The night wind swept across the rooftops of Ujjaini, carrying the distant sounds of taverns, music, and the murmurs of the busy city below.
But high above the streets, the atmosphere had become tense.
Standing on the tiled roof of a narrow building, Arivaan looked down calmly at the scene below.
The street still smoldered from Devika's flames.
Pieces of broken stone and splintered wood were scattered across the ground.
At the center of it all stood Rudra Sen.
The hunter slowly lifted his gaze upward.
His sharp eyes locked onto Arivaan instantly.
"You won't escape," Rudra Sen said calmly.
Arivaan chuckled.
"Escape?"
He spread his arms slightly.
"I'm just changing the battlefield."
Behind Rudra Sen, Devika stood frozen.
The command that stopped her still held.
Her flames had faded, but the frustration in her eyes burned fiercely.
The controlled Rakshak scout stood nearby as well, his sword ready but unmoving until commanded.
Arivaan glanced at the floating panel again.
Primary Target: Devika AgnivarnaSecondary Target: Rakshak Scout
Assimilation: 87%
The numbers continued climbing steadily.
That meant one important thing.
The longer this battle continued—
The stronger his control became.
Rudra Sen seemed to realize the same thing.
Without another word, the hunter crouched slightly.
Then he jumped.
His body launched upward toward the rooftop with explosive speed.
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"That was quick."
The hunter landed on the edge of the building with perfect balance.
The rooftop tiles barely shifted under his weight.
Now they stood face to face.
Only a few steps apart.
The night wind moved through the narrow space between them.
Rudra Sen's sword remained raised.
"You're dangerous."
Arivaan smiled.
"Thank you."
"That was not a compliment."
Arivaan shrugged.
"Still sounds like one."
Rudra Sen studied him carefully.
"You're not a trained fighter."
Arivaan nodded.
"That's true."
"And yet you're still standing."
Arivaan gestured toward the street below.
"I have help."
Rudra Sen's voice turned colder.
"You're hiding behind controlled victims."
Arivaan tilted his head slightly.
"You hunters hide behind organizations."
Rudra Sen didn't respond.
Instead, he stepped forward.
His sword moved with sudden speed.
CLANG!
Arivaan barely managed to step aside as the blade struck the rooftop tiles, shattering them instantly.
The force of the strike sent broken fragments flying.
Arivaan jumped backward.
"Careful."
Rudra Sen attacked again.
This time faster.
His blade cut through the air with terrifying precision.
Arivaan dodged again.
But only barely.
The sword passed just inches from his shoulder.
The difference in combat skill was obvious.
Arivaan's movements were clumsy compared to the hunter's precise technique.
From the street below, Devika watched the fight with growing alarm.
"He can't survive that alone…"
Her body strained slightly against the command freezing her in place.
But the invisible control still held.
On the rooftop, Rudra Sen attacked again.
Three rapid strikes.
Each one faster than the last.
Arivaan retreated across the tiles, narrowly avoiding each slash.
One step slower—
And he would have been cut down instantly.
Rudra Sen stopped briefly.
"You're slower."
Arivaan caught his breath slightly.
"That's obvious."
Rudra Sen's eyes narrowed.
"Which means you rely entirely on your ability."
Arivaan smiled.
"That's kind of the point."
Rudra Sen suddenly lunged forward again.
Arivaan reacted instantly.
"Devika!"
The command activated immediately.
Below, Devika's body jerked into motion.
Her flames reignited.
She raised her hand toward the rooftop.
"Flame burst!"
A blazing projectile of fire shot upward toward the building.
Rudra Sen sensed the attack instantly.
He leapt backward just as the fire exploded against the rooftop.
The blast sent tiles flying into the air.
Smoke spread across the roof.
Arivaan took advantage of the moment.
He jumped across the gap to the next building.
Landing hard but steady.
Rudra Sen stepped through the smoke.
"You're running again."
Arivaan grinned.
"Strategic retreat."
Then he activated another command.
"Scout."
The controlled Rakshak soldier below immediately responded.
"Yes."
"Block the hunter."
The scout dashed forward and leapt onto the rooftop as well.
Rudra Sen sighed slightly.
"You're persistent."
The scout attacked immediately.
But Rudra Sen moved with terrifying speed.
One strike.
CLANG!
The scout's weapon flew from his hand.
A second strike.
The man collapsed onto the rooftop, unconscious.
The hunter looked up again.
Arivaan was already standing on another roof further away.
Watching calmly.
The floating panel flickered again.
Primary Target: Devika Agnivarna
Assimilation: 88%
The second connection had weakened after the scout lost consciousness.
But Devika remained fully controlled.
Arivaan crossed his arms.
"You're fast."
Rudra Sen stepped onto the next rooftop.
"You're reckless."
Arivaan chuckled.
"Probably."
The hunter pointed his sword toward him.
"This chase ends soon."
Arivaan looked across the rooftops stretching into the distance.
Then back at the hunter.
"That depends."
"On what?"
Arivaan's smile slowly widened.
"On how long it takes for my power to evolve again."
The floating panel pulsed faintly in response.
The number slowly climbed once more.
Assimilation: 89%
Rudra Sen's eyes sharpened.
He had noticed the subtle changes in Arivaan's control already.
And if the villain's ability continued evolving during the fight—
Then this battle might become far more dangerous than expected.
The wind swept across the rooftops again.
Hunter and prey stared at each other in silence.
Then both moved at the same time.
The rooftop chase had begun.