Silence reigned in the room as what Rita said reverberated in Poseidon's head.

"I…what…how?!" Poseidon said in shock and confusion. The news was too much for him and he had to sit down, deep in contemplation.

"That's partly why I asked you to be here," Rita said as she sat across from him, and passed him a cup of tea. "What do you know about how gods create Demigods? I have researched the topic, but I would rather have a god weigh in on the matter."

"Well, I do it like how humans create other humans. I don't think I did it any other way." Poseidon thought as he took a sip of tea.

"What about the other gods and goddesses."

"The same really, there isn't that much a difference. Except Aphrodite and Demeter carry the child." Poseidon thought a bit more. "Except for Athena."

Rita looked confused. "Athena? From what I gather isn't she a virgin goddess"

"Well, yeah. She has kids in a completely different way—something about her kids being born by the joining of her and her lover's minds. Don't know much, me and Athena don't get along."

Rita seemed to analyze what Poseidon said before the realization hits her. "You're not doing it the normal human way!"

"Last time I checked, what we did back then is the same as how normal mortals do it, and you're got pregnant like how mortals do," Poseidon said with some doubt.

"Just because it seems like the mortal way, doesn't mean it is the normal mortal way. Normal mortal babies can't be born from thoughts." Rita began to pace the room.

"But only Athena's kids are born that way"

"Are they any different from other demigods"

"Not really." Poseidon looked down at his half-full cup of tea, meanwhile, Rita looked smug that she figured it out. "Let's continue this later-"

"We don't have to, because I am right" Rita looked at Poseidon with a smug grin.

"You said figuring how was partly why I am here. What is the other reason you asked me to come"

Rita's mood seemed to dampen. Instead of the smug grin she proudly reveled in, she looked deep in contemplation, her face showing a sense of conflict. She put a hand to her stomach and asked "What do we do with them."

Poseidon remained in silence, but she continued. "This changes so much, not only can they be possibly a dead apostle and divine mix, but they are the first dead apostle child. Our species had to grow by conversion, but now that a dead apostle child can be born, we don't even have to worry about conversions. Let alone the fact that he might inherit my Idea Blood before I die. There are so many possibilities on how this can revolutionize the Dead Apostle World."

"So that's what Rita Rozay-en, the Dead Apostle Ancestor, thinks on the matter. What does Rita Rozay-en, the future mother, thinks?

Rita looked down at her stomach and smiled. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. When I was a young human, hundreds of years ago, I was told I had to be a mother, for the continuation of the Rozay-en line of course, and being an innocent child who knew very little I was excited at the prospect. But after my mother died giving birth and when I converted to a Dead Apostle, that dream died with my body. I focused on growing powerful, rising to the top, and ruling my part of the world. I never thought I could have a child, but facing this possibility, I can never give this chance up."

While she was talking, Poseidon walked up behind her and hugged her. Rita held his hands close to him and closed her eyes. They swayed a bit, enjoying the other's warmth.

"What would the names be?" Poseidon asked.

"Andromeda if they're a girl. Perseus if they're a boy." Rita said with her eyes still closed.

"Are you naming him after one of Zeus' kids?"

"Oh? Are you jealous?" RIta looked up at Poseidon. "It's because after looking over the many, many Greek myths, Perseus and Andromeda seemed to be one of the few to have a happy ending. If my child is born, I hope that they die a peaceful death surrounded by family and loved ones, instead of falling victim to a monster or their flaws."

Silence reigned once more, as they held each other.

"Still upset you didn't name them after one of my kids"

"He has such beautiful green eyes. Your beautiful eyes." Rita said, gazing into her newborn's eyes. She was rocking back and forth, with Perseus in a deep sleep.

"Well, he has your nose. Gods, I can't believe I have a kid again" Poseidon said with slight disbelief.

"You can't believe having a child after half a century, I can't believe I had a child, to begin with."

"Is Perseus…a Dead Apostle?"

Rita stopped rocking her baby. She remained silent for a few moments, before answering. "Maybe."

"How…how do you know"

"He has my blood." She said with a sense of gravitas.

Poseidon raised his eyebrow. "I mean it's kinda obvious, he's your kid."

Rita rolled her eyes with exasperation. "No, as in he has my Idea Blood. Even if Perseus is a Dead Apostle, simply having the Idea Blood at his age should have killed him."

"But he's right there in your arms, living, and breathing"

"Mayhaps the Blood does not recognize Perseus as a separate individual, but merely an extension of myself."

"So he's a Dead Apostle?"

"I didn't say that, something is inhibiting the Dead Apostle's blood in his veins, something that can fight for control of his body. The ichor is preventing me from saying that Perseus is a true Dead Apostle."

"So what, he's a Dead Apostle Demigod Hybrid? A Demi-Apostle? A Deadmigod?"

Perseus began to fuss before Rita began rocking him again, calming the child down. "It doesn't matter what he is, Perseus is our son. No matter what he will become, nothing will change that". Rita said with a smile on her face.

Dear Sister Rita

You should be sending more thank-you notes to your reliable older sister at some point. Do you know how hard it is to get this letter through so many people without it tracing to either of us? I am putting all the expenses on you, by the way. Your garden is still currently run by your servants. I wished you were here, you are the one who can always keep Father in line.

Pleasantries aside, there have been shifts in the world in the past few weeks, and we have yet to understand why. Those fools who worship the Crimson Moon have been babbling about a perfect vessel arriving, yet I harbor doubts after the dozens of times they have proclaimed his return. Finding a perfect vessel for his return is nothing short of a divine miracle. Some have even spotted in your territory, fools. The only reason they haven't been turned into feed for your garden is that you've been away.

Have you been keeping safe? Rumors have circulated that the Snake has been spotted in North America looking for something. Tracking his current position is always tricky, but I hope he is nowhere near where you are, conflicts between you two are always messy. That isn't even including his hunter who has been sighted tracking Roa down. Vlov still despises you, and I think it would be better for you to return home at this point.

Speaking of home, while the servants assigned to your garden have been toiling away, the main estate servants attempted a coup d'état against you while their mistress was away. It was easily squashed by Marie and me. We've been supplementing the staff with some of our servants, but I highly recommend restaffing when you return.

Use the address listed on the envelope to send anything to us. They will funnel it through a different route, and it should end up in my hands. Remember to send a letter with your response, I would rather not have silence from you.

Love,

Lilith Rozay-en

Rita was reading this letter in her study. Percy was sleeping in a crib close to her desk. "When are returning home? We need you back home!" Home this. Home that. Don't they know I have a reason to be away from my territory? She stretched and took a glance at her son. I wonder what would be her reaction if I told her she was an Aunt now. I should write my response.

Hmmm. What did they mean when they said the perfect vessel for the Crimson Moon? A vessel of the Crimson Moon would be near impossible to find. Theoretically, they must be much more than simply a Dead Apostle. Like a Dead Apostle…divine…hybrid. Rita's eyes widened then whipped her head towards Percy. Nonononono. Do not think that. They don't know about Percy. Or do they? No. Roa doesn't know. Vlov doesn't know. Nobody knows, and nobody will know of his existence.

Rita walked up to Percy's crib. She knelt and stared at her son lovingly, yet every moment, more and more thoughts flooded her mind, of the different parties that would want Percy for themselves, or would be outraged at his existence. Perseus must never be found. The simple fact is too many individuals would want Perseus dead or captured. The church would want him dead, the Dark Six would want him under their control, and my traitorous kin would see him as a weakness to strike.

To keep him safe, he must never be recognized as a Dead Apostle. He must never be found by my enemies. He must never be known as Perseus Rozay-en. He must never be my son. Tears began to fall from Rita's eyes as she created a plan to protect her son's life.

"You're going to what?!" Poseidon shouted, shocked at what Rita said.

"I'm giving Perseus up for adoption," Rita said with a sure voice.