PRESIDENT KAEL DRAVEN'S POV
Location: War Command Auditorium, Capital Military Bunker
Time: 10:44 A.M. — Just After the Public Declaration from Blackwood
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Silence.
Then static.
Then chaos.
The broadcast ended less than a minute ago — a global message from Chris Blackwood himself, shown on every major network, platform, and device. No mask. No hidden meaning. Just a cold, precise declaration:
> "The Empire of Blackwood has decided to officially support Darnova. We will provide military, economic, and technological assistance effective immediately.
This is not charity. It is strategy. The future belongs to those who aren't afraid to choose sides.
We have chosen ours."
My jaw locked as I stood from the war table, surrounded by frozen generals.
We weren't hallucinating.
This was real.
Blackwood — the most dominant force in the world — had just backed us publicly.
KAEL DRAVEN (firmly):
"Bring me the Minister of Propaganda. Now."
GENERAL LURIC:
"Sir… with respect… this is going to change everything. The other blocs — Vandora, Seltrine, even Yurevia — they'll see this as a threat."
I snapped my fingers at my assistant.
"Get me a live channel. No more playing weak. If Blackwood stands with us, then we stand like giants."
He hesitated.
"But President… the people—"
I slammed my fist on the steel table.
"I've spent ten years watching our people starve while those animals laughed at us. If Blackwood wants us to win, then we give them victory in return."
The screen in front of me flickered to life.
Media ready. National address live.
I stood tall. Adjusted my collar. Looked straight into the lens.
Voice firm. Fire behind my eyes.
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"People of Darnova… we are no longer forgotten.
We are no longer weak.
We have been seen.
And now… we rise — with the full weight of the Blackwood Empire behind us.
To our enemies: Watch your borders. Watch your skies. Watch your mouths.
We are done bowing."
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As the chamber erupted with applause and tension, I turned away from the podium and whispered to my top commander:
KAEL:
"Prepare the Ashfangs. I want a strike across Vandora's southern railways within seventy-two hours."
He blinked.
"Sir… you mean war?"
I didn't blink.
"No. I mean legacy."
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