The battle to secure a place among the top twelve alliances of Westeros raged on relentlessly. After defeating WWW in the previous round, HOH was now on the brink of qualifying for the next stage of the competition.

"Two matches remain to conclude the season," declared Grombold to his HOH comrades, assembled on the battlefield. "Despite our shaky start, we've made it this far thanks to the sacrifices of each and every one of you. Now, let's ensure our alliance's name reaches the heights it deserves!" His words, filled with passion, instilled renewed determination in his allies.

With his experience, the leader knew that their recent winning streak, following the loss to NBe, had inevitably led them to face one of the tournament's most formidable alliances. Today, the battle promised to be more challenging than ever.

Neik, in peak form, was ready to give his all for his alliance. The days of rest had helped him recover his energy and reflect on the mistakes made against WWW. He knew he could do better, and today, with newfound focus, he was determined to leave nothing to chance.

During the final preparations, as HOH members refined their strategies, an abrupt silence fell. The enemy banners appeared on the horizon, fluttering in the wind like symbols of defiance. A chill ran down everyone's spines: today’s formidable opponent was…

For the second time this season, NBe stood in the way of their progress. Arguably one of the toughest alliances to face, thanks to a revamped roster introduced before the start of the SoW season, they had showcased significant improvement during their first encounter with HOH. Led by formidable leaders like BARBAROSsA, TheOnlyKing, and CHARL1E, they had proven devastating both in combat strength and battlefield strategy, securing a well-deserved victory in a hard-fought match.

"Today, we must give it our all," the leader began during the final preparations among his team. "Our opponents demonstrated in the last match how much they've improved, and their combat style caught us off guard. We must fight to the very end to claim victory," Grombold concluded, his unwavering determination inspiring those present. The defeat against their archrivals, NBe, in the previous clash had left deep scars on the pride of HOH's leadership. Today, however, they had a chance to turn the tide—a chance each of them was determined to seize.

Neik, aware of the challenges they faced in the first round, did not expect an easy match. The memory of their opponents' unpredictable moves drove him to absolute focus: any misstep could prove critical, either positively or negatively. "Follow the leaders' orders to the letter," he reminded himself. He knew the key to victory lay in maintaining discipline and staying united alongside his fellow alliance members.

Preparations were complete, and the battle was about to begin. The tension was palpable, heightened by the eerie atmosphere enveloping the battlefield. A dense fog rolled over the horizon, reducing visibility and adding to the warriors' unease. The sky, dark and foreboding, was laden with heavy clouds, and a fine rain began to fall, turning the ground into a slippery, treacherous surface. Every thunderclap echoing in the distance felt like a harbinger—not just of the storm brewing in the sky, but of the violent clash soon to erupt between the two powerful alliances.

As expected, the two alliances separated in an orderly fashion, each taking a strategic position on the battlefield. The warriors of HOH and NBe charged toward their respective destinations: Armory and Hotsprings. The battle seemed set to begin, with each faction focused on their own objective.

However, NBe's members immediately displayed tactical superiority. Fast and precise, they reached Armory first, quickly surrounding its walls and creating immediate pressure. The terrain to the west was about to become a hellish battleground, where every move would prove crucial. To the east, however, the fight near HotSprings appeared evenly matched, with both groups engaged in a fierce clash but with neither side gaining a clear advantage. A long struggle was expected over the 100% healing speed buff, which could play a decisive role in this contest.

But the real surprise came when, in a sudden turn of events, NBe’s leadership decided to change course. An order from BARBAROSsA saw NBe’s fighters abandon Armory and rush swiftly toward Greyjoy1. This bold and risky maneuver left HOH in control of the walls, but without the luxury of lowering their guard. The battle was about to take a more complex turn.

"What are they doing?" Neik asked, confused by the decision to abandon such an important stronghold. "Whatever their plan is, we can't afford to lose a stronghold like Greyjoy1 so easily. Let’s go defend our position!" The clash was rapidly shifting westward: NBe’s assault, which had bypassed Armory to target Greyjoy1, aimed to cut HOH off from Winterfell. This strategy, orchestrated by NBe’s leadership, threatened the defenders' strategic position, forcing them to react swiftly.

NBe’s unexpected move proved crucial: the battle for the conquest of Greyjoy1 Stronghold granted them more bases and the advantage of teleportation, a new feature of the season, putting HOH under immense pressure. Realizing the danger, Urielki ordered an immediate counterattack to reclaim the stronghold, fully aware of the importance of regaining the initiative.

However, NBe’s members, well-positioned and determined to defend their advantage, made every attempt to retake the stronghold extremely difficult. The battle intensified, becoming a fierce confrontation between the two alliances, where any mistake could prove fatal and change the tide of the fight. Reinforcements constantly arrived for HOH, thanks to the proximity of their base to the critical point of battle, and with the teleportation gained from temporarily holding the majority of bases on the battlefield, it evolved into a prolonged fight where neither side was willing to give ground.

"Keep fighting, we can't fall back from Greyjoy1 or we’ll be in an even worse position," said the group leader Urielki.

The battle for the loot, however, turned out to be a double-edged sword for HOH.

The attempted defense of the base near Winterfell required a constant influx of fighters, who were sent there without being able to support their allies on the eastern side of the battlefield. After losing the fight for HotSprings, the group moved toward the central castle in an attempt to fight for the loot. However, this challenge proved to be far from balanced, as the formidable members of NBe, having gathered near the base, managed to seize the loot and deliver it to one of their already-controlled bases with little difficulty.

The situation for HOH was looking grim, and the only remaining stronghold near the center of the battlefield was Greyjoy1, where the sound of swords and shields echoed through the air.

"We'll go all in on defending this base and then lay siege to Winterfell," said Grombold, gathering his comrades.

The battle for the defense of Greyjoy1 proved to be an incredibly tough trial for both alliances. Attackers and defenders clashed with ferocity, knowing that a decisive victory could be a game-changer, either reigniting or crushing the hopes of Neik and his companions. The combat was intense, with every inch of contested ground soaked in the blood and sweat of the fighters.

As time passed, however, NBe’s forces began to gain the upper hand. Their presence, ever more imposing and well-coordinated, was felt through precise tactics and iron discipline, slowly breaking down the resistance of HOH. After a brutal struggle, the attackers finally overpowered the defenders, seizing Greyjoy1 and, with it, all the strategic bases near Winterfell. The defeat weighed heavily on the spirits of HOH.

Once again, just like in the first round of SoW, NBe's leadership was proving to be worthy of their reputation.

A strategic retreat became necessary to regroup and plan a new assault. Surrender was not an option for the fighters of HOH, even though it was clear that turning the tide of the battle would be incredibly difficult. Neik and his companions, however, were not ready to give up without fighting until the very end.

Meanwhile, NBe members advanced steadily toward HOH’s base, supported by their determination and strategic prowess. Every step forward dealt a harsh blow to the defenders' morale, who felt the noose tightening around them. Aware of the gravity of the situation, HOH prepared to go all in, hoping for a last-ditch effort to reverse the outcome of the battle.

The leaders of HOH decided to regroup for one final effort: to push toward Winterfell and contend for the loot. However, the enemy presence around their base was becoming increasingly oppressive. Under the command of their leaders, NBe members strategically positioned themselves at the exits of HOH's base, blocking any chance of a counteroffensive. Every attempt to advance was met with precision and determination, rendering any hope of recovery for the opponents futile.

Despite the tenacity and desperate efforts of Neik and his companions, the miracle never came. NBe's flawless tactics had already determined the outcome of the match, leaving HOH with the awareness that they fought until the end against a superior adversary, but could not alter the fate of the battle.

The final victory, therefore, went to... NBe!

MVP's

The best fighters of the match were: CHARL1E for NBe and Grombold for HOH. Both of the most important members of their respective alliances gave their all, never shying away from the battle. While this paid off for CHARL1E, it was not enough to secure a positive result for the leader of HOH, who, however, had no regrets in terms of effort.

''Certainly not the result we wanted,'' Grombold said with a resigned tone to his allies. ''But we must admit, it seems the merger made by our rivals played a key role this season.'' He added, ''We're not done yet. Our hopes of making it into the top 12 alliances are still alive if we win the final match of the regular season. I'll be waiting for all of you on the battlefield!'' He said, before walking away from the battlefield after the match ended.

Disappointed as well, Neik, on his way back to k345, wondered where and how they could achieve a positive outcome. Yet, he too came to terms with the gap that had developed between the two alliances in recent weeks.

A defeat that would surely leave a mark, handed to them by their fiercest rivals, but as their leader reminded them, nothing was over yet. The sixth match was just days away, and there wouldn't be much time to recover, but they had to be ready for anything. Will HOH manage to secure a spot among the top 12 alliances of the Siege of Winterfell season by the end of the final match? We'll find out together!