The battle to secure a place among the top twelve alliances in Westeros continued relentlessly. After defeating LEG in the previous round, HOH was now on the verge of qualifying for the next, new competition.

"We need to secure at least one more victory to guarantee our presence," the leader told their allies who gathered on the battlefield today. "I won't hide the fact that today's match will be very tough for us," they added.

With a long history in these competitions, the leader knew that their winning streak following the defeat to BaN would inevitably lead them to face one of the top-ranked alliances, as per the matchmaking system.

Neik, at the peak of his strength on the battlefield, was determined as always to contribute to his alliance's victory and was more motivated than ever. As preparations for the match, including strategy sessions, were underway, the opponents could be seen approaching in the distance.

At the sight of the rival alliance's banners, a shiver ran down the spines of the HOH members. It was...

BaN

As in round two, once again their path crossed with what was likely the top contender for the throne of the best alliance in Westeros. The rival leadership, composed of formidable members like B3nni, God Emperor, and many others, made them one of the toughest groups to face due to their ability to manage a formidable alliance with experience and battlefield wisdom.

"We knew it would be a tough match, but not this tough..." Neik said, almost disheartened even before the battle began.

"We'll do our best no matter who the rivals are," Grombold said, outlining the strategy devised for the match after consulting with the leadership. "Today's approach won't be different from what we implemented in the second round. Facing them in smaller groups would make things much harder for us, so we should try to outnumber them on the battlefield." Despite the defeat in round two, the battle plan implemented was not wrong; the rivals had simply countered them effectively. Another attempt in the same manner was the only way forward.

Overhead, menacing clouds loomed, promising an imminent storm, adding an additional layer of uncertainty to the already tense atmosphere among the warriors. Ready to give their all for a worthy final outcome, the warriors received their final instructions, and according to the plan, a single group would head towards HotSprings.

The dance began near HotSprings, with HOH leaders aiming to secure the 100% healing buff and the points per minute the location would provide, ensuring a significant advantage over the rival alliance if the match extended.

Upon arrival at the location, Neik was among the first to dive into the fray. Encouraged by the sparse enemy presence, he sought to counter opponents who favored cavalry in combat.

Initially, Grombold's alliance enjoyed a slight advantage by focusing on one side. However, the reinforcements called by God Emperor arrived swiftly to counter them at HotSprings. Once they arrived, the tide turned against Neik and his comrades, forcing them to retreat and ceding control of HotSprings to BaN.

Meanwhile, the other positions were easily captured by the few members sent to besiege their walls, as they encountered minimal defenses. Grombold's tactical retreat directed them towards Base 3.

"The conquest and control of it are crucial; we need a destination under our control in case we manage to secure the loot from Winterfell," he emphasized.

Thus, awaiting the loot, the members of HOH made their way towards it...

Initially, Base 3 was captured by HOH, catching their rivals off guard with the sudden change in strategy.

However, the strategic retreat by BaN members inside it had the task of notifying their leaders. Upon receiving the news, their leaders wasted no time in ordering an assault on Base 3!

This sparked an incredible battle between both alliances that lasted for several minutes. The waves of attackers favored HOH defenders, who managed to withstand the assaults from their rivals. Observing the battle's progression, Patton decided to wait for his comrades' arrival outside the walls of Base 3 before launching a coordinated attack from all sides. This tactic proved successful for them, and after a prolonged clash, they eventually seized control of it as well!

Meanwhile, BaN secured the first loot!

The battle at Base 3 proved longer than expected, but it worked in favor of Patton and his companions, who managed to conquer and deliver the first loot without interference from their rivals.

Things were not looking good for HOH; after 1/3 of the battle, they found themselves at a disadvantage against an opponent who, as predicted, was proving superior.

"We need to try a counterattack, to secure as many points as possible could make the difference in the final tournament standings," Neik said. Even a probable defeat today should not discourage them from striving to earn as many points as possible.

"Let's regroup at Base 4," Grombold ordered.

Upon arriving at Base 4, HOH initially managed to overwhelm their rivals, catching them off guard with a successful tactic. However, once again, reinforcements arrived swiftly, marking the turning point of the battle as the rivals gained the upper hand inside the building.

Neik and his companions retreated to Greyjoy Outpost 1, where they joined arriving allies to warn them of the strong enemy presence at Base 4. "They're right behind you," their allies shouted. Turning around, Neik saw the incoming group, who not only fortified the base's walls but, under Patton's command, pushed forward to trap their opponents within.

The clash at Greyjoy Outpost 1 was only a matter of time before HOH declared defeat at the hands of BaN.

Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the battlefield that was now under BaN's total supremacy.

Every attempt made so far had been futile; the rivals once again lived up to expectations, proving to be one of the toughest nuts to crack in the Siege of Winterfell, granting nothing to anyone who crossed their path.

Attempting to regroup even near their walls was a daunting mission, as the exits from the base were guarded by opponents. After yet another futile attempt by HOH members, the rivals decided to launch a full-scale attack.

This situation did not sit well with Neik, who, in turn, continued to give his best until the very end...

However, every effort he made proved futile.

The rival juggernaut maneuvered adeptly to support struggling allies, and winning a one-on-one skirmish was ultimately pointless as they were swiftly replaced by other members, and time inexorably marched on.

"I think we should stop here to conserve our strength for the sixth match, which at this point will be decisive," Grombold bitterly admitted as leader. It was tough to acknowledge such a disparity between the two alliances, but in this match, it had been overwhelming.

They let the subsequent phases of the match unfold until the predictable conclusion.

Once again, BaN emerged victorious in the final outcome!

MVP's

The best fighters of the match were:

BaN: Falconn. His cavalry's speed made him a lethal weapon, combined with his combat prowess. Facing him on the battlefield was a nightmare for many rivals who crossed his path.

HOH: DepravityXO. A member of HOH's leadership, he fought tirelessly until the end, trying with all his might to turn the tide. However, he couldn't overcome such an incredible opponent alone.

Expecting a different outcome was almost delusional, and Neik was among those who held onto hope. Despite the opponent's strength, he had hoped for a more competitive match, but unfortunately, it didn't materialize. In the end, he, too, had to accept the inevitable fate.

"At this point, the next match will decide the fate of our season, and it won't be easy. A loss is the only way to secure a spot among the top 12 this season. I hope to see as many members as possible in three days!" were Grombold's words to his comrades before leaving the battlefield.

HOH's match today concluded with another heavy defeat in the fifth round. As their leader had pointed out earlier, to salvage the season, they would need a victory in the sixth and final match in just three days!

Would they be capable of it? And against whom? We'll find out soon!