Dark Lord Xibalba was certain she didn't understand what she was getting into. As he made his way through the Cave of Souls to reach the Underworld, he was unsure how to act at this impending celebration.

His brother, Lord Mictlan - The God of War - had decided to marry Lady Micte, Goddess of Death. He was convinced that with her by his side, his power would only grow; and she, to the pantheon's surprise, accepted. He wondered what Micte was thinking, marrying what everyone knew to be the most ambitious, ruthless, and dangerous god in the pantheon. However, Xibalba had a feeling that the reasons he just listed to himself might just be why. He was cautious, albeit curious, about the wedding ceremony that was to take place.

"Xibalba, wait up!"

Xibalba groaned as he recognized the annoyingly playful voice of the Candlemaker, who was clearly running late to the ceremony he himself would officiate.

"Candlemaker, shouldn't you instead go ahead? Perhaps then you won't be late." Xibalba spoke with a sly, bitter tone, as if he had openly told the Candlemaker,

"Shut the fuck up and just go."

"Xibalba, Xibalba. Still the same dark lord, I see!"

Candlemaker quickly swooped past Xibalba, not to adhere to his snarky comment, but because he truly WAS running late. And if there was a god even the Candlemaker wouldn't want to anger, it was Lord Mictlan.

Xibalba arrived right on cue - for a guest - to the Underworld, and quickly saw that it was a momentous event indeed. Mictlan's temple was perfect for the occasion, and the entire pantheon was here; including some lesser, younger deities even Xibalba hadn't met yet. As he spotted some unfamiliar faces, he caught sight of his twin, El Chamuco, and decided to write off each stranger as a lesser member of Mictes family.

"Hermano, I see you've made it. Come to enjoy the treats as well?"

Xibalba was immensely confused by El Chamuco's comment. "Excuse me?"

"Well, some of Micte's family, they're quite the sight."

Xibalba had no care to indulge in what his brother thought was 'quite a sight.' Everyone knew Micte was one of the most beautiful goddesses in the pantheon, and not even she caught his eye.

"Chamuco, you should know very well that no goddess in the pantheon can interest me."

"Ah, but hermano, think outside the box. Outside the Pantheon."

Xibalba was in no mood for games and riddles, and simply shrugged as he walked past El Chamuco and into a swarm of pantheon members he knew all too well. They were huddled near the altar, and quickly parted to make way for the Dark God Xibalba, and his burnt angel wings. As gods caught up after centuries or millenia without seeing each other, everyone was awaiting the beginning of the wedding ceremony.

Finally, Lord Mictlan entered the room, as impending and daunting as ever. He walked straight to Xibalba, towering over him. Xibalba was one of the very few of the pantheon who could never flinch at Mictlan - after all, he was his brother, and had the same powers as him, albeit more hidden.

"Xibalba. You must be my compañero at the altar."

"What?" Xibalba was shocked, and frankly offended not just at the request, but at it's timing. He was not a fan of last minute favors. However, he didn't want a fight, especially not with Mictlan on the day of his wedding. It could become quite the scene.

"Very well, hermano. Very well."

"Thank you, dear brother." Mictlan's two faces quickly grinned at Xibalba, and the dark gods positioned themselves at the altar awaiting the arrival of Lady Micte and her compañera down the aisle. In the land of the gods, no father led you down the aisle - such a thing was ridiculous. Most deities were as old as time itself, and thus had no real subjection to their 'elders'. They could choose anyone to walk them down.

The doors to Mictlan's temple opened. The bards started the wedding march with guitarrra, trompeta, y canto.

Lady Micte emerged in a white gown closely resembling her godly attire, floating down the aisle - her headdress skeletons slowly dragging by. She looked regal, probably ethereal to most who watched. Lord Mictlan tried to conceal a smirk as he saw his new pet - or that's how he saw her then - approach him for the taking.

Xibalba was likely the most indifferent god there to Mictes beauty. After all, his pupils shaped like skulls were notably tar-black for a reason - no one had ever caught his eye and his heart. Most gods displayed their love most clearly in their eyes, with their signature color being displayed on their lover's face. Mictlan's remained very blank, Micte's as well. Everyone knew this would be - or at least start - as a tactical marriage.

Suddenly, Micte's compañera appeared through the large gate to the temple, following closely behind Micte with a trail of marigold petals.

And Xibalba suddenly felt his eyes burn.