It had been two days since her birthday, but he couldn't wait any longer. He had to see her. When he was certain everyone, especially her, were asleep, he snuck into the Land of the Remembered and flew to her balcony. It was locked from the inside, but it was no obstacle for him as he unlocked it with a small wave of his hand, and silently opened the doors, stepping inside while trying to make as less noise as possible.

There she was, on top of her canopy bed, her hair strewn out, her eyes closed as she slept. Xibalba smiled sadly at the sight, remembering how many times he had seen her like this back home… carefully, he sat down on the other side of her bed, and crawled a bit closer to her to take a peek. Her face was serene, and there was a small smile on her smile, he noticed one of her hands was on top of her abdomen. Even asleep, she protected her… their child. Xibalba couldn't contain it anymore, he gingerly ran a finger down her cheek in yearning, and brushed a few hairs away from her beautiful face, she stirred at his touch, making him retreat his hand in alarm, the least thing he needed was her waking up and finding him in her room. She'd have his head. When La Muerte remained still once again, Xibalba leaned his face closer to hers and his lips pressed against hers for a few seconds before he retreated, again tasting her cherry-flavored lips.

"Xibalba…"

The dark god nearly jumped from bed when she spoke his name, panicking and thinking she had awaken and would scream at any moment, but she simply stirred in her sleep before becoming still again. She was still asleep. But then why…?

"Xibalba…" she whispered again, embracing one of her pillows as if she were embracing her husband in her dreams.

His heart leapt in joy when he heard her whispering his name with such longing, the beacon of hope burning brightly; she was dreaming with him, she still loved him, he still had a chance to mend things. As she continued to dream with him, whispering his name and calling for him, he recalled when the roles were reversed, back when they were getting to know each other, when he saved her from the Forgotten Beasts, injuring himself in the process and becoming feverish one night, going as far as to mistake his wife for his beloved mother Selena.

Perhaps… Maybe it wouldn't hurt if he spent a few hours with her and the baby, it had been so long ever since he was so close to her. Making sure her door was locked, Xibalba lay down next to her in bed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer; almost instinctively, she snuggled against his embrace, trying to snuggle as close to him as possible, calling his name again. "Xibalba… Don't leave me…"

That sentence broke his heart. "Shhh…" he whispered into her ear, wrapping his wings around her body, stroking her head. "I'm here, mi amor, I'm here… I'm not leaving you alone ever again, I promise…" When she shifted in his embrace again, he brushed a small tear away from the corner of her eye, and started to sing gently.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.

Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you want me with you here, beside you.

Anywhere you go let me go too.

His eyes were swelling up with tears, but he continued to hold the love of his life, and the little heartbeat within, as close to him as possible.

La Muerte… that's all I ask of you…

Hours later, he awoke before she did, and found she was still snuggled against him, sleeping soundly. Realizing he had stayed for far longer than he expected, Xibalba carefully slid La Muerte out of his embrace and pulled the duvet over her once again, planting another, farewell kiss on her cheek, stroking it tenderly.

"See you later, mi corazón…" he whispered, his eyes swelling up in tears as he made his way to the balcony, closing the doors and locking it again; he couldn't contain the tears anymore as he flew away.


The next morning, La Muerte awoke feeling a bit ill-she was actually feeling a bit ill, this time-and she announced to her father she wouldn't be able to attend Osvaldo today, if he came. She had guessed it right, Osvaldo arrived at the exact hour from every day and knocked the door, hiding a blue rose behind his back to surprise La Muerte, but luckily he managed to keep it behind his back when the door opened, and a servant, not La Muerte, opened the door.

"Excellency, I'm afraid Princess La Muerte is not feeling well today, she won't be able to go out with you. But King Sol wishes to have a word with you."

Osvaldo was disappointed, but nevertheless he nodded. "Very well. Lead the way, if you'd please."

The servant lead the Count down the colorful hall, and into the throne room, unusually empty save for King Sol himself, who was waiting patiently for the Count to arrive. Osvaldo hoped he was not suspecting anything, but judging by the smile that drew across Sol's face when he saw him he could guess he wasn't going to reprimand him for something. "Ah, your excellency, good timing."

The servant bowed and left the two alone, while Osvaldo did a polite bow to King Sol. "Your Majesty…" he looked up at him. "I was informed that Lady La Muerte is not feeling well today, and you wanted to speak with me…"

Sol nodded. "Indeed, I wish to have a little word with you, Excellency."

"What can I do for you, Your Highness?"

"I have noticed that you and my daughter have been getting… closer."

Osvaldo couldn't help but blush. "Well, La Muerte is certainly a very pleasant company, and I assume that it was your intention to find a suitor for her, right?"

"Indeed, though I must admit, I never thought she'd fall for someone she had never met before so quickly."

"Neither did I…" Osvaldo chuckled. "She is really a wonderful person, but what makes you think she has fallen for me?"

"Well, she has been speaking wonders of you these last days, and Lord Itzlacol hasn't shown up for a while. I wonder what has have him so busy, have you heard of something?"

"I'm afraid not, My Lord. He surely has matters that simply cannot be delayed. He is full of surprises, nobody really knows him."

Sol let out a few coughs. "Forgive me if I sound disrespectful, but what are your intentions with my daughter?"

"My intentions with your daughter, My Lord, are just as… serious as your life for her is." Osvaldo replied solemnly and with great seriousness. "I don't know if she fell for me or not, but I do know how I feel about her."

Sol sighed again. "Once more, please excuse me for sounding so distrustful, but ever since I made the mistake to let her marry that…" he stiffened in disgust. "Man she has to call her husband, I've been more wary."

Clutching the head of his cane (another of Ponzoña's forms) to contain himself, Osvaldo nodded. "I understand, My Lord." He managed to calm down enough to speak tenderly this time. "I wish to make La Muerte my wife, but even if she does accept my proposal, she is still a married woman, and knowing how seriously she takes these kind of things, she knows a consumed marriage cannot be annulled"

"I'm afraid so." Sol sighed sadly. "But given the circumstances, I believe we could eventually come to an agreement with Lord Xibalba."

"What sort of agreement, My Lord?"

The old god stroked his beard in thought. "Maybe for the right price he might be willing to give my daughter her freedom back. I hear he's not economically stable at the moment."

Osvaldo's grip on Ponzoña's head tightened (he made a mental note to apologize to his snake later) and was barely able to contain his anger, but for La Muerte's sake contained the urge to snap at Sol. La Muerte didn't have a price, damn it! There was nothing in the world more worthy than her, he'd rather go broke than treat her like merchandise. "And… what if La Muerte does not have a price for him? What if she is actually what he really… wants?"

"That man is incapable of loving anyone! If you knew him personally, you'd agree with me. In fact, lately I haven't been hearing much from him, he hasn't even bothered to ask about my daughter's status." Sol growled, looking away though the window. "He never cared for her, he merely wished to have her as a trophy."

"I don't mean to intrude, but does Lord Xibalba know about the fact that La Muerte is carrying his child?"

"I don't know if La Muerte wants him to know, but I doubt he has any idea of it. And even if he did, I doubt he'd take responsibility."

Osvaldo was nearly at his boiling point, until he recalled a technique Epona taught him to keep cool in the presence of Sol. He took a deep breath, and exhaled, managing to calm himself down for the time being. "My Lord, I don't mean to be indiscreet, but… In what circumstances did La Muerte marry Lord Xibalba?"

This time, King Sol turned his back on Osvaldo and sighed in regret, recalling that day he had seen her walk down the aisle, as unhappy as he never wanted her to be. "A wager." He whispered. "I made a wager with him, and I lost. Xibalba was going to take my kingdom, unless I handed one of my daughters to him to be his wife; La Muerte was overhearing, and she offered herself as his bride to protect the kingdom." His hands tightened into fists. "I don't want to imagine what kind of torture she went through with that monster. She denies it, but I'm certain he was a brute."

"And you allowed her to marry him? From the way you are telling it, she was used as a sort of sacrifice to…" Osvaldo looked down uncomfortably. "… Save your realm."

Sol turned to face Osvaldo, his eyes lighting up with fire. "With all due respect, your excellency, I did not wish her to marry him, not even if my kingdom depended on it, but she insisted. I would have rather handed the crown to Xibalba than allow him to take my beloved daughter, but La Muerte was so selfless she didn't allow me to." His gaze softened. "She truly cares about all our subjects."

"Indeed, she does…" Osvaldo looked down in thought. "Please excuse my insistence, but how can you be so sure that La Muerte suffered during her time in Lord Xibalba's realm? During our dates, she didn't show any signs of… neglecting her child because of him. She showed compassion and love towards the child, even if the father is Lord Xibalba."

"Of course. La Muerte has a heart of gold, she is very compassionate, fair and loving. She'd never take out any negative emotions on anyone, she has a kind heart, just like her mother. Even if the father of her child is Lord Xibalba, she doesn't care, as far as she knows, that baby is only hers. She is always smiling, no matter the circumstances."

"Well, yes, but… the baby is not only hers."

"But Xibalba does not know about the child, I don't want to say anything unless La Muerte wishes to let him know. I will not do anything behind her back."

"That's not what I meant, My Lord."

"Oh?"

"I mean that…" Osvaldo tried to think of the right words. "… All parents have the right to know if they are to become parents. What Lord Xibalba did was cruel, indeed, but what is right is right. If I shall marry your daughter, I don't want to cause a scandal for not informing Lord Xibalba about his child."

Thankfully, Sol seemed to consider it, and after a while shrugged. "Like I said, it's La Muerte's decision only. If she wishes to know about the child, I will pose no opposition."

Osvaldo nodded. "My Lord?"

"Yes?"

"I… I love your daughter like mad. I don't know when it happened or why, but I do know what I want her to be happy."

Sol smiled at him. "I'm glad you're being honest with me. You're so much unlike Xibalba…"

Osvaldo chuckled. "Strange, Lord Itzlacol pointed out how much I remind him of him-" he froze when he realized what he had just said, especially when Sol cocked his head at him.

"He did?" he narrowed his eyes a bit. "Now that I recall, you do have a bit of resemblance to him…"

"The… black and all?" Osvaldo tried to lighten up the mood, chuckling nervously.

"But that can't be. You are nothing like him! My, you are an absolute gentleman, and the fact you wear black clothing doesn't have anything to do with it. In fact, there are a few gods in my pantheon who wear black, it's a sort of tradition among death gods.

Internally sighing in relief, Osvaldo smiled. "Thank you for your words, My Lord." He brought the blue rose from behind his back and held it out to Sol, who smiled.

"You haven't ran out of roses, your excellency?"

"No, My Lord. My garden is blooming with them." He glanced at the blue rose. "These roses mean a lot to me, I usually don't give them away just like that to anyone…"

"May I inquire as to why they are so important?"

Osvaldo's expression turned sad as the stared at the blue rose. "These were my mother's…"

"Your mother's?"

Osvaldo nodded as he handed the rose to Sol. "Please give this to La Muerte. She knows by now who is giving her these roses, and do tell her I wish she gets better in the next few days."

King Sol nodded. "I will, your Excellency." He smiled. "Thank you for your attentions to my daughter. I'm certain she needs it right now."

"I made some plants for the next days. You think I could… steal your daughter for a couple of days?"

"Of course, if she feels alright, there's no problem with me! But I must ask that you be careful, I wouldn't like her to have trouble with her pregnancy."

"Don't worry, My Lord. Her safety and the baby's comes first. If she doesn't feel alright, I shall bring her home: I know it must be hard to be expecting a child, and I admit, she had interesting cravings.

"Cravings? What kind of cravings if I may know."

"Especially desserts, and spicy recipes."

King Sol chuckled. "Sound pretty much like her."

"I have the feeling the baby will have a sweet tooth…"

"I wonder where he could have gotten it from…"

"Maybe her father-?" Osvaldo froze again when he realized he had messed up again.

"Excuse me?" King Sol inquired. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well…" Come on, Xibalba! Think of something fast! "It's inevitable that the child might as well get certain traits from his father as well."

"I suppose you're right."

Phew. "I didn't mean to sound like that. Please forgive me…"

"It's okay, Excellency."

"I…" Osvaldo sighed. "I have always wished to be a father, but unfortunately, I am sterile. I do hope to be a good father to your daughter's child, My Lord…"

"Don't you really mind that the baby is someone else's?"

"I don't."

King Sol sighed. "I wish my daughter could have met you sooner. She would have never gotten together with… him."

"Nothing happened accidentally. If it was meant for her to meet Lord Xibalba… Then… Perhaps she would have met him in other circumstances as well, even if she had actually met me before."

"Perhaps… Who knows? The Fates work in mysterious ways…"

"Now, if you will excuse me, My Lord, I'm afraid I also have some business to attend to. But I will be back tomorrow to see if she's feeling better.

Sol nodded. "I understand…"

"Please tell La Muerte that I hope she will get better soon."

"I will, Excellency."

Osvaldo gave him a small bow and left the throne room. As he walked down the hall and stepped outside, he took a look around to make sure he was alone, and turned into a streak of tar, zipping upwards and searching for La Muerte's balcony doors. He went back into his original form once more, but he hid from view; La Muerte was reading a book on her small red couch, and his eyes set on her belly, now he could see it was already beginning to show. He was about to knock on the window glass when Sol entered the room holding the blue rose, and he had to hide from view to remain unseen.


"La Muerte?"

La Muerte lifted her gaze from the book she was reading when her father entered the room. She smiled. "What is it, papa?"

"Osvaldo came to leave you a rose, and he wishes that you get better soon." Sol smiled, holding out the beautiful rose to her. La Muerte gently took it from his grasp and stroked its petals, smelling it. The wonderful aroma overcame her, and she thought she could feel her little one shifting in delight at the smell. "Ay, Osvaldo…" her cheeks immediately turned red.

King Sol noticed. "How do you feel about him, mija?"

"Well, I see him as a… better choice than Itzlacol. And a very good friend."

"I see… And would you accept him as a potential husband?"

La Muerte looked up questioningly at him. "Why do you ask that, papa?

"I don't mean to intrude, La Muerte, but I think it's time you move on."

"Papa, I cannot…" the goddess looked down

"Please, La Muerte, Osvaldo has shown that he cares both about you and your child, hasn't he?"

"He has."

"Then what's the problem?"

La Muerte crossed her arms matter-of-factly, giving her father a severe glare. "Aren't you forgetting something? Xibalba? I'm still married."

Pardiez. She had him there. "We will… solve that issue one way or another." Sol placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm only asking, my daughter, would you accept Osvaldo as a husband if you could?"

La Muerte couldn't believe what she was going to say, but she had to keep the charade up for Xibalba. "I.. I might consider it. But I need time, papa. " she frowned again. "Don't even think about Itzlacol, because I'm not giving him a chance. Osvaldo has much better chances."

"I understand, my daughter. I wish you would have given Itzlacol a chance, but if that's your choice, I shall respect you."

"Gracias, papa- Ow!" Suddenly she felt a sharp pain on her back, and she instinctively covered her baby bump with her hands.

King Sol grew alarmed. "La Muerte, what is it?" he kneeled down and placed his hand on top of hers.

"It's hurting again. My back has been aching these days, and I think it's affecting the baby."

"Should I call a doctor?"

"I thought it would go away by itself, but now that I think of it again…"

"I will fetch doctor Chamán, mija. Meanwhile, you just relax."

La Muerte winced as her father went back to his feet. "Could you bring me a cup of raspberry tea?"

Sol smiled. "Of course. I shall tell the chefs to make one right away and have it delivered.

"Thank you, Father… I'm a bit tired…"

"I shall leave you to rest, mija. I will bring the doctor as soon as possible." Planting a small kiss on his daughter's forehead, King Sol headed for the door, glancing back at La Muerte one last time. "Have a good rest, dear daughter."

La Muerte smiled at her father before he left. She had been feeling a dark presence just outside the window, and she waited a few more minutes, making sure her father was out of earshot, before waving her hand to lock the doors, and open the doors. "You can come in now." She said.

Xibalba sighed in relief and walked into the room, immediately approaching her. "Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"Tired…" La Muerte sighed. "The back pains are going to kill me."

"Are you sure you don't need a massage?"

She frowned at him, looking away. "I'm not sure I can trust you. It's not about me, it's about the baby."

"I'm worried about the both of you!" Xibalba snapped, a bit incensed.

She winced again. "Owowow… I hope you didn't make any plans, Xibalba… I am not in condition to leave any soon."

"Well, I had actually been thinking of… But if you don't feel well, I'll come to see you in the least." He grinned. "Besides, Regina and the others have been wanting to send you gifts for a while."

"Really? What kind of gifts?" La Muerte glanced down at the blue rose still in her hands. "Could you put it in the vase with the others? It's on my bedside table."

Xibalba grabbed the rose gently and headed towards the furniture, spotting a beautiful red vase with intricate patterns of hearts and skulls, and he saw all the roses he had given her where carefully accommodated in it. He was moved by the gesture, and tenderly placed the new one inside the vase carefully. "Well… They wanted to make you a baby shower, but I told them it would be better if I brought you their gifts."

"That's sweet on their part-AY!" La Muerte winced again when her back jolted in pain once more when she tried to stand up, but her husband was quick to react and caught her before she could fall to the floor.

"La Muerte, you have to lay down!" he said in alarm.

"Yes... Ayayay, I don't know what could be wrong…!"

"Maldita sea, I wish Asclepius could check on you…"

"This is the period when back pain stars, but I didn't know it would be this bad…" La Muerte grit her teeth at another jolt of pain. "Papa went to fetch the doctor too…"

Xibalba rolled his eyes. "No offense, my dear, but your… mortal doctor can't be compared to the god of medicine himself, can he?"

"You have a point there… But how could Asclepius check on me, anyway? Papa won't even want him to get into the castle."

"Why not?" the dark god thought for a moment. "Let me guess, because he treats me?"

She nodded, rubbing her spine and looking down at her abdomen. "I'm worried… I want to make sure she is safe… But how…?"

"Maybe if your doctor recommended him… If your father cares about your wellbeing and the baby's, he won't be able to refuse."

"You're right-AY!" La Muerte winced at the pain again, this time digging her nails into Xibalba's arm, making him wince. Almost immediately, he picked her up bridal style and took her to bed, placing her down gently and pulling the duvet over her to keep her warm.

"What did you and papa talk about, by the way?"

He shrugged. "Typical. What are my intentions with you and if I don't mind looking after 'another's' child."

"And what are your intentions?"

The dark god smiled. "To make you the happiest of women…" But as he reached out to brush a hair away from her face, she turned away coldly.

"Is that what Osvaldo said?" She whispered emotionlessly.

"That's what we both said…"

"Both?" She winced again and gripped her blankets, closing her eyes shut in pain. "AYAYAY!"

Xibalba instantly reacted. "Damn it, is it that bad?"

"Maybe not for you! You only put your seed inside me, but I'm the one who has to carry the baby!

That hurt. He knew she was just talking through pain, but he was not of stone! "Don't be like that!"

"Like what?!"

"It's half your responsibility too!" Xibalba grew nervous when she glared at him. "I mean, I know I can't even imagine what it would be to be in your shoes, but…"

"But…?!"

"It doesn't mean I don't care!"

La Muerte didn't say anything. She simply kept her gaze, her beautiful sun-like eyes, away from him. "You know, sometimes I still think how things would have been if we had never spent that night."

I can't even imagine it. How can you…?

"None of this would have ever happened. Probably I would still be in your castle and we would be just… friends"

"No." he whispered, looking away himself. "I think we would still have been more than that." When he looked at her again, his eyes were glossy. "I needed your comfort more than ever…"

"One way or another, you would have sent me away, anyway."

"No, if you had been there… Like I said…" Another sigh. "Things happened after you left."

La Muerte finally turned to see him, her eyes moistened with hot tears of anger. "I think you made lots of mistakes in your life, but you just cannot call it a mistake. You humiliated me, Xibalba, you made me feel like a bag of trash one can dispose of because you wanted to, because of whatever reason you may have had! And it's my fault, because I too made a mistake…"

"No, you didn't make any mistakes, it was all my doing…!"

She wiped her tears away. "I did make a mistake. To trust you."

"Please, believe me when I tell you there's not a single day I haven't regretted all those things I said…!"

The tears returned, and she couldn't keep them in as much as she tried. "Ay, Xibalba…"

Xibalba was crying too by then. "I'm sorry…"

"Me too, for falling like this."

"Falling?"

She had wanted to say falling for him, but other words came out. "Falling for your tricks and lies."

Xibalba winced. That was a big blow, he was certain he'd have a heart attack soon. "Of all the stupid things I've done, that was the worst." His voice was hoarse. It was truly pitiful. "If I hadn't driven you, you'd be back at home with me… everyone… I could be close to you as myself and not as a lie…"

"You know what? I always dreamed of meeting my prince charming. I always imagined the morning after my first time with my husband to be magical, just to hug him and make him something tasty for breakfast, and tell him how much I loved him…!" She was wailing now, turning her back on Xibalba to keep him from seeing her cry for him. "You hurt me so much…"

He closed his eyes, the tears still rolling down his cheeks as he lowered his head. She wasn't the only one who was hurt that day. It had broken his heart… no, his very soul… to speak to her like that. To discard her like that. The brokenhearted expression on her face was still clearly imprinted on his brain, he couldn't get rid of it no matter how many times he tried.

What had happened? When did that horrible idea ever come into him? Why? He guessed the nightmare-of which he suspected Akrinok was responsible-had a part in it. He had wanted to watch her sleep for a while longer, wait until she woke up, then carry her down to have breakfast together, but it didn't happen… How he wished he could go back in time, but it was against the Ancient Rules.

"I know I ruined everything…" he whispered, unable to contain a sob. "I'm truly sorry… I'd do anything, I'd go to Hell and back to have you back with me…

"How can you expect me to believe you?" La Muerte snapped at him. "How do I know that this is not another attempt of yours to hurt me again?"

"WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO SO THAT YOU WILL BELIEVE ME?!" Xibalba yelled louder than he intended to, standing up from the side of the bed, his expression one of utter despair and pain. "Do you want me to beg?! Tell me and I will. I will bark and whine like a dog with a word from you!"

"I begged, Xibalba. You didn't listen." She responded bitterly. "Why should I listen to your begging?"

Silence.

"You're right. I have no right to ask you anything." His expression became serious. "Not even for mercy, because I didn't give you any. If you want me out of your life, permanently, tell me. I will not go at the word of your father, or your sister, not even the Kings. Only yours."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was… giving up?

"I'm your dog, your slave, or whatever you wish to call me. Tell me you want me out of your life or I won't go."

The next minutes were silent. La Muerte didn't respond. Xibalba panicked, thinking she was considering it, kicking him out of her life, and that of their child's, forever. He cursed himself for being so specific.

"There is just one thing I'm asking you to do."

His heart skipped a beat. Was she going to…. He could hear the words already, and she hadn't even spoken them yet. Xibalba started to tremble. Her back was turned on him again, so he couldn't see her expression, which further augmented his fear of being driven away… But much to his surprise, she turned to him, her eyes dry but gentle, and grabbed his hand to place it on her abdomen..

"You hurt me… Don't make the same mistake with my…" She smiled lightly. "…Our child."

The weight on his shoulders and chest disappeared, and he could breath normally again. His eyes were swelling up with tears as he squeezed her hand in his. "I won't… You have my word, and you know I never break a promise." Now that she was on top of bed, he wondered if… "La Muerte… Can I?"

She didn't need to think about it, and she gave him a sad nod as she lifted her hands from her abdomen. "You're the father. I can't deny you your right."

Carefully, Xibalba rested his head on her abdomen, his cheek touching her belly gently, and placing his hand to stroke the little one. He wondered if he or she could hear him already. Maybe she did. "Hey there, baby…" he whispered tenderly, stroking the bump with his thumb affectionately. "How are you doing…? I'm papi, can you hear me?"

La Muerte closed her eyes, shivering internally in delight when she felt his hand stroking her abdomen, talking to the little one. His voice was so sweet…

"Take good care of your mami for me, would you? Papi will be going for a while, but I promise you I will bring you something pretty the next time."

"Mami needs to rest now…" La Muerte sighed, stroking Xibalba's cheek, giggling a bit when his expression became goofy and he melted under her touch. "So you'll tell Asclepius he might have to visit me?"

He smiled, lifting his head from her abdomen. "I will."

La Muerte looked down at her abdomen, "I never regretted this, Xibalba… I don't know what I would know if something happened to her…"

"Nothing will happen to her."

"You sound so sure… I'm worried…"

"You are a strong woman, you will be fine."

"I'm almost three months due, Xibalba, and it's this bad. How am I going to be in the last month?"

"I trust you."

"You trust me…?"

"You know what I mean."

"It makes me feel so much better now-" Suddenly, La Muerte gasped, the pain left her breathless. Xibalba reacted and grabbed her shoulders protectively.

"Need anything?" he asked in alarm.

"A doctor."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Both gods panicked, and La Muerte quickly opened the doors of her balcony with a wave of her hand, motioning Xibalba to leave. The dark god quickly flew out of the room, closing the doors shut and hiding before La Muerte unlocked her doors. "Come in!" she said.

Xibalba took a peek through the window, and saw a servant entering the room with a cup of tea, which La Muerte accepted with a grateful smile. Xibalba sighed. "That was a close one…"

Taking one last glance at his beloved wife, the dark god flew away.