Han Yu's eyes narrowed.
"No ground?"
'No. Only water now. The whole tunnel is filled.'
Han Yu considered that.
"What about the opening?"
'Small. Very small. Only water can pass.'
Silence followed.
Han Yu did not respond immediately.
Instead, he replayed everything in his mind.
The width of the river.
The presence of the path.
The distance traveled.
The narrowing at the end.
His thoughts moved rapidly, connecting pieces, forming possibilities.
This was not a complete route.
Not yet.
But it was close.
Very close.
Han Yu exhaled slowly.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"Return."
Chitterfang did not question the command.
he turned and began making its way back.
Han Yu remained where he was, his gaze fixed on the ground beneath him.
The aquifer was not perfect.
But perfection was not required.
Only possibility.
Han Yu did not rush.
