The air in CODE's headquarters was electric. Every corner of the guild's base buzzed with preparation as the word spread—K's dark ritual was nearing completion. The ancient ruins at the center of the third floor, long thought to be a forgotten relic of a time before even the Dwarves and Elves, had become a focal point of dark energy, and the whispers of K's growing power could be felt like a shadow creeping over the land.
Alex stood in the war room, his eyes scanning the updated map that now displayed the ruins—the location where everything would culminate. His mind raced with strategies, calculating every move they would need to make to pull off the offensive. Around him, his core team—Betsy, Drax, Luke, and Rogan—were gathered, each with a grim determination in their eyes.
"We're here," Alex said, pointing to their headquarters on the map. "And the ruins are here." His finger trailed to the ominous mark at the center of the map. "It's fortified, and K has his agents swarming the area. We won't be able to take it down with just our forces."
Betsy crossed her arms, nodding. "We'll need everyone—every ally we've made. The Dwarves, the Elves, the Ironclad Company. Even the smaller guilds that haven't fully committed yet. If K completes this ritual, it won't just be the third floor that's at risk. He's building something that could change everything."
Luke, standing quietly in his usual spot, added his soft but impactful word, "Verum." The truth echoed in his voice. They were at a critical juncture.
"We have the resources now," Alex continued, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "We've secured enough allies, built enough influence, but this isn't just a battle for territory anymore. K's not going to stop here. He's using this floor as a testing ground for something bigger."
Rogan, leaning against the wall, spoke up. "If we don't hit him hard enough, he'll retreat and keep pushing his influence into the fourth floor. We've seen how he plays. He's like a shadow—he'll pull back and regroup if we don't stop him now."
Drax grinned, his hammer resting on his shoulder. "Then let's make sure he doesn't get a chance to pull back. I'm ready to smash whatever he throws at us."
"We need a full assault," Betsy said, her voice decisive. "Hit the ruins from multiple angles. We can't just rely on brute force—K's magic is going to throw everything at us. He's been using sacrifices to power his ritual, and who knows what he's capable of now."
Alex's mind was already working through the logistics. "We'll need to mobilize quickly. The Dwarves will bring their siege weapons, and the Elves can support with their magic. The Ironclad Company will be our frontline—those mercenaries know how to fight, and they'll be key to breaking through K's defensive lines."
Rogan nodded, his eyes sharp. "I'll handle the smaller guilds. They've been on the fence, but if we show them that we're all-in on this fight, they'll join us. No one wants to be on the losing side."
Drax flexed his muscles, eager for the upcoming confrontation. "I'll take the frontline with the mercenaries. Let's make this a fight K won't forget."
Alex smiled, feeling the resolve of his team. "We've worked too hard to let K take this floor. We're going to win this, no matter the cost."
Mobilizing the Allies
Over the next few days, CODE's forces began to mobilize. The once-bustling headquarters now resembled a war camp, with the Dwarves bringing in siege engines—catapults and ballistae forged from the strongest materials in their mountain forges. The Elves arrived soon after, their mages already preparing wards and protective spells to counter K's dark magic.
Betsy, working with the Elves, oversaw the development of magical defenses, coordinating with the leaders of the Elven Kingdom to ensure they were prepared for the sheer power K's ritual would unleash.
"I've never seen anything like this," one of the Elven mages commented, his hands glowing as he traced ancient runes in the air. "The magic K's using—it's old, forbidden. He's drawing on forces that shouldn't be tampered with."
Betsy nodded grimly. "That's why we're stopping him. Whatever K's planning, it needs to end here."
Meanwhile, Drax took charge of the Ironclad Company, rallying the mercenaries with his usual bravado. "We've got a fight ahead of us, boys! But I'll tell you this—there's no one better to handle it than us. We'll crack their lines, and by the time we're done, K will wish he never stepped foot on this floor."
The mercenaries cheered, their weapons raised in anticipation of the battle to come.
The First Strike
The day of the assault arrived quickly. The combined forces of CODE, the Dwarves, Elves, and Ironclad Company marched toward the ancient ruins, the sky darkened by the swirling clouds of energy that emanated from the ritual site. It was clear that K's power had grown. Even from a distance, the air felt charged with magic, a dark and foreboding presence that hung over the battlefield.
As they approached, Alex's mind raced. This was it—the culmination of everything they had fought for on the third floor. If they succeeded, they would push K back and prevent him from gaining more power. But if they failed…
He pushed the thought aside. Failure wasn't an option.
Rogan, having scouted ahead, returned to the main force. "K's forces are ready. He's got dark mages, corrupted warriors, and some kind of… creatures patrolling the ruins. I've never seen anything like them—they're twisted, like K's magic warped them into something… unnatural."
Alex nodded, his jaw set. "We'll break through. Drax, you take the Ironclad Company and hit the south entrance. Betsy, you and the Elves flank from the east, while the Dwarves hammer the north gate. We'll divide their attention and punch through their lines."
Drax grinned, already hefting his massive hammer. "Let's get this done."
The forces moved into position, and the battle began with a thunderous roar as the Dwarven siege engines launched their first barrage at the ruins. The stone walls trembled under the impact, cracks spreading through the ancient structure as K's forces scrambled to defend.
"Now!" Alex shouted, and the combined forces surged forward.
The Battle for the Ruins
The fight was brutal. K's forces fought with a desperation that only confirmed Alex's suspicions—this was their last stand. The dark mages unleashed torrents of corrupted energy, and the twisted creatures Rogan had described tore through the battlefield with terrifying speed.
But CODE and their allies were ready.
Drax, leading the charge at the south entrance, slammed his hammer into the ground, sending shockwaves through the enemy lines. The Ironclad Company followed, cutting down the corrupted warriors with ruthless efficiency. Despite the overwhelming odds, they pressed forward, determined to reach the heart of the ruins.
Betsy, commanding the Elves from the eastern flank, rained arrows down on the enemy, each one infused with magic designed to disrupt the dark energies fueling K's ritual. The Elven mages supported her, casting protective wards over the battlefield, deflecting the enemy's attacks and giving their forces a much-needed advantage.
But even as the battle raged, Alex could feel the pull of dark magic growing stronger. K's ritual was nearing completion.
Confronting the Darkness
At the heart of the ruins, Alex and his core team fought their way through the last of K's defenders, the corrupted creatures falling before them one by one. The closer they got to the center, the more intense the magical energy became, the air thick with dark power.
At last, they reached the central chamber—a massive, circular room filled with swirling energy. In the center stood a pillar of light, pulsing with raw magical power. And at the base of the pillar stood K's chief agent, a dark sorcerer surrounded by the bodies of the sacrificed. The symbols of K glowed on his skin, and his eyes burned with an unnatural light.
"You're too late," the sorcerer hissed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "The ritual is complete. K's power will consume this floor, and soon, all of ALBEKO."
Alex stepped forward, his hand tightening on his sword. "Not if we stop you."
The sorcerer laughed, raising his hands as dark magic surged around him. "You're welcome to try."
With a final surge of energy, the sorcerer unleashed a wave of dark magic, and the final battle began.