The Hall of Ages: A Battle Beyond Loyalty (CCS)

During this CCS, I found myself at a crossroads—still officially a member of BDR, yet drawn into a new challenge by my friend Nightmare. He reached out and asked me to join him, to stand by his side in what was shaping up to be a fierce battle against the powerful coalitions of Nbe and TQL. It wasn’t a request I took lightly. Loyalty, friendship, and the thrill of competition were all pulling at me.

At that time, BDR—my home alliance—was also present in the bracket. Baby, our leader, was aware of the situation but decided not to take part in this particular round. That decision, in a way, gave me space to make my own choice. Still, stepping onto the battlefield under a different banner stirred a mix of emotions—loyalty, anticipation, and a sense of stepping into the unknown.

What made it even more personal was the presence of Nbe. These weren’t strangers to me. I had lived in their kingdom, fought alongside some of them, shared both victories and defeats. I know what they’re capable of, and I respect them. Facing them now, from the other side, brought a strange feeling—a blend of familiarity and rivalry.

This bracket promised to be brutal. You could feel the tension in the air, like the calm before a storm. The question wasn’t just who would win—it was who would endure. Who would bleed the most? I knew from the start this wouldn’t be an ordinary fight - especially with the presence of both RoD & Nbe, two great rivals. It was going to test alliances, friendships, and even our limits as players.

But despite the uncertainty, one thing was clear: I was ready for the fight. Not because I was certain of victory, but because these are the moments that remind us why we play—why we lead, follow, and sometimes take risks for the people we trust.

The battle begins.

Nightmare (7R5) and Degenerate (RI7) both charge forward with the same goal: to be the first to claim the Hall of Ages. The air is thick with anticipation as both sides rush into position—but in the end, Degenerate gets there just a few precious seconds ahead of us. It’s a narrow margin, just thousands of milliseconds, yet it shifts the balance entirely. Now, the Hall is under enemy control, and the mission changes—we must rally, and fight to take the Hall of Ages back.

With determination, we launch our first wave of rallies. There’s an urgency to every movement, every decision. But the first attempt falls short. So does the second. Degenerate’s reinforcements are swift, coordinated, and relentless. Each wave we send crashes against a wall of discipline and preparation. It’s frustrating—knowing we’re close, seeing the goal right there in front of us, but unable to grasp it.

It isn’t until the third wave that we finally manage to break through. The coordination pays off, the pressure mounts on their side, and we seize the opportunity. We drive them out of the Hall, and for the first time, we can place one of our rally leaders inside to hold it.

No sooner had we taken control of the Hall of Ages than our enemies launched a counteroffensive. They were determined to reclaim it—but they were about to discover that it wouldn’t be as simple as sending in a few rallies.

Holding the Hall was Nightmare—one of the most feared and respected merit hunters in the game. His reputation isn’t built on empty words, but on consistent, undeniable power and presence on the battlefield. He’s not just strong—he’s calculated, unshakable, and relentless when it comes to defending key objectives.

One by one, our enemies rallied, believing they could break through. But Nightmare was ready. What followed was a display of resilience and precision. Rally after rally was absorbed, repelled, or blunted before it could make a dent. The Hall of Ages held firm.

It didn’t take long before our opponents began to realize what—and who—they were up against. Winning back the Hall wouldn’t just require coordination—it would require near-perfect execution, and even then, it might not be enough. Nightmare wasn’t just holding a building; he was making a statement.

And for us, it became a moment of pride. We weren’t just surviving—we were standing our ground with one of the best at our side. The fight was far from over, but in that moment, we had drawn a line in the sand.

Once Nightmare had firmly secured first place and held the Hall of Ages with unwavering strength, a new instruction came through our voice chat. Ana—our VC leader—announced that it was now my turn to take the Hall.

I was stunned. I hadn’t expected it at all.

For a few seconds, I was speechless. In a team full of seasoned fighters and respected players, being chosen to take over such a critical objective wasn’t just a tactical move—it was a sign of trust, and one I didn’t take lightly. I felt deeply honored. That my friends and allies would place this responsibility in my hands meant more than I could say. And with that, it became clear: it was now my time to step up and prove myself.

I took the Hall with resolve, determined to hold it for as long as I could. The early waves came quickly—Nbe and TQL both launched rallies, testing my defense. The first few attacks were well-handled; we held firm, and morale was high.

But then came the real onslaught.

Nbe ramped up their pressure, sending over ten rallies in quick succession. The tempo increased, and so did the intensity of the fight. Despite my best efforts and solid reinforcements, their relentless assault eventually broke through. My defense collapsed under the weight of their coordinated offensive, and the Hall of Ages—our hard-won prize—fell back into enemy hands.

It was Illidan, a strong player from Nbe (RI7), who managed to secure the Hall. His timing was sharp, his rally well-executed. But his grip on the building would prove short-lived.

We weren’t about to let it go so easily.

Without hesitation, Nightmare launched targeted solos, slicing through enemy reinforcements to destabilize their hold. The pressure mounted again—this time from us. And in the chaos, it was Elfynox who seized the opportunity. He launched the final blow and successfully reclaimed the Hall of Ages for our side.

Now, it was Elfynox’s turn to shine—his chance to secure a spot in the top 3 and earn the rewards that come with it. Watching the torch pass between us was a reminder of what makes our side special: trust, coordination, and the willingness to fight for each other, no matter the odds.

The Hall of Ages had become more than a strategic objective—it was a symbol of our resilience, of every push and every comeback.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to fully secure all three spots in the top rankings for our coalition. Despite our relentless efforts and excellent coordination, Degenerate managed to clinch third place, earning his position through skill and persistence.

Elfynox took second—well deserved after his bold reclaiming of the Hall of Ages—and Nightmare, as expected, held onto first place with unmatched dominance. As for me, I landed just outside the podium, finishing in fourth place.

Was I disappointed? Maybe a little. After all, being that close to the top 3 stings. But truth be told, I felt proud—proud of what we achieved as a team, and proud of the role I played in it.

Because while I didn’t walk away with a top 3 spot, I did walk away with something else: control of the CCS title and its powerful buffs. And that’s no small reward. Holding the title isn’t just symbolic—it’s meaningful, both strategically and personally. It represents contribution and presence on the field.

So even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect a full sweep for our coalition, the spirit of victory was still ours. We fought together, adapted together, and earned our place in a bracket that was as fierce as it was unforgettable.

Thanks Ana and Nightmare for your trust! 😁