Xiarmic Rock

Mistress Juliette and Althea rushed to Tasha's side. She was bloody and unconscious. The healers in the crowd started working on the other people who are hurt. Despite the sheer amount of mana that both Mistress Juliette and Althea are pouring into Tasha, none of her wounds were closing up. In fact, it seems like none of their healing spells are working at all. The investigators came and tried to take statements from the party goers. Bryce and Terrick went with the council members to survey the pavilion and the nearby buildings to see if other bombs have been planted. The city elders rushed the survivors to the nearby hospital where they immediately performed all sorts of tests and procedures to them.

Such a beautiful night that turned into something horrific. The hours stretched long as friends and family of the victims waited patiently for test results and investigation updates. Ellie was inconsolable as Mistress Juliette held her.

No other bombs were found. The council members were investigating potential leads while the two grants were sent to the hospital to check-in on Tasha. At 4 past mid-moon (4 am), Bryce and Terrick found the others waiting outside the exam rooms. People came and went. The frustration was building at the lack of any development or improvement on their loved one's part. It wasn't until the later part of the afternoon when an older woman who was one of the top doctors and researchers called a meeting of all the families.

The tests have identified that the explosive device contained fragments of Xiarmic Rock. This is a rare element known for having mana disrupting capabilities. When it enters into the bloodstream, it binds with the cells. It could be found in the Forlorn Forest and is part of the reason why technology doesn't work well in that place. It also explained why two Light healers like Althea and Mistress Juliette couldn't heal Tasha. Once Xiarmic rock is in the body it increases mana resistance in the cellular walls which jams the cell's ability to accumulate and manipulate mana. From the medical standpoint, these cells resist all known conventional healing from outside the body such as healing from spells. Thus, wounds can only heal naturally. Tasha had to undergo a procedure to flush out Xiarmic rock fragments from her system.

The next day, the council released the information that the bomb was intended for the five heroes. Tasha was carrying it to the table where the guest of honors sat. The only reason she survived was because she had activated her Wind barrier at the last moment. This blatant attack on their new heroes outraged the city which demanded that the culprit be caught. However, it was too late. The shadowy figure who left the gift had teleported away long before the present exploded.

After a week of treatments in the hospital, Tasha was finally able to go home. Because she was holding the gift when it blew up, she received the most damage and significant amounts of Xiarmic rocks of all the victims. The tests indicated that her mana bank can now only hold fractions of what it used to. She was also unable to form mana efficiently which meant that it took her considerable effort to cast skills, if at all. She also had some neurological damage which meant that her muscle control and reflexes where compromised. In short, she could never become an adventurer ever again. She unknowingly sacrificed her future as an adventurer to save her younger "siblings." This news sent waves through the community and, most of all, her brothers and sisters.

The five plus Mistress Juliette became despondent when Wentlas and Gil came to tell them of the heartbreaking news. Over the next couple of days, Tasha stayed in her room and spend most of her time there. Ellie just cried all the time. Terrick resorted to jokes and refuses to be part of any serious conversation regarding Tasha's welfare. Bryce was angry all the time and seems to be taking it out on all the woodchopping that needed to be done. Althea tried to keep the group together but she, too, was struggling with guilt. The orphanage lost the life it had. Ghosts of their own making seem to wander the halls that are now despondent and deprived of laughter.

One night after a particularly quiet meal, Tasha broke the silence. "I have been talking with one of the city elders who thinks that I would benefit from undergoing some experimental research they are doing Kash. She thinks that I would be a good candidate and I have been accepted in the trial. I leave for Kash in two days."

The news hit the rest of them like a ton of bricks. Ellie starts crying again but this time Terrick holds her. "Isn't this all so sudden? We haven't even discussed about what we will do as a party." Bryce says exasperated.

"Bryce, I can't be a part of a party. I can barely move let alone cast spells." Tasha states coldly.

"But, I don't want you to leave." Bryce weakly replies as tears fall from his face. This was not like him at all. He never talks about his feelings. He never shows how he feels.

"I know. But I have to do what is best for me. If I stay here, I would only be one more person to be taken care of. And I certainly won't be able to go with you on your dangerous adventures." She says as she holds his face. "I will only be a liability. So, don't you guys dare hold back because of me." She continues. Ellie was now sobbing loudly. They never expected to lose their big sister so soon. As hard as it was for them, they understood that this was the best way forward for her.

The Arachne may not have killed them at the dinner but she had dealt them a colossal blow.