Konosuba: Axels Fencer

Death and Rebirth (Chapter 1)

Sapphire's morning commenced with a rude awakening, courtesy of the blaring cacophony emanating from his alarm clock. This abrupt intrusion shattered the delicate cocoon of sleep, leaving him disoriented and reluctant to relinquish the comfort of his bed. Every movement felt like a Herculean effort, as if the exhaustion of the previous day had woven itself into his very being.

Reluctantly, he roused himself from the warmth of his covers, greeted by the soft, diffused sunlight filtering through his curtains. It was a gentle nudge from the outside world, coaxing him into the realm of wakefulness. As he stumbled towards the bathroom, the well-rehearsed rituals of tooth brushing and face splashing gradually roused his mind from its slumber. The embrace of the shower's warmth was a welcome reprieve, chasing away the last vestiges of sleep and preparing him for the day ahead.

Emerging from his bathroom sanctuary, a pang of hunger reminded him of his neglected stomach. A cursory glance at his fridge revealed a dismal selection, prompting a mental note to tackle grocery shopping at the earliest opportunity. Dressing in haste, he sacrificed fashion for speed, opting to forgo his jacket despite the chill lingering in the morning air. His trusty bike awaited outside, a faithful companion ready to navigate the urban labyrinth that lay ahead.

Pedaling through the awakening streets, the cool breeze brushed against his skin, invigorating his senses and infusing the morning air with a sense of renewal. The store loomed ahead like an oasis in the concrete desert, promising the provisions necessary to restock his kitchen and embark on a day of productivity.

But fate had other plans.

Within the confines of the store, the mundane errand swiftly devolved into a harrowing ordeal. A cloaked figure, masked and armed, transformed the tranquil atmosphere into a maelstrom of chaos and fear. Sapphire's instincts surged to the forefront, guiding him with a blend of caution and valor as he navigated the aisles with the finesse of a predator closing in on its prey.

Tension hung thick in the air, each passing moment fraught with the potential for violence. The collision of the ordinary and the extraordinary reached its zenith in a split-second decision that would reverberate with profound consequences. The sharp crack of gunfire shattered the fragile tranquility, heralding the onset of a tragic sequence of events.

Caught in the throes of a struggle for survival, Sapphire's actions were propelled by a primal imperative to protect himself and others. In a blur of motion and adrenaline-fueled resolve, he executed a fateful maneuver that would alter the course of destiny.

The aftermath was a blur of agony, pandemonium, and ebbing consciousness. Desperate cries for aid reverberated through the chaos, their urgency juxtaposed against the encroaching specter of mortality. Sirens wailed in the distance, a grim reminder of the precarious balance between life and death in a world teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

In those final, fleeting moments, as the veil of life slipped inexorably away, Sapphire confronted the ultimate ramifications of his choices. The world dissolved into darkness.

Sapphire's transition from the mortal realm to the boundless expanse of the afterlife was not a swift leap but a gradual awakening. He found himself ensconced in a seat both familiar and alien, its intricate craftsmanship hinting at a majesty beyond mortal comprehension. Across from him stood a resplendent throne, a symbol of sovereignty and enigma. As the fog of confusion lifted, the realization settled upon him like a gentle breeze—he had passed beyond the veil of mortality.

Yet, despite the weight of this revelation, a curious tranquility enveloped Sapphire. The burdens of earthly existence had been shed, replaced by a serene simplicity in this ethereal domain. Here, the mundane concerns of grocery runs and work obligations held no sway; instead, there existed the promise of new horizons and uncharted vistas.

As he contemplated this newfound reality, a figure emerged from the shadows behind the throne, her presence commanding reverence. Her beauty transcended mortal standards, suffused with an ethereal radiance that spoke of divine lineage.

"Sapphire Lupine, I offer my condolences for your passing," intoned the woman, her voice imbued with a solemnity befitting her role as shepherd of souls. "I am Eris, Goddess of Fortune. It is my charge to aid souls such as yours in their transition to the next phase of existence."

Sapphire listened intently, captivated by the myriad possibilities that lay before him in this realm beyond life. Eris elucidated the three paths available to him, each offering its own array of experiences and tribulations. The concept of Heaven, while initially appealing, lost its allure upon closer scrutiny—eternal repose held little appeal to a spirit accustomed to the vibrancy of existence.

The prospect of rebirth, of beginning anew from infancy and shaping his destiny afresh, held a certain allure. Yet, it was the third option that ignited a spark within Sapphire's soul—a chance to be reborn into a fantastical realm replete with magic and adventure.

"I choose to be reborn into the fantasy world," declared Sapphire with unwavering resolve, his eyes ablaze with determination.

Eris nodded in acknowledgment of his choice. "Before you depart, you may select one thing to bring with you into this realm. It can be a tangible object or a power."

Sapphire's gaze swept over the array of offerings before him, a cornucopia of fantastical artifacts and abilities. He deliberated for a moment, contemplating the myriad possibilities. "Must it be an item listed here, or may it be something entirely of my own choosing?" he inquired, his mind already alight with ideas beyond the presented options.

A faint smile graced Eris's lips. "It may be anything your heart desires. Your imagination is the sole limit."

With the fervor of a child unwrapping a long-awaited gift, Sapphire exclaimed, "I desire the Fury Eryn from Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force," selecting an item from a beloved game that had brought him countless hours of joy.

"May fortune favor you, Reborn hero," Eris intoned as a coruscating ring of light enveloped Sapphire.

"Wait," he interjected, a note of urgency in his voice, "might I also bring along my cherished purple jacket, a memento from my mother before her passing?" His plea hung in the air for a moment before a familiar weight settled upon his shoulders, a silent affirmation of his request. With a tearful whisper of gratitude, he vanished into the ether, bound for realms unknown.