Time continued to race forward, unconcerned with the emotions of those standing around Moonflow Stream.
Despite their urgency, they had no choice but to wait. It was an unseen showdown they had to endure, a contest of patience that wouldn't resolve quickly. Waiting was their only shortcut.
Ultimately, who could outlast whom would depend on who had the stronger will.
Igor felt relieved. With Kadi's temperament, he had worried Kadi would get impatient, shout out, and alert their hidden adversary. Yet, to Igor's surprise, Kadi never made a single sound. Instead, he was fully engaged and free of distractions. Kadi had been the deviser of this plan. From the beginning, he understood its gravity. He knew it was a ploy to lure out the opponent, but he hadn't anticipated the enemy's extraordinary forbearance.
Kadi had a stubborn streak, much like Igor. If their opponent could persevere, Kadi was determined to outperform them and expose the concealed enemy.
