The rooftop had fallen eerily silent.
Broken tiles lay scattered across the battlefield, glowing faintly from the heat of Devika's flames. The surrounding Rakshak warriors stood frozen in tense anticipation, their eyes fixed on one man.
Captain Varun.
His spear trembled in his hands.
Not from fear.
But from the invisible war raging inside his mind.
Across the rooftop, Arivaan watched with careful focus.
The floating panel flickered again.
Primary Servant: Devika Agnivarna – Stable
Secondary Bond: Captain Varun
Bond Progress: 42%
Arivaan exhaled slowly.
"So close."
Devika whispered through the link,
"This is the dangerous part."
Arivaan tilted his head slightly.
"Explain."
"If that reaches fifty percent…"
"…your influence will become permanent enough to override his reflexes."
Arivaan blinked.
"That sounds useful."
Devika glared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
Varun staggered slightly.
The pressure inside his head had become unbearable.
It felt like invisible fingers crawling through his thoughts.
His muscles twitched.
His grip on the spear tightened again.
"You… won't… control me…"
But even as he said the words—
His left hand moved slightly.
Not by his will.
By Arivaan's.
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 44%
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"See?"
Varun roared and slammed the spear into the rooftop again.
BOOM!
Another burst of spiritual energy exploded outward.
The shockwave scattered sparks across the battlefield.
But this time—
The movement didn't fully belong to him.
Halfway through the strike—
His arm jerked.
Devika blinked.
"You're interfering with his attacks now."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Just a little."
Rudra Sen stepped forward.
The hunter's eyes never left Varun.
"Captain."
Varun's breathing had become ragged.
"I know."
"You understand the risk."
Varun nodded slowly.
"If it reaches fifty…"
"…end it."
Several Rakshaks looked horrified.
One of them stepped forward.
"Captain, we can still—"
Varun snapped back.
"No."
His eyes burned with determination.
"I will not become his weapon."
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"That's dedication."
Devika whispered,
"He means every word."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 46%
The pressure increased.
Inside Varun's mind, the battle grew more chaotic.
Every thought felt invaded.
Every movement required double the effort.
His muscles trembled constantly.
Arivaan tested the connection again.
Just slightly.
Varun's fingers twitched.
The spear lowered half an inch.
The captain froze.
"I didn't do that…"
Arivaan chuckled.
"Two minds."
He raised his hand slightly.
"One body."
Varun growled and forced his spear back up.
"Get… out… of… my head!"
The rooftop battle erupted again.
Varun launched forward suddenly.
His spear flashed toward Devika with explosive speed.
Devika blocked with flames.
CLANG!
The clash shook the rooftop.
But this time—
Varun's attack stuttered halfway through.
His arm hesitated.
Just long enough.
Devika dodged and countered.
Flames burst outward.
Varun slid backward several steps.
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 48%
Arivaan smiled.
"Almost there."
Devika muttered,
"This is where things get ugly."
Varun suddenly dropped to one knee.
His head throbbed violently.
The pressure inside his skull had doubled.
Two sets of impulses now fought for control.
His own will.
And Arivaan's growing influence.
Rudra Sen stepped forward again.
His sword glowed faintly in the moonlight.
"Captain."
Varun forced himself to look up.
"Be ready."
Arivaan sighed.
"You're all very dramatic."
Devika glanced at the panel.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Wait."
Arivaan looked too.
The panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 49%
Varun screamed in rage and launched forward again.
His spear shot toward Devika like lightning.
But halfway through the thrust—
His arm froze.
The spear stopped midair.
Varun's eyes widened in horror.
"No…!"
The floating panel flashed.
Bond Progress: 50%
The moment it changed—
Everything shifted.
Varun's body went rigid.
His muscles locked.
For half a second—
His entire body stopped responding.
Devika whispered,
"It crossed the line…"
Arivaan slowly raised his hand.
The connection surged violently.
For the first time—
Varun's body moved completely without his command.
The spear lowered.
The captain's arm dropped.
His stance shifted.
Varun gasped.
"I can't… move!"
Arivaan smiled slowly.
"Well…"
"That's unfortunate."
The surrounding Rakshaks stared in shock.
Because they could see it clearly now.
Captain Varun's body had stopped responding to his own will.
Rudra Sen's eyes hardened.
The hunter raised his sword slowly.
"You asked for this."
Varun closed his eyes briefly.
"…Do it."
But Arivaan raised his hand calmly.
"Devika."
"Yes."
"Stop him."
Her flames exploded outward instantly.
The rooftop battle erupted again.
Because the line had been crossed.
And Captain Varun was no longer fully in control of his own body.