Post-Apocalyptic World.

In a world long since destroyed by a catastrophic event, humanity is struggling to survive. The few who remain are scavenging what they can from the ruins of the past, and what little crops they can grow in the harsh, unforgiving landscape. But there is one source of food that has become both a salvation and a curse: a mysterious plant that grows in abundance, but comes with a dark cost.

The plant is called Xeranthemum, and it's a strange and deadly thing. At first glance, it appears to be a harmless flower, with delicate white petals and a pleasant fragrance. But when consumed, it causes intense hallucinations and strange behavior. Some people become violent and erratic, attacking those around them without warning. Others become lost in their own minds, trapped in endless delusions and unable to communicate with the world around them.

Despite the risks, Xeranthemum has become a staple of the post-apocalyptic diet. It's easy to cultivate, requiring only minimal water and soil, and it grows quickly and in abundance. Most importantly, it's the only source of sustenance that can be found in large enough quantities to feed the dwindling population.

For the people who eat it, Xeranthemum is both a necessity and a danger. It's a trade-off between survival and sanity, and one that some are willing to make. But for others, it's a line that can't be crossed.

The story follows a small group of survivors who have been forced to rely on Xeranthemum to survive. Among them is Mia, a young woman who has been struggling to come to terms with the loss of her family and the collapse of the world as she knew it. She's seen the worst of what Xeranthemum can do, and she's determined to find a way to survive without it.

Mia's search for an alternative food source leads her on a dangerous journey through the wasteland, where she encounters a variety of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. She meets a group of nomadic traders who have found a way to cultivate crops without relying on Xeranthemum, but they're reluctant to share their methods with anyone else. She also meets a man who claims to have found a way to purify the plant, removing its harmful effects, but his motives are unclear.

As Mia searches for a way to survive without Xeranthemum, she begins to realize that there may be more to the plant than she ever imagined. She uncovers a conspiracy that stretches back to the beginning of the apocalypse, and learns that Xeranthemum may have been deliberately engineered to keep the surviving population in check.

As the truth about Xeranthemum comes to light, Mia is forced to confront the dark realities of the world she lives in. She must decide whether to keep fighting for a better future, or give in to the madness that threatens to consume them all.

In the end, Mia discovers that there are no easy answers in a world where everything is broken. Survival comes at a price, and the only way to stay alive is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.