Divided

Percy: Percy's request

Sophy slammed the door behind her, making Rhyanne and Red wince.

"I'll go talk to her," Percy said standing up. He was halfway to the door when Aki stood up.

"Percy don't; I'll go."

"Why?" irritation appeared in his voice.

Persephone sighed. "Because you're the last person she would want to say goodbye to."

She had a point, and Percy knew it. It would be too painful for the both of them.

Aki placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry; It'll be fine." His voice was so sure. Percy didn't believe him. Aki ran out the door and flew off into the night.

Percy stared at the fireplace. The wood logs were dry and twisted. Percy's pain grew, he felt his heartbreak. Sparks started to come from the wood under his gaze. "Why?" Percy asked. The wood was set ablaze burning bright orange.

"Why what?" Percy's dad asked.

"Why did...why Sophy? Why did this happen to her? How are our worlds that different?" Tears welled in his eyes. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Sophy.

Rhay came over and put her arms around his shoulders. "I don't know P, maybe its a thing atmospherically. Maybe its because she isn't a Kintaikan. All of us aren't sure."

"That's it!" Percy got excited. He knew what to do. He turned to Rhaynee. "Let me go with you."

"What?"

"Please! If I go, I can be with Sophy and if I start to have the same symptoms ill just heal and bam good as new. Then I can continue to live and be with her."

Rhaynee gave Red a concerned look. "Kid, look I'm glad you make my daughter happy. I would love for you to come along with, but you'll only make the situation worse."

"How so?"

"Percy," he looked at his father. "If Sophy's soul is fading, yours would too. If it were a physical thing then yes you could go, but its soul damage. That doesn't heal, and we as kintaikans take soul damage more than others. You'd die twice as fast."

"The last thing id want is for you to die in my daughter. She'd blame herself."

Percy stood defeated. The realization he was going to lose Sophy forever hit him like a train. He started to cry.

It was quiet amongst them, all except the crackling fire and Percy's soft sobbing. His mother came over and hugged him tightly. "Sweetie it'll be okay. Just think, she'll be able to live happily and free from illness. You wouldn't want her to suffer."

Percy was silent.

Persephone joined in the hug as did their dad. Percy didn't want to say goodbye, but he knew he had to prepare.