Deep in the jungles of Veracruz, a secretive community thrives under Santiago's rule, bound by rituals of blood, loyalty, and transformation. Revered as a reincarnated god, he leads his followers in crafting a society both mystical and militant, steeped in ancient traditions and fueled by an ambitious vision.

As they trade coffee to fund their cause, their true goal remains hidden—amassing power, perfecting dark arts, and preparing for an eventual conquest that will reshape the land itself.

As famine continues to devastate Ireland, Santiago Ó Gealbháin seeks escape across the Atlantic, setting his sights on the rising Second Mexican Empire. Cunning and resilience secure him passage aboard an English vessel, but the journey is fraught with hardship and deception.

Amidst the filth and desperation below deck, unlikely alliances are forged, and new ambitions take root. Upon arriving in Veracruz, Santiago sees not just refuge, but opportunity—a land on the brink of war, where power is ripe for the taking.

In famine-ravaged Ireland, Santiago Ó Gealbháin fights for survival in a world stripped of hope. Starving and on the brink of death, he encounters Ludolf, a mysterious outsider with a powerful legacy.

Bestowed with an ancient and formidable gift, Santiago undergoes a transformation that alters his fate forever. But with power comes a cost, and his mentor's final lesson is as shocking as it is ruthless.