Chapter Text
Prologue
The Candlemaker sighed, as he looked into his prophecy bowl. His cave was dimly lit by thousands and thousands of candles, all at a different level at which the wax had melted. It was usually relatively quiet, filled with the hums of all the souls on earth, each with their own hopes, goals and dreams. It wasn’t odd for the Candlemaker to have visitors, but it wasn’t everyday that the two most impotant deities came to him for such help. He had put a number of powders and wax in a very specific manner, before stirring an even number of times clockwise. This didn’t appear good at all.
“What is it?” Xibalba sneered.
The Candlemaler hesitated before he spoke. “I… I fear that she’ll be weak. Weaker than the rest.”
La Muerte and Xibalba already had three kids, two girls and a boy, and now with a fourth on the way. After La Muerte had been pregnant for some time and the baby developed more, they had come to the Candlemaker to give them a prophecy. They were happy to have another child, and were curious about what its future would hold. It was a flexible thing, truly, but they also knew that the Candlemaker could give them a number of certainties. This time, however, things seemed to be less positive than the previous three times.
“What do you mean?” La Muerte asked.
“While she’ll still hold the abilities of a deity just fine, her spirit is closer than a human than a deity. Something about her seems way more connected to the human world than the rest of your children, from what I can remember of their prophecies.”
Xibalba and La Muerte looked at each other, in thought. They had been alive for centuries, and this is the first time they have quite heard of this kind of prophecy. Not that deities tended to have children often — not that they were aware of, anyways. When they had children, the Candlemaker had given them just some general information such as how their first child, Sartana, would be a good leader and have many qualities, while their twins, Paco and Kira, would be full of talent, with a heart filled of desire. They couldn’t quite imagine what a deity who is less strong was like, but it was something that they would have to explore, willingy or not. La Muerte hummed, as she was quietly chewing on her lower lip.
“What do you think we should do?” She asked, genuinely. He was their oldest friend and someone she knew she could rely on when she needed an honest, brotherly advice. Only he knows how many times that he advised her when it came to Xibalba, and has helped save their relationship.
The Candlemaker shook his head lightly, with a small raise of his shoulders. “I’d try not to overthink it. Do your best to raise her like the other children and… you know, see what her talents are.”
“But… you said she’ll be close to humans, right?”
“Mhm, perhaps that’ll be her talent. Maybe she can help you guys with that.”
Xibalba appeared offended at the mere implication that he didn’t do his job well enough as a deity, but closed his mouth quickly when feeling La Muerte’s hand on his wrist. He looked at her questioningly, and quickly understood the look on her face. She was done and wanted to leave. She had heard everything she wanted and needed to hear. La Muerte turned to the Candlemaker, with a grateful look.
“Thank you,” she told him, “I’m sure you’ll meet her very soon.”
After they left, the two deities found themselves walking along the border of their kingdoms.
“Have you decided what you’d like to name her?” Xibalba asked, as he kicked a nearby pebble.
“I believe so, yes. I’d like to call her Evira.
Xibalba nodded, approvingly. “A fine name indeed, my love.”
There was a short pause between them, which was eventually cut off by La Muerte. “I have to admit, I’m a little worried. I’m trying not to let it get it to me, but… what if she won’t feel at home in our kingdoms?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… the Candlemaker said it. She’ll be weaker than Sartana and the twins and will have a strong connection with the humans. I think I’m a bit worried that she’ll prefer to live her whole life among them instead of with us.”
“My darling, our daughter will be a deity nonetheless. It doesn’t matter if she’s some sort of prodigy or not. She is still ours and will belong with us and her siblings. Although… I am curious of one thing,” he paused, watching the curiosity grow on La Muerte’s face, “Would you be interested in a little wager?”
La Muerte puffed, slightly displeased. “I don’t play games about our children. What did you want to suggest?”
“Well,” Xibalba smiled, “What if we allow her to grow amongst the humans? We will still keep an eye on her, of course, but we will see how she develops and how deep that her connection truly is with them. When she is old enough and will notice things that are different about her, we will show ourselves to her and guide her in learning about her powers as a deity. Until then… Perhaps it might not be a bad idea to let her grow amongst the people.”
La Muerte didn’t say anything at first, obviously thinking it over and taking it into consideration. “Who would we leave her with, though? I… don’t have the heart to just leave her with a random person, but I also can’t leave my kingdom behind for so long.”
“I believe that Manolo boy still owes us something for causing so much havoc in our kingdoms. He won our trials, but… I suppose this is something he should handle. Once raising our daughter, I could see his debt being repaid.”
“I didn’t know you trusted him that much,” La Muerte told him, amused.
It was evening, and Manolo was returning home from work. With the help of his inheritance, but also with the money he had been saving up thanks to concerts he had been organising in the area, he had finally enough money to open his own shop. It was a store made specifically for music instruments on strings, such as violins and guitars. With the help of a friend he had made that was a prodigy in playing the violing, they ensured the making of very fine instruments and the reparation of them. Occasionally, he still played at the city hall, but he otherwise filled his days at the shop that was filled of visitors and locals, all interested in his products.
As he was walking home, his mind wandered to his wife and their two daughters, Sofià and Emmanuela. Because the day had been relatively busy at the store, he was relieved to be finally going home and spend his evening in the company of the people he loved most. What he didn’t expect nor was pleasantly surprised by, was to be suddenly standing face to face with the deity of the Land of the Forgotten. As the god was standing tall before him, Manolo felt his blood run cold in a mix of shock and fear.
“Xibalba,” he whispered. He wanted to speak more, ask Xibalba what he wants, but could not. His jaw was clenched shut. Something in him relaxed when seeing La Muerte appear behind him, but not by much.
“Manolo,” La Muerte spoke softly, “We have come with a request. Please do us the favor by accepting it.”
Manolo blinked a few times, taken aback. “What is it?”
“I have given birth to my third daughter, and it is foretold that she will be closer to humans, and will be weaker than the other gods. Xibalba and I believe that it would be beneficial to grow up amongst humans. We couldn’t think of anyone else who we could trust to raise our daughter, than you.”
“Why me? Listen… It’s not that I don’t want to reject you, but… I also have two daughters and a wife. I don’t want to risk dying. I need to be there for them. Why me?”
“You have a brave heart, my boy,” Xibalba said, as he circled Manolo slowly, “And we will never be too far. Must things become too difficult, we will be taking over. Is it a deal?”