Zane is a preteen boy living in rural New Mexico who walks with a cane because one of his legs is shorter than the other. He fears relentless bullying and prefers to explore the desert with his three-legged rescue dog. His quiet, isolated existence fractures when he encounters a Mayan demon and learns he is the focal point of an ancient prophecy.

Brooks is a teenage shape-shifter, or nawal, capable of transforming into a hawk. She dresses entirely in black and possesses extensive knowledge of hidden supernatural history. She tracks Zane to his school to warn him about the forces hunting him. She operates with intense secrecy, frequently bending the truth to achieve her goals.

Ah-Puch is the ancient Mayan god of death, destruction, and disaster. He resides in a hidden supernatural prison beneath the volcano in Zane's backyard, trapped inside an ancient artifact. He projects his voice to manipulate mortals into breaking his restraints. He seeks absolute freedom to destroy the modern world and establish a new race of human worshippers.

Ixtab is the Mayan goddess of suicide by hanging who claims control over the underworld in Ah-Puch's absence. She commands legions of demon runners and hell hounds to enforce her will. She actively intervenes in the mortal world, sending her forces to intercept those who might alter the balance of divine power.

Hurakan is a Mayan creator god who commands storms and elemental magic. He possesses one human leg and one leg shaped like a serpent, a physical trait connected to his immense power. He remains physically distant from the human world due to ancient oaths restricting the gods from interacting with their offspring. He communicates strictly through intermediaries and liminal spaces.

Zane's uncle is an ordinary human who lives with Zane and his mother. He enjoys combat sports and possesses no magical abilities or mythological heritage. He uses physical fighting skills, hardware tools, and immense stubbornness to fight alongside his nephew against monsters.

Zane's dog is a loyal, three-legged rescue animal who shares a deep bond with her owner. Having been abandoned near the volcano, she acts fearlessly in the face of danger. She directly confronts supernatural monsters to protect her family, regardless of her physical limitations.

Zane's mother works at a local bank and deeply worries about her son's social isolation. She gifts Zane a dragon-headed cane to build his confidence for his return to public school. She provides a grounded, mundane contrast to the magical chaos invading their lives.

Zane's blind neighbor lives down the road and secretly operates as a Mayan seer. She possesses the ability to glimpse the future and interpret ancient divine prophecies. She provides Zane with initial guidance about the impending solar eclipse.

Zane's other neighbor is a local resident who assists Zane with transportation early in the crisis. He gives Zane a highly potent hot pepper, rooted in traditional remedies, intended to serve as a makeshift weapon against immortal beings.

Sparkstriker functions as a legendary maker of lightning bolts and ancient weaponry. She operates out of self-interest, offering to awaken latent godly powers only because she prefers to align herself with the winning side of a divine conflict.

Brooks's sister is a full shape-shifter capable of taking on multiple animal forms. She serves as an aerial transport and warrior for Sparkstriker. She acts as a physical manifestation of Brooks's desire to protect her family from underworld politics.

Jordan is one half of the mythological hero twins. He hosts opulent parties, masking his true nature behind wealth and bravado. He forces party guests into deadly, magically altered basketball games to satisfy his ego and maintain a false reputation of invincibility.

Bird is the second half of the hero twins. He collaborates with his brother to project a false reputation of divine power. He uses his influence in the supernatural community to intimidate lesser beings and hide from the genuine wrath of ancient gods.

The Mayan giant acts as an engineering genius who assists Zane's group. He brews magically enhanced hot chocolate to heal physical injuries and supplies enchanted clothing designed to conceal the wearer's greatest insecurities.

The goddess of time serves as a divine emissary for the creator gods. She provides critical exposition about the ancient oaths governing the pantheon and gifts Zane a magical jaguar jade tooth to aid his journey.