The swirling energy of the portal enveloped Alex and his team, and for a moment, everything went silent. The sensation of crossing from one floor to another was familiar by now, but each new floor brought with it a sense of anticipation, of danger lurking just beyond the edge of the unknown.

When they stepped out on the other side, the fourth floor unfolded before them. The sky above was a stormy gray, with dark clouds swirling ominously. The landscape was rugged and jagged, dominated by towering cliffs and deep valleys. In the distance, massive fortresses could be seen perched atop cliffs, their dark banners flapping in the wind. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Welcome to the fourth floor," Betsy muttered, her gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape. "It’s even more intense than I expected."

Alex nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities and dangers that lay ahead. "We’re in Ogre territory now. This place isn’t going to give us any breaks."

The fourth floor was infamous for its warring factions. On one side was the Ogres’ Kingdom, known for their brute strength and militaristic society. On the other side was the Human Empire, a sprawling faction ruled by noble families entrenched in their political games. And in between were countless independent guilds and mercenary bands, each vying for control of trade routes and resources.

"We need to be careful," Rogan said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "K’s influence is going to be strong here. If we’re not careful, we’ll get caught in the middle of this war."

Drax grinned, clearly unfazed by the looming danger. "War’s where I do my best work."

Alex smiled faintly, but his thoughts were already on the task ahead. The fourth floor wasn’t just about brute strength—it was about strategy, about navigating the complex politics that governed this level. The Ogres and Humans were locked in an eternal struggle for power, and CODE would need to play their cards right to survive.

----------------------------------------

The Capital of the Ogres

Their first destination was the Ogres’ capital, a massive fortress city known as Grarok. The Ogres were a proud and powerful race, known for their skill in battle and their dominance over the harsh terrain of the fourth floor. But they were also known for their strict code of honor—something Alex knew they could use to their advantage.

As they approached the city, the sheer scale of the Ogre fortress became apparent. The walls were made of thick, dark stone, and massive towers loomed above them. At the gates, Ogre warriors stood guard, their hulking forms clad in heavy armor. Each one carried massive weapons that looked like they could crush a man with a single blow.

"Stay respectful," Alex said quietly to his team as they approached the gates. "The Ogres value strength, but they also value honor. We need to make a good impression."

As they reached the gates, one of the guards stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he looked them over. "You’re not Ogres," he said, his voice deep and rumbling. "What business do you have in Grarok?"

"We’re from the guild CODE," Alex replied, keeping his tone respectful but firm. "We’ve come to speak with your leaders. We seek alliances."

The Ogre guard studied them for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a grunt, he stepped aside. "Enter. But know this—if you show weakness, you won’t leave this city alive."

Drax chuckled under his breath as they walked through the gates. "I like these guys already."

----------------------------------------

An Audience with the Warchief

Inside the walls of Grarok, the city was a bustling hub of activity. Ogre warriors trained in the massive courtyards, their weapons clashing with a sound like thunder. Merchants sold goods in the marketplace, while blacksmiths forged weapons that gleamed with magical energy.

But it was the Ogre Warchief they had come to see.

The Warchief’s hall was a massive structure at the heart of the city, and as they entered, they were greeted by the sight of the Warchief himself—a towering figure clad in dark armor, his war axe resting beside him. His face was scarred from countless battles, and his eyes gleamed with a dangerous intelligence.

"You are from CODE," the Warchief said, his voice a deep growl. "I have heard of you. You fight with honor. But honor alone will not win you allies here. What do you seek?"

Alex stepped forward, meeting the Warchief’s gaze. "We seek to form an alliance with your people. K’s influence is spreading across this floor, and if we don’t stand together, he will destroy everything we’ve built."

The Warchief grunted, his eyes narrowing. "K. Yes, we have heard of him. A dark force, hidden in the shadows. But why should we trust you? Many come to us seeking alliances, but few have the strength to stand by their words."

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Betsy, ever sharp and tactical, spoke up. "We’re not just asking for an alliance. We’re offering to help. Your war with the Human Empire is draining your resources. K’s agents are using that chaos to push their agenda. We can help you win this war—and in return, you help us stop K."

The Warchief considered this for a moment, his eyes flicking between Alex and Betsy. "You speak boldly for outsiders. But I respect those who show strength. If you wish to prove yourselves, then fight for us. There is a stronghold on the border of our lands, held by Human forces. Take it for the Ogres, and we will consider your alliance."

Alex nodded. "We’ll take the stronghold. And when we do, we expect your support in the battle against K."

The Warchief’s lips curled into a smile, one filled with the promise of battle. "Then it is settled. Prove yourselves in battle, and the Ogres will stand with CODE."

----------------------------------------

The Battle for the Stronghold

The stronghold was located on the border between the Ogres’ Kingdom and the Human Empire, a strategic position that both sides had been fighting over for years. It was a heavily fortified structure, surrounded by steep cliffs and narrow mountain passes. Taking it wouldn’t be easy—but Alex and his team had faced worse.

As they approached the stronghold, they could see Human soldiers patrolling the walls, their armor gleaming in the dim light. These weren’t ordinary soldiers—they were elite forces, trained to defend the Empire’s most important positions.

"We’ll need to move fast," Alex said as they took cover behind a ridge overlooking the stronghold. "If we get bogged down, reinforcements will arrive, and we’ll be overwhelmed."

Betsy, scanning the stronghold with her keen eyes, nodded. "There’s a weakness in their defenses on the east side. If we hit them hard and fast, we can breach the wall before they know what’s happening."

Drax grinned, gripping his hammer tightly. "Leave that to me."

As the team moved into position, Alex summoned his shades, their dark forms gliding silently through the air. The shades would serve as scouts, slipping through the shadows and gathering information on the stronghold’s defenses.

"They’ve got traps set along the main entrance," Rogan whispered, returning from his recon mission. "But the east side is vulnerable, just like Betsy said. We can get in through there and take out the guard towers before they can sound the alarm."

"Good," Alex replied, his mind racing as he formed a plan. "Betsy, you and Rogan take out the guards on the walls. Drax, you’re with me. We’ll breach the wall and push inside. Luke, stay close and heal us if things get rough."

"Verum," Luke said simply, his shield already glowing with protective magic.

With everything in place, Alex gave the signal. The team moved swiftly, Betsy’s arrows flying through the air with deadly precision, taking down the guards before they could react. Rogan slipped into the shadows, his daggers flashing as he dispatched the remaining sentries.

Drax, with a roar, swung his hammer at the weak point in the wall. The stone cracked and crumbled under the force of his blow, and within moments, the team was inside the stronghold.

But the Humans were quick to respond. Alarms rang out, and soon, the elite forces of the Human Empire were upon them.

----------------------------------------

The Clash of Titans

The battle that followed was fierce. Human soldiers poured into the courtyard, their weapons gleaming in the torchlight. But CODE was ready.

Drax charged into the fray, his hammer swinging with devastating force, sending enemies flying with each strike. Betsy moved like a shadow, her arrows finding their marks with lethal accuracy, while Rogan darted between the soldiers, his daggers a blur of motion.

Alex’s shades swarmed the battlefield, slipping between enemies and disrupting their formations. The sheer number of shades he could summon had grown exponentially, and their presence gave CODE the edge in the fight.

As the battle raged on, Alex could feel the power of his Shade Master abilities growing. He was able to control more shades than ever before, and their strength was undeniable. With each enemy they took down, the shades grew stronger, feeding off the energy of the battlefield.

Luke, ever the silent guardian, moved through the chaos, casting healing magic on his teammates and raising shields to protect them from the enemy’s attacks. His presence was like a beacon of light in the midst of the battle, keeping CODE standing even when the odds were against them.

But the Humans weren’t giving up easily. Their commander, a towering figure clad in golden armor, stepped forward, his greatsword glowing with magical energy.

"You think you can take this stronghold?" the commander shouted, his voice booming over the noise of battle. "You are nothing but outsiders! The Empire will crush you!"

With a roar, the commander charged toward Alex, his sword raised high. But Alex was ready.

With a single motion, he summoned his shades, their dark forms coalescing into a massive figure that towered over the battlefield. The shade of a fallen giant, its eyes glowing with the same eerie light that filled the chamber in the ruins.

"From darkness, you are born," Alex whispered, his voice filled with power.

The giant shade swung its massive fist, colliding with the commander’s sword in a clash of light and shadow. The impact shook the ground, but Alex’s shades held strong.

The commander staggered back, his eyes wide with shock. "What… what are you?"

Alex stepped forward, his eyes blazing with the power of his glitch. "We’re CODE. And we’re here to win."

With a final strike, the giant shade crushed the commander’s defenses, and the Human forces began to fall back. Within minutes, the battle was over.

----------------------------------------

Victory and Alliances

As the dust settled and the last of the Human soldiers fled the stronghold, Alex and his team stood victorious in the center of the courtyard. The stronghold had fallen, and CODE had proven their strength to the Ogres.

The next morning, they returned to the Ogres’ capital of Grarok, where the Warchief awaited them. His eyes gleamed with approval as he listened to the report of the battle.

"You have proven yourselves in battle," the Warchief said, his voice filled with respect. "The Ogres will stand with CODE. Together, we will crush K and his forces."

Alex nodded, his heart filled with determination. "We’ll need all the strength we can get. K is growing more powerful every day, and the fight ahead is only going to get tougher."

The Warchief smiled, his hands resting on the hilt of his war axe. "Let him come. We will meet him with steel and fire."

With the Ogres now officially allied with CODE, Alex knew they had gained a powerful ally in the battle to come. But there was still much work to be done. The Human Empire would not take the loss of the stronghold lightly, and K’s agents were surely already plotting their next move.

The fourth floor was a dangerous place, filled with political intrigue and deadly enemies. But CODE was stronger than ever, and with each victory, they were one step closer to confronting K and ending his reign of darkness.