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

Forgiveness

La Muerte confronts Xibalba and makes him apologize for his actions.

It's been a few weeks since Chakal's defeat, and all was right with both the mortal and celestial realms. 

La Muerte had asked Xibalba to meet with her in the mortal realm one night. He wasn't sure why she wanted to meet there, but then again, his wife was fond of humans. What caught Xibalba's eye was that they were on top of the Posada residence.

"May I ask why you wanted to talk to me here, mi amor?" He asked, looking around.

"It's about the wager." La Muerte said.

"What? I thought you forgave me for that."

"I do. But I've been thinking, and I think there's more you could do."

"What? More?"

"Not only did you cheat, but you tricked Manolo into believing Maria, the love of his life, was dead, and took advantage of his grief to manipulate him into dying. And for what? To win a wager."

Xibalba stayed silent as his wife spoke, taking in what she said. 

"You've done horrible things, Xibalba, but that has got to be one of the worst. Did you even think twice about it?" 

His silence answered La Muerte's question. 

"Exactly. Thankfully, since I won the bet, you're not going to interfere with the affairs of man anymore, which means nothing like that would happen again. Which is why you're going to apologize to Manolo and Maria for what you did to them."

"Wh-Wh-What?" Xibalba stammered. Of all the things he expected his wife to ask him, this was not it.

"I understand what I did isn't very favorable, but I see no reason for me to apologize." He said, crossing his arms, "Besides, they're together now because of me." 

"Really? Because Maya told me that Maria said yes to his proposal right before your snake showed up." La Muerte said with her hands on her hips, "Meaning that I would've won the wager, regardless. Just because everything worked out for them in the end, doesn't make what you did any less horrible." La Muerte gestured to the house they were on, "Which is why you're going to them right now to apologize." 

Xibalba turned away from her, "No. I will do no such thing." 

"Let me rephrase." La Muerte slapped Xibalba with her magic marigold petals. 

"Ow!" 

Her eyes burned brighter as she stalked closer to Xibalba, "If you want to get on my good side again, you're going to Manolo and Maria to apologize for almost ruining their lives!" 

Xibalba stared at her with wide eyes. Seeing that she wasn't messing around, he had no choice but to give in to her demand. 

"Ugh, fine." Xibalba groaned, "But don't expect me to do this for everyone."

"No, I won't. But this is a special occasion. We're not leaving until you do it."

Xibalba sighed as he started to float down to the balcony window, "Well, if it's what you want." 

When Xibalba made it to Maria's balcony window, his jaw dropped at the sight before him. 

On the bed, Maria was wearing a robe, sitting in a shirtless Manolo's lap. Her hands were in his loose hair as they were kissing passionately. Manolo's hand began sliding off Maria's robe, exposing her shoulders and upper back. 

As much as Xibalba wanted to leave at that very moment, he knew La Muerte wasn't going to let him, even if his life depended on it. 

He took a deep breath as he stepped into the room, making himself visible.