Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

Flames Of Anger

La Muerte has to step out of the arena during Manolo's bullfight as Candle Maker helps her get her temper under control.

La Muerte's insides twisted into knots when Xibalba announced Manolo's challenge. She knew her husband could be underhanded and deceitful, but this was low, even for him.

The dead, the Sanchez's, and the gods all watched as Manolo dodged each bull. Occasionally, Manolo would get hit, making La Muerte flinch each time, her blood boiling more and more.

She chose Manolo as her champion for a reason. When she told Xibalba her half of the wager, she expected him to not interfere with the wager itself. It disgusted her to see her husband manipulate her champion to this level.

It wasn't until all the bulls merged into one that she felt her anger reach its peak.

La Muerte gritted her teeth, got up from her seat, and stepped into the hall.

Candle Maker noticed her leaving and got up to follow her.

"Hey, La Muerte?" He asked when he saw her pacing the hall, "You ok?"

"This is all his fault!" La Muerte snapped, her eyes and candles burning brighter, "He manipulated Manolo into taking his own life! How could he be so cruel?!"

Candle Maker's eyes went wide at the goddess' sudden rant. He knew she had a temper, but it was never any less scary to watch.

"And on top of that, he knows that if he fails, the whole town is at stake! Either Xibalba's an imbecile, or he plotted all this from the start!"

"Now, hold on." Candle Maker said, "You know that Xibalba wouldn't hurt an entire town."

"I don't know if I'd hold that against him! You know how underhanded he is! Sometimes I wonder who he is anymore!"

"Take a deep breath, La Muerte." Candle Maker placed a hand on her back, "I agree that what he did is ridiculous, even this whole challenge is messed up. But you and I both know that Manolo's got this in the bag. He's your champion after all."

La Muerte took several deep breaths as she took in Candle Maker's words. She did choose Manolo for a reason: his heart, his kindness, his bravery. She had to have faith in him.

"You're right." She said, "But that doesn't take away from the fact that he cheated and put a whole town in jeopardy. He won't get off the hook so easily."

"I'll hold you to that." 

La Muerte brought her hands to her face, "I don't understand why he does this. He can't do a single wager without finding some way to cheat."

"Don't worry. He'll learn his lesson as soon as Manolo wins this."

La Muerte took one last deep breath as she felt her flames cool down once more. She was glad her friend went after her.

"Thanks for coming after me before I burnt the place down."

"Any time."

Suddenly, they felt the whole arena shake, telling them that something had happened.

They ran back to their seats, seeing Manolo in front of a sword and his guitar while the large bull was out.

At first, he reached for the sword. 

But in the end, Manolo chose the guitar.