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
"I find it hard to believe," Irene said as she sat in the lab with the others. "I leave for half an hour, and Kazuma does all this? Chris, why did you allow him to do as he please?"
Chris sat not too far from her while she reflected upon the entire event. "He was determined to aid Wiz, and I couldn't object to his actions under such circumstances. Kazuma saw Wiz enduring the horrendous pain her condition caused her; his goodwill got the best of him. I didn't expect that such a payment was going to take place. An entire year's worth of memories is a hefty payment."
"A payment that is all about teaching a lesson. Losing an entire year's worth of memories will have a massive effect on most living beings, depending on what memories someone is losing. Kazuma said he couldn't remember his first year of life…. most mortals don't recall such time, but Kazuma likely recalled some things from that time. Now he can't do that anymore." Aqua said with a cold yet concerned expression.
"I'm sorry," Wiz said as she bowed her head. Her face looked normal as the spell repaired any damage she had received. "I didn't know this was going to happen."
Darkness shakes her head. "I doubt any of us expected something like this, but it is something that was bound to happen at some point. We're fighting a war, and death is always at our side. If any of us had fallen in the middle of a fight, Kazuma would have done something like this. He cares more about the team than his very life."
"A deadman that prioritizes everyone else instead of himself. That's Kazuma in a nutshell." Megumin joins in with a saddened tone of voice.
"A whole year… if we were to die, he might try to sacrifice more years…. He'll get 24 more chances at that." Yunyun infers.
Aqua shakes her head. "Less than 24. 11 at most before his mind gives in, and he's unable to act like himself. Kazuma can't do this again; the more memories he sacrifices, the less stable he will become. We need to do our best to evade such situations. Kazuma can return as many times as necessary, but the rest of the party has only one life unless Kazuma asks me to do this again. If Kazuma's mind breaks, there's little to nothing we can do to fix the damage."
"Aqua, we can't allow this to happen again. There has to be another way to evade such a payment." Chris turns to her.
"I know, but we both know that he won't allow anyone else to meet their demise unless he can do something about it. He's that kind of man. The guilt would be too much for him. As the leader, he would blame himself if anyone were to die on him." Aqua said as she imagined the anguish he would have endured if anyone else but himself were to die.
The image of a crying Kazuma losing control after losing Darkness or anyone on the team was a sight she hoped to evade.
Her mind was already thinking about what they could do to evade such a payment if they ever needed the spell again.
Vanir passes around the room as the cat wanders around. "Regardless of all that, what he did is impressive. The very fact that he achieved what I couldn't in years proves that Kazuma is not normal. None of us had the guts to face such dire consequences. He took Wiz's life and took responsibility by bringing her back from the other side. The title of Reaper seems to fit him very well." The cat's face turns to face Wiz. "You owe him a big one, my friend. After so long, I feel relieved to say this: you're entirely human now. We can't detect any demonic energy inside of you."
Wiz touches her chest. She feels no pain or unknown energy that is eating her from within. Her body was back to the way it was always supposed to be. "I'm finally back, although it is a bittersweet feeling after all of this. Regardless of that, Vanir, old friend, thank you for everything. I only resisted this long because of your research and determination."
The cat shakes its head. "I only did what a true friend should do. Neither you nor I asked for any of this." The cat turns its head towards the tanks of two particular demons who seem to be deep asleep. "Nor did they. I will find a way to turn this around and give everyone their bodies back. I won't fail either Lorelei or Vivian."
"I know you won't." Wiz turns her attention towards Darkness. "I guess it is time for us two to have a proper conversation. Do you want to follow me? My private lab is just a few steps away. I get the feeling that your arm requires a few replacements and adjustments. I also imagine there are things to talk about."
Darkness nods like a child who just met her idol. "It would be my pleasure. I've been looking for you for such a long time, Ms Wiz."
Wiz nods after hearing this before she looks around the room. "Well, see each other after I'm done with her arm and our little chat. I imagine that it will require lots of maintenance, so don't wait for me." Wiz stands up alongside Darkness before both depart from the laboratory.
As the pair disappears, Aqua stands up. "I need some air. I'll join Kazuma outside. We all need some time to cool off after such a tense situation."
Aqua then departs without saying another word.
"She seems to be more affected than anyone in your team," Vanir says as she watches her disappear.
"Everyone is deeply affected, but Aqua likely blames herself the most. The spell's payment wasn't something we had to deal with when we used it the first time around. It was hard to watch him die the first time, but nobody expected him to be forced to pay such a price for reviving any of us. If Darkness, Megumin, Irene, and I died in a future mission, Kazuma would have to sacrifice four years' worth of memories. Imagine losing 4 years of beautiful memories crucial to the person you are in the present. Kazuma has to deal with such a possibility. We don't know if someone else can pay the price instead of him, and we can't test it out to satiate our curiosity." Yunyun explains.
"Four years…. Maybe five if Wiz were to join us." Megumin turns to face Chris. "That's your plan, isn't it? You want her to join our team. I can infer from her attire that she's a spellcaster like us… a support type."
Chris smirks behind her mask. "Your intuition seems far sharper than I expected. You're right about Wiz. She's a spellcaster, one with a lot of knowledge and practice—close to 100 years of experience in the field. Wiz is an expert in relics and one of my trusted agents. Your team needs at least two extra members to round it off. Kazuma and Irene are attackers. Darkness is a defender which can also deal heavy amounts of damage. You and Yunyun are the spellcasters that deal the most damage, and finally, Aqua is the only supportive spell caster. Another defender and supportive spellcaster will complete the team. I want your team to succeed, and Wiz is the only viable agent that fits the bill. I doubt that she'll reject joining all of you after this."
Megumin chuckles. "You have been three steps ahead since the very beginning. Next, we know you might have another candidate for the last spot."
Chris starts to whistle as she tries to turn away.
"She does, Megu. We have been trapped inside her spider web since the very beginning." Yunyun says.
"I apologize for our boss's antics but don't misjudge her intentions. What she says is right, and letting a random spellcaster join the team instead of one you can trust will be a mistake. Wiz can perfectly fit within your team, and I can attest to her skills on the field. Take the time to discuss it with Kazuma and the rest of your team." Vanir says as the cat faces them.
Irene nods as she seems to agree with Vanir in regards to Wiz. "Her skills are already amazing as they are. Rain and Claire always said she would be perfect at any party due to the amazing buffs and debuffs she can apply in a fight. She also possesses some healing spells and even some offensive magic that could prove helpful to our team."
"We'll have to talk about it with Kazuma and the rest. Is not our place to make such a choice." Yunyun declares before she turns her attention towards the laboratory and the research taking place within the base. "You're trying to turn demons back to normal. You yourself are a curious demon, a mask that uses others as hosts. Can we get some information about your research and your state? I'm curious about how one demon has evaded the control of the demon lords for so long, Vanir."
Vanir sighs as the cat approaches some of the research tanks. "I was a relic researcher back then. The academy became my home after I left my hometown. I wanted to discover the secrets of all the magical relics I could get my hands on, and Wiz, alongside many others, helped me with my research. I was researching this particular mask at the time of the Cataclysm, which could allow any user to transform into different shapes for a set amount of time, and, by coincidence, I was holding it when the Cataclysm happened. I still remember that day; I was supposed to get out and meet my wife and child, but I asked Wiz for help with a few quick tests. My wife arrived at our lab with an angry expression as I was running late. My little girl was alongside her as well, and before I got to apologize, the cataclysm happened. I think that I fused with the mask as my body was twisted into this abomination; I called it a sick coincidence."
"... What happened to your wife and child? We know Wiz wasn't fully turned, but what about them?" Megumin asks as she observes the cat.
"They are here." Vanir stops before two tanks. Two monstrous demons are floating in each tank while their eyes remain closed. "Chris helped me to secure them. They were fully turned into these creatures, and I have made it my mission to find a way to turn them back. They are trapped inside these demon bodies. The will of Rephilis has suppressed their consciousnesses while Wiz and I have escaped such influence due to our unexpected states; neither of us was like the others. This influence grows weaker the farther away demons are from a demon lord, while it grows stronger the closer a demon lord is in terms of location. People who have been turned into demons will remain inactive as long as they are far away or in a place where any outside interference is blocked. This is why this lab is so deep below the surface; demons down here won't fight or react because their connections are interrupted."
"And we have confirmed that eliminating demon Talos has not just affected demons within our control but also those on the surface. The demon lords that were created after Rephilis act like towers that spread his influence and power to lands far away from his domain. If we take the remaining 10 towers, we can turn this war around and take the fight straight to Rephilis's domain." Chris adds.
The cat nods. "Even I can sense a disturbance in the influence of the demon lords. It is like they lost a pillar of their entire army. But they won't have time to recover from this blow. Thanks to your actions, we gained several samples from Talus's body. Demon lords seemed to hold the closest connection to Rephilis, and although we aren't sure about it, I theorized that his blood turns them into demon lords. Blood from normal demons won't do the trick; it has to be his, and Talus's body is a key that can lead us to a cure. Keep slaying them, and we'll gather the samples; this research could be the key to fixing all of this."
"A cure…. I hope this is possible. Many have been lost, and if there's any way to turn people back to normal, I want to see it become a reality." Yunyun says as she looks at the many demons being kept around the lab.
And so, a new path was opened for not just the team but also the entire world, as the possibility of a cure could turn things around for those who had no other choice but to turn into demons to survive.
Meanwhile, Kazuma's POV.
It felt off.
Like a piece that was taken away from the puzzle, which was his mind and psyche.
It didn't hurt…. As much, but he felt some pain.
Not physical.
A pain of the mind and the heart.
The warmth that he once could recall in dreams now felt incomplete.
His first-year memories were now gone forever, and although, like many humans, he couldn't remember all of them, their absence hurt.
But he didn't feel angry about it. He was one to take responsibility for his actions, and he did what was needed—sacrificing a year's worth of memories in exchange for saving a life seemed like the right choice to him.
"... If anyone dies….. Can I… should I continue to sacrifice my memories for their sake?"
That was the question, and the determination to go through it was herculean. One more year would equal more pain and this emptiness that only someone with amnesia could describe.
Trying to recall what was no longer there wasn't an experience he would recommend to anybody.
But he knew deep inside that he might do it again if presented with the same situation again.
The lives of his team mattered to him; he was no longer afraid of dying and was willing to face death as many times as necessary as long as nobody else paid the price.
"... How many years should I give away…."
"Not another one, you idiot. I can see right through you." Aqua said as she sat beside him.
They were in a small park near the stairs leading to the labs several levels down. Thankfully, only they seemed to be present at the park.
"How did you find me?" Kazuma asks as he faces the dark priestess.
"I just ask where I could get some fresh air to the guards. Bright minds think alike." Aqua tried to smile, but she couldn't do it. "Does it hurt?"
"... A little. I can tell that something precious is missing, but I won't dwell on it."
Aqua shakes her head as she grabs his hand. "I should have objected to this entire thing. A year of memories is worth a lot to a human. Your time is limited, and every memory counts, whether good or bad…. Kazuma, you can't do this again."
"... Is easier said than done, Aqua. We both know that it will be harder to accept that any of our party members died than it is for me to lose another year's worth of memories."
"Idiot. You…. will lose yourself if you lose too many memories. You won't be able to return to Japan if you lose too many of them. Please, don't do this again. You won't the Kazuma I know if too many memories disappear. We'll get stronger, so this won't be needed."
"... But what if all fails, Aqua? Should I face the guilt of losing Darkness? Megumin? Yunyun? Irene? Their lives matter. I'm the leader; if anyone should face death, it is me. I can't…. I won't be able to return if I face a future where I can't save any of my party members."
Aqua can see the fear in his eyes—fear of seeing others die instead of himself. Fear of not being able to do anything about it. "I can't have you lose more memories… I won't allow it. If you were to break down, this entire mission would fail…. I doubt I could do this without you. ….. if anyone in the team dies….. I'll try to offer something much higher value to Thanatos."
Kazuma raises an eyebrow. "What could have such value?"
"... My powers. Souls, memories, faith, and many other similar things have value for us deities, but our powers might be one of the most valuable. One can surrender a portion of their powers to other deities as payment."
"Aqua, that's insane."
"I know, but it is better than having you fall and break into a million pieces due to losing the most important memories you possess. Thanatos…. He's likely doing this to prevent any abuse of his gifts, but if someone has to pay the price, it should be me. I can go on with less powers…. I might be able to recover some of them with time, but your memories won't return once they are gone. I carry all the responsibility for this war. I should be the one to pay for it."
"But your powers. Aren't those important to gods?"
Aqua smirks while trying to hide her own fears. "They are indeed…. A powerless deity doesn't mean much and could easily lose their position. But… is better than to lose you. If it comes down to me losing all of my powers, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life." Aqua says as she tries to lighten the mood.
"Aqua…." Kazuma lowers his head. "... Nothing will be as easy for us either way. Sacrificing my memories or sacrificing your powers…. We don't even know if Thanatos will agree to it."
"I'll do what's necessary." Aqua grabs his hand. "I won't let you down. You took this mission on, and since day one, you've been pushing forward while protecting me at each turn. The least I can do is this for you."
"Aqua…. I'll get stronger…. I will do my best to prevent a situation like that from ever happening."
Aqua nods. "And I'll be right by your side to heal you and protect you. Reaper and priestess until the end." Her smile was as bright as the sun.
Kazuma couldn't help but smile at this. His free hand reaches out to caress Aqua's cheek. "You're far better than what I initially thought. As beautiful on the inside as in the outside."
"!" Aqua's face turned completely red as Kazuma said these words. "He's too close. This wasn't in the plans. Kazuma…."
And yet, although her thoughts were going at full speed, nothing happened as Kazuma released her.
"I feel better. We should get something to drink before we return to the lab." Kazuma stood up.
His bright smile continued to captivate Aqua as she stood up immediately without letting go of his hand.
"Maybe we should get some juice. It is too early for alcohol." Kazuma said.
Aqua doesn't reply and just slowly nods as she tries to get her emotions under control.
And so their stay at the base continues with the possibility of another party member laying before them.