"Without our gift of love mankind would eventually destroy itself in endless wars. So a time must come when you will be called upon to bring this gift to those on the outside … So it will be up to you to keep our promise. "

When Jared chooses to leave the crater that has sheltered his people from wars and killings for hundreds of years, he doesn't really comprehend what drives him to do so and that he has undertaken to fulfill the promise made long ago by the Centaurs—beings who by nature can do no one any harm and who have imparted this nature to Jared and his people. He also doesn't fully understand the risk of not being able to find the hidden way back within the time allotted to do so.

Away from his people, Jared encounters not only violence, killings, and war, but also friendship, kindness, and love—the balance between good and evil that was a sign for Jared's people to venture outside. So when he finally comes to appreciate the real purpose of his journey, he must face the challenge of finding his way back with the news and convincing his people the time had come to fulfill the promise. And in the process, armed only with one weapon—the Centaurs' precious gift of love—he must try to overcome a ruthless, greedy king who is intent on killing him and his people.