"Why are you helping me, Stefanos?" Kratos asked pitifully.
"Don't be an i***t. We've been through a lot together, haven't we?"
Kratos looked up. "Yes. We have."
"I know you can do this!" he said through gritted teeth. "Do it!"
Kratos nodded. "I'm ready."
Together, they walked back to the stadium, the roar of the crowd and of music washing over them as they emerged from the Krypte again.
Kratos' second run was not much better than his first, and he did not advance any more that day.
When Stefanos approached him afterward, he did not wait to speak with his friend, but walked away, his n***d form disappearing into the Altis, sliding his chiton over his head as he made his way back to the Argive camp.
Stefanos knew Kratos, knew that he needed to fall hard before he could work himself
