Title: One Year of Lockdown
Chris' POV:
A year had passed since the lockdown was first implemented, and now, the empire was unrecognizable from its former self. What had once been a place of bustling activity, with open markets and endless negotiations, had become a frozen, silent state. Every corner, every alley, every street lay still, as if time itself had stopped in anticipation of what was to come. The weight of the year-long isolation was palpable, but it served its purpose: to tighten my grip on this empire.
The world outside the Blackwood Union had become nothing more than distant noise, irrelevant to our inner workings. I had seen to it that every trade route, every border, and every port was sealed. There would be no exchange of goods, no foreign influence—nothing that might threaten the dominance we had built over the last twelve months.
Those who dared to defy the lockdown had been dealt with harshly. Executions, detentions, and disappearances became the norm for those foolish enough to try to step out of line. And it wasn't just the common folk; the nobility had been kept in check as well. I had made it clear that no one—no matter their station—was above the law. If they broke the rules, they would pay the price.
Yet, even now, some dared to question my methods. The noble families, the ones whose titles and lands I had stripped, whispered behind closed doors. Some of them had even tried to organize in secret, hoping to leverage some hidden advantage to break free of my control. But none of them would succeed. I had already anticipated their moves. My spies had infiltrated their ranks, ensuring that every potential uprising was nipped in the bud before it could take root.
As the months dragged on, the citizens of the Blackwood Union became restless. The first few months had been easy enough. They were used to the comforts of luxury and security, and they accepted the lockdown because it felt temporary. But as the year wore on, the feeling of entrapment began to set in. Some of them were starting to grow desperate, realizing that there might be no end to this enforced peace.
But that was exactly the point. The lockdown was not just a physical barrier—it was psychological warfare. It was a test of loyalty and control. The longer they stayed inside, the more they would become dependent on me and my empire. They would become conditioned to wait for my permission to act, to speak, to live. Their very lives would be a reflection of my will.
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Christiana's POV:
A year. It had been a full year since the lockdown began, and in many ways, I had changed. In the early days, I had struggled with the responsibility of managing the empire's military and overseeing the enforcement of the lockdown. But as time passed, I grew into the role. I had become the embodiment of my father's vision—stoic, ruthless, and unwavering.
During this year, the empire had become a machine, and I was the one steering it. Every corner of the military was under my watch, and not a single soul could move without my knowledge. The Blackwood military had transformed from an ordinary army into an elite, insurmountable force. We were now an occupying force, not just in the Blackwood Union, but in the hearts and minds of the people.
The nobles had been beaten into submission, and even those who had previously clung to power were now looking to me for guidance. They had all learned to respect my father's rule, and by extension, my own. But I knew the day was coming when we would have to decide what the next phase of the empire would look like. Would we remain locked in this state of control forever? Or was there a bigger plan waiting for us?
I had seen the pressure growing on the people—the suffocating weight of being locked down, day in and day out. They could feel the shift in the air. Some of them began to resist in small ways—subtle acts of rebellion that didn't quite cross the line but hinted at discontent. It was to be expected. People don't simply stay compliant for long, especially not under such extreme circumstances. The question was: How would we respond when the breaking point came?
But for now, the empire remained locked, and I remained in my place, watching the empire's evolution. I could feel my father's eyes on me, always assessing, always waiting. His trust in me had only deepened over the year, but so had the expectations.
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General Frank's POV:
A year of lockdown had taken its toll on the military, but it had also solidified our position as the backbone of Blackwood's power. We were no longer just soldiers; we were the enforcers of order, the extension of Chris's will. The men and women under my command knew the rules. Disobedience would not be tolerated. If anyone dared to question the lockdown, they would face the full wrath of the military.
There were moments when I questioned how much longer this could continue. The constant pressure, the long days, and the isolation—it was starting to wear on the troops. But I reminded myself that this was a test. We were being forged into something stronger. Every day that passed under the lockdown, the military became more united, more powerful, more invincible.
Still, there were whispers. Some soldiers were starting to wonder when the lockdown would end. They saw the exhaustion in their comrades' eyes, the weariness that settled in after months of standing guard, of watching over silent streets. But I knew better than to show weakness. The empire had to remain strong, and it was up to me to keep the men focused on the bigger picture.
The Blackwood Union was a machine, and I was its engine. Nothing—no rebellion, no dissent—would disrupt its forward momentum. We had a clear objective: to maintain control at all costs. The military would continue to uphold that objective, even if it meant the total exhaustion of everyone involved.
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The People's POV:
The whispers of unrest began to grow louder. The citizens of the empire—once accustomed to the comforts of their privileged lives—were now questioning the purpose of the lockdown. At first, they had believed it would be temporary, a short period of uncertainty to ensure safety and stability. But as the days turned into months, and the months into a year, the realization began to set in: the lockdown might never end.
The people had learned to live in a new reality. They stayed inside, afraid to speak out, afraid to make their discontent known. The military patrols were everywhere, watching, listening, waiting for the slightest infraction. But some had begun to stir, though quietly. Secret meetings in hidden rooms, hushed conversations in the dark corners of homes. They were beginning to plan for a time when the lockdown would end.
But the fear was real. There were rumors of people being taken away in the night, families vanishing without explanation. No one knew what happened to them, but the stories kept circulating. Fear had become an integral part of everyday life. Everyone knew that crossing the line could result in immediate retribution.
And yet, there were still those who whispered of freedom, of a world beyond the walls that had been erected around them. They knew, deep down, that this could not last forever. One day, the lockdown would end, and they would rise.
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The lockdown that had begun a year ago was now more than just a symbol of control; it had become a testament to the strength of the Blackwood Empire. Yet, even in this silence, even in the stillness of the empire's frozen state, there was an underlying tension. The question remained: How long could they hold out? Would the empire stay united under this suffocating grip, or would the day come when it would all fall apart? Only time would tell.