The passage widened here. A human boy in a dark training outfit stood there, his eyes clear and his face wearing a gentle expression that put others at ease.
Behind and beside him stood several Pokémon with distinct auras.
The most eye-catching was the tall Blaziken, whose crimson feathers were streaked with orange-yellow and whose calm gaze resembled a tranquil lake.
The Blaziken merely stood there, yet an aura of hard-won steadiness and strength naturally radiated from him. The flames in his hands lit up the surroundings.
Floating nearby was an elegant, beautiful white Pokémon—Gardevoir. Her red eyes, like the purest gemstones, watched him gently.
There was also the powerfully built Krokorok, covered in heavy dark-brown armor, with fierce yet steady eyes; the sleek-furred, alert-eyed Zigzagoon; and the Mightyena sitting quietly at the boy's feet, its gaze loyal.
Upon seeing Eevee's companions, Axew, who had been following Eevee, involuntarily stopped. They looked nervously at Xinhai and the others, their little claws clenched tight.
When Xinhai saw Eevee and the Shiny Axew, he waved at them.
"Eevee!" Eevee cried happily. "Xinhai! I brought them back!" Then Eevee turned and gave the still-hesitant Axew a gentle nod, encouraging them with a look before trotting back to Xinhai's side.
Axew looked at Xinhai's gentle gaze, then at the powerful yet quiet companions around him. A flicker of nervousness passed through their violet-red eyes.
But remembering Eevee's words, Axew gathered their courage and set off on their short little legs. They ran over somewhat clumsily but determinedly, stopping several steps away from Xinhai. With their head slightly lowered, they looked rather uneasy.
"Eevee, you did an excellent job this time." Xinhai smiled and stroked Eevee's little head, praising Eevee without reservation.
"Eevee!" Eevee happily narrowed their eyes and rubbed against his palm.
Then Xinhai