Time passed second by second.
The sun hung high overhead, the golden glimmers on the sea growing richer, and the temperature rising considerably.
Xinhai did not know how long he had been swimming—perhaps half an hour, perhaps an hour, perhaps even longer.
He only knew that his arms were growing sorer, his legs heavier, and every stroke demanded more effort than the last.
More than ten minutes later, Xinhai stopped, floating on the surface as he gasped for breath.
Seawater slid down his cheeks, mingling with sweat until they were impossible to tell apart.
His chest heaved violently, the muscles in his shoulders trembling from prolonged exertion, his entire arms as heavy as if filled with lead.
"Woo..." Milotic noticed the movement behind it and immediately stopped. Its long body curved through the water as it swam over to Xinhai.
It lowered its head, nudged his arm gently, and let out a soft, worried cry.
"Woo..." (Xinhai, are you all right?)
"I'm fine... Just a little tired..." Xinhai panted as he reached out to pat Milotic's head, his fingers gliding over its smooth scales. "Milotic, sorry for the trouble... Get me back to the boat."
"Woo!"
Milotic immediately swam beneath Xinhai, its long body like a soft waterbed as it steadily supported him.
Xinhai lay across Milotic's back, hugging its slick body with his cheek pressed against its smooth, cool scales.
He could feel the heat within Milotic's body passing through its scales, warm and steady.
"Woo~"
Milotic let out a gentle cry, lightly swished its tail, and carried Xinhai toward the inflatable boat.
Seeing this, Quagsire dove underwater to prevent any Pokémon from launching a sneak attack.
On the inflatable boat, Eevee saw Xinhai being carried back on Milotic's back. Its large brown eyes immediately lit up, only for