Only one. It was at the time of the last precessional cycle, before the Great Flood. The brethren of the Guardian awoke from stasis and prepared one of your ancestors to access the Tezcatilpoca’s cosmic porthole. As the portal opened, two of the Death God’s Under Lords entered the corridor from Xibalba. They used trickery and deceit to defeat this first Hunahpu, but his bravery enabled the Guardian to acquire the transport vessel the wicked ones had used to travel through the Black Road, the fourth-dimensional corridor of time and space you are now suspended within.

This sarcophagus is a vessel?

Yes.

You said the first Hunahpu was defeated. What happened to the two Under Lords who escaped Xibalba?

The Guardian were able to reseal the portal before the Death God and his legion could make the journey through Xibalba Be, but the damage to your world was done. Evil became rooted within your garden.

What does that mean?

The two Under Lords remained on Earth, taking refuge within Tezcatilpoca’s vessel. Although they remain within the fourth dimension, they have continued to exert their influence upon the minds of the weak, their strength increasing as four Ahau, three Kankin approaches.

My God … You exposed humanity to the Devil—

It was necessary. There is more at stake than you can comprehend. One Hunahpu must make the journey through the Black Road to undo the damage that has been done. A greater destiny awaits us all.

Why should I believe you?

You have seen Tezcatilpoca, and it has seen you. There is no escape. It must be destroyed.

How? When will this One Hunahpu arrive?

Perhaps soon. Perhaps never. His destiny has not yet been chosen.

What the hell does that mean? Where is this Messiah of yours? What happens if he doesn’t show up? And what about the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque? If the creation myth is true, then maybe they’re the Ones. According to the Popol Vuh—

No! The legend of the Twins is a Nephilim prophesy that may never come to pass. The birth and destiny of the Twins relies solely on One Hunahpu making the journey to Xibalba.

And if he never shows up?

Then your people will perish, as will ours.

I don’t understand—

It is not for you to understand. The destiny of your species is still being written. The portal is opening, the Death God and his legion preparing to make the journey across time and space. Tezcatilpoca continues the process of acclimating your world, while the two evil ones harbored within his vessel exert their influence upon your people. They must be stopped. Even now, weapons of mass destruction have been unleashed upon your world, brother threatening brother.

What can I do?