Title: Eyes in the Shadows

POV: General Henry

The wind was sharp against Henry's face as he stood atop the Blackwood Watchtower. The vast palace grounds below him sprawled out, a monument to the empire's power and influence. It was a sight he had seen countless times, but tonight, there was an edge to the air. The birthday celebrations were over, but the aftershocks of the grand event still lingered—specifically, the growing presence of Baron Elias in the palace.

Chris's orders had been clear: keep Elias under close watch, but do it quietly. No direct interference. No sudden moves.

"Agent Serah," Henry spoke into his earpiece, his tone smooth but with a sharp edge, "Initiate Protocol Wraith. Double the surveillance. I want eyes on Elias, non-stop. No room for mistakes. Record every word, every movement, every breath."

"Yes, General," came the crisp reply.

Henry could feel the weight of the night pressing on him. The air smelled like dust and anticipation, both things he had grown accustomed to in his years of service. Yet now, he sensed the weight of something different: tension.

Elias was a potential threat—too ambitious, too hungry for power. The Baron had quickly found his place within the complex web of alliances in the Blackwood Union, but Henry had been observing. It wasn't just ambition that kept him up at night—it was what Elias was willing to do to achieve his goals.

"Move out," Henry instructed his team, stepping away from the balcony to make his way down to the operations floor.

The command center buzzed with activity, a flurry of screens, data feeds, and live monitoring. They were ready for any disruption in the empire's rhythm, and tonight, Elias was the only person who seemed to matter.

"Zoom in on the Eastern Tower," Henry barked as he approached the nearest console. The screen shifted, revealing Elias's quarters, dark with only a faint glow from a screen illuminating the room. "Increase the audio," he added, the tension in his voice tightening.

The room fell silent as the techs adjusted the settings. A moment later, Elias's voice filtered through the speakers, low and contemplative.

> "I will not die. Not here. Not like this."

Henry's brows furrowed. His mind raced. Elias was speaking like a man preparing for something. Was it a rebellion in the making, or just a man trying to convince himself that his position was safe?

"Enhance the feed," Henry said, his gaze narrowing on the screen. "Get a closer look at his movements. If he makes contact with anyone, I want to know immediately."

The operators nodded in unison, their fingers flying over the controls as they worked. The screen flickered, zooming in on Elias's still form.

Henry crossed his arms, watching as the Baron sat in deep concentration. The room was silent except for the soft hum of the machinery and the occasional rustling of papers. For a brief moment, Henry considered Elias's true motivations.

The Baron had been invited into Chris's fold, his connection to Christiana giving him a prominent place in the empire's hierarchy. But that didn't mean he was guaranteed loyalty. Elias was a man of ambition, someone who would seize any opportunity to expand his power—and Henry knew that all too well.

For now, Chris's orders had been clear: monitor and protect. The empire's security and stability were paramount, and Elias could either be a trusted ally or a threat in the making.

As the screens continued to monitor Elias's every move, Henry turned his attention to the larger picture. The birthday festivities might be over, but the real game was just beginning.

And in this game, no one—especially Elias—could afford to slip up.