Julian's plans for bottles of champagne, candles, and rose petals went unused as Shannon was settled in a guest room.
After freshening up and bandaging her injured hand, she carefully took out Benji Gold's charred figure. It was now just a crumpled piece of torn paper.
Besides faint traces of grudge and malevolent energy, it had no remaining spiritual energy.
Shanny Gold had come over at some point. It came over to Benji Gold and tilted its head looking curiously. Then, it leaned in to lift the charred Benji Gold and shook it gently.
Shannon watched the two paper figures before her and looked away. There was an inexplicable pang in her chest.
After a long pause, she gently pulled Shanny Gold away and softly murmured, "I'll save it." The words were meant as much for herself as they were for Shanny Gold.
After setting Shanny Gold to one side, she didn't waste any time taking out her cinnabar pen to draw a mini array on the table.
She placed the paper figure in the center of the array and began forming mudras. Soon, the grudge on the paper figure was purified. It returned to its familiar yellow paper form.
Then, Shannon shifted her mudras to inject fresh spiritual energy into the array.
One second passed. Then two and three.
The paper figure in the array remained motionless.
Shannon bit her lip and tried again to infuse more spiritual energy, but the paper figure remained still. She refused to let go and pushed on.
She knew she could also make another paper figure if she wished. With her skills, it'd surely be lively and endearing.
But it wouldn't be Benji Gold, who'd make sure to deliver symmetrical slaps. And it'd never leap to protect her once there was danger.
The golden light pulsed through their fingertips and into the paper figure. Then, it stirred.
Shannon blinked in surprise, but Benjamin had let go.
Together, they watched as Benji Gold in the array slowly wobbled to its feet.
Shanny Gold rushed over to greet its friend. The two paper figures seemed to share a glance before they clasped hands and spun in circles as if in celebration.
Benji Gold seemed even more spirited now that it was revived. It performed its familiar little dance alongside Shanny Gold.
The figures moved in lively sync just like the first time they'd met.
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