GREED: ALL FOR WHAT?

He asked for the thing that usually works for him because he can't come up with something better.

"I call for the decision of fate through the introduction of an external item."

It probably won't work but on the off chance that it did, the situation will move in his favor. There's practically nothing to lose.

Most shook their heads in pity. They don't think the proposal will work even if it passes the judgment of the Observer. Tyke is not in a favorable situation. It will take a lot to change his situation.

The god of conflict considered the proposal. 'On the one hand, it is a stupid thing to ask for. It won't help Tyke at all unless he has truly been chosen by fate to survive this fight. I doubt that since the god of fate is such an asshole. On the other hand, it will make the fight more interesting.'

He nodded his head in approval. "The motion passes. Does the other party accept? If he does, he can specify the external object."

The sun god considered the situation carefully. Everything is in his favor so he doesn't need to take a risk. But if he refuses, he will be robbing the other gods of more stakes in their entertainment.

He made his decision. "I agree and I select the ceremonial blade."

Everyone clapped because of his agreement. Things would escalate soon enough.

"The other party has agreed and the external object has been selected. Let the fight resume." The god of conflict declared.

Helios was made to let go of Tyke. The two of them were separated and made to stand at opposite ends of the stage. A short blade was placed in the middle of the stage. The short blade will be a large sword for other size-challenged races but it is a short blade for giants. Then the two fighters were released.

Harkam shouted to his son. "Run Tyke. Grab the blade. Grab it quickly."

He was joined by most of the spectators. They all wanted the one losing to gain an edge. Tyke was frozen in mind and soul so he didn't know what happened. He was about to be slammed on the ground then he found himself suddenly on the ground. It's not like he was fully aware before he was frozen, getting your head knocked into the ground like a hammer does that to you. The sudden change only made his confusion worse. Still, the voice of his father roused him.

He struggled to right his vision and stand from his unsightly position on the ground. He rumbled a lot of times but he managed to get up. Then he began running towards the blade. The bruises on his body ached, that's for those that are not bleeding.

There are a lot of broken bones, internal damage, and external bleeding but he can't give up. He finally has a chance to turn the situation around and he must take it. Death can motivate you to go above and beyond even when your body is screaming concerns about it just being an inch away from falling apart. He gritted his teeth and moved through the pain.

The call for the decision of fate through the introduction of an external object usually works for demigods of the sky god because they are the fastest demigods. They usually reach the introduced object first. It is not the same here.

Helios was aware when he was frozen. It irked him to no end that someone froze his body like that and interfered in his fight but he didn't show it. Weakness is not a sin, not knowing your position in the hierarchy is a bigger sin. He knows his position as a source of entertainment to the gods because he is weak so he can't act out. He doesn't have enough strength to handle them yet. He is also aware of the game that the gods are playing by introducing the blade but he is unconcerned about it.

If there is someone that he has the strength to handle, it is Tyke. Having a blade won't matter. He was willing to fight the twin demigods even with the use of their rune weapons. Stelios' machinations only reduced the challenge.

A ceremonial blade that isn't a mana weapon is like giving a handicapped person a cane to stand with. It won't make the handicapped person suddenly able to run. They will barely be able to walk with it.

Helios walked slowly while watching Tyke rushing for the blade with all his might like a lifeline but what he succeeded in doing is limping really fast to the blade. He picked up the sword with glee and held it like a dagger. His bruised face was radiant as if he has received liberation. He then prepared himself for Helios.

He isn't the only one happy with the situation. Harkam's face lit up. He raised his hands and shouted, "Destiny has spoken."

Everyone cheered with him. They raised their voice in excitement and clapped. Some even whistled.

Helios found the sight funny. Both Tyke and Harkam seem ridiculous to him. In fact, all of these seem stupid to him. The gods have created rules that limit them just like the law of order does to the mortals.

The rules are important of course, considering the influence of gods and their activity on the plane. The gods have been entrenched too much in mortal affairs and if they are allowed to do whatever they want, the mortal realm will suffer drastically. The problem is that their rules have rubbed him the wrong way and that's something he can't stand.

He can't make fun of the gods or act out yet, so he asked Tyke with a voice dripping with derision. "Can you even use that?"

Tyke could hardly keep one eye open. The other eye has closed up shop. His mouth is filling up with blood from his bleeding lips. He can't stand straight or turn his neck quickly. His body aches all over from all the damage. He is in pain so Helios can understand why he isn't talking to answer his question.