Scene: Eastern Ridge – 700 Meters Above Sea Level, Entry Point Sigma
POV: Shadow Hawk Operative X9 (Codename: Phantom)
The snow fell sideways up here. The kind of cold that didn't ask questions—it just claimed skin.
We moved as shadows move—quiet, tight, no comm chatter. Our boots didn't crunch. Our sensors didn't beep. Every movement was precise, silent, death in rhythm.
There were eight of us. All ex-Black Guard. Personally selected by the Queen.
Mission:
> Extract Subject Alpha—Codename: "Monarch."
Primary directive: "No harm must come to him."
Secondary directive: "If he resists, do not subdue. Stand down."
Tertiary directive: "If any threat is present, eliminate without hesitation."
We'd never been told not to fight someone before.
That alone told me everything.
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> "Visual on heat trail," I whispered through the encrypted neural comms. "About 300 meters ahead. Cave entrance. Movement pattern matches a two-man pace. One limping, one steady."
> "Confirming signatures now…" came Raven's voice. "Second is armored. Heat shows light internal bleeding—left side. Likely the King."
My hands flexed around the grip of my pulse rifle. But it was muscle memory, not intent. I wasn't here to shoot. I was here to witness history move.
> "Hawk-Lead," I said to the commander in front, "permission to fan left. Flank approach. In case this is a trap."
> "Granted. Watch for motion drones. If they're baiting us, it'll come from above."
We split into formation—standard crescent fan. Stealth coats cloaked our thermal images.
As I moved to my flank position, I saw them.
Two silhouettes.
One slightly hunched. The other walked like a lion made of steel.
He paused just at the cave's edge. Looked back at his companion.
Even through distance, through cold, and even without a single crown on his head—
I knew it was him.
> "Target confirmed," I whispered.
And for the first time in my career, I said a name out loud during a mission.
> "Chris Blackwood… sighted."
---
No one moved for a moment.
Even Lead held his breath.
We were standing within thirty meters of the most dangerous man on the planet.
Wounded. Silent. Uncrowned.
And somehow, he looked more powerful than when he sat on the Blackwood Throne.
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> "Do we approach?" Raven asked.
Hawk-Lead hesitated, then said:
> "No."
> "He knows we're here."
> "Let him call for us."
Because that's what kings do.
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