Meeting in a small pub in Whitland, Wales, Ethan quickly became infatuated with a person sitting not too far from them. But, after several attempts, they decided to return home with a different stranger. They never got their name, and in the morning they parted ways without a single word spoken between the two.
Months later, Morrigan Hussey was born. A young little girl, with blonde hair and brown eyes like her parent. A quiet one, Morrigan always spent her time studying medicine from the books in the local library and the bookshelves in the living room. It was a quiet life for the Hussey's, little of interest happened in the first six years of their lives.
It was not long after Morrigan's sixth birthday that she first got her hair cut short. She'd grabbed the scissors from the bathroom cabinet, snipping away quickly and messily then stuffing the blonde locks into the bin. Reading further in the medical books she'd taken from the library, she found nothing on why the body never felt right, the pronouns or the name.
Adressing Ethan on the subject, they assured Morrigan it was simply a phase. "Lots of little girls go through a tomboy phase at your age, sweetie." had been the simple reply given. Though the matter was put to rest, Morrigan never stopped trying to find the right definition. A book they managed to slip into their bag without Ethan noticing on the matter of gender managed to give them the information they needed a year later, just as Morrigan turned 7 - transgender.
Overjoyed, the child picked the name Rhys after a grandparent. He cut his hair short again against his parent's wishes, wore some of his cousin's old clothing from when he was a little boy and insisted to his friends he was now a boy; something they accepted fully. His parent however was a different matter. Instead of accepting their son, they grew angry, tried to get it into his head he was a girl, he was always a girl no matter what he wanted. They insisted that he put back the dresses bought for him, grow his hair out again, continue using his 'true' name. He refused.
Selfish, he thought for a while. Wanting to live true to himself, rather than become a screaming mess on the inside with a false smile painted on to put others at ease. His confidence grew over time, refusing to do as his fathersaid. Though no physical abuse ever came, mental was constant.
Rhys' first attack was at age twelve, a hellhound leaping at him on his way home. Throwing a rock at it, barely hitting it in the eye gave him just a small change of escape. It gave chase until three arrows and a blade pierced it's neck. Falling to the ground, Rhys backed away from the four that emerged from the trees. They explained the situation to the boy as best they could - though they didn't know the parent, he was a demigod. They urged him to join them, a small group of demigods traveling to help others of their kind in danger. Though hesitant, he took the chance to escape his mother. Making a small journey to take his belongings from his home, he left. They took him to their temporary base, giving him basic lessons with a bow. Ranged would be best for now, wanting to keep him as far away from the danger until he got a good grasp of fighting.
Though five demigods traveling together was perhaps not the safest, they managed to beat monsters that came for them. Some children they fought to save would have too many wounds to live, some would refuse to leave their families, others were just skeptical. Stops at stores and sometimes gaining supplies from the family of the demigods they saved who were greateful, they did well for themselves. For three years, they became their own little family. They assisted Rhys with obtaining the right things he needed - a couple of binders, cutting his hair and helping him deepen his voice.
Soon, they came across a spirit of revenge. Introducing himself as Sean, they allowed him to travel with them. Rhys and Sean got along fairly well, occasionally brushing the subject of demigod's treatment. Though Rhys would typically change the topic, it was no secret he was angry at the Gods. Sean's influences over Rhys started to grow and grow, to the point that Rhys eventually attacked two other members of the group (Lily and Taylor) after a small comment about Sean and Rhys' unexplainable relationship. In shame, Rhys left with Sean following him despite his wishes.
Though words can't be found by either to explain it, Sean had a control over Rhys' mind only applicable when Rhys looses all control of his own mind, often leaving Sean able to step in. Traveling to London, they met a young demigod woman who urged the both of them to go to Camp Half Blood, giving instructions on where it was. Whilst being surrounded by so many other demigods that actually enjoyed being one and were proud of their parents, Rhys much preferred it do being killed without more protection from his old group. Accepting and being assisted in the travel by her, Rhys and Sean found their way to camp with ease.