Hi there. If you're reading this, well, all I can say is… you should probably turn back. Leave. Forget this ever happened. For your own sake.
...Cool, did the "Fake" followers leave? They did? Thank God. Actually, on second thought… I won't thank God. He's the one that got me into this situation.
Well, I mean, yes; he brought me into the world of an Isekai anime (marking me as a true Isekai Protag, ha!), but the world he brought me to was definitely not my first pick. Why, you might ask?
Just read the tags of this fuckin' fanfic, you dingus. It's RE:ZERO. RE-FUCKING-ZERO. I might have prior knowledge of this universe and its functions, but DYING is still painful! I'm not absolutely omniscient on this Verse, after all, I'm just one guy! I forget shit!
Y'know what? Forget it. I'll just show you the shenanigans and stuff that being a "Sinner" in the eyes of God got me.
Word of advice: Always make sure you *aren't* some reincarnated Fallen Archangel before you die. If you are, pick one of the Abrahamic religions and *pray* for enough time to make up for your previous life(lives?) sins.
It was official. 2020 not only sucked for the bullshit going on, from endless fires across the globe to a global pandemic; but to Zakariya; it was just suffering for another reason.
He was fucking bored. Well, more like he was always in a state of perpetual boredom since his XBOX 360 broke down in mid-2018, but 2020 and the pandemic-induced quarantine just made everything so much worse.
The only things keeping him sane was his friends, coffee, and his anime. Specifically, Isekai anime. He was the type of guy to lean towards more "Wish-fufillment" Isekai, but he wasn't ashamed of it. He just found it fun to turn off his brain and watch people who just miraculously gained massive power start wrecking shit.
But recently, he's gotten into "RE:ZERO kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu" (otherwise known as "Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World"). Despite how it was basically the exact opposite of a wish-fufillment Isekai, he was hooked. No, not just hooked, he was addicted. Whenever he couldn't get his hands on actual RE: ZERO content, he just rushed to a substitute. The Subreddits, the Wikis, the OPs, and EDs. He was just another member of the Re:Zero community, who had multiple "best girls". It was the best way to avoid getting into Waifu Wars, just expand your horizons (though he had a preference for Satella if he was being honest).
Zakariya M. (Full last name unknown) sighed contently from the brown couch he leaned back against, watching his siblings as his parents rested upstairs. It was pretty late at night, and the only reason his siblings were awake was because of taking a nap earlier. He rested his head against his palm as he brought out his trusty old IPhone 7 and began browsing the web before grinning and deciding to finish the first Season of "RE: Zero". Half-way into the episode though, something changed. His chest began to ache, his body radiated with pain, and his vision dulled at a rapid pace; the voices of the people around around him and the words of the characters in the show began to drain away into nothingness. It was only at the last moment did Zakariya realize what was happening, with a bitter and weak laugh escaping his lips.
He was dying. He supposed there wasn't really a problem with that, everyone died at some point. But he always hoped, always wished that he'd die when he had a family of his own, when he lived out his life to his fullest. 'Meh, almost 17 years of living. Not too bad I suppose.' His fist tightened against his phone, something primal in his mind telling him to get up while he still could and grab something, anything. He slowly got up, slumping over into the kitchen and grabbing his family's absurdly sharp vegetable knife. He then lost his grip on both items in his hand as death's embrace finally took hold, and a single being floated over to him from the sky. It took only a moment for his mind to register what was happening.
This was real. The Angel of Death was coming for him, angels were real, the Enemy of Mankind was real, and God was real. Fear took hold of his soul, as the Angel of Death reached into his being and pulled at his spirit. But it didn't hurt. Neither was it pleasant. It was just a bunch of… nothing. The world finally blacked out for Zakariya M., as he finally died. 8:25 PM on October 1st, Zakariya was pulled from the world of the living, and taken up to Heaven for judgment by God.
Standing before the Creator was both humiliating (in a good way) and terrifying. God was simultaneously handsome and beautiful, but those human words couldn't describe him in enough detail. Trying to describe his appearance would be a futile effort, as he was beyond human explanation. All Zakariya could feel was joy and fear at the same time. Joy to be able to meet his Creator, the Lord of the Universe and Creator of Humanity. But also fear, for knowing he was far from the best or most devout follower of God. His faith was at best strained. But he could not speak, all he could do was watch as God stared into his very being. Then, the Most Supreme and All-Knowing frowned.
"Abraham Gadreelson. Zacharias Mephilosti. Zakariya Moalin. All names for the same soul, who I've given 3 separate chances for. You had so much time to change, to accept me into your heart." The Creator said, the words echoing in such a way that Zakariya's mind couldn't but also could understand him. This was really trippy, if he was being honest. "Normally, that would mean I'd send you down to the Hellfire, since you rejected my forgiveness and words for so long." The young, formerly brown-skinned human winced at that, but God continued on regardless. "But the Angels have been praying for you, wishing that I give you one last chance."
Zakariya so badly wished to be able to speak, to be able to thank his God; but as a simple soul in front of the Almighty, he could not find the strength nor the ability to do so. All he could do was continually watch and look into God's indescribable eyes, as unconditional love and mercy shone within them. Zakariya knew, God would have given him a fourth chance even if the Angels didn't ask for it themselves. The Creator of All was just that loving. In an instant though, the merciful and loving eyes hardened slightly. "But I still must punish you in some manner, as I promised in your last reincarnation. Your Third life would be the one you'd be punished or rewarded for, depending on how you acted in the Test." God stood, as Zakariya stared at the benevolent Deity with his brown eyes. "You will be sent to a world that you cherish and hate simultaneously. That is your punishment. To live and die infinitely until you earn your happy ending and a way into Heaven." Then the Holy being gained a thoughtful expression, or at least it seemed to be thoughtful. "I am feeling generous. You can take two things to your World of Punishment from your world."
Instantly, Zakariya found his voice. "I… I'd like my Phone and the knife I died with, My King." He requested in a soft and humbled tone, for which God complied with a smile. This was too strange, too good to be true. He's lived three lives already? And he was being given a fourth chance, a fourth life despite being a disobedient sinner? He felt like he didn't deserve this. As if reading his mind, The Most Holy walked closer to the young confused teen and placed a gentle hand against his cheek, an almost fatherly smile on his face.
"Despite your disbelief, my child, I have noticed your faith in me is the strongest in this reincarnation. Yes, you had your doubts and moments of disbelief, but there were many factors at play; starting with the time period you were raised in. I do not blame you. I do not hate you. I love you, just as any one of my creations." With those words, the Deity drew Zakariya into a hug. "I know I said this new life would be a punishment, but I also said you would also cherish the world you'd be sent to. Please, live your life to the fullest, child."
"I will." With those words, the beauty of Heaven and its Ruler faded from view as he felt his soul being pulled elsewhere. Instantly, a dark miasma and shadowy hands appeared around him, and tugged him into his new world. Zakariya's eyes widened briefly, as he recognized the dark presence before he was pulled into the darkness.
RE: FALLEN
Chapter One - RE:SURRECTED
The first thing Zakariya saw when he finally opened his eyes, freed from the abyss of darkness that snagged him, was a busy… marketplace. That seemed eerily familiar. And was filled with creatures that sure as hell did not exist on Earth. But they did exist in… "Re:Zero…" Zak muttered to himself, his eyes looking around the foreign yet familiar surroundings. "...Am I an Isekai protagonist now? Oh, damnit all."
Now he understood what God meant by a world that he'd enjoy but be punished in. The Kingdom of Lugnica was dangerous as hell to Earthlings like him after all. Zakariya's eyes narrowed slightly as he glared at his clothing, which was all new and different to what he was wearing before he… died. "I'd normally never get used to that. But considering the world I'm in, I might as well start getting used to death now." Zak sighed, putting his hand in his pocket before feeling something sharp and something familiar. He drew them out, noticing his parent's orange kitchen knife and his own Phone was here with him in his New World. Just as he asked, God gave him 2 gifts. He really was the All-Loving and Most Merciful.
Beginning to move around, the teen tried to think of what point of time he was currently in so he could plot. Not only that but was Subaru still here? He could work with almost any situation, but it'd be cool to have Subaru around, just so he could have an Earthling bro by his side. Zakariya then frowned. What would happen in the case Subaru didn't exist in this world? Perhaps it was a world only meant for his punishment by God, and thus Subaru wouldn't be here? That made sense, though it was depressing.
He then stopped in his tracks, a sudden thought ramming into him like a runaway train. What happened to his family? He just randomly collapsed dead in the kitchen, what would happen to them? He hated the thought of being his family's cause of despair and pain. He wished he could contact them, to be able to tell them he was alright, just sent off on a journey to redeem himself by God. But he couldn't, which brought him quite a bit of sadness.
He was subsequently brought out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of a carriage nearing him, along with a cry of panic. Zakariya turned immediately, noticing a young child dangerously close to being run over by a carriage. The reincarnated teenager knew he wasn't the most athletic, but he couldn't just sit there and stare, could he? Dashing at the carriage with no regard for his life, he grabbed the child and rolled away from the danger, coming out mostly unscathed aside (from being a little bruised due to the sudden impact with the floor). He then released the child when he was sure they were safe. "Are you okay?" He asked tiredly, his low stamina catching up to him. Sprinting like that made him faster, yes, but it made him so fuckin' tired. The youngling nodded, much to his relief, as Zakariya immediately leaned against a nearby wall as people clapped for him. Including the Knight that saved the child originally. 'Whoops, minor change but a change nonetheless. Let's hope Murphy's Law doesn't bite me in the ass.' He thought worriedly, as he tried to regain his bearings.
From that point on, Zakariya tried avoiding the mistakes his favorite protag Subaru did, namely, he avoided trying to 'gather information' and he avoided the Demihuman bar. But he knew meeting the Fruit Vendor: Kadomon Risch would be beneficial in the end… despite him being broke. Their interactions went roughly the same as Kadomon's went in canon, though with a difference being Zak was just flat broke with no coins or anything on him.
Eventually, Zakariya found himself sitting on a particular set of stairs, wondering who'd appear to his side in this timeline. He still didn't know how to feel about the new situation, let alone with the idea of being in a world where he was now replacing the Main Character, but he knew he had to act as normal as possible to survive "Arc 1". And survive he'd do, he refused to die unless absolutely necessary.
It was at this moment a threatening voice called out to the Otherworlder as he tried to rest, causing him to open his eyes. "Listen up buddy, if you don't wanna get hurt, cough up whatever you've got!" Ah, he knew these three from the First Arc. Rachins, Gaston, and Camberley. Felt's future… servants? He wasn't entirely sure on the exact details. But he wasn't intimidated too much.
"Sorry sirs, but I'm broke." He apologized profusely and honestly, causing Rachins to frown and grab him by his jacket.
"Are you fuckin' kidding me, buddy? You're broke?" At the semi-nervous nod, the thief growled and pulled out his knives earlier than Zak expected and swung at him. "You're useless then! Don't waste my time!"
Somehow, miraculously, Zakariya broke out of Rachins' grip and evaded the first slashes; though it did cut off a little hair from the close call. He instantly drew out his knife for self-defense, though he knew a simple kitchen's knife would only last him so long if he was just aiming for self-defense. It wasn't like he was trying to kill Rachins and his gang, since they were semi-important to the 'plot', he couldn't afford it. But he didn't want to test out his mortality, even if God did say he would live and die infinitely, which probably referred to RBD. "I don't want to fight." He said calmly, trying to bide for time. He knew he couldn't fight forever after all.
"Well, we don't… care?" Rachins' train of thought was interrupted as Felt rushed in. 'Just in time', Zak thought with an inward smile. She looked exactly as she did in canon, with her short blonde hair and red eyes, wearing a black top, red scarf, and black pants that were incomplete on the left side, along with a red ribbon.
"Move it! Get out of my way!" Felt exclaimed as she ran past them and jumped from building wall to building wall. Taking that chance of distraction, he knocked the knives out of Rachins' grip, causing him to fall back. Gaston, the burly one, took over as he tried to attack the teen, though he then tossed Rachins' knives back at the owner's feet, causing them to be embedded into the floor, and dodged the next blow with an ethereal glow in his eyes. Zakariya had no idea how he was doing this, but he had a feeling God had a hand in it, considering how much weaker he was compared to Subaru in canon. 'So what is this, a temporary Divine Protection?' He thought curiously whilst evading attacks, though this was somewhat tiring, he just treated it as super deadly dodgeball. Which he was a pro at back home, thankfully.
...The dodgeball bit, not the deadly bit. Regardless, he seemed to have bought enough time as a familiar voice entered the fray. "What exactly is going on here?" A soft voice called out, causing the trio of thieves to turn towards the Half-Elf King's (or Queen's, whatever) Candidate, who had a serious expression on his face. Zakariya inwardly smirked. He didn't care if this was a punishment, for all intents and purposes, this was the cure to his boredom. And he was sure as hell taking advantage of it.