Chapter 4: The Mystery of the Angel of Hope

"Now we must continue our journey alone…" Rowen said quietly as he stood with his arms resting behind him and watched the setting sun.

"But what about us?" Clara asked as Kento and Cye fell quiet.

"You will stay here and wait for us to bring the healer to you. I feel the two of you will be much safer here, out of harm's way."

"Well let me tell you what I feel, ROWEN OF THE STRATA," Clara said through gritted teeth as she pulled herself into a standing position and grabbed Rowen by his shirt. "I feel that I have been called to go on this journey by some strange and powerful force, that once I've started something I must see it through to the end, and that you need our help WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!"

"But you don't know how what danger may lie ahead." Kento protested as Clara let a stunned Rowen drop to the ground.

"Or if you will survive the journey if you continue using your magic like you've been doing." Cye said as Rowen stood up and gently placed his hand on Clara's shoulder.

"Please understand that I'm-we're only trying to protect you. We have lost too many friends and loved ones because of the wars we fought and we don't want to lose the two of you as well."

"I know that you want to protect me, Rowen, and I also know how many friends and loved ones you've lost because of the wars you've fought in." Clara said gently as tears brimmed in her eyes and stared at the wide-eyed young man.

"But how did you…" he started to ask when Clara began speaking again.

"Mind reading," she said softly as she stared out into the rainbow colored sky. "I've always been able to 'hear' other people's thoughts and sometimes communicate with them through telepathy. Rowen I know how much you care for me, even though you haven't always shown it and I understand why you ask this of me. However you must understand that this is something that I must finish myself, no matter what the danger may be. I keep hearing this…this…voice calling to me, begging with me, pleading with me to come to it. I don't know who, what, or where the voice is coming from…I don't even know why…but I do know that I must answer the call to find out who I really am."

"Clara I…"

"Please at least consider taking me with you for the rest of your journey. I know how dangerous it will be but you must understand that this is something I must do."

"We will consider your request," Rowen said as he turned away from her and stared in the opposite direction, "and tell you our decision when the moon rises in the night sky."

"What do you think guys?" Rowen asked as he sat down between his two friends. "Should we let them come with us or make them stay here?"

"It's a tough call but I think they should come with us." Cye said as he let his head rest between his hands. "Besides something tells me that Clara will complete this journey with or without us…whether we like it or not."

"They'd probably be a lot safer if they stayed with us." Kento said thoughtfully as he tried to braid some small twigs together with little success.

"Rowen, I understand how you feel about this girl and why you want her to stay here but you must understand that for Clara this journey holds a meaning far deeper than any of us could ever understand. Just think about it Rowen, for us this is about finding our friends and destroying the force or person responsible for separating and imprisoning us. But for Clara this is about answering the call of the mysterious voice."

"Clara you know they're only trying to protect you." Kayla said gently as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"I know the guys want to protect me Kayla, but I must see this journey through to the end…no matter how dangerous it may be." Clara said as she looked up at her friend and dried the tears from her eyes. "It's like when I'm near them I'm complete, especially Rowen."

"Oh, Clara…" Kayla whispered softly as Clara went on speaking.

"He's been through so much in his life: he lost his parents when he was 8 years old and when he was 16 his best friend died. It's amazing that he has managed to carry out a normal life, considering all that he's been through." Clara said as she smiled sadly.

Just then Rowen, Kento, and Cye came up behind them and sat down among them as Rowen let out a deep sigh and began speaking.

"We have come to the decision that no matter what may lay ahead of us in our journey, that we would like for you to be at our side." Rowen said firmly as he looked both of the girls in the eyes and gently clasped her tiny hand in his. "As for you Clara, you have my solemn vow that I will be at your side protecting you until your journey is finished."

"I would wish for nothing else dear warrior." Clara whispered softly as Rowen drew her close to him and the two embraced under the light of the full moon.