The Maximov(a) family

Chapter 5: Krus' (not so) happy thoughts

TW: This delves deeper into Krus' dark and d3pr3$$!ng thoughts, and there are also mentions of d3@th and @lc0h0l.

Krus and Athena were sitting in the back pew of the church in silence as it began to quickly fill up with people. Athena was knitting a sweater while Krus looked around the church.

Athena sighed, breaking the silence. "Krusveto?"

The ex-police officer turned to the goddess. "Yes, Athena?"

"I know you snooped around the church earlier." Athena said.

"I-"

"I'm not angry, or disappointed." Athena said, cutting Krus off. "I just want to know why you did such. If you want me to keep this between us, I will. I promise."

Krus stayed silent for a couple seconds, debating on whether he should tell her or not. There was a chance that she would be a snitch, but that would be very unlikely for someone like her, so he decided to spill the beans.

"Alright." Krus relented. "I was looking for something that would reveal the true, unholy, sinister nature of this 'church'. Despite a decade or so of experience, I couldn't find anything."

"That's because what you seek isn't there." Athena said. "I get that you're wary and suspicious, but I assure you that she isn't who you think she is. There WAS a time where she was how the devil is depicted in media, but those times are in the past. She's come a long way from that, she's changed."

Krus stared at the ground silently. It would be a lie if he didn't say he was tempted to believe Sarv and Athena, especially the former. She (Sarv) was a believer, seemingly disapproved of Selever's bad behavior, and had supposedly gotten Ruv out of a life of crime and into what seemed like a wholesome, domestic situation.

He wanted all of this to be true. However...

This was how the devil worked. She shows someone exactly what they want to see, tell them that it could be theirs, then take advantage of them and corrupt and taint their souls.

He had no idea how Athena, the goddess of wisdom herself, could be blinded by this, but regardless, he had to stay strong. His enemy (by his standards) was cunning.

"One day, you might get it." Athena said. "Clearly not today, but one day, you might understand." She finished knitting 'her' sweater, and gave it to Krus. "Here. A 'welcome to America' gift for you."

Krus thanked her and put the sweater beside him as the church bells rung. The two stood up with the rest of the congregation as Sarv walked in.

"You may be seated." Sarv said. Krus swallowed the bile that made it's way to his throat as he and Athena sat down. "Let's begin this beautiful day with a prayer. Oh Lord, hear our prayer..."

Krus' mind began to wander. No way in a million years would he hear the devil's prayer! He decided to pray in his own words instead. After all, God could hear everyone's prayer no matter where they were, after all.

He closed his eyes and clasped his hands in front of him.

'Lord, help those I love. I don't know what to do. My life has been restored, if You can call it that. I don't know how to feel about this. I don't remember my d3@th, but I remember they events that led up to it, and they were terrible. I'm grateful that You have kept that memory from me.

Rschvania, the woman who I wish I could call my wife, is in trouble. She is completely blind to the devil that is tempting her, and I don't know how to make her see the light. She has the most to gain with this second life, but seems fine with the idea of continuing her criminal ways, or unsavory things, as a way of life. The devil has used her greatest weakness, children, to trick her. She was always the type to help a child in need.