Time skip to end of April 1990
[Main POV]
"Why aren't you guys getting ready for school?" Olivia asked us.
Artemis and I were playing Monopoly. Although, since it was just the two of us, I guess it was technically a duopoly. We tried playing games that weren't luck based, but found that it was either a draw, or the winner was predictable.
As for why we weren't getting ready for school, Artemis and I had both already graduated. We took special versions of the SAT and ACT, getting scores of 1600 and 36 respectively (full scores).
Turns out the Department of Education never notified anyone of our agreement (which was good). But that meant we'd have to tell Olivia.
"Yeah, about that," I pulled out our diplomas and showed her, "we already graduated."
Olivia snatched the papers and studied them meticulously. Artemis then showed her our SAT and ACT results, which she also looked over.
"Speaking of, Olivia," I said, walking towards her, effectively starting to turn the tables. I was now substantially taller than her, and I started pumping magical energy into my body.
"Uh, yes?" she answered with uncertainty. A bead of sweat trailed down her face.
"We still haven't discussed your punishment for what you did," I said as I got taller and taller.
"Uh, hold on," Olivia stammered. "That was mostly Ms. Davis's idea…"
"Olivia, I'm aware that Ms. Davis handed my guardianship over to you," I said knowingly.
"Yeah, well, you have to work on your social skills…"
"Do you think you know better than I?" I asked in an ominous tone.
"Of course not my lord," she answered quickly while kowtowing.
I stopped. Standing at 30 feet, another step and I'd crush her. I'd grow taller, except I didn't want to break my ceiling.
"Olivia," I growled, "I know exactly what I'm going to do with you." I saw her starting to shake.
I instantly shrunk down to my human size, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her up to eye level.
"Olivia, I'm going to make you immortal."
"What?!" Olivia and Artemis both exclaimed, their eyes widening in shock.
I held Olivia's gaze firmly, a slight smirk playing on my lips. "That's right," I said with an air of authority. "You will be granted immortality as your punishment."
Artemis stepped closer; his brows furrowed in confusion. "But why would you do that? Isn't that supposed to be a reward, not a punishment?"
"Perhaps one would see it that way, but in doing so, she'd have to serve me for eternity. After all, she did swear to serve me till death," I said as my eyes continued to stare into Olivia's. "Well Olivia, thoughts?"
Olivia's mind raced, processing the unexpected turn of events. She glanced at Artemis, seeking her guidance, but her expression mirrored her confusion. Finally, she took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Apollo, 6 years ago, you asked me to take a gamble on you. And I did, intending to work 50 years, eventually retiring, and collecting my social security checks," Olivia honestly explained. "I'm not sure I'm ready for an eternal commitment."
"First of all, it's bold of you to assume that you'd qualify for social security considering what your net worth is going to be in 50 years," I quipped. "And it's even more bold that you'd assume I'd ever let you go. As my first follower, I'd keep you around even if you developed into an old, crippled, cat lady."
"Furthermore," I continued, ignoring Olivia's blush, "I'm not giving you a choice on this matter. As your God, you will serve me. Forever. Consider yourself conscripted."
I think I pissed her off with my last statement, as Olivia looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I continued looking at her, daring her to disagree. After a few seconds, Olivia blinked, and I won the staring contest.
"Ahhgr! Fine!" Olivia huffed. "What do I have to do?"
"Just repeat after me," I said, "I pledge myself to the God Apollo."
"I pledge myself to the God Apollo," she repeated.
"I turn my back on humanity, accept eternal youth, and serve my lord."
"I turn my back on humanity, accept eternal youth, and serve my lord."
"I accept your pledge," I said as I placed my hand on her head. One golden flash of light later, Olivia collapsed.
"She'll be fine," I told Artemis. "Are you bags packed?"
Artemis continued to look at Olivia's crumpled form before turning towards me, "Uh, yup, I'm ready for our trip!"
"Cool, let's bounce."
.
A few hours later, Artemis and I found ourselves horseback riding in an open field horseback. We were currently in Montana, on a property I bought from a group of ranchers a few years back.
After clearing out all the human structures, Artemis worked overtime planting trees and encouraging other vegetation growth using her powers.
I built a large cabin, as well as a fence around the entire property. The result was a nice nature reserve we were able to relax in from time to time.
There was only one road that connected the property to the outside world. The entrance was blocked by a simple gate with a wooden arch reading words 'Dodona Sanctuary.'
Currently, we were hunting. On the way to the cabin, we discovered some deer tracks. One thing led to another, and we agreed to have deer meat for dinner. So, with bows in hand, we hopped on our horses and started tracking the deer through the forest.
As Artemis and I followed the deer tracks through the forest, the sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a golden glow on the surrounding foliage. The air was crisp and filled with the earthy scent of pine and damp soil. We rode in silence, our senses keenly attuned to our surroundings, focused on the hunt.
Guided by Artemis' natural tracking skills, we slowly closed in on the deer. The horses moved gracefully, their hooves barely making a sound on the forest floor. We remained in sync, a seamless partnership forged through our adventures and shared experiences.
Finally, we reached a clearing where the deer had gathered. They grazed peacefully, unaware of our presence. Notching our arrows, we took aim.
Thinking about the venison we would have that night, I released my arrow with a swift, fluid motion. No powers needed. I simply watched my arrow soar through the air with lethal accuracy.
As the arrow approached its target, another arrow pierced it from the side, splitting it into two. Both projectiles landed harmlessly on the grass, creating a noise, and scaring away the deer.
I turned towards Artemis to see her bow, arrowless.
"I'm sorry," she preempted my reaction. "I didn't want us to kill that deer."
"I thought we agreed to have venison for dinner," I responded.
"I know," she said emotionally, "but I couldn't help but change my mind when I saw the doe with her fawns."
"Every animal has a family," I said emotionlessly. "Are we going to be vegetarian now?"
"No, I don't want to be vegetarian! And it's not that I don't like hunting or anything, I enjoyed the hunt thoroughly." she explained quickly. "I just don't want us to kill the first deer we see."
I thought about her explanation. I vaguely remembered something about my dad in my past life telling me about releasing the first fish we caught. Something about respecting nature or something. Never really understood that.
"Alright, whatever," I replied nonchalantly.
We continued our hunt in silence. Then Artemis suddenly said, "It's your fault!"
"What?" I said confused.
"We just watched Bambi last night, how could I let you kill a doe in front of her fawns after that?"
Oh. Another self-own.
.
Given Artemis's scary tracking abilities, we managed to find another herd of deer, where I let Artemis take the first shot. As expected, she nailed it.
After whispering a soft prayer to its dead body, we skinned it, brought everything back to the cabin, and gave the meat to the kitchen staff to cook something up for us.
.
[3rd POV]
Olivia woke up on the floor of Apollo's penthouse apartment, the top floor of the Apollonian Sunscraper.
Simply put, she felt good.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she now stood at 6'1'', and had muscles lining her entire body, not to an obnoxious extent, just barely so that you could see faint outlines of them.
Due to this transformation, none of her clothes fit her. Changing into a new set from Artemis's closet (Artemis left a note saying to take whatever she wanted), she descended the stairs to her apartment below.
She entered her office and sighed as she looked at the mountain of paperwork on her desk. She had missed all her meetings today, so would have to attend them tomorrow, or whenever they had been rescheduled to.
Frustrated, Olivia grabbed her pen to start working on her paperwork, only to accidentally snap it in half. She briefly wondered if Apollo had to constantly restrict his strength.
Picking up a new pen, she started on her paperwork. Shaking her head, she grumbled. She had enhanced strength, but still had to do paperwork.
What a brat.
.
.
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AN: Gonna get some action next chapter. Just had to give Olivia a quick power boost.
Power Stones are more than welcome. Thank you and good night.