No. Neither does Devlin or his mother. They’re absolutely convinced they’re on a mission to resurrect Lucifer. Now, only the truth shall set them free.

But why … why are Devlin and Lilith so convinced they can open up the Gates of Hell?

Devlin can feel an energy surge coming, but it is not our combined presence in this purgatory that he feels.

The supernova?

Yes. Devlin’s Hunahpu abilities allow him to tap into these forces. Even now, his mind is channeling energy, his subconscious giving life to a demon sentry.

Father, what happens when Sirius goes supernova?

Energy levels will spike, and Devlin’s consciousness will give birth to Lucifer—at least his concept of Lucifer—created from the fabric of his own wounded mind.

Then this whole thing … it could actually become a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Not could, Jacob. Remember, humanity is stuck in a time loop. The deed has already happened before.

Are you saying man’s concept of the Devil came from the future?

Looping back into the past … a frightening paradox. With each journey through the wormhole, the equation becomes more muddied, and mankind drifts farther from God.

Then the past … it will repeat itself again?

The moment the Guardian reenter the wormhole, as they are preparing to do even now. Once more, man’s future will deliver the Devil into man’s Garden of Eden.

Dad … this is all my fault … my selfishness pushed Lilith away, my moment of weakness gave Devlin life.

It’s not your fault. Like me, you were simply a victim of circumstance.

So was Lilith. So were Manny and Evelyn, and the billions who perished back on old Earth. Dad, I have to stop this insanity … I have to end this once and for all!

How?

By defeating Devlin. By saving the Nephilim.

You can’t defeat Devlin alone, and I cannot leave the nexus to help you.

There’s another way I can succeed, but I need your help. Can you distract Lilith … keep her away from me?

I’ll try. But the sentry, it would take both of us to—

I’ll handle the sentry, you worry about Lilith.

Devlin stands before the lake’s edge, his batlike wings twitching at his sides.

The silvery waters churn, then swirl, pulling in a powerful counterclockwise vortex. Within seconds, the once-placid liquid has become a raging whirlpool, its eye draining, inhaling the contents of the maelstrom to reveal—

—a massive orifice … the third mouth of the serpent.

‘It’s the portal, the portal into Hell!’

Devlin’s subconscious reaches across dimensions of time and space, tapping into the chaotic energy of the red supergiant, unleashing a monstrous ball of crimson flame, which belches upward from the serpent’s hyperextended jaws. The expulsion of energy causes the shoreline to rumble beneath Devlin’s feet, sending the frightened Nephilim bowing in fear.