Scene: Delvaron Presidential Crisis Bunker — President Kael Dran's POV
The bunker walls were too white. Too polished. Too quiet.
That's the thing about bunkers—they give you the illusion of control. Like sitting underground makes you untouchable. But it doesn't. Not when the storm that's coming doesn't just destroy buildings—it rewrites nations.
I stood at the digital war board. Advisors barking updates around me. Military officers speaking in clipped tones. Everyone moving fast but no one fast enough.
> "Sir, Delvaron's allies haven't responded," Commander Erah said. "Blackwood's silence has the global powers on edge. They don't want to be next."
Cowards.
We weren't just under threat—we were being ignored.
And that was worse.
> "If they want us alone, they'll get us alone," I muttered.
> "What's the directive?" one aide asked.
I stared at the glowing border between our territory and the newly confirmed B.A.M. staging zone.
> "Activate the southern defense grid. Evacuate all border towns. Prepare anti-air. And issue a national lockdown. The people will ask questions—give them none. Not yet."
I turned back toward the board.
> "If they want to play ghosts, then we vanish first."
But I couldn't lie to myself.
You don't survive Blackwood by hiding.
You survive Blackwood by bending…
Or by burning.
---
Cut To: Blackwood Empire War Carrier, Upper Sky Range
Chris's POV
The air was cold at this altitude. Not physically. Politically.
From the cockpit bay of the floating war carrier, I could see the outline of Delvaron's capital in the distance. Still unaware. Still breathing in ignorance.
Good.
Let them wake up to me.
I stood alone at the forward window, arms crossed behind my back, wearing the black armor lined in imperial silver. Not ceremonial—this one was built for war.
B.A.M. generals waited behind me. No one dared interrupt.
Behind me, through the steel corridors, I knew Amara was overseeing the second battalion. Classic, by order, had been grounded in the empire.
But now?
It was just me.
And soon… them.
I leaned forward, whispering to the glass like it could carry words to Kael Dran himself.
> "You should have kissed the ring."
And then, I turned to my generals.
> "Initiate Operation Iron Dust. No sound. No mercy. I want the palace surrounded before their king finishes his last sentence."
The engines roared.
History was waking up.
And I was the nightmare it would never forget.
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