-Time Skip: Eight and a half months-

"We can't do this to her," one of the former crew of the Plutonia said as they made their way to the cell where Desdinova rested, her belly now heavy with child, "you know this is wrong."

"Our new captain has given us food, shelter, and adventure," his friend replied, though the argument seemed halfhearted.

"In return for what?"the first man asked. "He tricked us into betraying our true captain. He raped her. Locked her away. And you know what he means to do to the child!"

"But what can we do?" the second wondered. "His original crew outnumber us three to one. We'll be thrown in ourselves if we don't cooperate. Gutted and tossed to the sharks like chum. If we knew a ship was coming, we could stall for time. But the likelihood of a rescue is very low."

"I know," his companion replied. "But I hate this with every fibre of my being."

"So do I."

As the two men went to retrieve Desdinova, the pirate captain prepared a spot on the edge of the deck. She would be positioned there to await the delivery of her child, a delivery which the insane captain believed would bring him great power when the child dropped into the waves below.

"Soon all will be ready. Then, it is just a matter of time. The doctor examined her last night and he says she'll be giving birth any time now."

"Clouds are sparse and thin, Captain," his first mate told him. "Looks like a perfect day for a sacrifice."

"It may not be today," the captain told him. "She may be there throughout the night. We will bring a blanket for her. We don't want her to die of exposure before the ritual is complete."

Desdinova looked at her two former crewmen as the door to her cell was opened.

"We've been sent to bring you to the main deck for your delivery," the older man told her, his voice filled with regret. "I'm sorry, captain."

Desdinova drew back into the corner, refusing to leave the safety of the cell. The two men gripped her arms and pulled her into the narrow passage, leading her towards the sacrificial area that had been prepared on deck.

As they removed any garments that would hinder the delivery and positioned her at the edge of the deck, Desdinova struggled, fighting for the life of her soon-to-be-born child. She had mixed feelings about the baby, but she did not want it to die. Not like this. As she was finally subdued and bound in position so she could not move away from the edge, she heard a voice in her mind. One that she recognized.

'I am not far,' it said, 'relax and do as they tell you. The baby won't survive if you try to hold it in. But it will not fall into the sea.'

'Imaginos," Desdinova thought as the pirates surrounded her, their doctor taking his place at her back, 'Where are you?'

'Look to the skies, not the sea,' the voice of Imaginos told her.

The pirates began to crudely chant; "Push!" as she felt the first contractions begin.

Desdinova could hear the roar of the Sea that waited to claim her child as the delivery commenced, tears falling as the pains and fear enveloped her.

She was certain she could feel the head begin to emerge when the sound of a vulture's voice filled the air above her and chaos erupted giving the two crewmen who were still secretly loyal to Desdinova a chance to pull her away from the edge of the deck.

As Desdinova gave birth to her first child, the mast of the Plutonia appeared on the opposite side of the ship, having been guided to her by Imaginos who now flew around her protectively in the form of Buzzardo.

Soon the cry of the baby could be heard and Desdinova was lifted along with the child and carried through the melee and to her ship while Buzzardo and the two men who had once betrayed her and now repented fought off those who would try to recapture her.

In time, Desdinova was safely back on the Plutonia with the baby and the ship was on its way as far from the pirate vessel as possible.