After dinner, Xinhai went through his daily physical training as usual. In the open space of the room, he once again practiced the increasingly proficient Body Tempering Technique and Tai Chi.
After finishing his workout and taking a moment to regulate his breathing, Xinhai began giving his partners relaxing massages before bed, helping them loosen their muscles, settle their energy, and relieve their fatigue.
For Axew, Xinhai's touch was especially gentle, focusing on his relatively slender limbs and back to help him better absorb the energy from his specially prepared nutritious meal.
The little fellow hummed comfortably, his purplish-red eyes half-lidded as he nearly drifted back to sleep.
Finally, it was story time, as it was every night. Xinhai sat on the bed, with Eevee and Axew nestled against either side of his chest, Charmander lying beside his legs, and the other partners gathered nearby.
Xinhai's voice was gentle and clear as he told the story of the Jelly Three Swordsmen bravely venturing into Flower Fruit Mountain.
Axew listened with exceptional focus, his purplish-red eyes sparkling beneath the dim bedside lamp.
Certain parts of the story seemed to quietly stir something deep within him.
After finishing the story and turning off the room's lights, Xinhai softly said, "Good night, everyone."
Eevee skillfully burrowed into the crook of his arm, while Axew pressed close against his side, basking in that reassuring warmth and familiar scent.
"Axew..." (Good night, Xinhai... Good night, everyone...) Axew said in an extremely soft voice before closing his eyes.
Before long, steady breathing filled the room. Surrounded by that familiar atmosphere, Xinhai slowly drifted off to sleep as well.
The next morning, Fallarbor Town was shrouded in a light mist and the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Xinhai and his partners got up on schedule,