Genesis - Unseen Things, #21

When you have the literal power of gods, the ultimate accomplishment would be to use that power to create a living world out of a lifeless hunk of rock. This was the idea behind the Genesis project, but there was just one catch. They needed to find a lifeless hunk of rock to use for the project before they could set their plans in motion. Fascinated by the potential of what could be learned from such a project, an amiable stranger named Gerald shows up seemingly out of nowhere, stating that he's simply there to observe their progress.
When asked about where he came from however, what he tells them changes not only their view of the universe, but it also changes how they view their very existence. Unable to take Gerald at his word that he's simply there to observe, and that he won't do anything to help or hinder them in any way, Jarod opens as time portal that takes him far into the future. When he returns however, not only does he refuse to tell the others where he went or why he went there, but he's suddenly plagued by massive headaches.
Not only that, but since he's returned, no one's abilities work on him anymore. Even stranger, he knows when someone is trying to use their abilities on him, which was something that, under normal circumstances, he shouldn't have been able to sense. As their fear of what's happened to him continues to grow, so does his frustration at constantly being asked about it, since keeping that knowledge a secret could be the key to their very survival.
Also, during the search for a suitable planet to use for the Genesis project, Derek and Jarrod happen to find the Echnid dimension, and quickly discover that the downtrodden average citizens of that world are in desperate need of help. In another twist of fate, Giles and Savaric visit a dimension where another old enemy have embedded themselves in a mountain temple. They claim to be gods, and as such, they've forced the people of that world into literal slavery, punishing them with massive storms if they should fail to pay their required tributes.
When Giles and Savaric go to confront them over their actions, they soon discover that things aren't always as cut and dry as they may seem. Genesis is book 21 of the Unseen Things series.