Stela Sera - Alchemist - Z RPG Series Z

Stela Sera stared into the amber liquid... a faint shimmer danced within its depths, reflecting the dying light of the day. The mortar and pestle lay still beside it, remnants of crushed herbs scattered across the mossy tabletop. She’d been at this for hours, attempting to stabilize the essence of duskbloom, a notoriously volatile ingredient. It was crucial for the restorative draught she needed to prepare... a desperate measure for the injured scout who'd stumbled into camp earlier that day. The fire crackled, offering little warmth against the encroaching chill. Failure wasn’t an option; the man’s life depended on her skill. A sigh escaped her lips as she adjusted the flask of distilled water, hoping to coax a final reaction... perhaps just one more grind of moonpetal would do the trick. The forest held its breath, waiting with her. She needed this draught ready before night fully fell… and whatever lurked within those shadows began to stir.