Against All Odds

Chapter 6- Broken Heart

They day (or night) had arrived. The ball to welcome La Muerte and Xibalba's baby to the world (even if it hadn't been world just yet) was tonight. All the Gods and Goddeses, and spirits of the Old World would be there, and speculation as to what gender the baby would be, how he or she would look like, had spread across Aztlan like a fever. The Ballroom was lit up like a New Year party, every window blazed with light, fireworks erupting on the lawn beside the moat. While most of the gods and Goddesses were already there, a few others were still getting ready.

"Que demonios…" Xibalba cursed and muttered under his breath as he examined the costume Xochiquétzal made for him in front of a mirror. He would get her for this! Her theme for it was crows and black, since that color was the only one that suit Xibalba. It consisted of a feather-adorned panne black velvet coat, with light green lace cuffs and jabot, and dark feather-sewn pants with black leather boots. Beneath the panne he wore a green waistcoat with black trimmings of crows, closed with black buttons. A long, black, feather-made cloak that hung from his shoulders and dripped on the floor slightly, parted in the middle up to his knees, as if they were crow wings, concealed his own. "Que demonios…"

"How are you doing, Balby?" La Muerte inquired from behind the silk curtains that concealed her from her husband's view; they may be married, and Xibalba may have seen her naked countless times, but this time she looked fatter due to her pregnancy.

"I look worse than Zipacna!" Xibalba groaned in reply, lifting up the cloak made of feathers before letting it fall back to the ground in disdain. "I can already hear him making fun of me!"

"Ay, Balby, it'll only be for one night, then you can get back at wearing your usual attire."

"This is the last time I let that woman do an outfit for me!"

"Balby, would you be sincere if I asked you how I looked?"

"Mi amor, you know I would never lie to you about your looks. In my eyes, you're the most beautiful…" Xibalba ceased talking when his wife stepped from behind the curtains in her gown for the gala, gaping at the sight.

Xochiquétzal had wanted her friend to look at her best, and so she poured her heart and soul into the gown. The golden poly jacquard and dark red bodice had black lace edging, with a stomacher of cranberry jacquard or crushed velvet, with grommet back closure. Her oversleeves were a champagne poly chiffon with gold buttons permanently sewn at her elbows and wrists. The skirt was a dark red burgundy silk taffeta, and the overskirt was sewn to the bodice, colored champagne and made of poly chiffon just like the oversleeves. Around her neck, instead of her usual pendant (this was one of the rare occasions she didn't wear it) was a burgundy red velvet ribbon with black box-pleated satin ribbon top and a gathered satin 'mock' jabot. The bump of her belly was clearly visibly, and the bodice was made so that it wouldn't tighten around it to avoid hurting the baby. Her long, black flowing hair was contrasting beautifully with the colors of the dress.

La Muerte couldn't help but giggle when she saw the expression on Xibalba's face. "I guess your silence tells more than your words would."

Calming himself down, Xibalba smiled and approached his wife, pulling her closer by the waist. "You're as radiant as the day we married, even more, I may say, mi corazón." He planted a kiss on her forehead, and then looked down at the bump in her belly, stroking it with his gloved hand. "Your mami looks beautiful, bebé."

La Muerte rolled her eyes and cupped Xibalba's cheek. "Leave the baby alone and let's go. We're already late."

"I'm sure they can wait for us a bit longer…" the dark god tried to go in for a kiss, but La Muerte placed a finger on his lips.

"There'll be time for that, mi vida. Let's go."

Xibalba sighed and released his wife, but nevertheless he offered his arm to her with a sly grin. "Milady."

La Muerte smiled and grabbed unto her husband's arm. "Milord."

The two gods would have teleported, but La Muerte's condition didn't allow her to do so. So, they had to walk all the way to the ballroom, the music becoming louder and louder as they got nearer. When they finally arrived, everyone was already either dancing, eating or simply speaking with others about what had been happening the last centuries. Xibalba's eyes quickly scanned around the ballroom in search for a blur of black, but internally sighed in relief when he found none. Maybe he had been to busy to-

"LITTLE BRO!"

Xibalba yelped in surprise (and pain) when Zipacna suddenly teleported in front of him in a blur of black ravens and lifted him up in a hug, crushing his ribs; even his wings flared out instinctively. "Z-Zipacna… c-can't breathe…!"

La Muerte giggled at the sight as the older god set the younger one down.

"Sorry, Balby, it's just I've been looking for you all afternoon but I didn't find you!" Zipacna replied, laughing and patting his brother's back. "I was starting to think you'd stay in your room the whole night!"

"I'm not that anti-social anymore, you know." Xibalba rolled his eyes.

Zipacna ignored that remark and changed his attention to his sister-in-law." La Muerte, you look radiant tonight." He kissed the back of her hand formally, earning a smile from her.

"Thank you, Zipacna." She curtsied, placing her hand on her bump. "We are both glad to see you."

"Both? You mean Balby isn't?"

"He is, only he doesn't like to show it."

Xibalba's eyes widened upon realizing what his brother was wearing. It was a waistcoat under a long dark purple panne coat, with a design similar to that of his armor. "What. Are. You. Wearing?!" he hissed incredulously with a twinge of anger.

"Like it? Xochiquétzal really excelled herself this time." Just then, Zipacna noted the style of his younger brother's attire. "Ay caramba! With that attire I would say you looked just like me!"

Xibalba grit his fists and his teeth turned into fangs. "Hija de-!"

"Xibalba, don't you dare start an argue in front of everyone just because of your attire." La Muerte crossed her arms at her husband. "They made this ball for our baby, so at least try to be polite with them." Her attention changed to Zipacna. "By the way, Zipacna, have you seen Veneno or La Noche around?"

Xibalba grunted at the mention of Veneno. Did she really have to bring him up at a time like this?

"The newbies? Nope. I guess they'll arrive later." Zipacna shrugged. He had yet to meet these acquaintances. At that moment Huehuecoyotl, the chacal-headed god of music and dance, and his band of nymphs, who had been playing unobtrusive, soft music, began to play a dance, a tune the three recognized as a solemn waltz.

Forgetting about his pinch of jealously for the moment, Xibalba grinned at his wife as he held out his arm once again "Shall we?"

La Muerte entered gracefully into the hold, and the pair were the first to step out onto the dance floor. Zipacna remained behind, looking for any single Goddesses or spirits to invite to dance-more specifically, Xochiquétzal-with him. Other couples entered the floor, with the look of two lovers lost in each other's eyes the way La Muerte and Xibalba had. La Muerte broke the daze momentarily when she felt her child kicking almost rhythmically inside her.

"Looks like our baby is enjoying the music." She giggled.

"I hope she won't be a terrible dancer like me…" Xibalba sighed.

"You're not a terrible dancer."

"Not with you, mi amor. But believe me when I tell you I am terrible with others."

"You think the Candlemaker came?"

"He is as much of a party-goer as Zipacna, he'd probably be…" Xibalba scanned the room for the wax deity, and spotted him drinking some spicy chocolate with Tláloc and Ehécatl. "There."

Trumpets ran out, long calls echoing through the palace, signaling the arrival of-

"Lord Quetzalcóatl and Tezcatlipoca." Xibalba thought.

The atmosphere in the ballroom hardened almost, formalized certainly and gods, goddesses and spirits scrambled to clear the dance floor even before the two rulers of Aztlan strode in. Quetzalcóatl, the emerald-feathered winged serpent, glowed majestic, lighting up the room far more than all the chandeliers and candelabras in the castle, light gleaming of his golden armor. His brother, Tezcatlipoca, was more ocelot-looking (almost like a masculine version of Xochiquétzal), and his own armor was the antithesis to his brother's, made out of silver and a bit of obsidian. His fur was dark, so dark it seemed almost black, but the jaguar marks glowed in a silver light wherever the mood stroke him. His orange eyes set on La Muerte and Xibalba, specifically on their unborn baby.

"I'm glad you got to join us tonight." Quetzalcóatl nodded at the couple, looking down at the bump in La Muerte's abdomen. "I do hope your child will have a long, happy life."

Xibalba shifted uncomfortably, knowing what he meant by that, but he could only nod. La Muerte smiled at her Lord. "Thank you very much, Lord Quetzalcóatl. I'm certain our baby will be a beautiful child."

"I suppose you already met Veneno and La Noche, have you not?" Tezcatlipoca inquired.

"Unfortunately, yes." Xibalba grumbled under his breath, but yelped slightly when he received an elbow from his wife.

"Never mind Xibalba, he doesn't like them just yet." La Muerte sighed.

"But please, do enjoy yourselves." Quetzalcóatl nodded with a small smile. "When your child is born you won't have as much time to come over."

"If you'll excuse me, there's a matter I have to settle." Tezcatlipoca headed over to where Xochiquétzal was rolling her eyes at Zipacna's attempts at flirting with her. Quetzalcoatl went after his brother to prevent him from (figuratively) beheading the caiman-head for trying to make advances on his love interest.

"Poor Zipacna…" Xibalba snickered at his brother's misery.

"Don't be like that, Balby. He's just trying to win her heart, that's all."

Just then, Xibalba noticed the two objects of his dislike approaching. La Noche and her insufferable, lustful brother that was always pursing his wife subtly. La Noche was wearing a dress of fiery and raspberry red colors, quite provocative. In fact, he swore he saw the Candlemaker and Zipacna (along with most of the male gods-married or not) gape at La Noche's breasts and hips, which Tezcatlipoca took advantage of it to lead Xochiquétzal away from Zipacna. Veneno wore a normal, black suit, too modern for the liking of anyone in that room. However, he didn't seem to care at all.

"Buenas noches, My Lord and Lady." La Noche was the one to break the silence. "I hope we have not come at an inappropriate moment."

"Of course not, La Noche." La Muerte smiled at her. "You know you're welcome to start a conversation with us anytime you'd like."

Veneno took advantage of the situation, and he lifted the goddess's hand up to his lips and planted a kiss on it. "You look radiant tonight, milady."

Once again, La Muerte couldn't help but blush a bit. Xibalba grunted and pulled her closer while frowning at Veneno, as if saying 'keep your pervert hands off my wife'. The moment was interrupted by yet another waltz being played by Huehuecoyotl's band; Veneno knew it was his cue, and he offered a bow to La Muerte as he extended out his hand to her. "Milady, may you grant me this dance?"

Xibalba glanced at La Muerte, expecting she'd say no, but he was bewildered when she nodded her head. "I'd be honored." He couldn't do anything as Veneno led his pregnant wife to the dance floor.

"I guess it's just you and me, Milord." La Noche smiled lightly. "Unless you don't want to, of course."

"No, no, it's fine." Xibalba sighed, allowing La Noche to lead him to the dance floor. Once more, couples started to dance at the rhythm of the music. Veneno had never had occasion to dance, and so his movements were a little stiff. His angel, however, had always been good on her feet, however, as quick to pick up a foxtrot as a swan, so he kept her on her feet without seeming to embarrass himself by the difference in quality between them. They glided over the dance floor, the subject of some whispers but not too many, weaving in and out amongst the other partners.

"I haven't held anyone like this for eons." Veneno whispered. "I never thought it would be you, milady."

"Is it worth the wait?"

"Definitely," Veneno said. "You're an excellent dancer. You deserve a better partner."

"You're the best partner I could ask for." La Muerte smiled kindly. "Along with Balby, of course."

Veneno looked down at her bump. "You look beautiful tonight, even with your baby."

"Oh, no, I look average." La Muerte replied.

"No," Veneno said firmly. "You're beautiful. In my eyes, at least."

La Muerte laughed. "Keep this up, Veneno, and you'll turn me red."

Xibalba had been watching them dance all the time while he himself had to dance with La Noche; He didn't like the way La Muerte was smiling at that guy. He didn't even glance at his brother's look of dismay as he waltzed with Toci while giving Tezcatlipoca a jealous look for getting to waltz with Xochiquétzal. La Noche was internally irritated that he wasn't paying attention to her, and decided to break the ice.

"Is something bothering you, milord?" she inquired as if nothing happened.

"Does your brother flirt with women often?" Xibalba inquired in low voice. "I don't like how he's looking at my wife."

"Well, milord, I wouldn't worry if I were you. After all, you say your wife would never betray you."

"What do you mean?"

"Even if my brother were to try to make an advance of her, she will pay him no heed if she truly loves you like she says she does."

"What are you implying?" Xibalba narrowed his eyes at his dancing partner.

"Nothing at all, milord. I'm just telling you what I think."

When the music stopped Xibalba was relieved, and he left La Noche immediately to go and look for his wife but found that she was missing from the ballroom. The dark god looked around, but amongst the other deities and spirits he couldn't find any trace of La Muerte. He approached Zipacna –who by then was drinking liters of tequila with the Candlemaker- swiftly.

"Zipacna."

"What is it, little bro?" Zipacna hiccupped with a goofy smile. "Are you enjoying the party?"

"Have you seen La Muerte around here?"

"La Muerte?" The Candlemaker thought for a moment. "I think I saw her go to the balcony with that Veneno guy."

With Veneno? That's it. That was the last straw. Xibalba clenched his fists as he glided towards the doors of the balcony. He was going to give that serpent a piece of his mind… and maybe of his fist as well.

The view from the balcony was simply beautiful. The dense jungle of the valley underneath, the moonlight glistening upon the clear waters of the waterfalls and lakes, and overall the romantic atmosphere it had. La Muerte and Veneno were watching the scenery fondly, one might have even said they were on a date.

"It's a pity there aren't views like this in the Land of the Remembered." La Muerte sighed, placing her hands on her abdomen. "I would have liked to show my baby landscapes such as this. It's one of my favorite things form Aztlan."

"I can see why." Veneno nodded his head, glancing at his beautiful angel beside him. He remembered what he was supposed to do, and he had to do it when Xibalba came out; he wanted to see him broken, suffering, even if it would make La Muerte hate him for some time.

"Did you enjoy the ball…" he asked, hesitating, before speaking. "… mi amor?"

La Muerte blinked in confusion as she glanced at the red-skinned god. "Excuse me?"

"I know it's not an appropriate moment, but there's something I have to tell you."

La Muerte stepped backwards warily. "What is it?" she felt her baby squirming inside anxiously.

"I…" Veneno took La Muerte by the shoulders gently. "Te amo, La Muerte."

She released herself from his hold and stepped back once more, her golden eyes widening. "What?"

"My chest is swollen with love for you, amor mío. Ever since I saw you for the first time, I had the need to hold you in my arms, to kiss you, to smell your hair, everything…"

"V-Veneno… What kind of joke is this?"

"You think I'd joke with something as delicate as this? Have you not realized how much I adore you? Have you not realized your feelings for me?"

"Wha-?!" La Muerte started to brew with anger. "Veneno, you perfectly know I'm a married woman!"

"It doesn't matter." He hissed. "we don't have to lie. Not to one another, not to ourselves not even to Xibalba. We have a chance now, finally, to talk honestly."

"Honestly: we have nothing to talk about," La Muerte somehow managed the difficult feat of shouting while sounding prim at the same time. She walked up back the steps to the ballroom.

Veneno followed, cornering her against a rose wall. "I know the truth. I know what we have. I will not tolerate this lying any longer."

"Let go of me."

"I love you. I want to be with you. I know you feel the same way I do, I see it every time you look at me. You don't want that monster, I'm the man you love. Why do you keep denying it?"

"I'm not denying anything!" La Muerte shouted, wrenching free of his grasp and taking her hands to her bump. "I feel nothing for you. Nothing! I had come to see you as a friend, nothing more, but now I see that was all an illusion you crafted! I'm expecting a baby! Xibalba and I are going to be parents, and you expect me to throw it all away just for an adventure? I won't ever betray him, ever. You disgust me-" she couldn't continue as Veneno kissed her in the lips. Instinctively, she pushed him away in revulsion, and swatted his hands away when he tried to grab her shoulders again. "Don't you dare touching me!"

Veneno's expression became hurt as he placed his hands upon her shoulders. "Mi amor-"

"Don't call me that! And get off!" La Muerte shrieked as the door from the ballroom opened.

Xibalba stood in the doorway. He did not look angry. His expression was more upset than anything. The grief in his eyes cut La Muerte to the quick.

"Balby-!"

Before she could say anything else, Xibalba flew back inside and out of the ballroom, not caring if he knocked someone off their feet. He wanted to get away from everyone and everything, unable to bear what he just saw, feeling his heart break in two.

"Xibalba, wait!" La Muerte tried to go after her husband, but Veneno took her arm.

"La Muerte-!"

Angry, hurt and fearful, La Muerte spun around and her palm came into contact with Veneno's cheek. "Don't you dare touch me ever again!" Then she ran inside, and down the hallway Xibalba had gone.

In her hurry she failed to notice the pair of eyes staring in amusement from the darkness.