The night sky above Ujjaini seemed darker now.
The flames burning around Devika Agnivarna illuminated the rooftop like a raging storm, their light reflecting off the broken stone tiles scattered across the battlefield.
Moments earlier, the balance of power had shifted.
And Rudra Sen knew it.
He stood several steps away, sword raised but unmoving.
His sharp eyes remained locked on Devika.
But this time he wasn't watching her movements.
He was watching the man controlling them.
"Permanent control…" Rudra Sen muttered quietly.
Across the rooftop, Arivaan stretched his shoulders casually.
"Looks like it."
Devika's body moved slightly as flames curled around her arms.
But her eyes burned with rage.
"You… trapped me."
Arivaan shrugged.
"That's the system's decision."
"Don't blame a system."
Her voice trembled with anger.
"You did this."
Arivaan chuckled.
"You're not wrong."
Rudra Sen took one slow step forward.
The hunter's mind was already racing through possibilities.
Breaking the link had been the priority.
But now—
That option had disappeared.
The connection between Arivaan and Devika felt completely stable.
Even the faint aura around her had changed.
The hunter could sense it.
The control was absolute.
Rudra Sen spoke calmly.
"You've turned a Rakshak warrior into a weapon."
Arivaan tilted his head.
"That's a dramatic way of saying it."
Devika growled.
"I'm not your weapon!"
Arivaan glanced at her.
"But you kind of are."
Her body stiffened instantly as the command system reinforced his authority.
The invisible bond tightened again.
Devika tried to move freely—
But nothing happened.
Her control had completely vanished.
Rudra Sen noticed the subtle movement.
His grip tightened around his sword.
"You've erased her will."
Arivaan shrugged.
"She still has thoughts."
Devika glared at him.
"You monster."
Arivaan laughed.
"That's a little harsh."
Rudra Sen stepped forward again.
His blade still glowed faintly with silver energy.
But the hunter no longer attacked immediately.
Instead, he studied the situation carefully.
The fight had changed.
Attacking Devika now meant attacking someone under full control.
And if Arivaan could maintain that link indefinitely—
Then defeating him became far more complicated.
Arivaan noticed the hesitation.
"You're thinking."
Rudra Sen didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"Good."
Arivaan spread his hands casually.
"That means you've realized something."
Rudra Sen replied calmly,
"That I underestimated you."
Arivaan grinned.
"That's usually how these stories go."
Devika suddenly moved again.
But this time—
The movement came entirely from Arivaan's will.
"Devika."
"Yes."
"Attack."
Her flames surged violently once more.
But the difference was obvious.
Her movements had become smoother.
More efficient.
Every attack flowed perfectly into the next.
Because now Arivaan controlled every muscle directly.
Rudra Sen reacted instantly.
His sword flashed through the air.
CLANG!
The blade collided with Devika's flaming strike.
But this time—
The impact forced the hunter backward again.
Two steps.
Arivaan whistled softly.
"That's progress."
Rudra Sen steadied himself.
The difference in power was becoming obvious.
With the link complete—
Devika fought without hesitation.
Without fear.
Without self-preservation.
She attacked with relentless precision.
Flames burst forward again.
Rudra Sen blocked.
Another strike.
Another clash.
The rooftop trembled with each impact.
But slowly—
The hunter began giving ground.
One step at a time.
Arivaan watched calmly.
"You're slowing down."
Rudra Sen responded coldly.
"You're hiding behind someone else's strength."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Efficient strategy."
Devika's flames roared again.
This time forming a spinning arc that swept across the rooftop.
Rudra Sen jumped backward.
But the heat still brushed his armor.
The metal glowed faintly red from the temperature.
The hunter frowned slightly.
This wasn't going well.
Not because he was weaker.
But because the situation had become unpredictable.
Arivaan leaned against a broken rooftop beam.
"You know what's funny?"
Rudra Sen didn't respond.
"You came here expecting to hunt villains."
Arivaan gestured toward Devika.
"And now one of your strongest warriors is fighting for me."
Devika clenched her teeth.
"I will never fight for you."
Arivaan shrugged.
"But you already are."
Her flames surged again under his command.
Rudra Sen blocked the attack once more.
But the hunter's breathing had grown heavier now.
The battle had lasted longer than expected.
And every minute gave Arivaan more time to master the new ability.
Arivaan glanced at the floating panel again.
The interface had changed.
Bond Established
Primary Servant: Devika Agnivarna
New options appeared beneath it.
Commands.
Permissions.
Control levels.
Arivaan blinked.
"Well that's useful."
Rudra Sen noticed the momentary distraction.
He dashed forward suddenly.
His sword flashed toward Arivaan directly.
But Devika intercepted instantly.
Flames exploded between them.
The hunter stepped back again.
Arivaan smiled.
"See?"
Rudra Sen stared at him silently.
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"You've realized it now, haven't you?"
The hunter's voice turned colder.
"Yes."
Arivaan grinned.
"You're outmatched."
The wind swept across the rooftop again.
But the hunter did not retreat.
Instead—
Rudra Sen slowly lifted his sword once more.
His eyes burned with determination.
"You're wrong."
Arivaan tilted his head.
"Oh?"
Rudra Sen's voice became steady again.
"I'm just getting started."
Arivaan chuckled.
"Now that's interesting."
Because if the hunter still had another strategy—
Then the battle was far from finished.