From Survivor to Vanisher

Morning in Azure Haven was a symphony of bustling merchants, chirping birds, and the occasional argument over the price of a rare herb. For Aditya, it began with the unmistakable sound of Dhruva's voice cutting through his dreams.

"Aditya," Dhruva called, his tone calm but firm. "Get up. We're going to the Pill Refiners' Guild."

Aditya groaned, rolling over in his modest cot. "Can't we just skip to the part where you handle everything, and I carry the crates of whatever exotic nonsense you trade for?"

Dhruva appeared in the doorway, his ever-stoic expression tinged with mild irritation. "If you spent less time complaining and more time observing, you might learn something."

"Oh, I observe plenty," Aditya muttered, dragging himself out of bed. "I observe that you have an uncanny ability to make me do all the hard work while you bask in mysterious glory."

The Pill Refiners' Guild stood as an imposing monument in the heart of Azure Haven, its grand facade adorned with intricate carvings of cauldrons, mythical beasts, and flowing vines. As Aditya lugged a heavy sack of herbs behind Dhruva, he couldn't help but admire the building.

"Wow," Aditya said, huffing as he adjusted the sack. "It's almost like they're compensating for something with all this grandeur."

Dhruva didn't respond, his steps steady as they approached the towering doors.

Inside, the guild was a hive of activity. Alchemists in flowing robes hurried about, apprentices struggled to keep up, and the air was thick with the scents of rare herbs and bubbling mixtures.

As they entered, heads turned. Whispers rippled through the room.

"Is that Dhruva?" one alchemist murmured.

"The wandering trader who makes those miraculous pills?"

"What's with the guy carrying the sack? His servant?"

Aditya rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, I'm the errand boy. Feel free to admire the sack—it's doing all the work."

Dhruva, unfazed by the attention, approached the main counter. Behind it stood a wizened old man with a twinkle in his eye and a pestle in his hand.

"Dhruva," the man said, smiling warmly. "It's been a while."

"Ranjit," Dhruva replied with a nod. "I've brought something of interest. And him." He gestured toward Aditya without so much as a glance.

Aditya dropped the sack with a dramatic thud. "Him has a name, you know. Aditya. Future alchemical legend, current load-bearer." also a poison master it is very embarrassing to say(he siad it in his mind)

Ranjit chuckled. "A spirited one, I see. What brings you here?"

Dhruva placed a small vial on the counter. "A new batch of pills for trade. And I thought Aditya could benefit from seeing the guild."

Aditya raised an eyebrow. "Benefit, or get roped into more work?"

"Both," Dhruva replied dryly.

While Dhruva and Ranjit haggled over herbs, Aditya wandered the guild, his curiosity piqued by the elaborate setups. Rows of cauldrons bubbled with mysterious liquids, and shelves overflowed with jars of exotic ingredients.

He stopped at a workstation where a young apprentice was hunched over a cauldron, muttering curses under his breath.

"Need help?" Aditya asked, leaning casually against the table.

The apprentice looked up, startled. "Who are you?"

"Aditya," he said with a grin. "alchemist, and occasional savior of botched recipes. What seems to be the problem?"

The apprentice hesitated before pointing at the cauldron. "I can't get the mixture to stabilize. It keeps separating."

Aditya peered into the cauldron, sniffing the concoction. "Your flame's too high, and you're missing a binding agent. Rookie mistake. Here, let me show you."

He adjusted the flame and added a pinch of crushed lumina root from a nearby jar. The mixture immediately settled, its color shifting to a smooth emerald green.

"There. Fixed," Aditya said, stepping back.

The apprentice gaped. "How did you—"

"unpaid labor under Dhruva's watch," Aditya said with a smirk. "You'd be surprised what you learn when you're forced to carry, clean, and occasionally not blow things up."

When Aditya returned to the counter, Dhruva had finished his trade with Ranjit and was waiting impatiently.

"Making friends?" Dhruva asked, his tone neutral but his raised eyebrow betraying mild amusement.

"Just spreading wisdom," Aditya replied. "One unstable potion at a time."

Ranjit chuckled, handing a pouch of herbs to Dhruva. "You've trained him well, even if he doesn't realize it."

Dhruva glanced at Aditya. "Trained isn't the word I'd use. Survived, perhaps."

Aditya grinned. "Survived your endless demands, cryptic lessons, and general lack of praise? Yes, I'd say I've done quite well."

As they left the guild, Aditya couldn't resist needling Dhruva. "You know, for someone so revered, you're awfully stingy with compliments. A 'good job, Aditya' wouldn't kill you."

"Good job, Aditya," Dhruva said, deadpan.

Aditya stopped in his tracks. "Wait, did you just—was that an actual compliment?"

"Don't get used to it," Dhruva replied, continuing down the street.

Aditya hurried to catch up, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Too late. I'm framing this moment in my memory forever."

Dhruva sighed, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.