The scorching afternoon sun hovered over Mumbai as the gates of the Rajput family mansion groaned open.
A soft hum of activity buzzed around the garage, a place usually reserved for idle vehicles and ignored tools. But today, it had transformed into a realm of creation, of alchemy and ancient aspirations.
Vikram Das, standing at the center of it all, oversaw the delivery and unloading of the 50-kilogram Moon Jade stone.
As the sun climbed higher, Vikram Das opened a locked metal trunk placed in a corner of the garage. From within, he pulled out an assortment of high-precision machinery and sharp instruments. Polishing blades, arcane engravers, miniature crystal-forged chisels enchanted with stabilization spells, thermal regulators, vibration-controlled support clamps, and an ancient scroll wrapped in a translucent film.
