Read Online Phobos: Mayan Fear by Steve Alten - Free Book Online Page A

room with a candle and the light overcomes the darkness relative to its intensity. The darker the room, the more intense the light.
    “On a metaphysical level, the light is love, the darkness—hatred. Love is the only weapon that can overcome one’s enemy. When Jacob stole his twin’s birthright, Esau wanted to kill him, forcing Jacob’s mother to send him away in exile. When Jacob returned, Esau had grown in power, commanding an army. But the moment the twins confronted one another, Jacob’s love removed Esau’s hatred and drew him back into the light, and Esau forgave his brother. You see, deep down Esau still felt love for Jacob, which means there was light in Esau.
    “Now let’s look at you and your twin. Jake has overshadowed you since birth. He pushed you to train hard since the day you started walking. No doubt he drove you crazy with this Mayan prophecy nonsense, but he also warned you about using the Nexus for selfish reasons, and he was right. Your ego got the better of you, and you became intoxicated by the light, in your case the limelight that came with fame. Things changed when the moment of truth finally arrived: Jacob insisted you accompany him to the Mayan underworld, only you refused. We have no way of knowing the ramifications of that decision, but I suspect something positive may come from it.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “Think about it, Samuel. Jacob overstepped his boundaries, he tried to use his physical superiority to forcibly drag you aboard the Balam ; in doing so, he robbed you of your free will. And what happened? Your genetics suddenly kicked in—you became his physical equal and stopped him.”
    “You think that was intended to happen?”
    “There are no accidents, Son. We may not understand it, but God has a reason for everything.”
    Manny snapped. “Does that include Lauren’s death?”
    “Lauren’s death was a pebble tossed into a pond. We have no idea where the ripples may go or what outcome they were meant to affect, just as your decision not to follow the hero twin’s legacy has no doubt sent ripples across the fabric of space and time. What’s important here is that, like Esau, you lose your hatred and negativity and complete your transformation by moving toward the light.”
    “How do I do that?”
    “By living a selfless life. By using the powers God gave you for the greater good. You know, I remember how things were, leading up to the events of 2012. Greed and corruption ruled Wall Street and Washington. While people lost their jobs and homes, the two political parties were more focused on waging war against each other, everyone vying for control. The media poured gasoline on the flames, dividing the country in half. Two wars raged on, fostered by hatred and corporate greed, while the stepping stone to World War III loomed in Iran. Fear ruled the day when the tinderbox finally burst into flames. Only a miracle, precipitated by your father, prevented the end of our species. But from that darkness—from that overwhelming negativity and divisiveness that pushed society toward the brink of annihilation—came a new doctrine. Alternative clean energy replaced fossil fuels, forging new industries while helping to heal the environment. The people rallied to change the political process, removing the variable of money from the equation. With lobbyists and big businesses strictly forbidden from the halls of government, Washington began working for the betterment of society instead of for its own self-interests. Once people started working to help one another, the darkness that veiled the light was lifted.”
    “Dad, I’m not Jake. I mean, look at me! I’m lost physically … emotionally—”
    “Focus on the spiritual side, Samuel. The rest will come.”

    Completely naked, Immanuel Gabriel jumps down into the five-foot-deep, freshly excavated hole.
    The two bodyguards look at one another. “You sure about this, kid?”
    “I’ll be fine. Go on. Bury me up to my