The streets of Ujjaini had grown even busier by the time Arivaan and Devika stepped out of the Silent Lotus Inn.
Morning had fully settled across the city.
Merchants called out loudly from their stalls while travelers filled the narrow roads. Bright fabrics hung above the market streets, casting shifting colors across the stone paths below.
Yet beneath that ordinary bustle, Arivaan felt the tension building.
Rakshak patrols were moving through the city.
And that meant the search for survivors of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh had officially begun.
Arivaan walked calmly through the crowd, his hands tucked inside his cloak.
Devika followed beside him, her hood still covering her face.
Even though the cloak hid her identity, her posture remained tense.
"You're taking unnecessary risks," she said quietly.
Arivaan glanced sideways.
"Walking through a city?"
"You're walking through a city that belongs to the Rakshak Sabha."
Arivaan shrugged.
"That's why we blend in."
Devika frowned.
"You're not blending in."
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"You'd be surprised how little people notice when they're busy with their own lives."
He gestured around them.
Merchants arguing with customers.
Children chasing each other through the street.
Travelers bargaining loudly for supplies.
Not a single person was paying attention to the quiet man and the cloaked woman walking through the crowd.
Devika watched the scene carefully.
"You're observant."
"I had to be."
Arivaan's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"When you spend years as the weakest soldier in a villain organization, survival depends on noticing things others ignore."
Devika remained silent.
For the first time, she realized that Arivaan's strength didn't come from brute force.
It came from patience.
And that made him dangerous.
They continued walking until they reached a wide plaza near the center of the district.
In the distance, tall white towers rose above the surrounding buildings.
The architecture was unmistakable.
The headquarters of the Rakshak Sabha.
Devika stopped walking.
"You're not actually planning to go there."
Arivaan looked toward the towers thoughtfully.
"Not today."
Devika crossed her arms beneath the cloak.
"Good."
"But someday."
Devika stared at him.
"You're insane."
Arivaan chuckled.
"Probably."
He turned away from the plaza and walked toward a quieter side street.
Devika followed reluctantly.
Once they were far enough from the crowded plaza, Arivaan slowed his steps.
His mind was already racing with ideas.
The power inside him was still new.
Still incomplete.
But the floating panel had shown something important earlier.
Assimilation: 53%
The connection between him and Devika was growing stronger.
Which meant new abilities might appear once the bond reached the next stage.
Arivaan glanced at Devika.
"Tell me something."
"What?"
"How many Rakshak warriors are stationed in Ujjaini?"
Devika hesitated.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Curiosity."
"That's not a good answer."
Arivaan sighed.
"Fine."
He stopped walking and faced her.
"I'm considering my options."
Devika frowned.
"What options?"
Arivaan lowered his voice.
"If the Rakshak Sabha is investigating the fortress…"
"…then eventually they'll start questioning people."
Devika nodded slightly.
"That's standard procedure."
"Exactly."
Arivaan's eyes sharpened.
"And when investigators start questioning people, they'll eventually hear rumors."
"Rumors about what?"
"About survivors."
Devika's expression darkened.
"You."
"Possibly."
Arivaan shrugged.
"But if that happens, I have two choices."
Devika folded her arms.
"Run away or surrender."
Arivaan shook his head.
"Wrong."
Devika frowned.
"What other option is there?"
Arivaan's smile slowly returned.
"Get ahead of them."
Devika stared at him.
"What does that mean?"
"It means finding out who the Rakshak Sabha sends to investigate the fortress…"
"…before they find me."
Devika immediately understood.
"You want to track the investigators."
"Yes."
"That's suicide."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Maybe."
Devika shook her head.
"You don't understand how strong the upper ranks of the Rakshak Sabha are."
"That's why I have you."
Devika glared at him.
"I'm not helping you hunt my own comrades."
Arivaan tilted his head slightly.
"You already helped me lie to the scouts earlier."
"That was because you forced me."
"Exactly."
Devika fell silent.
Arivaan looked toward the distant Rakshak towers again.
Then he glanced at the floating panel.
Assimilation: 55%
The number continued rising.
Which meant the power controlling Devika was still strengthening.
A dangerous idea began forming in his mind.
If controlling one hero was possible…
What would happen if he controlled two?
Or three?
Devika noticed the change in his expression.
"What are you thinking now?"
Arivaan looked back at her.
"Just imagining the future."
Devika narrowed her eyes.
"That answer never ends well."
Arivaan laughed quietly.
"You might be right."
Then he started walking again.
Devika followed automatically.
But this time, her unease had grown deeper.
Because the look in Arivaan's eyes had changed.
He was no longer simply experimenting with his power.
Now he was planning.
And whatever plan he was forming—
It would almost certainly bring him into direct conflict with the Rakshak Sabha.