I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Natsume Akatsuki*

M for mature topics. No children allowed. *

Konosuba (Not): Thanatos Blessing Upon This Broken World

By Try Another Time

'Beep Beep Beep'

The loud ringing of a morning alarm woke him up, forcing him to stretch his right arm to silence the annoying machine.

"Just five more minutes." The young man told himself as he retreated to the warm embrace of his bedsheets.

'Wake up, dummy. Wake up, or you're going to be late!' A feminine voice said as a second alarm activated right next to the first. This alarm resembled the figure of a blue magical girl who holds a clock in her hands as she repeats the exact phrase but much louder.

The young man reaches out and turns it off with visible annoyance as he peeks from under the sheets to check the time.

"5:02 AM…. damn all of it. If only I got two free days instead of one." The young man told himself as he pushed the bedsheets away before dragging himself to his tiny apartment's bathroom.

As he walked through the tiny place that he called home, one was able to notice anime figures on a few stands, one of which seemed to be a yellow priestess, and a red female knight proudly stood next to her. Even a computer was sitting on a small desk against the wall, but one could also see a small shrine where two photos rested.

The shrine seemed important, as it was clean, and fresh flowers were placed before it as a sign of respect for the deceased.

When the young man finally reached the bathroom, he turned the light on before he saw his reflection in the mirror. The youth he once held seemed almost completely gone, as the dark circles around his eyes remained a concerning sign of his dwindling health. He might only be 25, but his face seemed to say otherwise.

"I need to get some sleep…. Tomorrow will be a better day."

The 'young' man turns around and enters the shower before he turns it on. As the warm water pours down and drenches every inch of his body, his mind recalls an important thing he had forgotten.

"Kazuto's son turns two today…. I should send him a gift."

As the young man continued showering, a new message appeared on his cellphone.

"Kazuma-nii, when are you coming to visit us? We're worried about you- Kazuto."

30 minutes later.

As Kazuma finishes dressing up in his suit, his attention is drawn to the message on his phone. It doesn't take long for him to read it before his chest aches as the idea of returning home arises.

His eyes turn to the shrine where the two photos rest. A deep sense of guilt is visible on his face as he sees them.

"... I'm not ready to return… I need to keep my promise." Kazuma told himself as he began to type in an answer.

"I'm fine, Kazuto. I'm not ready to go back. Say hi to the family for me. I'll send a gift this week for Keita. Talk to you later."

His attention is drawn back to the shrine as he sends the answer to his brother. "... I'm making you proud, right? A proper member of society, just like you wanted me to be. Not longer… an ungrateful child…."

Silence took over, and Kazuma remained motionless as he faced the shrine. He knew that the dead couldn't reply, but he often hoped it was possible to speak to 'them' once more.

At least one more time, he could apologize and show them that he had changed.

That he was no longer a disappointment.

Many hours later.

Kazuma walked through the crowded streets of Tokyo, feeling extremely tired as his 16-hour workday ended. He knew that his company was known as a black company, but he could do nothing about it. It was nearly impossible for him to find a new job willing to take a chance on him as he had graduated from a low-ranking university, and quitting was near impossible due to society's standard practices.

"At least I'm free tomorrow. I can finally rest. Maybe catch up with my show or have a few hours of fun with my games…. But first, I need to send that gift."

Although his life wasn't perfect or optimal, Kazuma felt it was the best he could get due to his past.

While other people his age were already raising families, he was alone.

While other people his age had graduated from better universities, he had barely entered a low-rank one.

He had isolated himself from society for a mere two years before tragedy struck his family as his father passed away due to a heart attack, thus leaving his family in a dire situation. His mother had tried to support two sons independently, but the strain had been too much for her body.

He still recalls how weak she seemed as she lay on a hospital bed while his younger brother cried while holding her hand. He felt indescribable pain as she smiled at him and reached for his hand.

"I might not be long for this world, Kazuma. I need you to help us and become a proper adult. I can't do it on my own. Please, Kazuma, do it for me."

Her words felt like a stake that pierced his core, and the rest was history as he forced himself to accomplish his promise to her.

Kazuma knew his current life was far from what his mother envisioned, but it was the best he could achieve. He learned to take the punches on and hope for the best tomorrow.

Yet, his life wouldn't remain the same as an event would change everything for him.

"Watch out!" Someone shouted.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as the screams of people were heard all around him. His eyes tried to find out what was happening until suddenly he saw it.

A car flew straight towards him and many others who tried to run away.

His body told him to do something, running away like the others or maybe even trying to jump out of the way, but his reaction was off by a long mile. His body had no energy left, so everything went dark.

Darkness, complete darkness, took over.

He couldn't feel a thing or see anything before him.

"What happened to me?"

"You died." A feminine voice said as a pair of steps approached him from within the darkness.

Tiny spheres of light arose from the darkness until the area before him was illuminated. Kazuma sat in a chair while a blue-haired lady not older than him stood before him.

"Welcome to the afterlife, Satou Kazuma." The blue-haired lady said.

Kazuma examined her appearance and noticed the weird attire she wore. It was far from what he would call normal, but he could see that the skirt and blouse did wonders about showing her figure. "Wait, what do you mean with the afterlife?"

"Oh, sorry. I shall explain it in more detail. Satou Kazuma, you just died. Due to a reckless driver, you got involved in a tragic accident." The mysterious woman says before a mysterious window appears and shows the inside of an ambulance where paramedics try their best to restore his vitals.

Kazuma is left speechless as he sees his body covered in blood while the paramedics do their best to bring him back to life. "It has to be a joke."

The mysterious woman shakes her head. "... I won't lie about this. There's no chance for your body to be brought back to life. The injuries are far too severe, and your heart is no longer working. Your health was already impaired due to your extreme working hours. Based on this report." The mysterious woman shows a series of documents in her hands. "It has been over 5 years since you took care of your body and had a proper meal or rest. You pushed your body to the limit for far too long. It was bound to happen soon, but sadly, this accident ended your life on this tragic night."

"No…." Kazuma seemed distressed as his eyes wandered to the floor. "I… failed? I couldn't keep my promise?"

The mysterious woman could see the pain in his lost expression, but she couldn't waste time around, as time was of the essence to her. "I'm sorry for this, but not everything is over. I'm the goddess Aqua, and I'm tasked with sending souls like yours to heaven. Your life might have been harsh, but somehow, you push through its challenges while not being a disgusting individual, and for that, you have gained a passage to heaven."

The angelic chorus started to sing as heavenly steps appeared beside Aqua.

Kazuma saw these steps and the blinding light that shone at the end of them. His eyes saw the golden gates that opened for him and invited him inside.

"Heaven?" Kazuma asks as he stands up.

Aqua nods. "The one and only, although it has different regions for different religions. Anyways, the path is clear for you, so go ahead." Aqua said as she incited him to move forward.

"..." Kazuma remained silent as his body started to move by itself as heaven called for him.

His right foot was about to ascend the stairs, but Aqua stopped him. The goddess grabbed his hand as an apologetic expression formed on her face.

"Heaven is cool and everything, but souls like you deserve much more than the eternal rest, don't you think? Dying so young must come with many regrets. Just think about all the things you left incomplete, all the dreams you never achieved." Aqua said.

Her words only hurt Kazuma as he remembered the promise he made. "Goddess, is there a way for me to be revived?"

Aqua faces him with the same expression before she shakes her head. "Sadly, I like such ability. Your world is beyond my jurisdiction. I can't revive you, but…"

"But?" Kazuma questions the goddess, expecting a good answer.

"I hold authority upon a particular world. A world to which I could send you with your memories intact and a body that resembles your previous one. Also, I would offer you a unique blessing that would aid you in your new life. Think about it, my dear Kazuma, a new chance at life." Aqua says with a bit of a mischievous expression.

Kazuma remains silent. His expression turns back to the vision of his previous world in which the paramedics had finally given up on him. "I… just want to keep my promise…. I wanted to see them again."

Aqua's expression changes as she sees Kazuma's attachment to his previous life. Based on the report, she knew that he had many regrets and that it wouldn't be easy to convince him, but she needed to convince him like many others. "I need a hero that can fix my mistakes."

But before Aqua could say anything else, a dark presence arose from within the darkness.

The goddess began to shake as a large figure with black wings and a massive scythe made its presence known to Aqua and Kazuma.

Kazuma lacked a reaction as his eyes remained focused on the ambulance.

"You continue to play with life as you please, Aqua, " The figure said as it glared at the goddess through its black eye sockets. "That poor soul has suffered enough, yet you dared to use him to fix your mistakes."

The figure points its finger at Kazuma, and its voice seems angry beyond description.

Aqua kneels as she trembles. "I'm sorry, Lord Thanatos, but it is the only way I have to save the world under my jurisdiction. I need heroes who can face the 12 demon lords and defeat them."

Tanathos reaches out and delivers a devastating karate chop upon the head of the goddess, which starts to roll around while screaming in pain. "Idiot child, you led to the rise of those demon lords. Your careless actions led to the corruption of souls who were supposed to go to heaven, yet you tempted them with power and a promise of a new life with all they could desire. It was you who led that world to its current state."

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to have more believers. I never thought they would become the villains that threatened the world." Aqua replies with tears in her eyes, and she continues to roll while holding her head.

Thanathos shakes his head before his attention is drawn to Kazuma. The god sees the pain in Kazuma's expression, and his powers allow him to clearly see what Kazuma desires. "Do you wish to return to your former world?"

Kazuma remains silent for a moment before he answers. "I… do…. I promised many things I left incomplete."

Thanatos nods. "I can sense the many regrets in you. Mortals make mistakes, but few acknowledge them like you do." Thanatos points his right hand at Aqua, who has finally recovered. "That useless child is to blame for the problems that her assigned world now faces. Its fate hangs from a thin threat, and at any moment, it could end. Gods like me aren't supposed to interfere, but I won't stand back and allow it to continue like this anymore. I offer you a chance to get your old life back."

"Lord Thanatos, that's-" Aqua stops as she receives another hit.

"Silence. I won't stand around and allow you to mess it up anymore. Kazuma Satou, I offer you a treaty. If you defeat the 12 demon lords, I will return your life." Thanatos reaches out into the ambulance and uses his power to restart Kazuma's heart. "I can heal your body, and everything will return to what it was."

Kazuma watches as the paramedics react to his newfound heartbeat. "But-"

Thanatos shakes his head. "Nothing is impossible for gods like me, child. One life for the salvation of an entire world is fair to me. I will give you the 'Wish' you desire the most."

Kazuma is left speechless as he feels the connection between his old body and his soul being restored. The feeling of a heartbeat in his chest arouses hope, but his mind recalls the conversation between the gods. "They have powers; those so-called demon lords will defeat me in seconds. I don't have what it takes."

Thanatos chuckles as he touches Kazuma's head with his left hand. Dark miasma covers Kazuma before his soul changes. "Aqua gave those demon lords powers and blessings that shouldn't be in the hands of mortals, but I will balance the scales." Thanatos turns to face Aqua, who's watching in fear as the miasma changes Kazuma before Thanatos does the same with her.

Thanatos's right-hand captures Aqua as the same miasma covers her.

There's no pain, but Kazuma no longer seems the same once the process is over. His body is covered by dark skeletal armor, while a dark scythe rests on his right hand.

The mortal examines his appearance and feels newfound strength as if his old youth were back. His eyes then turn to Aqua only to find that her old attire has changed.

Aqua was now covered with a dark blue attire resembling a dark priestess with a choker resting around her neck. A broken chain remained attached to the choker for unknown reasons, while a skull scepter rested in her hands. "Lord Thanathos, what have you done to me?"

Thanatos chuckles. "What? Were you expecting to sit here and watch as I send my reaper on his own? No, my foolish Aqua. You started this and will put as much effort as Kazuma to finish it."

The broken chain starts to shake before it restores itself and reaches out until it attaches itself to Kazuma's right hand.

"You're now partners until the mission is over—every pain you'll share with him. Every time he falls, you shall experience the pain he endures. You will learn to care for him and do everything to aid him while he does the same for you. You two are partners until the last demon lord falls. The priestess and reaper will walk hand in hand until the end, tasting defeat and victory alongside each other." Thanatos says as Aqua is already breaking down into tears as she understands the severity of the situation.

"But my post. My godhood." Aqua says.

"Don't worry. You can't die, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to have more respect for life." Thanatos laughs right after seeing Aqua crying like the useless goddess she's known for. His eyes then turned to Kazuma. "My reaper, you can back down if you don't want this. Heaven is still waiting for you."

Kazuma's eyes turn to the steps which await his choice. In the distance, he can see the gates, and for a mere moment, he can almost see a pair of figures calling for him. "Mom?"

Kazuma tries to move forward, but the beating heart in his chest stops him. "I promise….."

Thanatos awaits his answer in silence.

"Is there a time limit?" Kazuma asks.

Thanatos shakes his head. "I will make sure that you wake up in that hospital bed the day after. You won't lose more than a few hours in your previous world. I will ensure your injuries are healed when you return, so there's nothing to lose."

Kazuma watches the gate for a moment before he turns to face Thanatos. "I accept."

Thanatos smiles with his creepy skeletal face. "Good, my reaper. Eris!"

A new shining light appears as a goddess descends from above. Aqua, still crying, turns to Eris with a glaring expression.

"You? Lord Thanatos, you're putting her in charge?" Aqua questions the older deity.

Thanatos nods. "Eris is younger than you, but I know she can take care of your post until your mission ends. Eris, you will take over for Aqua and surveil the progress of my reaper and the useless brat."

Eris nods. "I understand the situation, Lord Thanatos." Her eyes turned to Kazuma with a calm yet understanding expression. "I will be always watching over you and offering some aid. Trust me, you'll know right away."

Kazuma nods. "Thanks in advance." His eyes then turn to Thanatos. "I'm ready."

Thanatos nods. "Grab Aqua, and we'll send you on your way."

Kazuma approaches Aqua, who remains on the floor with a lost expression. "I'll be in your care." The young man offers his hand to the goddess.

Aqua momentarily looks at Kazuma's hand before she tears while holding onto his right leg. "Why does this happen to me? I just wanted more followers!"

Kazuma turns to Thanatos and Eris, who shake their heads in disappointment. "It seems she's truly useless. This is going to be a long mission."

Kazuma kneels before he grabs Aqua and carries her over his left shoulder. "Eh? She's so light…. Maybe I feel stronger?"

"Hey!? You can't do that! I'm a goddess, and this thing has no underwear!" Aqua shouts.

Kazuma blushes but continues to carry her like that. "We're ready!"

Thanatos nods before a beam of light absorbs them and sends them off.

"Good luck, my reaper," Thanatos says as Kazuma vanishes alongside Aqua.

In the parallel world.

In a world in chaos, consumed by the war between humans and the twelve armies of the demon lords, a dark blue meteor illuminated the dark sky as black feathers fell across the land, signaling the start of a new story.

Many saw the meteor, yet very few answered its call.

A broken knight without a home to return.

The last two mages of an extinct clan.

The queen without a crown or kingdom to rule.

A priestess who no longer believed in the goddess of her world.

A lonesome lich looking for new hope in the broken world.

This was the beginning of their story in this broken yet not lost world.

"Kazuma!"

"Stop it, you idiot! We're going to crash!"

Well, at least that's Thanatos hope.

Author notes: And so it begins. I have been meaning to write this story for some time. I wanted a comedic yet a bit more serious take on the normal KonoSuba. I hope it appeals to those who have already read my other stories.