Several days passed since that encounter in which HOH managed to get their season back on track, arriving at the third match with a record of one victory and one defeat. Today, Neik and his companions needed to start a winning streak, which had become crucial to securing a spot among the top 12 alliances of the season and qualifying for the playoffs. For an alliance of their caliber, it was the bare minimum, but in the lands of Westeros, nothing was certain, and every victory had to be earned on the battlefield.

Despite their win, the final twist of the last match – the absence of a key member like Depravity – had shaken their strategies for the upcoming matches. To replace him, alongside leader Grombold and the leadership of HOH, Urielki had been brought in. While his experience was on par with his predecessor’s, the void left by Depravity would be difficult to fill. Neik and his companions would have to adapt to this decision, adding another challenge to their journey.

Positioned on the battlefield, the members of HOH awaited the start of the challenge. The plans and strategies would remain unchanged, but only the names of the brave warriors leading the groups would differ. The sky was calm, and the air thick with tension, while in the distance, the banners of their next formidable opponents could be seen.

It was...

tSB

tSB were a mid-high level alliance, but their determination had brought them this far, thanks to two significant victories at the start of the season. Although they didn’t belong to the elite, they had earned the respect of many for their fighting spirit and ability to surprise. Leading them into battle were members like Astro7, LordGOT, and Yayami Omate—highly experienced warriors known for their ability to quickly adapt to any situation. But today, against an alliance like HOH, they would need to surpass themselves. Even though Grombold and his companions were going through a tough period, the pressure of not being able to afford another loss made them even more dangerous. The members of tSB would have to be ready for anything, because in front of them stood an opponent who would not give them any margin for error.

"The battle we are about to face will decide the fate of our future. We must give our all to gain as many points as possible and hope to secure a spot among the top 12 of the regular season," Grombold reminded his companions, trying to make them understand just how crucial a victory today was. But the members of HOH knew well that words were unnecessary to grasp the importance of this match.

The calm was about to end, just as the battle was about to begin. The clouds on the horizon, over time, had drawn closer and closer, until they loomed overhead, casting a shadow over the warriors lined up on the battlefield. The air, now thick and heavy, seemed charged with ominous signs, as if the entire sky were holding its breath in anticipation of that first, fatal jolt.

A first Phase of All-Out Combat!

The battle began, and tSB immediately revealed their plans. To close the gap in numbers and power between the two alliances, the leadership of the rival alliance decided to gather their forces into a single group, concentrating their strength. However, this left them vulnerable to flank attacks, risking the loss of control over key structures.

"Let’s head toward HotSprings, while smaller groups take control of positions that won’t face any opposition," was Urielki’s plan, understanding the importance of his role and eager to prove his value to his allies in order to earn their trust as quickly as possible. Upon their arrival at HotSprings, they launched an immediate attack on their enemies, forcing them to fight outside the conquest circle. This tactic allowed them to gain control from the very first moments. The decision to concentrate their forces there worked perfectly, successfully driving the enemies into retreat!

"Great work, let’s keep the pressure up," said the leader of HOH, urging the team not to give the rivals any time to regroup. tSB hadn’t expected their plan to fail so quickly, and finding the right strategy was crucial, but for that, they would need time—time that Neik and his companions weren’t willing to give them.

Amory Fell Into the Hands of HOH Without Major Issues

Simultaneously with the battle at HotSprings, the capture of the western position was a breeze for Grombold and his companions, thanks to the absence of large enemy groups. Grombold quickly realized he had made the right decision by following the strategy suggested by his right-hand man, Urielki.

"They’re gathering near the shelters of GreyJoy Stronghold 2," Neik revealed, returning from the allies at HotSprings, who were preparing for the offensive.

"Let’s assault it. Every second counts for our season," ordered Grombold.

The March of HOH’s Army Came to an End Upon Reaching Greyjoy Stronghold 2

The battle against the defensive forces, who had little time to regroup, was one-sided. By the time Neik arrived, the base had already been captured by his companions, who completely wiped out any chance of defense put up by tSB’s fighters, who had no choice but to retreat.

The plan to push the rivals back as far as possible toward their own base continued without needing further instructions from the leadership of HOH. Neik and his companions pressed on toward Greyjoy Outpost 2, and for the large group, it was easy to repel the enemies, who likely hadn’t expected such aggression. The desire to win the match and make their season meaningful drove them through the conflict.

The First Prize of the Match Was Claimed by HOH!

Thanks to the efforts of their allies, who had pushed their rivals out of the nearby areas around Winterfell, Wallace and his Cavs were able to secure the first prize of the match with great speed.

The early stages of the match, near the central area, saw HOH with a significant lead over their rivals, having captured all the buildings and secured the first prize. "The match is going as we hoped. Let’s try to trap them at their base so Wallace can continue delivering the prizes without interference," Urielki said, aiming to keep his allies focused.

Neik, without needing to be told twice, headed toward the northern exit of the enemy base, but danger was lurking just around the corner...

Upon his arrival, Neik found himself facing a significant number of enemies who, despite being at a substantial disadvantage in both score and numbers, refused to give up. The most formidable, such as Astro7 and LordGOT, stepped forward with courage, ready to challenge him, even in their numerical disadvantage. However, Neik accepted the challenge with determination, knowing the strength of his Spears and his Weakness Formation, now among the best in his alliance. With unwavering resolve, the HOH warrior fought relentlessly, never backing down, and battling until the last of his strength.

The clashes were tough and exhausting. Though the enemies were now unable to reach the nearby bases for a comeback that would have been nearly impossible, they continued to charge at HOH's members. However, thanks to the strategic blockade set outside the enemy base walls and the growing numerical advantage, with many tSB members surrendering to a fate already sealed as time passed, HOH was able to maintain control. In the end, by keeping the enemies contained, they avoided any potential twists. Realizing their helplessness against an alliance like HOH, the rivals raised the white flag and accepted defeat.

At the end of the match, the final result was in favor of... HOH!

MVP's

The best fighters of the match were:

AK0086 for HOH, driven by his ambition to become one of the most important members of his alliance, fought with enviable motivation, and encountering him on the battlefield today was a nightmare for his opponents.

Astro7 for tSB was the last to surrender, his unshakable desire to challenge himself despite the inevitable defeat led him to face formidable opponents, where the tSB member showcased his worth.

"It was crucial to win today, and we did it. Well done! We've shown solid preparation despite everything. The next match will be a high-difficulty round, so get ready," said leader Grombold before leaving the battlefield to return to K285.

On his way back to K345, Neik, visibly exhausted, reflected on the match they had just played and how they managed to overcome an opponent who had started the season on the right foot, despite the difficult moment his alliance was going through and the uncertain future. But his focus was already on the next challenge, the fourth of the season. Temporarily, HOH was in the top 12 of the best alliances of the season thanks to their two victories, but from here on out, the margin for error was getting thinner, and every misstep could be fatal for them. What does the future hold for them? Who will be the next formidable opponents in the third-to-last match of the season? We’ll find out together!