To his left is the portal’s entrance, its diminishing opening revealing the northern base of the pyramid. He can see Dominique, lying on the bottom two steps. Weeping.

To his right is another portal, the entrance to Xibalba Be—the Black Road. At its center point—a pinpoint of white light visible in the darkness of space.

A cool sensation washes over him, soothing his frayed nerves.

Guardian, was I successful?

Yes, Hunahpu. The two Under Lords are dead. The portal is closing, the Death God once more denied access to your world.

Mick watches as the opening to his left continues closing.

Then the threat to humanity is over?

For now. It is time to choose.

Materializing before him—a brown, granite sarcophagus. Hovering above its tub-shaped interior—a smooth, coffin-size pod.

Two destinies await you. You can live out your days as Michael Gabriel, or continue on to Xibalba and fulfill your destiny as One Hunahpu—attempting to save the souls of our people.

The Nephilim …

Sixty-five million years ago, the Guardian—the Nephilim survivors had chosen to remain on Earth, to save the future of an unknown species, hoping their genetic messiah would one day rise to return the favor. Mick recalls the frightened faces of the children on Xibalba, their souls locked in purgatory.

So frightened. So alone …

Mick stares at Dominique, longing to hold her, to comfort her. He imagines the life that circumstances have denied him since he was a child. Love … marriage … children … An existence of happiness.

It’s not fair. Why must I choose? I deserve to live out my days.

He imagines himself enveloped in Dominique’s warmth, never having to awaken in the middle of the night on the cold floor of a concrete cell, feeling so alone …

So empty.

The ultimate sacrifice …

He recalls Dominique’s sweet voice. Mick, none of us have any control over the deck or the hand we’ve been dealt …

You possess free will, Michael. Choose quickly before the portal closes.

Tearing his heart away from Dominique, he climbs into the pod.

Mick opens his eyes. He is lying prone within the radiant blue hull of the pod, hurtling headfirst in outer space through a twisting funnel of intense gravity. Although he is enveloped in energy, he can somehow see through the transport’s walls. Beyond the luminescent light he can make out stars, shooting past him like tracers.

Looking over his shoulder he sees Earth, the blue world disappearing from view, the trailing cosmic string of the fourth-dimensional conduit evaporating behind him, leaving the darkness of space in its wake.

The growing emptiness tears at his tortured soul.

Welcome, One Hunahpu. You have arrived.

I miss her.

She is blessed, the seed of our covenant growing within her womb, her destiny forever linked to yours.

A white light looms ahead, its shimmer growing larger.

Cold, lifeless fingers of terror creep into his mind.