New Beginnings

"The Dog is glowing because I healed it from an illness that would have otherwise ended it's life. I'm glad to tell you that it will live for a long time...probably about 100 or more years than expected... " Shi said. He pulled his granddaughter up and pressed his lips to her forehead gently. He lowered the child back down towards her mother, giving her up. Yam's essence left the girl, as she descended into her mother's arms.

     "I will be leaving soon. I will not be able to return for...quite some time I'm afraid." Shi explained, a hint of sadness in his voice.

    Tell her you need my amulet. Yam commanded.
    "Salone...Yam needs your amulet." He said.
   
Tell her you are taking it to Hawaii to the volcanos...where you will cast the amulet into the lava and free the world from an item of eternal power
   "I am taking it to Hawaii to the volcanos...where I will cast the amulet into the lava and free the world from an item of etern-HEY!" Shi said, finally catching on. Yam's voice erupted in laughter through his head and through the amulet.

“What is with you and Jake and messing with my pets?” Salone asked amused, watching as Shi held Hanna, seemingly deep in thought as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Lowering her down back into Salone’s arms, he seemed to sigh to himself before stating that he would be leaving.

“What? Why?” Not another person leaving… again… not another… no. Salone glanced at Artemis before showing her Hanna, so she could get a proper glimpse of the newborn. Hanna was asleep by now and didn’t have a care in the world. Carefully, Salone got Artemis situated in holding the newborn , emphasizing the word gently before she turned back to Shi and his very one sided conversation with Yam in his head.

Do you really need it back? Salone asked quietly while she chuckled at Shi having parenting issues. Because if so… you could have just asked me yourself… There was a tinge of hurt in her thoughts before she sighed mentally and physically.

“Whats really going on Shi, you are beating around the bush.” Salone fixed him with the stare. It was a stare Jake, Penny, and Artemis all knew. The one that made it seem like Salone was x-raying a person’s soul when she was actually trying to think of an obvious answer. Even if it didn’t quite add up.

Shi was leaving? Fine by Artemis, she wasn't a big fan of him. He wasn't as much fun as dragon boy. Artemis was going to voice her opinion she was handed Hanna. After being told how to hold her and to be careful while holding her Artemis just kinda stared at Hanna. There was a confused look on her face. She rocked her back and forth, not really for any reason, she just started to. She for some reason wanted to make faces at the sleeping child as well. She then turned her attention back to Salone and Shi who seemed to be arguing about something. Whatever is was it couldn't be good since Shi was getting the death stare.

Nope, Just wanted to watch y dad fumble around like an idiot. He's like stuck in the stone age...no comments. He was laughing at the first part as he spoke to Salone through the amulet. He then took the epiphany and told her to make no comments when he realized that he was from before the stone-age.
Shi sighed as he shook his head, he glared at Artemis. The little shape-shifter was not a fan of his, he could feel it. Not that it really mattered though. Many things were not fans of Death, and apparently this mindless animal was no exception. He folded his arms, looking to Salone. He was slightly agitated by Salone at the moment... mostly because her face and his grand-daughter's face were constant reminders of his failure as a Spirit and as a father. Had he the capacity...he would have cried...but he had literally cried to the point he could cry no more. He sighed.

"I'm going to give Hanna what she deserves. I'm going to return to OCEAN and train my successor...and then... I'm going to bring my son back." He said very simply, as if doing such a thing were just another idle task on the long list of daily chores. He looked over to Artemis and scoffed. "Don't get too excited Harlot." He snickered. Both Salone and Shi could hear Yam's laughter roaring, as the image of Yam doubled over on the ground flashed him, holding his stomach in pain that he was laughing so hard. Shi looked back to Hanna.
T-that-that-that's sooo awesome Bwahahahahahah!!! Yam's voice carried through both Shi and Salone as he continued laughing. The laughter suddenly stopped and Shi smirked. W-w-wait did you just say you were going to bring me back? How you gonna do that ya delusional geezer? Yam asked, inadvertently linking Salone to his and Shi's internal conversation.
Oh quiet child.

He’s not the only one… Kidnapping princesses remember? Salone teased him slightly.

Sighing in relief, Salone cradled Hanna to her. Running her fingers over her soft baby skin before looking back up at Shi, shock clearly written across her face before placing her hand on Artemis’ leg and squeezing tight to hopefully avoid a Shi and Artemis confrontation… hopefully it would avoid kissing altogether… and biting… and dirty flirtatious comments, but this was Artemis. So one of the three was bound to happen.

“Be nice,” Salone said flatly, her tone showing she did not have enough sleep to have this argument and referee this fight. “Y-you plan to bring Jake back?”

Salone echoed Yam’s question. “How?”
Her eyes were staring intently at Shi and Hanna snuggled down into Salone’s arms again.

Artemis eye's lit up. She had honestly paid very little attention to Shi. Although he had her attention now. Artemis bared her teeth at Shi's comment but Salone squeezed her leg before she could do anything. An obvious warning but Artemis wasn't the smartest creature on the face of the earth. She just growled lowly as Shi in the end, deciding not to act on it. She was far more interested in what he had said. Yam was coming back? Artemis felt a knot in her chest. How was that even possible? Although Artemis couldn't help but think back to when they went on vacation after the whole dragon site mess. It became clear what Artemis wanted from Jake would never happen. But it didn't mean Artemis wasn't now anticipating his return.

"I'm Death... I have my ways... I also have...allies. You remember the one called Ouroboros, yes? He too has a son...one that belongs to Yam. Ouroboros is a being who takes the proverbial piss on my parade every other week, dying and resurrecting people like it's a two for one fire-sale. I intend to use him as a catalyst." Shi said as he groaned slightly turning and walking towards the door.

Oh, guess I'm leaving now...byyyyyyyee Yam said, a rather drawn out lisp in his last words.

The look of incredulity said it all on Salone’s face. It was similar to the one she had worn when Yam had told her he loved her.

“Wait,” Salone said tiredly, cradling Hanna in one arm before walking towards Shi. Carefully she hugged him tightly, taking care not to squish the newborn child. “Thank you,” She whispered before resting her face in the crook of his neck for a few moments. Then Salone pressed her lips to Shi’s cheek before letting him go.

Goodbye Jake or Yam… whichever you prefer. That kiss was for you by the way.

Then Salone forced herself to move away, feeling her heart crack just a little more.

Salone seemed really happy about the news. She had the right to be, the father of her child was apparently coming back to life. While the two were finishing up talking Artemis slipped away quietly. She flew out the window and started to head home. It was late anyway, Salone needed to get her rest.


(Artemis left.)