Thalia, Selene, Nyx, Nightfire, and Raven were lying on the mat as each one groaned in pain, their bodies covered in wounds.
Thalia's entire stomach was covered in deep bruises and dark patches, as if something monstrous had pummeled her gut over and over. She growled, clenching her teeth and curling her fists, the sharp ache making her tremble.
"Fuck… It's fucking hard to breathe," she muttered, her tone heavy, trembling, and hoarse.
Selene was holding the side of her neck, her hand pressing against the bruised flesh as she winced. She couldn't even turn her head; it was as if a steel clamp had snapped shut on her spine, locking her in place. She didn't dare lie down—just sitting upright made every muscle in her back quiver.
"My bad… arrh," she gasped for air, words barely more than a whisper as she tried to speak.
