The underwater passage leading to the surface was a little longer than Xia You had expected.
Fortunately, strips of lighting lined both sides, keeping it from being too dark and allowing them to faintly make out the way ahead.
Milotic's gaze was resolute as the water it parted washed relentlessly over Xia You and Courtney.
They had only been swimming for a dozen seconds or so when, despite being underwater, a sudden crash from behind made him realize that the underground harbor must have been completely buried!
They had escaped by that narrow margin. It really had been a close call.
The vibrations from the collapse soon reached Xia You and the others through the water.
It barely affected them. They merely felt the seawater shudder, followed by a sensation like someone giving their bodies a hard shove. But for Courtney, who could not swim and had her eyes closed, it caught her off guard, and she was clearly struggling to hold her breath.
Bubbles streamed from her mouth, and she was about to run out of air...
Xia You was doing fine. Or rather... he even felt he could hold on for another few minutes.
Such was his blessed body. It really was miraculous, leaving him largely unaffected underwater...
Although he had become the Hero of the Sea through his own abilities, at times like these, he always silently thanked High Priestess Maya again, the woman with whom he had shared a night of pleasure.
But...
He glanced worriedly at Courtney, only able to hope she could hold on a little longer.
Just then, Milotic finally emerged from the long, narrow passage and began swimming toward the surface.
Sunlight shone through the surface, illuminating the surrounding seawater and giving them hope.
But Courtney ultimately could not hold on. She