The Guardian offered me a choice. I could live out my days as Michael Gabriel or continue to evolve as One Hunahpu and journey to Xibalba to save the lost souls of the Nephilim.

Who are the Nephilim?

The Fallen Ones, human souls who were being tortured on Xibalba. I had remote-viewed their terror. Thousands of men, women, and children—all suffering at the hands of their oppressors. As Michael Gabriel, I could have ignored them, but as One Hunahpu, I realized I was their only hope.

With heavy heart I took one last look at your mother’s face, then climbed into the Guardian’s pod. Moments later, I found myself hurtling through space, leaving Earth forever … through a wormhole, racing to Xibalba—where the origin of mankind’s evil was waiting.

The origin of mankind’s evil? Father, I don’t understand.

Humanity is caught in a bubble of space-time, each successive journey through the wormhole looping history. What has happened before will happen again, unless the paradox can be broken. My presence on Xibalba somehow reinforces this paradox, yet it also serves to keep the door to humanity’s own salvation open. You see, Jacob, there are two crossroads that face humanity, one in 2012, one more in your own near future. I cannot tell you about this second holocaust, but if left unchecked, it will terminate life on Earth as surely as the events of 2012 nearly did.

What is it?

Again, I cannot say, but only a Hunahpu can prevent it.

Is it my destiny to stop it?

I don’t see how. According to the Popol Vuh, you and your brother will make the journey to Xibalba aboard the Balam soon after your twentieth birthday, long before the second event.

And if we don’t make the journey?

Then the second holocaust will wipe out humanity.

Father, is Manny Hunahpu? I know he shares our DNA, but the gene seems recessive.

Your brother’s powers may grow stronger in years to come or they may not appear at all. All I know is that …

Father?

Father, what’s wrong?

The Abomination. It senses our communication.

What should I do?

I should have known better. You’re too young, it’s too easy for the Abomination to use you. Even as we speak, it grows stronger in your energy field. You need to learn how to disguise it before we can communicate again.

Teach me how.

I can’t, it’s a strength that comes with age. Find me again when you’re older.

How old?

Wait at least another seven years. Your Hunahpu powers will strengthen as you get older.

Father, I can’t wait that long—

You have to. I’ll be all right. Time isn’t the same here as it is for you. Go now, quickly, before the Abomination pierces my defenses!

Father, I love you. Father?

Jacob awakens, staring into the teary eyes of his mother. ‘Jake? What happened?’