Chris's POV
The weight of my decisions bore down on me, but I knew this was the only way to secure the future of my empire. The lockdown was necessary. The rise of dissidence, the infiltration of non-Blackwood entities, the growing unrest—it all needed to be controlled. I'd built this empire from the ground up, and now it was time to ensure that nothing would threaten it.
I sat at my desk, the faint hum of the military operations just beyond the palace walls. Tanks rolled through the streets of the capital, and soldiers manned checkpoints at every corner. The Empire was in lockdown, and the citizens had no choice but to obey.
The Black Axe Men—my new, elite force. They had been specially trained for this moment. I needed them to be my eyes, my ears, and my hand. They would ensure that everything ran smoothly.
Still, I couldn't ignore the questions swirling around me. The world had taken notice. International voices were rising, some critical, others intrigued. They had never seen such a complete and utter transformation of power before.
I'd always been a man who kept his secrets, his moves calculated. But this… this was different. The world would either respect my authority or be forced to face the consequences. I wasn't afraid of the latter.
Suddenly, the door to my chambers opened without warning. It was Christiana—my daughter. She stepped inside, her face unreadable, yet there was something in her eyes that made me pause.
She walked toward me slowly, her steps measured, as if weighing each word before speaking.
"Father," she began, her voice steady, "the soldiers are ready. The lockdown is complete. Everything is under control."
I gave a nod. "Good. But remember, we must remain vigilant. The forces within and outside our borders will test us. We cannot afford any slip-ups."
Christiana nodded. "Understood, Father. You've created a system that no one can challenge."
There was pride in her voice, but also a hint of worry. She wasn't a child anymore. She understood the weight of what we had done. The line we walked now was thinner than ever before.
I leaned back in my chair, considering her words. The Blackwood Empire was a machine—a finely tuned, dangerous machine. But even the best machines could be dismantled from within. I had to make sure that wouldn't happen.
"What about the others?" I asked, leaning forward. "The royals, the ones who are still holding on to their titles. What's the situation with them?"
Christiana's expression hardened. "They're all under watch. The Black Axe Men are monitoring them closely. Some of them still have their loyalists, but they're all more afraid now than ever. You've made your power clear, Father."
"Good." I stood up and walked toward the window, gazing out at the empire I had built—at the soldiers on the streets, at the parades of military vehicles, at the sky hanging heavy with change.
The thought of everything I had worked for—the empire, the people, my family—held me steady, but there was something deeper stirring within me now. I wasn't just protecting the Blackwood legacy anymore. No, this was about something greater.
"Christiana, I need you to send a message. No one is exempt from my authority. All who challenge it will be eliminated. Even if they wear a crown."
She nodded without hesitation, but I could see the spark of determination in her eyes. She had inherited my resolve.
"I'll handle it, Father. I will make sure the Empire stays under your rule."
Her words were an unspoken promise, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel something close to pride. My daughter wasn't just following my footsteps—she was carving her own path, one that would continue long after I was gone.
With a final glance at the empire sprawled below me, I turned back to face Christiana.
"Do it. Secure this Empire. And never forget that we are the Blackwoods. We control everything."
She left without another word, and I sat back down at my desk. It wasn't over. This was just the beginning of a new era, one that I would shape and mold with an iron grip.
No one would threaten my empire. No one would dare oppose the Blackwoods.
The lockdown would stay in place. The Black Axe Men would stay on high alert. And I? I would remain unchallenged.
No matter what it took.