A Rude Awakening

Chapter 18

Note: I have changed my mind again about the fate of this Wattpad version. I will not abandon this until the end of Arc 2 of 7 or so, as this will only be a preview of the full mature version on Ao3.

November 24, 2022

St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Anton felt ambivalent about his maturity in an eventful, chaotic time. As with all experiences growing up, he had lost his bliss in return for bitter lessons. Anton realized that the Russia he knew never actually existed. He had once thought it was a wonderful country to call his homeland. He had thought that it was a true haven for Russians, the Slavic ways, and Orthodoxy. Little did he know that this ideal was a lie in truth's clothing. Such was the nature of the national propaganda which deceived people like the devil.

Then the Russian Grand Duchesses resurrected. The events dissipated the mirages of a life that never was. He now understood many new things, facing the painful truths behind his life. Russia was not the stable, welcoming, lawful homeland he thought he lived in. Now there were riots between angry mobs on either side: the mighty leader Putin or the miraculously risen princesses. He had seen people arrested, beaten, or sprayed with tear gas. Some of them were even his neighbors, or even friends of friends.

What also worried him was the possibility that Russia would descend into another civil war. It had already gone through over a hundred years ago- just after the Russian Revolution. Back then, the people had chosen a new regime over the old, tsarist one. But what of now? He did not know.

His parents, however, felt bitter that Russia did not gain a true victory. The schism of the Orthodox Church between Russian and Ukrainian did not help either. The combined factors of demanded reparations for Ukraine, worldwide condemnation, civil unrest, and a now disgraced regime had taken their toll on Russia.

Perhaps the Russian bear was made of paper mache... Anton, for the first time in his life, could not shake his conviction that he was not meant to serve a country. He only needed to live a righteous life for God.

How he would do it was the priceless question, however.

At that moment, he felt worried about Olga. He wondered about how she was doing in Germany with her siblings and her cousin. After all, their trip to Germany was approaching its end. What still confused and worried him was that Olga had hardly texted him recently.

He checked his phone, and he texted Olga again. He waited a few minutes. Surely she would still be busy, and he braced himself for another silent day. However, this time his smartphone vibrated when a text notification appeared on the small screen...

You have a new text message from "Olenka". Swipe to dismiss this notification...

His mouth curled into a wide grin. Now he felt something wonderful. It was hope. It was not only hope for his country, but also to see someone he truly cared about. Anton glanced around, hoping his parents would not snoop in and interrupt him...

Olenka: Hey, Anton. A lot happened btw. Met with a seer in Oberammergau, the passion play town... She gave us a warning, and I wanted to let you know something. Will you trust me?

Anton: Of course, baby. Please let me know why Russia is really crazy now.

Anton waited again, staring at the small screen and wondering about what would come next... When it did, it surprised him very much.

Msg. 2 from Olenka: She said that God does not favor countries, but only people who do righteous things for Him. Russia is actually the prophesied Gog ruled by the wicked Magog (that sly Putin), as revealed by the Savior. We will return there to warn the masses... Stay safe as you wait for us. Hugs and kisses, O.