Morning sunlight filtered gently through the wooden shutters of Arivaan's room in the Silent Lotus Inn.
For a few quiet moments, he simply lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.
The events of the previous night replayed in his mind like fragments of a strange dream.
The destruction of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh.
The shattered jewel.
The strange power that had awakened inside him.
And most unbelievable of all—
A Rakshak hero sleeping in the room next door under his control.
Arivaan slowly sat up and stretched.
His muscles still felt sore from the battle and the fall inside the escape tunnel.
But overall, he felt better than expected.
He walked to the small window and opened it.
Outside, the city of Ujjaini was already awake.
Merchants prepared their stalls along the street.
Travelers moved through the narrow roads.
Temple bells echoed faintly across the city.
Everything looked peaceful.
Which made Arivaan smile slightly.
Because beneath that calm surface, he carried a secret that could shake the entire balance of power in Aryavarta.
He focused his mind.
Immediately the familiar glowing panel appeared before his eyes.
Target: Devika AgnivarnaImprint Stage: 1Assimilation: 46%
The number had increased again during the night.
Arivaan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"So the connection strengthens even while we're resting."
That meant time itself was working in his favor.
The longer Devika remained near him, the stronger the bond would become.
But how strong exactly?
That was what he needed to discover.
Arivaan walked to the door and opened it.
The hallway was quiet.
He stepped across the corridor and knocked lightly on Devika's door.
No response.
He knocked again.
Still silence.
Arivaan sighed.
"Of course."
He focused briefly on the command system.
Command: Open door
A moment later, the sound of a lock clicking came from inside.
The door slowly opened.
Devika stood there.
Her expression looked as irritated as ever.
"You used your ability to open my door."
Arivaan leaned against the frame casually.
"Good morning."
Devika crossed her arms.
"You're abusing that power."
Arivaan shrugged.
"I'm testing it."
Devika stepped aside reluctantly.
"Come in."
Arivaan entered the room.
It looked almost identical to his own.
Simple bed.
Wooden table.
Small window overlooking the street.
Devika had already removed the cloak she wore earlier.
Her long orange hair fell freely over her shoulders again.
Without the disguise, she looked far more like the powerful warrior she truly was.
Arivaan sat down on the chair near the table.
"Sleep well?"
Devika ignored the question.
"You didn't control me during the night."
"Did you expect me to?"
Devika studied him carefully.
"You had the opportunity."
Arivaan leaned back.
"I prefer using power only when necessary."
Devika's eyes narrowed.
"That doesn't make you trustworthy."
Arivaan smiled.
"I'm not trying to be."
He looked at the floating panel again.
Assimilation: 47%
Almost halfway to whatever the next stage might be.
Arivaan stood up.
"Let's test something."
Devika sighed.
"You say that too often."
Arivaan raised a finger.
"Stand."
Devika's body responded instantly.
She stood upright without hesitation.
Even though she expected it, the loss of control still annoyed her.
Arivaan walked slowly around her.
"Yesterday we tested simple commands."
"Yes."
"Movement. Speech. Basic control."
Devika remained silent.
Arivaan stopped in front of her.
"But what happens if I give you a command that goes against your instincts?"
Devika frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Arivaan pointed toward the table.
"Pick up that knife."
Devika's body moved immediately.
She grabbed the small knife used for cutting fruit.
Arivaan continued calmly.
"Now point it at me."
Devika's hand lifted.
The blade turned toward his chest.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You're testing loyalty."
"Not loyalty."
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"Control."
Devika tried to resist.
Her hand trembled slightly.
But the command continued pushing her body forward.
The knife hovered inches from Arivaan's chest.
Yet he remained completely calm.
"Interesting."
Devika gritted her teeth.
"I would never attack someone without reason."
"Yet here you are."
Arivaan stepped closer.
The blade nearly touched his shirt.
He watched her carefully.
Her hand trembled harder now.
It wasn't defiance.
It was resistance.
Her mind was trying to fight the command.
Arivaan focused again on the panel.
Control Strength: Stable
So even her resistance couldn't break it.
He nodded slowly.
"Good."
Then he issued another command.
"Drop the knife."
Devika's fingers released it instantly.
The blade clattered onto the wooden floor.
Devika stepped back quickly.
Her breathing had grown heavier.
"You're proving something dangerous."
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"Which is?"
"That your ability overrides willpower."
Arivaan smiled.
"That's exactly what I wanted to confirm."
Devika stared at him with new concern.
"This isn't just mind control."
"It's domination."
Arivaan glanced at the glowing panel once more.
Assimilation: 49%
Almost halfway.
His smile widened slightly.
"Looks like I still have a lot to learn."
Because if he could already control a Rakshak warrior this easily—
Then the true limits of this power were still far beyond his imagination.