The narrow alley slowly returned to silence after the two Rakshak scouts disappeared back into the crowded marketplace.
For several seconds, neither Arivaan nor Devika spoke.
The distant noise of merchants and travelers filtered faintly through the stone passage, but the tension between them remained thick.
Devika finally turned toward him.
"You manipulated my voice."
Arivaan shrugged casually.
"Only slightly."
"You answered a question I was supposed to answer."
Devika's eyes narrowed.
"I did not intend to say that you were my brother."
Arivaan chuckled.
"Yet you said it very convincingly."
Devika clenched her fists beneath the cloak.
"That power is interfering with my mind."
Arivaan leaned against the wall again.
"I prefer to call it cooperation."
Devika glared at him.
"There was nothing cooperative about that."
Arivaan pushed himself away from the wall and walked toward the end of the alley.
"Either way, it worked."
He peeked around the corner.
The bazaar remained as crowded and chaotic as before.
The two Rakshak scouts were no longer visible.
"Looks like they lost interest."
Devika followed him reluctantly.
"You won't stay lucky forever."
Arivaan glanced at the floating panel again.
Assimilation: 42%
The number continued climbing slowly.
He still didn't know what would happen when it reached one hundred.
But judging by the speed of its growth, that moment might arrive sooner than expected.
Arivaan turned back toward the market street.
"We need a place to stay."
Devika frowned.
"A place to stay?"
"Yes."
"You're planning to remain in the city."
"Of course."
Devika lowered her voice.
"You're hiding inside the Rakshak Sabha's own territory."
Arivaan smiled.
"That's exactly why it works."
He stepped back into the marketplace.
Devika followed silently behind him.
The market had grown even busier now.
Crowds moved through the streets in every direction.
Musicians played near the temple square while merchants shouted prices across the stalls.
The smell of roasted meat drifted through the air.
Arivaan moved calmly through the crowd, scanning the buildings carefully.
He wasn't looking for anything fancy.
What he needed was a place that avoided attention.
Eventually he stopped in front of a small building tucked between two larger shops.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
The Silent Lotus Inn
The building looked old but well maintained.
Unlike the louder taverns nearby, this place appeared quiet.
Few customers entered or left.
Arivaan nodded slightly.
"Perfect."
Devika studied the inn.
"You're serious."
"Why not?"
"Because inns ask questions."
"Only if you give them a reason."
Arivaan pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Devika followed reluctantly.
The interior of the inn was dimly lit.
A few lanterns hung from the ceiling while several wooden tables filled the main room.
Only a handful of travelers sat quietly eating breakfast.
Behind the counter stood a middle-aged woman wearing simple robes.
She looked up as they entered.
"Welcome."
Her eyes briefly examined them both.
"Travelers?"
Arivaan nodded politely.
"Yes."
"We're looking for a room."
The woman wiped her hands with a cloth.
"Single room or two?"
Arivaan glanced toward Devika.
Devika's expression instantly turned hostile.
Arivaan cleared his throat.
"Two rooms."
Devika relaxed slightly.
The innkeeper nodded.
"Second floor. Rooms are simple but clean."
"That's fine."
Arivaan placed several coins on the counter.
The woman handed him two small wooden keys.
"Breakfast is included."
"Thank you."
Arivaan turned toward the staircase.
Devika followed silently.
Once they reached the second floor hallway, Arivaan stopped.
He handed one key to Devika.
"Your room."
Devika stared at the key.
"You're trusting me with this?"
Arivaan shrugged.
"You can't leave without my permission anyway."
Devika hesitated.
That part was true.
The command system still connected them.
Even if she tried to run, he could stop her instantly.
She took the key.
"This isn't over."
Arivaan smiled.
"I didn't expect it to be."
They unlocked their rooms.
The rooms were small but comfortable.
A simple bed, wooden table, and window overlooking the street.
Arivaan placed his bag on the table and sat down.
For the first time since the previous night, he allowed himself to relax.
His body was exhausted.
The past twenty-four hours had completely changed his life.
He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
"Not bad for a former soldier."
The floating panel appeared again.
Assimilation: 44%
Still increasing.
Arivaan wondered how much stronger the control would become.
But something else worried him.
That merchant's warning.
Some powers attract dangerous attention.
If the Rakshak Sabha learned about his ability…
They would send far stronger warriors than Devika.
Arivaan sat up slowly.
"Which means I need to grow stronger before they find me."
He looked toward the wall separating his room from Devika's.
A faint sound came from the other side.
She was moving around the room.
Arivaan smirked.
His first controlled hero was only one wall away.
And the connection between them continued growing.
Soon he would learn exactly what this power was capable of.
But first—
He needed to rest.
Because tomorrow would begin the next step of his plan.