The tension within the Ogre stronghold was palpable. Even after CODE had successfully stopped K’s ritual and prevented the barrier between the virtual and real worlds from collapsing, the political landscape of the fourth floor remained volatile. Alliances that had been forged in the heat of battle were now fraying, as both the Ogres and Humans prepared for the next stage of the conflict.
The Warchief had agreed to hold off his attack on the Human Empire, but the other generals were growing impatient. They had been promised victory, and now, with K’s threat seemingly diminished, they saw no reason to delay the conquest any longer.
“Peace never lasts long,” Betsy muttered as they stood on a high ridge overlooking the Ogre capital. “Especially not in a place like this.”
Alex, standing beside her, nodded, his eyes scanning the distant horizon. “The Ogres won’t wait forever. Even with K out of the picture for now, the pressure is building. If we don’t unite the factions soon, this place is going to explode.”
Rogan, leaning casually against a nearby stone pillar, chimed in, “And that’s exactly what K wants. Chaos. Division. He’s waiting for the moment when we’re all too busy fighting each other to stop him.”
Drax, ever eager for action, crossed his arms with a grin. “Let ‘em come. We’ve smashed everything K’s thrown at us so far. What’s a little more chaos?”
Alex knew Drax meant well, but the situation was far more delicate than it appeared. They had won a critical battle by stopping the ritual, but K’s shadow still loomed over everything. The Ogre generals were still clamoring for war, and the Human Empire was in disarray after Solana’s death. Worse still, K’s agents were still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“We have to stay focused,” Alex said, his voice steady. “K’s still out there, and his agents are going to be looking for a way to regroup. If we don’t track them down now, we’ll be fighting this same battle all over again.”
Luke, always the quiet presence in the group, stood nearby, his shield slung over his back. He offered his usual word of truth: “Verum.”
Alex smiled, though the weight of the situation still hung heavy on him. “Exactly, Luke. The truth is, this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
----------------------------------------
The Search for K’s Agents
With the immediate threat of K’s ritual behind them, CODE turned their attention to tracking down the remnants of K’s network. Rogan had already begun gathering information from his contacts across the fourth floor, and the rumors were troubling.
“There are whispers,” Rogan said as the group sat around a table in their temporary base. “K’s agents have gone underground, but they’re still operating. They’ve been seen moving through the undercity beneath the Ogre capital, and there’s been an uptick in black market activity—magical artifacts, dark enchantments, things that shouldn’t be moving through normal channels.”
Alex frowned as he listened. “They’re regrouping. K’s planning something, and he’s using the black market to fund it.”
Betsy leaned forward, her expression serious. “We need to cut them off. If K’s agents are hiding in the undercity, we need to find them before they can rebuild.”
Drax cracked his knuckles, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. “Sounds like it’s time to flush ‘em out. Let’s head down there and see what we can find.”
But Alex knew it wouldn’t be that simple. The undercity was a vast network of tunnels and caverns beneath the Ogre capital, a place where the black market thrived and where K’s agents could easily blend in with the other criminals and mercenaries who called the undercity home.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“We need a plan,” Alex said, his mind racing as he considered their next move. “We can’t just go in there swinging. K’s agents are going to be careful, and if we spook them, they’ll disappear before we have a chance to take them out.”
Rogan nodded in agreement. “We’ll need to go in quietly, gather intel, and strike when we’re sure we’ve got them. The undercity is dangerous, even for us. There are plenty of people down there who’d sell us out for a few coins.”
Betsy smirked. “Then we make sure they don’t get the chance.”
----------------------------------------
The Descent into the Undercity
The entrance to the undercity was hidden in the lower reaches of the Ogre capital, behind the towering stone buildings and sprawling marketplaces that made up the surface. The deeper they descended, the darker and more oppressive the atmosphere became. The sounds of the bustling city above faded, replaced by the low murmur of voices, the clink of coins, and the occasional shout from the shadowy figures lurking in the tunnels.
The undercity was a different world—one of secrecy, crime, and darkness.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Drax muttered as they made their way through a narrow tunnel, the dim light from the torches on the walls casting long shadows over the rough stone. “Feels like we’re walking into a trap.”
Rogan, moving ahead of the group with his usual stealth, turned back with a smirk. “That’s because we are. The undercity isn’t the kind of place you visit without making enemies.”
Luke, standing at the back of the group, raised his shield slightly as he observed their surroundings. “Verum.”
Betsy’s eyes scanned the tunnel ahead, always alert for any sign of danger. “We’re getting close. I can feel it.”
As they pressed deeper into the undercity, the air grew thick with the stench of smoke and rot. The tunnels opened up into a larger chamber, where black market vendors had set up shop, their stalls filled with all manner of forbidden items—enchanted weapons, rare potions, and dark artifacts that pulsed with an eerie glow.
“This is where K’s agents have been operating,” Rogan said, his voice low as he motioned for the group to follow him. “We need to find their contact.”
Alex glanced around the crowded market, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a group of hooded figures near the back of the chamber. They were huddled together, speaking in hushed tones, and the dark energy radiating from them was unmistakable.
“There,” Alex said quietly, nodding toward the group. “Those are K’s agents.”
Betsy readied her bow, her sharp eyes locked on the target. “What’s the plan?”
“We observe for now,” Alex replied, keeping his voice low. “We need to find out what they’re planning before we make a move. If we strike too soon, they’ll scatter.”
Rogan nodded. “I’ll get closer. See what I can hear.”
----------------------------------------
The Trap is Set
As Rogan moved through the shadows, blending in with the crowd of black market vendors and mercenaries, Alex and the rest of the team kept a close eye on the group of K’s agents. The tension in the air was palpable, and Alex’s instincts were screaming that something was wrong.
“They’re too calm,” Betsy muttered under her breath, her bow still drawn. “It’s like they’re waiting for something.”
Before Alex could respond, Rogan returned, his expression grim. “It’s a trap. They know we’re here. They’re waiting for us.”
Alex’s heart sank as the realization hit him. K’s agents had lured them into the undercity, and now they were about to spring the trap.
“Get ready!” Alex shouted, his sword flashing as he raised it just in time to block an incoming attack. The crowd in the black market scattered in all directions as K’s agents revealed themselves, drawing dark weapons and unleashing blasts of magic toward CODE.
The chamber erupted into chaos.
Drax roared as he swung his hammer, smashing through the nearest enemy with brute force. “You want a fight? You got one!”
Betsy loosed arrow after arrow, her movements fluid and precise as she took down K’s agents with deadly accuracy. “We need to get out of here!” she shouted over the din of battle. “They’ve got us pinned!”
Rogan moved like a shadow through the chaos, striking down enemies with quick, lethal blows. “This was a setup from the start. We need to regroup!”
Luke, ever the calm presence, raised his shield and cast a protective spell, deflecting the blasts of dark magic that flew toward them. “Verum,” he said, his voice steady even in the midst of the chaos.
Alex’s mind raced as he fought back against the wave of enemies. They were outnumbered, and the tight confines of the undercity made it difficult to maneuver. But they couldn’t afford to retreat—not yet.
“We push forward!” Alex shouted, his voice filled with determination. “Take them down and find their leader! If we don’t stop them here, they’ll just regroup and come after us again!”
The battle raged on, but Alex knew that this was just the beginning. K’s agents were everywhere, and the longer this dragged on, the more dangerous it would become.
They had to end this.