From the survivor to the vanisher

Aditya's days as Druva's errand boy began early. The alchemy master's garden was unlike anything he had ever seen—rows upon rows of plants, each one unique. Some shimmered faintly in the dim light, their leaves seeming to hum with latent energy. Others exuded a pungent, almost menacing odor, their thorny stems warning against careless touch.

Druva handed Aditya a small, leather-bound journal. "Write down everything you observe. These plants are more than they appear," he said, his tone carrying a mixture of authority and intrigue.

Aditya spent hours kneeling in the dirt, learning to distinguish between harmless herbs and those capable of killing a man with a single touch. One day, Druva pointed to a plant with crimson leaves and black veins. "This is Noxroot. Its sap can paralyze instantly. But if used correctly, it can heal deep wounds."

Fascinated, Aditya began to appreciate the delicate balance between life and death that these plants represented. He learned to water them sparingly, ensuring the soil was neither too dry nor too damp. He trimmed their leaves with a precise hand, understanding that even the smallest mistake could ruin months of growth—or worse, harm him.

In his free moments, Aditya read from Druva's extensive library. The books were filled with diagrams of plants, descriptions of their properties, and stories of alchemists who had wielded their power for both good and evil. He found himself captivated, losing track of time as he imagined the possibilities.

Despite the backbreaking work, he felt a sense of accomplishment each time a plant flourished under his care. The garden became his sanctuary—a place where he could focus his thoughts and forget, even temporarily, the horrors he had witnessed at the Hamsa palace.