The first light of dawn had not yet touched the sky when Arivaan finally rose from the stone where he had been resting.
The forest around them remained dark and quiet. Only the distant hooting of an owl and the occasional rustling of leaves disturbed the stillness of the night.
In the distance, beyond the forest, the city of Ujjaini shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
Arivaan stretched his arms and glanced toward Devika.
She stood several steps away, exactly where he had commanded her to remain earlier.
Even though her body obeyed his orders, the anger burning in her eyes had not faded at all.
If anything, it seemed stronger now.
"You're still watching me like that," Arivaan said with a quiet chuckle.
Devika did not reply.
Instead, she simply stared at him.
Arivaan shrugged and stood up.
"Well, we should get moving."
Devika's voice was cold.
"Where?"
Arivaan pointed toward the glowing lights of Ujjaini in the distance.
"The city."
Her expression immediately hardened.
"You're serious?"
"Of course."
"That's the worst place you could go," she replied sharply. "The Rakshak Sabha operates there. Patrols, investigators, informants—"
"I know."
Arivaan interrupted her calmly.
"That's exactly why I'm going there."
Devika frowned.
"That makes no sense."
Arivaan began walking down the forest path toward the city.
After a moment, Devika's body followed automatically.
"Think about it," he continued.
"If the Rakshak Sabha is searching for survivors from the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh, where will they look first?"
Devika understood immediately.
"…The fortress."
"Exactly."
"And after that?"
"They'll search the surrounding mountains."
"And maybe nearby villages," Arivaan added.
He looked back at her with a slight grin.
"But the last place they'll expect a fleeing villain to hide…"
"…is inside their own city."
Devika clenched her jaw.
"You're underestimating the Rakshak Sabha."
"Maybe."
Arivaan continued walking calmly.
"But right now they're probably celebrating the destruction of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh."
"Or organizing rescue operations for captured villains."
He shrugged again.
"Either way, they won't expect someone like me to walk straight into Ujjaini."
The forest path eventually widened into a dirt road leading toward the city gates.
Tall trees gave way to open fields where farmers grew rice and vegetables for the nearby settlements.
Lanterns burned softly along the road, illuminating the early travelers making their way toward the city.
Arivaan stopped walking.
Devika halted beside him.
The road ahead contained several people already.
Merchants pulling carts.
Farmers carrying baskets.
Travelers on horseback.
Arivaan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Alright."
Devika's voice came out tense.
"What now?"
Arivaan turned toward her.
"Now we deal with the obvious problem."
"What problem?"
He pointed at her.
"You."
Devika blinked.
"What about me?"
Arivaan gestured toward her bright orange hair and the faint traces of soot still marking her armor.
"You're one of the most famous Rakshak warriors in Aryavarta."
"If anyone recognizes you, this entire plan collapses instantly."
Devika crossed her arms.
"That sounds like your problem."
Arivaan sighed.
"Not helpful."
He walked closer and examined her appearance carefully.
Devika wore the distinctive armor of the Rakshak Sabha.
Even though parts of it had been scratched during the battle, the golden emblem on her chest plate remained clearly visible.
Anyone in Ujjaini would recognize it immediately.
Arivaan snapped his fingers.
"Remove the armor."
Devika glared at him.
"Absolutely not."
Arivaan tilted his head.
"Oh right."
He focused on the floating panel again.
Command: Equipment Removal
Devika's body moved before she could resist.
Her hands reached toward the straps of her armor.
"Wait—!"
She tried to stop herself, but the command had already taken hold.
Within moments the chest plate, shoulder guards, and belt were removed and dropped onto the ground.
Devika's face flushed with anger.
"You—!"
Arivaan nodded approvingly.
"That's much better."
Without the armor, she looked far less like a warrior.
Her clothing beneath was simple but practical—something closer to travel garments.
Arivaan crouched and gathered the armor pieces.
"What are you doing now?" Devika demanded.
"Getting rid of evidence."
He walked toward a small stream running beside the road and tossed the armor into the water.
The current quickly carried it away into the darkness.
Devika stared at him in disbelief.
"That armor belongs to the Rakshak Sabha."
"Not anymore."
Arivaan dusted off his hands.
He then reached into his own bag and pulled out a dark cloak taken from the fortress earlier.
"Put this on."
Devika's body obeyed.
The cloak covered her bright hair and most of her clothing.
From a distance she now looked like an ordinary traveler.
Arivaan nodded with satisfaction.
"Much better."
Devika's eyes burned with fury.
"You're going to regret this."
"Probably."
He turned back toward the road.
"Come on."
The two of them began walking again, joining the early travelers heading toward Ujjaini.
The city walls grew larger as they approached.
Tall stone gates guarded the main entrance, where several city guards checked travelers entering and leaving.
Devika spoke quietly.
"If those guards recognize me…"
Arivaan smirked.
"Then I guess we'll find out how fast you can run."
Devika stared at him.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
Arivaan's gaze moved toward the towering walls of Ujjaini.
"But if I want to understand this power…"
"…the best place to start is the biggest city in the region."
And with that thought, he stepped forward toward the city gates.
The next stage of his life had begun.