The knife clattered onto the wooden floor, its sharp metallic sound echoing briefly through the quiet room.
For several seconds, neither Arivaan nor Devika spoke.
Devika stared at the fallen blade, her chest rising and falling slowly as she steadied her breathing. Even though the command had ended, the feeling of being forced to raise the weapon against someone remained unsettling.
Arivaan, on the other hand, looked thoughtful rather than disturbed.
He bent down and picked up the knife, examining its polished edge before placing it back on the table.
"Well," he said calmly, "that confirms something."
Devika crossed her arms.
"That you can override someone's instincts?"
Arivaan nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"And that's exactly why this ability is dangerous," Devika replied sharply.
Arivaan turned toward the window.
Outside, the streets of Ujjaini were already bustling with activity.
Vendors called out to customers.
Ox carts rolled through the narrow roads.
Temple bells rang softly in the distance.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Yet somewhere within this same city stood the headquarters of the Rakshak Sabha, the organization sworn to destroy powers like the one he now possessed.
Arivaan leaned against the windowsill.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I find it interesting that the Rakshak Sabha banned artifacts like the one I found."
Devika frowned.
"That's not surprising."
"Why?"
"Because powers that manipulate minds undermine everything the Rakshaks stand for."
Arivaan looked back at her.
"And what exactly do they stand for?"
Devika didn't hesitate.
"Order."
"Justice."
"Protection of the kingdoms."
Arivaan chuckled quietly.
"That sounds very noble."
Devika's expression hardened.
"It is."
Arivaan tilted his head slightly.
"Then tell me something."
"What?"
"If your organization is so powerful…"
"…why did they need to destroy relics instead of studying them?"
Devika paused.
That question clearly caught her off guard.
Arivaan continued calmly.
"Think about it."
"An ability that can control powerful warriors could also stop criminals instantly."
Devika shook her head.
"That kind of power corrupts people."
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"Every power corrupts people."
Devika stepped closer.
"No."
"Some powers are meant to protect others."
"And some are meant to dominate them."
Arivaan smiled slightly.
"Depends on who you ask."
Before Devika could respond, a sudden noise drifted up from the street below.
Voices.
Louder than before.
Arivaan turned toward the window again.
Several armored soldiers were walking down the street.
Their armor carried the familiar golden insignia of the Rakshak Sabha.
Devika noticed immediately.
"Patrol."
Arivaan watched them carefully.
There were six of them.
Two at the front.
Four following behind.
They were moving slowly, speaking to shopkeepers and travelers along the road.
Investigating.
Devika lowered her voice.
"They're searching for something."
Arivaan nodded.
"Probably survivors from the fortress."
Devika's eyes remained fixed on the patrol.
"If they discover I'm here…"
"They won't."
Arivaan sounded confident.
But internally, he was thinking quickly.
If the Rakshaks had already begun searching the city, it meant news of the fortress destruction had spread quickly.
Which meant time was limited.
Devika spoke again.
"You should leave the city."
Arivaan glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Because investigators will arrive soon."
"What kind of investigators?"
Devika hesitated.
Then she answered.
"The strong ones."
Arivaan laughed softly.
"So you're saying someone stronger than you will come."
Devika's voice turned serious.
"Yes."
That made Arivaan even more interested.
He looked back down at the patrol moving through the street.
If stronger Rakshaks arrived…
That might actually be useful.
He glanced again at the floating panel in his vision.
Target: Devika AgnivarnaAssimilation: 51%
It had finally crossed halfway.
Arivaan's smile slowly returned.
"What are you smiling about?" Devika asked.
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
"About possibilities."
Devika didn't like that answer.
"Explain."
Arivaan turned away from the window.
"If my ability can control one Rakshak…"
"…it should work on others."
Devika stared at him.
"You're planning to capture more heroes."
"Eventually."
Devika shook her head.
"You're underestimating them."
"Maybe."
Arivaan walked toward the door.
"But that's why I need more information."
Devika frowned.
"Information about what?"
"About the Rakshak Sabha."
He opened the door to the hallway.
"You've been part of it for years."
Devika realized his intention immediately.
"You want me to tell you their secrets."
Arivaan smiled.
"You're already halfway there."
Devika's expression hardened again.
"I won't betray them."
Arivaan shrugged.
"You don't really have a choice."
He stepped out into the hallway.
Then he looked back at her.
"Come on."
Devika's body moved automatically.
Even as she resisted internally, the command pulled her forward.
As they walked down the staircase of the Silent Lotus Inn, Devika spoke quietly.
"You think controlling one hero makes you powerful."
Arivaan glanced at her.
"Doesn't it?"
Devika shook her head.
"No."
Her voice carried quiet certainty.
"It only means the Rakshak Sabha will start hunting you."
Arivaan chuckled.
"That's fine."
They stepped out into the busy street.
The city of Ujjaini continued moving around them, unaware of the dangerous game beginning within its walls.
Arivaan looked toward the distant towers where the Rakshak headquarters stood.
"Let them hunt."
His smile widened slightly.
"Because hunters sometimes become prey."