Hey everyone! Snowcloud8, here. First, I must say how honored I feel for so many people reading and reviewing my story just shortly after publishing it. I am sorry that it was a bit more... tragic than you were expecting. I had originally wanted to write La Muerte stopping her husband just in time from ending his life, but I kept writing myself into a hole when I tried. I may consider writing an alternate ending, but in the end, I felt like this had more power than my original idea.

Summary: In a world where the lover's bet was never made, two death deities decide the fates of their worlds through a different wager. But will things still turn out well in the end? Will be told in a series of parts.

Another Wager Part 1: The Bet

After months of waiting, the anticipated Day of the Dead had finally arrived, and preparations had been absolutely chaotic for La Muerte. Marigolds had to be in bloom, pan de muerte placed on every alter, and parades organized, but looking down at all her work, both in the living and the underworld, she had no complaints. Seeing the cheery faces of all the families celebrating their loved ones always made her feel like it was all worth it. Until Xibalba had to ruin it all with his incessant whining...

"Really, my dear, you have no idea how cold and vile the land of the forgotten has become," he sighed dramatically towards his estranged wife La Muerte as he skulked away.

"Just like your heart, Xibalba. Just like your heart..." She chuckled humorlessly before a small, sad frown appeared on her face, her expression hidden behind her husband's retreating back as she brightened the candles he had put out on a mortal's grave.

"Why must I rule a bleak wasteland while you enjoy an endless fiesta in the Land of the Remembered? It's simply unfair," he complained, noticing an old man honoring his dead wife in the corner of his eye. Secretly, he reached out to touch him and extinguish his life before his hand is slapped away by his wife.

"Xibalba!"

"Whaaat? It's his time... more or less..." he exclaimed, feigning innocence before a dark devilish grin spread across his face.

"Uh uh. Not today, my love," she scolded, not wanting him to spoil the joyous celebration. One that she had spent so much time and energy on. It was like everyday, day and night, in the Land of the Remembered. Parties were always being held, feasts consumed, parties celebrated. It was basically one endless party after another and gradually, it was a bit taxing on her soul.

"Come on, my dear. Trade lands with me. I beg you!" Xibalba whined as he stepped out in front of her, not wanting to take 'no' for an answer.

"Awww, you're so cute when you beg," she smirked sarcastically, not having the strength to deal with his childish behavior at the moment.

"I'm serious! I HATE it down there!" he exclaimed.

"Hey! You're there 'cause you cheated! You made your bet with that wager," she fired back sharply, leaving Xibalba silently opening and closing his mouth like a gaping fish out of water as he desperately tried to think of something to say as a comeback. Nothing came to mind.

"You're not the man I fell in love with all those centuries ago," she continued, crossing her arms as a dulled hurt laced her normally sweet voice.

"Let's... not dwell in the past, mi amor," he said slowly, blinking his eyes lovingly at his wife, which was awkwardly not returned by her growl. "Anyway uh- I was thinking...how about another little wager?~"

"You think you can calm the flames of my anger with another bet?!" La Muerte yelled. Xibalba just smiled sheepishly. She sighed, holding her head at the oncoming headache she was getting. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"A love triangle between a young girl and her two best friends...?" he gestured with his two-headed snake staff, lifting his black wing to reveal a young Maria Posada playing with her two friends Manolo Sanchez and Joaquin Mondragon behind him.

"Too easy. You'll cheat again, like last time," she squinted at him before quickly she turning away.

"Ah come on! That was one time!" Xibalba countered, abruptly putting his wing back down, his feathers now ruffled in frustration.

"One time too many!"

"Come on, my dear. Trade lands with me! It's so cold and dark and boring down there! Having to deal with the depressed and damned all the time, your life is so much easier compared to mine!"

"Easy?!" she said in disbelief. "You think it's easy having to take care of everybody all the time?! There's parties to plan and food to make and new arrivals to attend to-!"

"An endless party? I think I can manage," Xibalba scoffed with an arrogant smirk.

"Oh really? Then how about another wager?"

"What?" The deity blinked, slightly caught off guard. He did not expect this turn of events. Usually he was the one to strike up a bet.

"Yes. You're always talking about how you want to trade lands with me, how my world is sooo much better than yours. Let us see who is truly right," she said as she circled around him, trailing her fingertips on top of Xibalba's conquistador armor, which sent warm sparks and cold chills through him from her soft touch.

"I will trade lands with you for one week. If you can take on all my responsibilities and keep order by sunset on the seventh day, the Land of the Remembered is yours."

"Hmmm... what happens if you cannot handle the responsibilities of my world?" Xibalba asked, resting his hands on top of his two-headed snake staff and leaning in closely, interested in his lover's proposition.

"Then, I forfeit the right to ruling the Land of the Remembered. However, if you lose... you will never attempt to take my land from me ever again."

Xibalba contemplated the wager. If he took the bet and won, he would finally take the Land of the Remembered as his own! On the other hand, if he failed...

He appeared thoughtful for a couple seconds before he outstretched his hand.

"...Deal. By the ancient rules...the wager is set," he said confidently, shaking La Muerte's hand as his pointy teeth grin shone mischievously in the moonlight.

Guess he would have to make sure that he didn't fail...