The rooftop battlefield had transformed into something far more disturbing than a simple fight.
Flames from Devika Agnivarna flickered quietly along the broken tiles, casting shifting shadows across the surrounding buildings. The wind carried ash through the air, and far below, the citizens of Ujjaini watched in fearful silence.
But no one on the rooftop cared about the city anymore.
Because Captain Varun had turned.
His body moved stiffly now, guided by invisible strings.
The spear in his hands no longer trembled.
It pointed directly at the other Rakshak warriors.
Across the rooftop, Arivaan watched with calm curiosity.
The floating panel flickered again.
Primary Servant: Devika Agnivarna – Stable
Secondary Bond: Captain Varun
Bond Progress: 82%
Arivaan folded his arms.
"See?"
Devika glared at him.
"You've broken him."
Arivaan shrugged.
"He's still conscious."
Varun's body took another step forward.
But his eyes burned with fury.
His voice came out strained and broken.
"…Run…"
One of the Rakshaks shook his head.
"We're not leaving you!"
Varun's arm lifted again.
The spear moved faster this time.
The invisible control had grown stronger.
The weapon lunged forward.
CLANG!
The Rakshak warrior barely blocked the strike.
The impact forced him backward across the rooftop.
"Captain!"
Varun's body moved again.
Another attack.
Another strike.
The spear twisted with terrifying precision.
The surrounding Rakshaks scattered to avoid the blows.
Devika watched silently.
Then whispered through the link,
"He's synchronizing his movements perfectly now."
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"Almost."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 84%
Across the battlefield, Rudra Sen stepped forward slowly.
The hunter's sword glowed faintly in the firelight.
His gaze never left Varun.
"Captain."
Varun's head turned.
The motion was slower now.
Like a puppet trying to remember how to move.
"…Rudra…"
The hunter's expression remained calm.
But his voice carried weight.
"You asked for this."
Varun's body trembled again.
"…Yes…"
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Devika frowned.
"He's going to do it."
Rudra Sen lifted his sword.
The blade glowed brighter with silver energy.
The surrounding Rakshaks fell silent.
One of them stepped forward desperately.
"Sir, wait!"
Rudra Sen didn't look at him.
"If the bond reaches full control…"
"…he becomes the enemy."
Varun forced a laugh through the pain.
"…Always… practical…"
Arivaan sighed.
"You people really love killing your friends."
Devika muttered,
"You're the reason he's in this position."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Technically true."
The floating panel flickered again.
Bond Progress: 86%
Varun's body moved again.
The spear lifted.
This time it pointed directly at Rudra Sen.
The captain's voice trembled.
"…Stop… me…"
Arivaan flexed his fingers.
Varun lunged.
The spear shot toward the hunter.
CLANG!
Rudra Sen blocked the attack instantly.
The impact sent sparks flying.
But the hunter didn't strike back.
Instead—
He stepped closer.
The two warriors stood face to face.
Varun's spear trembled inches from Rudra Sen's chest.
His voice cracked.
"…Please…"
Arivaan frowned slightly.
"That's dramatic."
Devika whispered softly,
"He's asking him to end it."
Rudra Sen closed his eyes for half a second.
Then opened them again.
His voice came out calm.
"…I understand."
The hunter's sword lifted.
Silver energy surged along the blade.
The surrounding Rakshaks watched in horror.
Arivaan sighed.
"Well."
"That's unfortunate."
But just before the blade struck—
Arivaan raised his hand.
"Devika."
"Yes."
"Stop him."
Her flames exploded across the rooftop.
The firestorm slammed between Rudra Sen and Varun.
BOOM!
The blast forced the hunter backward.
Dust and sparks filled the air.
Rudra Sen landed several steps away.
His sword still glowing.
Arivaan smiled slightly.
"Sorry."
"I still need him."
Devika stared at Varun.
The captain's body had frozen again.
The invisible control tightened further.
The floating panel flickered.
Bond Progress: 88%
Varun's resistance weakened again.
His spear lowered slowly.
His eyes burned with rage and despair.
"…Monster…"
Arivaan shrugged.
"Strategist."
Rudra Sen steadied himself.
His voice grew colder.
"You've taken enough."
Arivaan tilted his head.
"Have I?"
The wind swept across the rooftop again.
But the decision had already been made.
Because the Rakshaks now faced a terrifying truth.
Captain Varun was almost completely lost.
And Arivaan had no intention of giving him back.