The rooftop battlefield had fallen into a strange silence.
Dust from the shattered tiles still drifted through the air, glowing faintly in the light of Devika's flames. The surrounding Rakshak warriors stood frozen, their eyes locked on the same figure kneeling in the center of the rooftop.
Captain Varun.
His spear remained embedded in the cracked stone floor where he had slammed it moments earlier.
His breathing was ragged.
His shoulders trembled violently.
But the real battle continued inside his mind.
Across the rooftop, Arivaan observed him calmly.
The floating panel flickered again.
Primary Servant: Devika Agnivarna – Stable
Secondary Bond: Captain Varun
Bond Progress: 56%
Arivaan folded his arms.
"Still fighting."
Devika muttered beside him,
"He's incredibly stubborn."
Varun slowly lifted his head.
His eyes burned with fury and exhaustion.
"You… won't… win…"
Arivaan smiled slightly.
"I think I already am."
The captain forced himself to stand again.
His legs shook under his weight.
But somehow he remained upright.
That alone surprised several Rakshaks.
One of them whispered,
"He's still resisting…"
Rudra Sen stepped forward slowly.
The hunter's glowing sword reflected the flickering firelight.
"Captain."
Varun glanced toward him.
"You know… what to do…"
Rudra Sen nodded slightly.
But he didn't move yet.
Because he could see something else.
Varun's body was changing.
Not physically.
But in its movements.
His stance had become uneven.
His spear hand trembled.
And sometimes—
His fingers twitched without his command.
Arivaan noticed too.
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 58%
The invisible control deepened.
Varun felt it immediately.
It was like cold fingers creeping through his nervous system.
Every movement required double the effort.
Every thought felt invaded.
But he refused to surrender.
With a roar of anger, Varun ripped the spear from the rooftop.
The weapon spun in his grip as he lunged forward again.
This time—
Straight toward Arivaan.
Devika reacted instantly.
Flames burst forward in a defensive wave.
CLANG!
The spear struck her fire shield.
But Varun pushed harder.
His strength had become reckless now.
Driven by pure determination.
Devika slid backward slightly under the pressure.
Arivaan blinked.
"He's stronger when desperate."
Devika growled.
"He's burning through his energy reserves."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 60%
Varun suddenly froze.
His spear stopped mid-strike.
His arm trembled violently.
"No…!"
Arivaan tilted his head.
"Ah."
"There it is."
Varun's arm began lowering slowly.
Not by his command.
By Arivaan's will.
The captain's muscles strained violently as he tried to resist.
But the invisible bond tightened.
The spear turned.
Pointing downward.
Varun roared in frustration.
"I will not serve you!"
Arivaan raised his hand slightly.
"You already are."
Devika stared at Varun.
"He's losing control."
The captain's legs trembled.
His stance shifted.
For a brief moment—
His body took a step forward.
Not toward Arivaan.
Toward the other Rakshaks.
The surrounding warriors immediately raised their weapons.
But none of them attacked.
Because they could see the struggle.
Varun's mind still fought desperately.
His voice came out hoarse.
"Stay… back…"
Arivaan smirked.
"That's noble."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 63%
Varun's arm jerked violently.
The spear lifted again.
But this time—
He couldn't stop it.
The weapon swung outward.
The blade pointed toward the Rakshak warriors behind him.
Shock spread across the rooftop.
One of them whispered,
"…Captain?"
Varun's eyes widened in horror.
"No…!"
Arivaan flexed his fingers slightly.
Varun's body moved again.
The spear thrust forward.
The Rakshak warrior barely jumped backward in time.
The attack struck the rooftop instead.
CRACK!
Stone shattered beneath the spear.
Varun collapsed to one knee again.
His body trembled violently.
Devika whispered quietly,
"…He's breaking."
Arivaan nodded.
"Almost."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 65%
The invisible connection tightened further.
Varun forced his head upward one last time.
His eyes burned with rage and desperation.
"Rudra… Sen…"
The hunter stepped closer.
"Yes."
Varun's voice trembled.
"…Now."
The rooftop went completely silent.
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"Again with the sacrifice."
Rudra Sen lifted his glowing sword slowly.
But before he could strike—
Devika's flames surged violently.
Arivaan had already reacted.
"Devika."
"Yes."
"Stop him."
Fire exploded across the rooftop again.
The battle reignited instantly.
Because Captain Varun had begun losing control…
But the bond had not yet fully claimed him.
And until it did—
The Rakshaks would keep fighting.