War

Classic's POV

It had been a year, a full year of suffocating silence, the air heavy with control and military might. For months, the empire had been under lockdown, with curfews strictly enforced, trade routes severed, and even the hum of daily life stifled under the weight of my father's rule. It had been an era of dominance, but also one of uncertainty. The world outside had been forced to adapt to our will, and inside, we had witnessed the full force of what it meant to control the flow of power, resources, and people.

Now, finally, the moment I had been waiting for had arrived.

My father, Chris, had made a decision. He was lifting the lockdown. Completely. The barriers that had kept us confined, the restrictions that had been enforced with the precision of a well-oiled machine, were now being dissolved. But in his eyes, this wasn't just an end to the curfew or a return to some semblance of normality. It was a declaration.

The Blackwood Empire was no longer just a force of military might. It had become an institution—one built on absolute control and boundless power. By lifting the lockdown, my father wasn't giving freedom back to the people; he was asserting his authority. And those who dared to challenge the Empire would soon learn that nothing had truly changed. He was watching, and we were ready to act.

As I stood in the grand hall of our palace, the atmosphere felt different. The air was thick with anticipation, like the calm before a storm. The military presence that had once felt like a security blanket now felt like a sharpened blade, ready to strike down any who dared to act out of line.

Father had summoned me earlier, and the moment I arrived, he didn't waste time with pleasantries. His words were short, sharp, and to the point.

"It's time," he had said.

Now, as the news began to spread like wildfire throughout the empire, I could feel the weight of the moment. People were beginning to leave their homes again, businesses that had been shuttered for months slowly coming to life, and the streets once again filled with life and noise. But I knew better than to be fooled by the appearance of freedom. There would be no true return to the old days.

The Blackwood Empire had redefined the meaning of power, and those who once held sway over the empire—nobles, royals, and the elite—were now expected to fall in line. The Black Axe Men, our deadly enforcers, would remain vigilant, watching every move, every word, every action. It was a new era, and there was no room for weakness or rebellion.

As I moved through the corridors of the palace, I overheard whispers from some of the courtiers, the nobles who had been so quiet during the lockdown. They spoke in hushed tones, unsure whether they should celebrate or remain cautious. I could tell that many of them were grateful for the lifting of the lockdown, but others still feared the consequences of crossing my father.

When I reached my father's chambers, he was sitting in his chair, as calm and calculated as ever. His eyes met mine as I entered, and there was something in his gaze that made me pause for a moment.

"You're ready for what comes next, aren't you?" he asked, his voice devoid of any doubt.

I nodded. "Of course. You've made sure we're prepared for anything."

He gave a small, approving nod. "Good. We'll continue with our plans. There's no turning back now. Everything we've built—every move we've made—has led to this point. The Blackwood Empire is invincible."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the weight of his words. It wasn't just about power. It was about complete and utter control. My father had crafted an empire that would stand the test of time, and in that empire, there was no room for failure.

The lockdown had been lifted, but only because it was time to unleash the full might of the empire. With the curfews lifted and the streets alive once again, there would be no hiding. No one could pretend that they were anything other than what they were—a part of this vast machine that my father had created.

The Blackwood Empire was now more than a dynasty. It was a force to be reckoned with, a living, breathing entity that would forever shape the world around it.

And I, Christiana Blackwood, was at the heart of it all.

---

Outside the palace walls, the empire was waking up. The people had been starved of normal life for so long that now, they took every moment in with open arms. The soldiers who lined the streets were no longer just enforcers; they were symbols of power, their presence a reminder of the empire's absolute authority.

But as I looked out over the bustling streets, I knew that this new world wasn't going to be easy to navigate. The Blackwood Empire had no intention of letting its subjects roam free. We had given them the illusion of freedom, but in truth, the chains of control had only become more invisible, more powerful.

And as the empire took its first steps back into the light, I knew one thing for sure: there would be no going back. The world outside the empire was changing, but so were we. The Blackwood Empire had emerged from the lockdown stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

This was only the beginning.