Both of them were battered and bloody, both of them tired, both of them determined not to lose. Ares' breath was coming ragged and deep as he managed to keep out of Apollo's worst hits.
He could feel it in his bones, though, the support of his people behind him. Gradually someone took up chanting his name, and more caught on, until the whole stands were chanting, "ARES ARES ARES" and the air vibrated with it. Ares let out a bloodcurdling yell and pounced on Apollo, delivering a sledgehammer of a blow that cracked his cheekbone and sent him slamming to the ground, dazed and weakened. Ares stood over him, fist raised if he tried to get up again, so very determined that he would. not. lose.