Title: Partial Lifting of the Lockdown - A New Regime
Chris' POV:
A year had passed in absolute silence, and now, the time had come to lift the lockdown—at least partially. But the Blackwood Empire would not return to normal, not by any stretch of the imagination. The world outside was still a dangerous place, and I would not allow the people to think they had free rein simply because a few restrictions were being eased.
The decision to open the streets, even partially, was not born from any desire to be lenient. It was calculated. The empire needed to show a small glimpse of normality, to remind the people of what they had been missing—of what they stood to lose if they stepped out of line. I would allow them to taste the illusion of freedom, but the consequences of abusing it would be catastrophic.
The Announcement:
As I stood before the massive screens in the war room, preparing for the broadcast, I could feel the weight of my decision. There was no turning back now.
The Blackwood Union would stay secure, but I would give a small sliver of movement to test the patience and discipline of my citizens.
The broadcast began, a somber message ringing out across the empire, reaching every corner of the Blackwood Union.
"Citizens of the Blackwood Empire," I began, my voice cold, firm, yet unmistakably commanding, "The time has come to allow partial movement. Starting tomorrow, the streets will open for a short window of activity. You will be allowed to conduct your daily affairs between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. However, let me make one thing perfectly clear: this is not a sign of weakness."
I paused for a moment, letting the weight of my words settle in.
"Any citizen found outside of their home before 10 AM, after 4 PM, or engaging in any activity outside of these restricted hours will face severe punishment. You will not be allowed to play games with me. The Black Axe Men will be deployed immediately to handle all violations. No exceptions."
I could already hear the whispers in the city—people were likely rejoicing, thinking they could now return to their normal lives. But the fear would return the moment they realized the severity of the consequences for even the slightest misstep.
"This is a test of loyalty. The Blackwood Empire will show no mercy. Anyone who dares to defy the new rules will feel the wrath of our forces. The Black Axe Men will act swiftly, without hesitation, to deal with any transgression. Let this be a warning to all of you. The peace and stability you crave will only be maintained through your obedience."
As the broadcast ended, I leaned back in my chair, letting the gravity of the moment sink in. The streets would see a partial return to normalcy, but it would be under my iron-fisted control. The streets would be bustling, but only at the times I allowed. And in the quiet hours outside the designated timeframe, I would be watching—always watching.
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Christiana's POV:
The broadcast had been made, and now the time for action was upon us. As much as I was the enforcer of my father's will, I could already feel the waves of unrest stirring among the people. They hadn't experienced true freedom for a year, and now, they were being granted only a few hours to breathe. The restrictions on them would still feel suffocating.
But they would comply, or they would face the consequences. It was that simple. The Black Axe Men were not just an army; they were the enforcers of my father's vision, and they had no tolerance for disobedience. Their presence was a reminder that disobedience would lead to swift and brutal retribution.
The citizens were told they could go out for six hours, but they had no idea what they were stepping into. No one could even go near the borders, let alone the areas beyond the checkpoints, without being questioned and detained.
"Father, are we truly going to allow them a taste of freedom?" I asked, watching him as he observed the streets through the massive monitors in front of him.
"A small taste," he replied coldly, not taking his eyes off the screens. "Just enough to remind them of what they've lost. And then we tighten the grip once again. No one will forget that the empire is mine, and their every move will be controlled. This is only the beginning of a new world order."
I nodded. The people were about to learn that their every step would be watched, even in this brief period of freedom. Any sign of rebellion would be met with harsh consequences. The clock was ticking, and the empire had no room for weakness.
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General Frank's POV:
The announcement had come down. And now, we were preparing for what would happen next. The soldiers, the Black Axe Men, and the entire military force were already on high alert. We were being given the green light to operate, but we would be enforcing a strict lockdown as much as possible.
Our orders were clear: ensure that anyone who strayed even a minute from the designated times would be caught, punished, and shown no mercy. The Black Axe Men had already been prepped for action.
This was more than just a simple curfew—it was a demonstration of power. A reminder to the people that the Blackwood Empire was not to be trifled with. We were not just an empire of order; we were an empire of consequences. Those who followed the rules would have their rights protected. But those who defied us would suffer.
The streets would be open, but there would be eyes everywhere. The Black Axe Men would be on patrol, observing, waiting for any sign of disobedience. I had been trained for this. This was not a time to let personal emotions or doubts cloud my judgment. We had one job: to enforce the law, no matter the cost.
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The Citizens' POV:
The streets of the empire were empty for so long. Now, as the announcement echoed through the city, the gates began to open. Some people stepped cautiously out of their homes, not knowing what to expect. The sense of freedom was almost tangible, and for a moment, it felt like the oppressive weight had been lifted.
But that feeling quickly faded as the military presence became evident. The streets were flooded with soldiers, some in regular uniforms, others dressed in the unmistakable Black Axe Men gear. Their eyes scanned the crowds with a cold, calculating gaze.
It was only a matter of time before someone would break the rules. And when they did, the consequences would be swift. The fear was palpable now—those few precious hours of freedom would be spent in constant tension. Everyone was walking on eggshells, knowing that the slightest mistake would cost them dearly.
The city had come alive, but it was not the kind of freedom the citizens had hoped for. It was controlled, regulated, and suffocating in its own way.
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Conclusion:
The empire had taken its first step toward reopening, but the people had no idea what they were truly walking into. This brief window of freedom would be the perfect test of loyalty. Any sign of rebellion, and the empire would crush it with unmatched force.
This wasn't just a reopening—it was the beginning of a new era. The Blackwood Empire would rise above all, and anyone who dared defy that vision would pay the price. This was no longer about a kingdom; it was about total control.