Even though he couldn't breathe, staying down meant death. Maybe not this time, but it would, one day. Tragos cut himself no slack, forcing him body back to remain upright after one of the other war dogs dragged him to his feet. His lungs drew in a sliver of breath, each time, but not enough to keep the black of tunnel vision from starting to close in. Just enough to keep it from closing over him entirely. He could breathe enough not to die. He could hear enough to catch Melpomene's name.
When Ares started to lead the way down toward the arena, he could control his body enough to follow. He'd survived worse pain than this. He would go on surviving worse pain than this. Falling behind was not an option.
He didn't see Marcie in his tunnel vision though. Not till he was past the next set of doors, where Cy, tall, dark haired, cruel-lipped Cy put out his arm to stop her going any further. "This isn't a place for girls," he said, and Tragos turned at his brother's voice, looking back toward Marcie.
"Get out of here Marcie," he said, forcing his voice out through the pain and lack of air. Unsaid was: while you can. He did not think Ares would lose, but this also was not the place for her. Cy was right. She could go no further.