Conclusion

Angel Aniela

The children weren't the only ones who worried. Aniela—the crystal angel—was thrilled the children had found the crystals. But their concern was justifiable. The only way to assure completion of the circle of light was to convince a group of celestial power directors called energy transmitters, or ETs, to assist.

ETs were specialized beings that functioned throughout the vast universe as generators and directors of energy. They not only powered-up weak energy currents, they also made distant energy patterns visible. If the ETs agreed to help, Angel Aniela could count on the completion of the circle. One problem remained—would the ETs be available—and on such short notice? The power directors were continuously engaged throughout the universe.

Wasting no time, Angel Aniela sped to a sector of the Milky Way known as Scintillus, the complex network of operations for all power-related beings. As she entered the conductivity field, she was grateful her spirit-body could tolerate the intense gamma radiation found here. Soaring deep into the nucleus, Aniela placed an emergency call to the ETs.

France

Jesse and his cousins stood under the bright yellow moon at the opening of their cave. Feeling nervous, they skipped around, the light from their headlamps bouncing against the twinkling sky.

"I'm not taking my eyes off this watch," Jesse said. Only a few minutes remained.

He and the twins had fled the inn against their parents' clear instructions not to leave, especially for the restricted mine. Daniel, who had no parents alive to care, rubbed a locket with his mother's picture. His only living relative, his grandfather, was asleep at home in a wine coma—which was just as well. When awake, he caused nothing but trouble.

Jesse had no idea that Madame Villars and his father and aunt were watching from a distance. Madame wanted the parents to witness what she hoped would be a miracle. Sensing their anxiety, Madame said, "Their reason for being here will soon be clear."

Barring any interference, the children would connect their crystals at 9:15 p.m.

Oregon

Nikki, Jake, Christina, and Devin walked along the new trail on the back side of Scouter Mountain that led to the crater. Devin's injury was still fresh, and his pace slowed them to a near crawl. Laurita was with them and kept an eye on Devin's injury and on the time. Finally, they arrived at tunnel number seven, and Christina laid out a blanket. Exhausted, Devin sank down onto it and put an arm over his eyes.

"Are you okay, Devin?" Christina asked, moving close on her knees. She touched his forehead and nodded at her mother.

"Devin, it's time for your meds," Laurita said. She and Christina lifted his head while Jake held the water so that Devin could drink.

Nikki paced around the blanket rubbing her aching temples. Would a proper activation occur this far away from their discovery chamber? Had Chaz found the last of the crystals? She pressed a hand onto her chest. She was sure her diaphragm was out of sorts again.

"What is it?" Jake asked.

"Just stressing," she said, removing her hand.

"Too bad we can't call Chaz." He glanced at his phone for the tenth time. Nikki opened her mouth but then remembered her promise and promptly shut it. They had no choice but to engage their crystals at 12:15 p.m., the precise full moon time in Happy Valley.

New Zealand

Chaz's team sat by the warm coals left from the night's fire. No one had slept well, but at least they'd been sheltered from the wild storm that had raged the entire night.

Chaz could see day breaking beyond the cave opening and felt the worry gnawing at him like a dog chewing a bone. Although Tip had whined about going home, Jojo agreed to stay, even though he was worried about Ipu. She knew where they had gone, but didn't know they were now on the opposite side of the mountain.

Jojo poked the coals. "If they send out a search party, they'll find the Woody and look for us in the closest tunnel. It gives us time to activate the crystals before we're found."

"Let's go then," Chaz said. "It's already seven a.m.; we have fifteen minutes."

Uncharacteristically quiet, Tip and Taylor got to their feet, grabbed their packs, and trudged out of the cave. Chaz followed, rubbing his noisy stomach. He squinted at the rising sun. "I'll keep track of time," he said, looking at his watch.

Chaz knew their crystals would shoot up a beam, but he was dubious about Jesse's light making it here all the way from France—a twelve-thousand-mile journey.

Angel Aniela

With her mission to Scintillus complete, the angel raced back toward earth. Before long, a succession of bright orbs followed her, ready to witness a rare planetary phenomenon. The angel's high velocity left a trail much like a comet racing against the night sky. With the ETs alerted, she focused on her next priority—to travel to three destinations on the planet.

Concentrating on Happy Valley, Joyeux, and Opua, her radiant orb split into three distinct light bodies. Without losing speed, the three globes diverted trajectories: one to the northwestern United States, the second toward central France, and the third toward the North Island of New Zealand.

France, Oregon, New Zealand

A falling star appeared high in the sky and approached the three expedition teams.

"Look up," Daniel cried. "A gigantic comet."

Nikki pointed. "What's that? It's beautiful." She had never seen anything like it.

Devin lifted his upper body onto his arms. "Now, that's not normal."

Jesse stared at the approaching angel. "Quick, hold up your crystals!"

Nikki's headache disappeared but her heart began to hammer. "Everyone on the blanket, quick. We have to reach Devin's crystal."

Chaz threw off his hat and ran around like a corralling sheep dog. "Join up, join up!" His team rushed together and held their crystals high, ready to connect them.

Angel Aniela appeared before twelve astounded kids, two gawking parents, and a knowing sorceress and wolfhound. Children, I am here for the activation. Join the stones together! Now!