Reporter: Amelia Rowe
Location: The Grand Hall, Blackwood Palace
In a historic moment today, the Supreme Ruler of the Blackwood Empire, Chris Blackwood (Blackwood 1), commanded the entire nation to kneel in homage. This unprecedented decree, issued just after his public address, was a show of absolute power that has stunned both loyal citizens and critics alike. For ten long minutes, every citizen in the Empire was required to bow to their supreme ruler—whether in person or through the new digital platforms that broadcast Blackwood 1's commands.
Live Broadcast:
The cameras panned across the capital, from the bustling streets of the city to the quiet corners of rural villages. Everywhere, the same sight could be seen: citizens kneeling, heads lowered, paying homage to the one they now must call "Blackwood 1."
Chris Blackwood (Blackwood 1):
"For those who have pledged their loyalty to me and the Blackwood Empire, this is your moment. For those who doubt or defy, remember—this is the price of your rebellion. Let this moment echo throughout the lands. You will all bow before the power that shapes your world."
Across the Empire, reactions were mixed. The elite members of the Blackwood Union—those with Numbers 1 through 5—watched with approval. But many of the Surviving Citizens, those with lower numbers, expressed a range of emotions, from discomfort to resignation.
Surviving Citizen, Number 23325:
"I had to kneel for ten minutes today. Ten minutes! It felt... degrading. But what can we do? We are bound by our numbers now."
But perhaps the most surprising moment came from within the Palace itself. Christiana Blackwood—the second-in-command, known as Blackwood 3—took the stage beside her brother, Blackwood 1. Her stance was resolute, as always, but it was clear that she was not just a ruler in name.
Christiana Blackwood (Blackwood 3):
"Let this be a reminder: the Blackwood family is not just a symbol of power; we are its executioners. The people are our strength, but they are nothing without the order we create. Those who defy us will be crushed beneath the weight of their own insolence."
The ten-minute ritual of submission has already sparked debates across the Empire. Some citizens are beginning to question if they are living in a new world order or under an iron fist. But one thing is certain: the Blackwood Empire's hierarchy is now set in stone, and the numbers dictate everything.
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The moment of dominance was not just symbolic—it's a way to remind everyone that Blackwood 1 and his family control every aspect of this world. No one can escape the power now.