Chapter 18
"Iblis?" St Peter said at the main gate of Heaven, looking down on the fallen angel as he took his ancient, out of date I.D. "If you are the Iblis I heard about, you have some nerve showing your face in here."
"I did my time, human. I would like to see the Lord now, please, if it's not too inconvenient for you."
"I pretty much doubt The Almighty wants to see you," Saint Peter said, checking the admission's list then for a Diego de la Vega. "You two can come in, but him… I need to check this out first."
"Of course, Pete," De Soto said, retrieving his own V.I.P. pass while St Peter closely examined Iblis's antediluvian I.D. card, looking at it from every angle, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Iblis: I got your back. I'll talk to Metatron. Hold tight."
Diego and De Soto walked through that pearly gate into the Base Cloud. As they did so, Diego's tatty clothes instantly transformed into a pristine, smart white suit. There, Mendoza and Sepúlveda welcomed them.
"You did it, mi alcalde! You rescued Don Diego from Hell!" Mendoza cried, elated. Other souls congratulated them as well, clapping enthusiastically.
"Of course I did! Thank you, thank you, my friends…" De Soto said, bowing. "Gracias!"
"And look at you, Don Diego: a picture of sartorial elegance! White really suits you, much better than the black," the sergeant said.
"Welcome to Heaven, Don Diego!" Sepúlveda said, also clapping. "It was time you arrived!"
"Thank you very much, amigos. It's so good to be up here, at last," Diego said while shaking hands right and left.
Diego spotted then a solitary woman a short distance away, also dressed in white, like everyone else. She was looking at him, beaming while patiently waiting for the other souls to finish greeting him.
"Mother?" Diego said, coming a bit closer to see her better. Like Azrael, after all that time he spent in the darkness of hell, he felt blinded by all that bright whiteness. It was her, no doubt about it: Elena Felicidad de la Vega, just as he remembered her. "Mother!"
Ignoring the other people, he ran to meet her, embracing her tightly. While in hell, he had lost all hope he would ever see her again, and he hadn't had time yet to realize it would now be possible.
"Oh, Dios mío! Madre!"
"Diego, hijo mío! Look at you! So grown up!" They hugged each other for a while, deeply emotional, sharing the pure love of the unbreakable mother & son bond. After all his suffering, Diego finally felt at peace, at home, knowing it had all been worth it. "What a shame I didn't get to see you become the great man you turned out to be: Zorro, of all things!"
"You know about that?" Diego said, breaking the embrace to look at her. "Father didn't."
"Of course I knew! I saw it all on Cieloflix!"
"On what?"
"Come, I'll show you. This is so exciting!"
"Diego, I'll leave you in good company. Doña de la Vega," De Soto said, bowing to Elena de la Vega as she took her son's hand. "I have to report on the Iblis situation, so…"
"Yes, do what you have to do," Diego said as he followed his mother into a white building. Inside, they got to an empty, dark room. On the walls, they could see multiple bright images of people on Earth, similar to photographs, but in real-time movement, and in colour. "What's this? It looks like some kind of magic. Like… how can I call it? Moving pictures?"
"Yes! The movies! And these things are called screens. Isn't it great? With them, we can see anything that happens on Earth. To our loved ones, and to anyone else."
"Really? Anything?"
"Yes."
"Maybe I should have thought about that possibility when I was alone having a bath, or when I…" he joked. Then, it really hit him. "Oh, my… This is so awkward, and so embarrassing! Do you really can see anything we do?"
"Oh, no, don't worry, Son, it's not that bad. Any parts involving sex or any other intimate acts come codified, and the image and sound is not that clear."
"Like that one?" Diego said, pointing at a screen showing white lines and a thick grain of static, with a shadowy, unrecognizable figure doing business in the middle.
"Yes."
"Who's that? Is that me?"
"No, that's Felipe."
"Felipe? Is he…? Oh, gosh… Now?"
"Oh, not right now. Of course not. He won't be in the mood for anything like that right now, as worried as he is, the poor thing... But he is young; he's at that age when nearly any moment is as good as any other to release some steam," Elena said with a twinkle in her eye, sad by the situation as well as amused by Diego's reaction. Then, she pointed at the tiny date in a corner of the screen. "See? That was two weeks ago. With this device, we can go back in time, and look at something people did in the past. Look."
She touched one of the screens, and a red line appeared at the bottom of the image. When she dragged her finger back over than line, Diego could see himself like Zorro, at the roof, crying when he got shot in the arm while sword fighting.
"This is amazing. I can't believe it."
"Everybody in heaven spends a lot of time watching what the living do in life, especially their loved ones."
"Why? Don't they have anything better to do over here? Don't you have celestial theatres, or something?"
"Reality is better than fiction, hijo mío." She pointed at another screen, where they could see two women arguing at the market, and in the background, how Corporal Márquez took an apple from one of the stalls, walking away without paying for it. "See? Not only God knows what everyone is doing on Earth; in truth, everybody knows."
She paused to let that gem of information sink in. So much for privacy!
"So, you know all about my brother Gilberto then…"
"Shocking, that was! When I found out that horrible woman stole one on my babies… Aarrgh! Initially, I felt so sorry for Gilberto, living that sad, angry life with her. But, as I watched them both for years, I know they were bad people, with no excuses for what they did. They deserved what they got in the end. Not like you."
"How's Father doing? De Soto said it has been only about a minute since I left Los Angeles, because time goes by much more slowly in Hell than on Earth, or over here."
"Not good, but at least I will greet him here soon," she said, pointing at another screen, where they could see Alejandro in jail, trying to revive Diego. She touched something, some kind of control device with buttons, and then they could hear his thoughts.
No, Diego cannot possibly end up in hell... That's preposterous! He belongs in heaven!
"You can also hear our thoughts?"
"Of course."
"Blimey. We have no secrets at all while on Earth, do we?"
"Not many, no… Sorry. Everybody gets shocked when they find out about this. I did too."
Diego paid attention to another screen then. He placed his hand on the magical device, to touch that person's face: it was Victoria. She was also still in jail, helping Don Alejandro.
Elena reached for the control again, so they could hear her thoughts, but Diego stopped her.
"No. I already know what she's thinking."
"She loves you so much, mijo."
"I know."
"And you love her too. I was devastated when I learned you made a deal with the Devil to save her. Devastated, but so proud of you at the same time, my son. So proud. Even if that meant I would never see you again."
Right then, they felt the aftershock wave of a massive explosion, one so strong they got thrown to the floor.
"Madre de Dios! What was that?" Diego said, standing up quickly to help Elena up.
"I have no idea…"
All the screens changed then to a white background and a collective message written across them all: "DO NOT BE AFRAID. EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL".
"Right. That's helpful," she said, nodding, looking satisfied by that meagre explanation.
"Really? It doesn't say much."
"God controls everything. There is no need for further…"
She was interrupted by the Metatron's voice, coming from the screens and also booming outside the building, for everybody to hear.
"Due to an unprecedented cosmic event, we regret this sudden bending of the Matrix and any inconvenience it may have caused. However, we should all rejoice in the excellent news: from now on, there will be no more Hell. I'll repeat: Hell ceased to exists. Forever! Please, feel free to celebrate the good news."
Everybody cheered in the other viewing rooms, and also outside.
"Wonderful!" Elena cried as well, grinning and clapping.
However, Diego didn't, looking worried.
"What about all the unfortunate people who were there? And what about Azrael, and Death? They were there with me only a moment ago. How can I find out if they are all right?"
One of the screens showed Metatron's serious, sad face then, looking directly at him.
"Well, Diego, about that…"
ZZZ
"She'll talk to you now," Metatron said when he got through the golden doors, back into the hall, handing the light-blinded Iblis a pair of sunglasses. "Here, that will help you."
"Thanks."
After so many millennia ostracized in Hell with Satan, Iblis put the sunglasses on and walked through the golden doors himself to meet the Creator and ask for forgiveness.
"I'll be dammed… He's back!" Metatron said to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. Then, he smiled when he spotted De Soto arriving at the High Council.
"I have important news!" De Soto started, but Metatron stopped him.
"Yes, we know. Iblis is already here. And you need to learn the art of translocation, my friend, or you'll always be late."
"Oh. Dammit."
De Soto looked around, confused by the frenzy of activity in the hall. All the Archangels seemed to be preparing for something, in a hurry.
"Congratulations on retrieving De la Vega, by the way. I didn't see how would that work at the time, when you were chosen, but the Almighty knew you were the right man for the job. She always knows. She also knew about Azrael, and what is about to…"
The aftershock of the explosion in Hell hit them then. Metatron firmly stood his ground, grabbing De Soto's arm to prevent him from falling.
"Excuse me, I have an important announcement to make. I'll be back in a moment," Metatron said then, getting into the control room of Cieloflix.
De Soto waited patiently until Metatron and Iblis got back into the hall at the same time, coming from different doors.
"So? What happened?" De Soto asked.
"She forgave me, and I'm back to my old job!" Iblis said, ecstatic. In contrast, Metatron looked deeply disappointed.
"Good for you!" De Soto said. "Well done!"
"Oh," Metatron said, for the first time out of words. "Congratulations, I suppose."
"Thanks, but don't look so sad, por favor. The Almighty is so pleased with your work, we'll job-share from now on: I'll be The Voice of God, and you'll be The Herald of the Almighty. Happy with that?"
"Yes, that seems fair," Metatron said, shaking hands.
"I'm so sorry about Azrael," Iblis said then. "I didn't know the plan."
"Nobody did. God moves in mysterious ways, always a thousand steps ahead."
"What's going on?" the perplexed De Soto said, as he didn't hear Metatron's announcement, and he didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
"Azrael collied with Death in Hell and they blew it apart," Metatron said. "There is no more Hell, but unfortunately… there is no more Azrael. Only Death survived, as she can't die."
They spotted Death walking slowly towards the golden doors then, in the form of the Baron Samedi, dragging his feet. All the Archangels in the hall, including Michael and Gabriel, fell silent and got out of the way, respectfully, creating a passage for him. Metatron started a slow, quiet clapping, and the others followed, but Samedi kept walking until he reached the door, not lifting his head to look at anyone, until he stopped to drink the last few swigs of rum. He handed then the empty bottle to the Metatron, and pushed the door open.
"I'll help you in the search," Iblis said after Samedi walked through the golden doors.
"Thanks. Let's go. The sooner we do this, the better," Metatron replied, passing down the empty bottle to the puzzled De Soto.
ZZZ
With great dignity, the next morning Don Alejandro let the soldiers take him to the gallows without making a scene, walking with his head held high. He looked around with defiance, letting everybody know he was the proud father of the mighty Zorro, and if he had to die because of that, so be it. In fact, he didn't seem to care much about it, accepting his fate as long as Felipe would be safe. The distressed youngster, unwilling to watch, sat on the ground at the other side of the plaza, with his back against the tavern's wall, crying his heart out.
The people of Los Angeles didn't keep as quiet. On the contrary, they cried in anger when they saw the soldiers leading one of their most respected citizens to his death, on the brink of a revolt. However, despite their indignation, they backed off when Sergeant Romero ordered the Spanish lancers point their muskets at them.
Back on Earth, Diego and the alcalde witnessed the unfolding scene from a short distance.
"Look at him. So unfair. This should not be happening," De Soto said, shaking his head, placing a supportive hand on Diego's shoulder. "What a disgrace."
Diego didn't say anything, seething inside at the injustice of it all, feeling guilty for causing his father's early demise. He carried on watching in silence until it was over, when La Catrina freed his father's soul from his physical body.
"There you go, my lovely," she said rather absentminded, helping him up without her usual cheerfulness. "It's all right, don't worry. All over now."
"Father," Diego called when Don Alejandro looked around, confused.
"Diego!" Don Alejandro cried when he spotted his son in that smart white suit, hugging him tightly. "Is that really you? Is this Heaven?"
"No, not yet. This is Limbo."
"Limbo?" Don Alejandro said, looking around him again. "This looks like Los Angeles."
"I'm sorry, guys, but I have to go. You know I have no time to waste," Death apologized then, disappearing in an instant.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you, Father. I'm so sorry for causing you so much pain, and for not telling you what I was doing behind your back since I returned from Spain. I'm so sorry, for so many things, for all the lies… I have so much to explain, I don't even know where to begin."
"No need to apologize, Son. I'm so proud of you, you could not believe how much!"
Diego placed a hand on his father's shoulder after the doctor confirmed his death, while they placed his dead body in a pine coffin. Then, they watched how Felipe, the doctor, and Padre Benitez followed the cart that transported the coffin to the cemetery. The youngster looked devastated.
"Poor Felipe. He's all alone in the world now," Don Alejandro said, but before he could dwell on that thought for long, a bright Highway to Heaven appeared by his side. "What's that?"
"That's how you'll get into Heaven," Diego said. "Go on, step into the light now. Mother is waiting for you up there."
"Aren't you coming, Diego?"
"Not right now. But I'll be there as soon as I can."
"What about him?" Don Alejandro said, pointing at the alcalde.
"Same. Don't worry about me, Don Alejandro. Besides, we don't need them tunnels anymore."
"Come on, Father, get in. Don't waste any more time, please."
Don Alejandro stepped into the light, and the same as all the others did before, his ethereal body disintegrated into tiny particles that ascended in a spiral as the tunnel closed itself down.
"Are you sure you want to see this?" De Soto asked then.
Diego nodded, sad, approaching the jail in time to see how the soldiers dragged a screaming Victoria out to shove her into a cart with bars, the kind used to transport dangerous prisoners. It wasn't nice.
"I said your fate would be worse than death, you crazy bitch," Sergeant Romero said, closing the door, using a heavy lock to secure it.
"I didn't know it was him! And I'm not crazy! Get me out of here!" Victoria cried, shaking the bars.
"No. You're going to the lunatic asylum, never to see the light of day again," Romero said, stepping back so Victoria's spit would not reach him. "God have mercy on your soul."
During that exchange, Diego wanted to punch the soldier's mouth, but he refrained himself, wondering where the evil souls would go now that there was no Hell waiting for them. Instead, he tried to touch Victoria's arm, to let her know he was there, but she was so agitated when the cart moved forward, taking her away from Los Angeles, she didn't notice.
"You can't follow her, Diego," De Soto said, stopping his upset friend when he followed the cart. "We have to go."
Diego stood there for a while, watching the cart as it passed under the arch at the entrance of the pueblo.
"She'll lose her mind for real in that horrible place. And it's all my fault."
"No, it's not," De Soto said, tapping Diego's back. "Come on, there is nothing else you can do over here. Let's go back to Heaven."
"All right. Vamos."
"I learned a new trick. I'll take you there in style," De Soto said, grinning when he took Diego's arm and they disappeared in an instant, like all the other supernatural beings always did.
ZZZZZ