Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!

Today, one of the most anticipated events among the warriors of Westeros will take place, as they prepare to test their skills and challenge rival alliances. The prize at stake is the title of champion, along with the chance to lead their group into the Olympus of the greatest factions in the Western lands. Welcome to the Siege of Winterfell, where only the most daring and strategic will have the chance to prevail!

The journey to today’s match hasn’t been easy for Neik and his companions. In addition to the tough challenges they faced during KVK and CCS at the end of the Siege of Winterfell season, where they were eliminated in the second round of the final phase of the competition, the members of HOH have had to endure painful farewells, such as that of MAKIMA, who suddenly decided to take a new path, leaving behind what had been her home for many years. Change was in the air within the alliance.

However, today, they couldn’t afford to think about those things. The first match of the season was about to begin, and starting the season off on the right foot was crucial for the alliance led by Grombold. "The start of the season will be a crucial moment for us; starting with a victory is vital. Let’s leave behind the thoughts of an uncertain future," he told his allies as they gathered on the battlefield, awaiting the announcement of their rivals.

The cawing of ravens preceded the heavy footsteps of the rival army, making its way through the winter snow until it reached the opposite side of the battlefield. Their red and gold banners soared majestically in the sky, striking fear into the hearts of the fighters from the lands of Westeros. It was...

The formidable rivals who would contest the victory today were none other than FFS. Led by QUEENY, it was one of the toughest opponents Neik and his companions could have faced in the first match of the season. There were many rivals who would give them a hard time today, aside from their leader, such as Vitoo and Lord Pratap, but among those to watch out for, there was one familiar face to the HOH group: MAKIMA. With her addition to their roster, FFS had become a serious contender for a spot on the podium at the end of the season.

“The fates have decided that we face each other right from the first match,” said Grombold. “FFS is an alliance of the highest caliber, but if we fight to the best of our abilities, we can come out with a favorable result. It will be very difficult, though. Follow your rallyleaders’ instructions carefully, and I’m sure it will be a match fought to the last second!” he concluded before the match began.

“This can’t be happening,” thought Neik. Seeing MAKIMA among the enemy ranks was a blow to the heart. Despite his admiration for her, they knew facing her meant challenging an unrelenting opponent. The HOH member surveyed the battlefield, ready to lead his companions under his rallies and give his best. It was for this reason he had prepared so hard, and he would give everything right from the first match of the season.

In the distance, dark clouds heavy with electricity and rain were approaching ever closer, until they reached their heads, releasing the first drops of water even before the match began. The frost already present on the field, now mixed with the rain, would make movement even more treacherous for both factions facing off in the next sixty minutes, but that wouldn’t stop them. The tension in the air, increasing with each passing minute, ensured that for no one on the battlefield would this be an easy encounter. They knew it well they had to be ready for anything!

The start of the battle was spine-chilling, seen in the first few moments.

FFS made an excellent start, capturing 3 out of 4 available buildings, overwhelming the HOH racers in a completely unexpected way! Anticipating a possible swap in one of the important buildings, such as Warrior, under the enemy's control, Grombold remained in the area, waiting for the critical moment that soon arrived. The powerful warrior managed to overpower the inadequately reinforced defenses of his rivals, quickly evening out the course of the battle! The same attempt was made by the young fighter Neik near Mother's Temple, but this time, FFS' supports were timely after seeing how things had gone earlier.

The leadership of HOH decided to launch rallies against Lannister Outpost as soon as possible, taking the initiative by making the first attack of the match. Gathering the troops, the rally leaders set off to strike simultaneously at Lannister Outpost, and when they arrived... they succeeded in capturing the outpost! The series of successful attacks was lethal for Only Kaiser, who had no choice but to retreat. “Well done, everyone,” exclaimed Neik, standing by the building with his army.

It was time for a counterattack, and QUEENY knew it well, ordering sieges to counter Warrior, where the HOH leader was stationed. “Send as many supports as possible,” requested Grombold, seeing the formidable enemy army approaching, which would soon reach the walls. The allies rushed in for support. However, when the attacks arrived... the defenses held firm! Thanks to the incredible work of the defenders, HOH was able to maintain control of Warrior, a crucial building for the outcome of the match.

With the imminent opening of the ports, HOH had managed to recover from a rough start, now leading by three buildings to one.

The speed of FFS members today seemed unmatched!

The capture of both ports shifted the temporary advantage of the match to the faction led by QUEENY, who could now wait for the next move from their rivals, which came soon enough. Under the orders of HOH's leadership, Neik and his companions launched rallies toward Targaryen Port, firmly held by MUDKIP and supported by his allies. As the waves of attacks arrived... the port fell relentlessly! The large number of rallies that struck the walls of the outpost, with so little time for FFS members to reinforce, made the port an easy target for HOH!

"Great work, but expect a strong counteroffensive from our rivals now," warned the leader, cautioning his allies.

Neik was satisfied with the overall course of the match up to that point. Although both sides had made successful strikes on the buildings, they had proven strong and prepared to reclaim them in a matter of moments, showing excellent teamwork. However, there was little time for HOH to catch their breath, and surprise was always around the corner, because...

Hadzy, with a stroke of genius, struck when no one expected it!

With most of the members focused on attacking and defending the port later captured by Rony, the FFS member seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the lack of attention at the outpost. With only a few allies, he incredibly overpowered the enemy defenses and took control of a crucial building, granting significant buffs during the match.

"The opening of Casterly Rock is imminent, we must stay focused on it," suggested Tardis, joining Grombold in leading the allies. After the enemy's last capture, the match was nearly balanced, although FFS still held a slight advantage due to their early successes. Everyone's attention now had to be entirely focused on the castle, which, when it opened...

The first to arrive at the conquest was... QUEENY!

The leader of FFS, in addition to being a formidable warrior on the battlefield, proved to be an incredible racer, reaching the walls well ahead of the others and capturing it in literally just a few seconds. An impressive feat considering that this was one of the buildings most suited to defense—an incredible stroke of luck for her alliance!

FFS’s leader’s presence at Casterly Rock’s defense deterred HOH from sending rallies against it. Despite being the building that would grant the highest points per minute, capturing it was a tough target. Therefore, the alliance leadership decided to focus on laying siege to the other buildings under enemy control.

It was then HOH who took the initiative in the later stages of the match, launching rallies against Lannister Outpost, the building previously lost to Hadzy. Neik and his companions quickly organized their rallies as the rivals' advantage grew larger by the minute—they had no time to lose!

The arrival of the attacks on the target building was lightning-fast, and the clash between the two factions was incredible, but in the end, it was Neik and his companions who emerged victorious! The timely reinforcements sent by Hadzy’s allies allowed the FFS member to hold out as long as possible. HOH's attack, using his Weakness-Spear formation, was deadly to the rival’s Female-Cav formation, and the decisive blow was dealt by Orso, who captured the building.

However, QUEENY, catching her opponents off guard, immediately ordered a siege of Warrior during the assault on the outpost, taking advantage of the rivals’ lack of attention. When FFS's attacks arrived at the walls defended by Grombold... the defense was once again superior. The plot attempted by the leader of the rival alliance failed, and HOH's unyielding defense withstood the blows.

In the following stages of the match, after these attacks, the opening of the Strongholds saw each alliance securing one, and Targaryen Outpost fell to HOH’s BARLAB in an incredible conquest. FFS then tried to seize Mother's Temple, after failing to take Warrior, but that too ended in failure due to Tardis's presence in its defense.

At this point in the match, FFS still held the advantage, thanks to the possession of one of the ports, but more importantly, Casterly Rock. However, HOH was regaining ground, and if they didn't want any surprises at the mines, they absolutely had to counterattack.

Under the orders of FFS leadership, the first building to attack would be Targaryen Port, under the control of R0ny.

Its proximity to their base made it seem like an almost easy target, or so they thought, without considering the speed with which HOH would reinforce it, protecting it until the last second. The assembled armies set out to attack the target, and when they arrived... they emerged victorious! Despite the massive defense sent by HOH, FFS attackers managed to annihilate the opposing troops and take control of the port.

But that wasn’t the end. Taking advantage of the favorable moment, QUEENY immediately ordered a siege on Targaryen Outpost, which had previously been captured by BARLAB. Reconquering it would make the match incredibly difficult for Neik and his companions. The attacks on the walls saw an incredible number of reinforcements arriving, but they weren’t enough for HOH, as the defenses set up by BARLAB fell inexorably.

In just a few minutes, a match that seemed to be going in the right direction for Grombold and his companions appeared once again to be an insurmountable challenge. "If we want any chance of a comeback, we absolutely need to reclaim the port and then focus on the mines. We're almost there," said the alliance leader after consulting with his fellow leaders. Neik and his companions, racing against time, quickly organized rallies to strike the walls just steps away from the enemy base. The departure of the troops also marked their last hope of not leaving the battlefield with a defeat today. When the troops arrived... a bloody battle ensued. FFS sent as many reinforcements as possible to support Neo Strider and not let the port's capture be in vain... but after a long and tough battle... it was HOH members who emerged victorious! Blood Wick, with his Bleeding-Inf formation, delivered the decisive blow to the rival's Weakness-Spear formation, capturing the port!

"It was our last chance, well done. Now we wait for the opening of the mines; we can still do it!" said the HOH leadership. The match was not over yet.

Exhausted from the battle, Neik took a breath. He knew one last effort was required, and with these two crucial positions remaining, the outcome of the match could still change in their favor. With determination, the member of HOH gathered his courage to continue the fight.

As the racers set off with the opening of the mines...

Both alliances managed to secure one mine each.

This wasn’t good news for Grombold and his companions, who needed control of both mines to turn the match in their favor. Using the bubble to protect their mine, HOH bought crucial time and decided to siege the rival mine, launching as many rallies as possible. The troops set off in an instant and began striking KORGEI’s walls repeatedly. After several minutes of relentless assault with defensive reinforcements arriving, the attack was still victorious!

Just when Neik and his companions thought they had turned the tide of the match, bad news arrived from the east side of the battlefield: in a twist, as soon as the bubble fell, FFS members launched an assault on BloodWick’s troops. With inadequate support due to the attacks on the western front of the battlefield, BloodWick couldn’t effectively defend the mine. It was a cunning plan by the rival leadership, who seemed focused on defending their own mine when their true aim was to conquer the other, depriving HOH of vital minutes of control.

This final act marked the end of the incredible match, with HOH having no choice but to wait for the timer to run out while trying to gather as many points as possible for the season’s final standings. The outcome could no longer be reversed. FFS, who had consistently maintained a lead thanks to the astonishing speed of their racers—surpassing their rivals in almost every building—managed to control the match with Casterly Rock’s possession. They let their rivals make the first move, only to counterattack with incredible effectiveness. Without a doubt, FFS proved superior to HOH today.

The final victory went to... FFS!

MVP's

The best fighters of today's match were MAKIMA for FFS and Tardis for HOH.

In what seemed like fate's decision, meeting the former HOH member, MAKIMA demonstrated exceptional skill, playing an incredible match alongside her teammates and undoubtedly shaping the overall outcome. Her relentless attacks on HOH's defenses placed her at the top of the match rankings.

For HOH, as usual, Tardis was the standout fighter of the match. His conquest and tenacious defense of Mother's Temple, which the rivals constantly sieged throughout the match, earned him enough eliminations to claim the top spot for his team. His incredible commitment was one of the main reasons the match remained so fiercely contested all the way to the mines.

"We can't blame ourselves today. We did our best, but the opponents were simply faster, and because of that, they were able to wait for our offensives and counter us effectively. We need to improve in many areas," said Tardis after a brief consultation with the leadership.

A rival that was unquestionably superior today, Neik thought on the way back to K345. The HOH member knew they had done their best, but the loss of key members was a harsh reality they had to learn to cope with.

Thus ended the first day of this season of Alliance Conquest— a loss after a hard-fought match. They had five more matches to qualify for a spot in the UC, and they would try until the very end. Who would be the next opponent? We will find out together!