In the third, Apollo is the disguised priest who rescues his victim from human sacrifice and marries her at the end.
They seem to take their strength from dying men as do the Holy Gods from sacrifice!
That we are in danger too, not perhaps from sacrifice but in danger all the same.
After this the customary offering to the dragon changed from human sacrifice to steamed rice with red beans.
In the old fantasy stories it's the girl who is saved from sacrifice at the last minute.
He was a god who took his power from sacrifice, and from death, and especially from war.
She wanted to linger, studying the mirror, but the lambs, having been spared from sacrifice, needed her.
Lets move on from the hardship, sacrifice and nobility argument.
From their suffering and sacrifice, they gained in strength and numbers.
He soon became the symbol of martyrdom and many were influenced from his bravery and sacrifice.