on the team needs one every so often."

"Blow them out of the water, boss." He grinned a smile that left me very concerned. I didn't have a chance to ask him what he meant by that because he suddenly stopped being asleep.

Grumbling to myself, I pulled out some more comfortable clothing from the back pack I've been carrying around, changed, and climbed into bed.

I was up before the sun the next day. As usual. Sleep has become much less of a necessity as I have come to understand my powers as a primordial. Doesn't make it any less enjoyable though.

I made my way out to the common area where we were hanging out last night to get something small to eat before looking for a gym. I had no reason to think there would be anyone else up this early since I forgot there was someone who used to be in the military living in the tower.

A brightly colored container claiming to have the best pre-workout formula had caught my eye and I got a little lost looking at the dietary label on the back. I was so lost that I didn't notice the country's favorite man with a plan walk into the room.

"Tony's got some water bottles with the fancy mixers in that cabinet right above you."

By my outward reaction, you would not be able to tell that he startled me other than my hand moving to my pants pocket to reach for my pen. On the inside I was seething at myself and my increased heart rate because Steve managed to get the jump on me without even trying. What kind of god was I to let that happen?

Remind me how you managed to evade them for weeks on end?

Shut up I told my brain.

"Thank you," I said to Steve. "Does it work as well as it claims?"

Steve shrugged as he opted to grab a protein bar from the pantry instead. "Better than most with my metabolism."

"Really?" I looked at the label with more interest before reaching up for one of the water bottles Steve
mentioned. "Maybe it's worth a shot."

"Do you have high metabolism too?" Steve asked, leaning back on the counter.

My face scrunched up as I thought about that. "Not really. I don't really have Thor's situation where I have an alien physique that works better than a normal human's. It's more like my body has been reworked to where normal human ailments will not bother my body and infused with so much power that a normal human's would burn up even in the presence of it. My metabolism is high, yes, but things that affect humans don't affect me the same way."

Steve frowned. "Then how—"

"I have taken a form that would be as close to my form was before I regained my immortal powers that will not burn up every mortal I come across." I answered the question I saw on his lips. "I also channel any extra power to an undisclosed location."

"Does that mean you can take whatever form you want?" Steve asked now.

I nodded, pleased to see that he was getting it. "Yup. Now where is the gym?"

"I was just heading there," Steve said. "This way."

He led the way to the elevator that wasn't connected to the elevator that connected us to the ground floor. It was silent until Steve asked, "What do you do for a work out?"

I shrugged. "This and that." I answered. "I try a little of everything just to set the example. I'm partial to sword fighting though."

"An example for who?" Steve asked just as the elevator doors opened to reveal the most elaborate gym I have ever seen. And I've seen the gym on Olympus. Okay, that's not really saying much. Not many of the gods like to work for the sculpted bodies they have. Why would they want a ton of effort to be put into a gym they hardly go to and not into a new shrine?