The rooftop trembled under the tension of the final moment.
Broken tiles, scattered flames, and drifting smoke surrounded the battlefield like silent witnesses. The night wind rushed across the rooftops of Ujjaini, carrying the distant sounds of the city far below.
But on this rooftop, everything had narrowed to a single instant.
A single strike.
A single number.
The floating panel before Arivaan's eyes pulsed again.
Assimilation: 99%
One step away.
Across the rooftop, Rudra Sen lifted his glowing sword.
The hunter's expression had changed completely.
The calm patience he showed earlier was gone.
Now there was only absolute focus.
"You won't reach it," he said quietly.
Arivaan smiled.
"That depends on your aim."
Rudra Sen didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped forward.
The silver energy around his blade surged violently, brighter than any attack he had used before.
Even Devika's flames flickered nervously in response.
Through the Command Link, Arivaan could feel her heart racing.
That attack carried enough power to shatter the connection completely.
If it landed—
Everything might end instantly.
Devika whispered through the link,
"He's going to cut the bond."
Arivaan shrugged mentally.
"Then we'll dodge."
Rudra Sen suddenly vanished again.
But this time—
Arivaan was ready.
Through Devika's heightened senses, he detected the shift in air pressure above them.
"Right!"
Devika twisted sideways instantly.
Rudra Sen's blade descended from above like lightning.
The glowing strike slammed into the rooftop.
BOOOOM!
The explosion shattered the tiles completely.
Stone fragments blasted into the air.
Devika barely avoided the strike by a few inches.
Rudra Sen recovered instantly.
His sword flashed again.
Another strike aimed directly at Devika's chest.
Arivaan reacted immediately.
"Back!"
Devika jumped backward.
The blade passed through the space she had just occupied.
Rudra Sen pressed forward relentlessly.
His attacks came faster now.
More aggressive.
Each strike aimed not just to defeat—
But to break the link.
Arivaan countered through Devika's movements.
Step.
Dodge.
Flame burst.
The rooftop battle intensified again.
Fire and silver energy clashed repeatedly.
But this time—
Arivaan's movements were sharper.
Because the fragments of Devika's combat memory were guiding him.
Her instincts.
Her training.
Her experience.
All of it flowed through the connection.
Rudra Sen noticed the change immediately.
"You're adapting too quickly."
Arivaan laughed.
"Thanks to your student."
Devika growled through clenched teeth.
"Stop using me like that!"
Arivaan shrugged.
"Not my fault your training is excellent."
The floating panel flickered again.
Assimilation: 100%
The number flashed brilliantly.
For a brief moment—
Everything froze.
Arivaan blinked.
The panel expanded.
Assimilation Complete
A surge of energy exploded inside his mind.
The connection with Devika transformed instantly.
No longer unstable.
No longer fragile.
Now it felt… permanent.
Devika gasped suddenly.
"What just happened?!"
Arivaan stared at the panel in amazement.
New text appeared.
New Ability Unlocked
Absolute Command — Permanent control over bonded target
Arivaan blinked again.
"Well… that escalated."
Rudra Sen noticed the change immediately.
The hunter's expression darkened.
"You completed the evolution."
Arivaan nodded slowly.
"Looks like it."
Devika's body suddenly stiffened.
The connection tightened completely.
The invisible chains around her movements solidified.
Her resistance vanished entirely.
Devika tried to move on her own—
But her body refused.
Arivaan tested it.
"Devika."
"Yes."
Her response was immediate.
Perfect.
Absolute.
Devika's eyes widened in horror.
"You… locked it."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Seems permanent."
Rudra Sen's grip tightened around his sword.
"You've crossed a line that cannot be undone."
Arivaan smiled.
"That's usually how power works."
The hunter stepped forward again.
His sword glowed brighter once more.
"Then I'll remove you."
Arivaan crossed his arms calmly.
"Devika."
Her flames ignited again.
But this time—
Her movements were flawless.
Because Arivaan now controlled them completely.
"Full power."
Devika launched forward.
Her flames roared across the rooftop like a blazing storm.
Rudra Sen blocked the attack again.
But this time—
The force pushed him backward.
One step.
Two.
The hunter's boots scraped against the broken tiles.
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"Look at that."
Rudra Sen steadied himself.
His expression remained serious.
But his eyes had changed.
Now there was real concern.
Because the ability had evolved far beyond what he expected.
Arivaan spread his hands casually.
"So, hunter…"
Rudra Sen didn't answer.
Arivaan smiled wider.
"Round two?"
The wind howled across the rooftop once more.
But now the balance of power had shifted.
The hunter had lost the chance to break the link.
And the villain had just gained permanent control over a Rakshak warrior.
The battle was no longer the same.