Title: Tied and Betrayed – Black Axe Men Discover Captured Blackwood Citizens

Perspective: Commander Kade Blackwood, Black Axe Division 001

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The sun was setting when we reached the outskirts of what used to be Riverpoint—a trading town known for its clean water and strategic location.

We were moving through the rubble, boots crunching over glass and ash, when one of my lieutenants barked through the comm:

> "Commander! You need to see this!"

I turned without a word, signaled for my guards to stay sharp, and followed the call.

We entered what looked like a collapsed school turned into a makeshift detention center.

The stench of blood and burned cloth hit first. Then the silence.

There they were.

Over a hundred Blackwood citizens—stripped, bruised, tied together with wire and left to rot.

Men. Women. Children.

Some were already dead.

Others barely breathing.

I knelt beside one girl, maybe twelve, her cheek swollen shut.

She blinked once. She was still alive.

> "Who did this?" I asked gently.

Her lips cracked as she whispered, "They weren't outsiders..."

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Sudden Realization:

This wasn't just the work of non-Blackwoods.

These were traitors.

Blackwood-born. Turned against their own. Probably bribed. Possibly jealous. Maybe just weak.

Whatever their reason, it didn't matter now.

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Kade's Voice Booms Over Comm:

> "Lock down this zone. Scan for breathing heat signatures. No survivors unless authorized. Bring medics in. NOW."

> "Send a private message to the Emperor: 'Sir, we found your people. Broken but alive. The traitors among us will pay.'"

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Within 15 minutes:

400 Black Axe medics arrive.

80 survivors stabilized.

24 confirmed dead.

Intel confirms that three Blackwood commanders stationed here accepted bribes to turn their own people in.

I was shaking with rage—not out of emotion, but because this was personal. These were citizens who carried the name Blackwood.

And their blood called for vengeance.

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Commander's Final Orders for the Night:

> "Find the traitors. Drag them out of their holes. I don't care if they're wearing my colors or holding my rank.

Anyone who betrays the name 'Blackwood' forfeits their right to live under it."

> "Send a video feed of this entire rescue to the Emperor. Let Him see that his axe still swings with justice."

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