The winds of war stirred across the fourth floor. The loss of the stronghold had rattled the Human Empire, and though CODE’s political maneuvering had bought them time, the tension between the Ogres and the Humans was escalating. Alex could feel it—something in the air had shifted. The uneasy truce that CODE had helped establish was fragile, and K’s influence was lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to fracture it.

Back at the Ogre stronghold, the atmosphere was tense. The Warchief, a powerful figure who had once welcomed CODE as allies, was growing impatient. His warriors were ready for battle, eager to crush the Human Empire and prove their dominance. The Ogres thrived on conflict, and every day the war was delayed only served to frustrate them further.

"We’ve done all we can to slow things down," Betsy said as she stood next to Alex on a balcony overlooking the bustling Ogre city. "But this truce isn’t going to hold much longer. The Ogres want blood, and K’s agents are going to use that to their advantage."

Alex nodded, his mind already racing with strategies. "The Human nobles are still divided. We’ve turned a few to our side, but K’s influence is growing faster than we can control it. If we don’t act soon, the Empire will plunge into war, and we’ll be caught in the middle."

Drax, standing nearby, grinned. "Let ‘em fight. We’ll crush whoever stands in our way."

But even Drax, with his love for battle, knew the dangers of an all-out war on this floor. CODE wasn’t ready to face both factions at full strength, and K’s agents would thrive in the chaos that followed.

"We need to find a way to weaken K’s influence," Alex said, his brow furrowed. "If we can root out his agents, we can stop this war before it starts. The problem is we don’t know who’s working for him."

Rogan, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "I’ve been keeping an eye on the movements in the Human Empire. There’s a faction within the Empire’s military that’s growing more aggressive. They’re pushing for full-scale war with the Ogres, and I’ve heard whispers that K’s agents are pulling the strings."

Alex turned to Rogan. "Can you confirm it?"

Rogan nodded. "I’m working on it. If I can get into their ranks, I might be able to find out who’s leading this charge. But it’ll take time."

"We don’t have much time," Alex said, his voice firm. "The Ogres are preparing for war, and the Humans are getting closer to launching their own offensive. We need to act now."

Luke, ever the quiet observer, added his single word of wisdom: "Verum."

Alex sighed. "The truth is, we’re running out of options. We need to move quickly, or this floor will descend into chaos."

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An Unexpected Ally

As Alex and his team planned their next move, a messenger from the Dwarven Kingdom arrived at the stronghold. The Dwarves, who had remained mostly neutral in the conflict between the Ogres and Humans, were known for their craftsmanship and technological advancements, and their involvement in the war could tip the balance of power.

The messenger, a stout Dwarven warrior named Brun, handed Alex a sealed letter from the Dwarven King. The letter was brief, but its message was clear: the Dwarves were willing to discuss a potential alliance with CODE. They had heard of CODE’s success in securing the stronghold and navigating the political landscape of the fourth floor, and they were interested in a partnership that could benefit both sides.

"This could be exactly what we need," Betsy said after reading the letter. "If we can get the Dwarves on our side, they could help us counter K’s influence. They’re neutral, but they have resources and information that could be invaluable."

Alex agreed. "The Dwarves don’t care about the war between the Ogres and Humans—they care about trade, technology, and profit. If we can show them that working with us will benefit them, we might be able to sway them to our side."

Drax raised an eyebrow. "So, we’re making deals now?"

"We have to," Alex replied. "This isn’t just about fighting. If we’re going to stop K, we need every advantage we can get. The Dwarves could give us the edge."

With that decision made, Alex and his team prepared to travel to the Dwarven capital of Thal Dûm, a city deep within the mountains. The journey would be dangerous, especially with K’s agents moving through the shadows, but they couldn’t afford to pass up this opportunity.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

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The Journey to Thal Dûm

The journey to the Dwarven capital took several days. The path wound through treacherous mountain passes and deep valleys, with the threat of ambush always present. But CODE was ready for anything.

As they traveled, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to move in unnatural ways, and every so often, he would catch a glimpse of something just beyond his sight—a figure cloaked in darkness, always just out of reach.

"K’s agents are close," Alex muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "They know we’re up to something."

Rogan, ever vigilant, nodded. "I’ve seen them too. They’re keeping their distance, but they’re watching us. We’ll need to be careful when we reach Thal Dûm. K’s influence might already have reached the Dwarves."

As they approached the entrance to the Dwarven Kingdom, the massive stone gates of Thal Dûm loomed before them. The city was built into the side of the mountain, its towers and halls carved from the rock itself. The Dwarves were known for their craftsmanship, and it showed in the intricate designs that adorned the gates—runic symbols that glowed faintly with magical energy.

The gates opened slowly as the team approached, and a group of Dwarven guards met them at the entrance. Brun, the messenger who had delivered the letter, was among them.

"Welcome to Thal Dûm," Brun said with a grin. "The King has been expecting you."

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Negotiations with the Dwarven King

The throne room of Thal Dûm was a grand hall, its walls lined with statues of ancient Dwarven kings, and its ceiling supported by massive stone pillars. At the far end of the room sat the Dwarven King, a figure of great strength and wisdom. His eyes gleamed with intelligence as he watched Alex and his team approach.

"You are from CODE," the King said, his voice deep and commanding. "I have heard much of your deeds on the fourth floor. You have made enemies, but you have also shown strength."

Alex bowed slightly in respect. "We’ve come seeking an alliance, Your Majesty. The war between the Ogres and Humans is brewing, and K’s agents are using the conflict to spread their influence. If we don’t stop them, they’ll destabilize the entire floor."

The King stroked his beard thoughtfully. "K’s agents, yes. We have heard whispers of them. They move in the shadows, but their presence is felt. You seek to root them out?"

"Yes," Alex replied. "But we need your help. The Dwarves are known for their technology and intelligence. If we work together, we can stop K before his influence grows any stronger."

The King considered this for a moment, then nodded. "The Dwarves have always valued strength and wisdom. You have shown both. We will aid you in this fight—but we expect something in return."

Betsy leaned forward. "What do you want?"

The King’s eyes gleamed. "The Ogres and Humans are consumed by their war, but the Dwarves seek profit. We want access to the trade routes controlled by the Ogres. In return, we will provide you with our finest weapons, armor, and technology."

Alex glanced at Betsy and Rogan, then nodded. "We can arrange that. The Ogres are our allies. We can open those trade routes for you."

"Good," the King said, a satisfied smile on his face. "Then we have a deal. The Dwarves will stand with CODE, and together we will fight back against K’s influence."

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The Shadow of K

As the negotiations came to a close, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The Dwarves had agreed to the alliance too easily, and the presence of K’s agents still loomed in the back of his mind.

That night, as the team prepared to leave Thal Dûm, Rogan came to Alex with a grim expression.

"I’ve been hearing things," Rogan said quietly. "The Dwarves… some of them might already be compromised. K’s agents have been working in the shadows, and they’ve made deals with a few of the more… ambitious Dwarven nobles."

Alex’s stomach tightened. "So K’s influence has already spread here."

Rogan nodded. "It’s subtle, but it’s there. We need to be careful. The King might be on our side, but not everyone in Thal Dûm is loyal to him."

Alex sighed. "This just got more complicated. We need to stay alert. K’s agents are trying to undermine everything we’re building."

"We’ll keep our eyes open," Betsy said, her hand resting on the hilt of her bow. "But we can’t let this stop us. The Dwarves are a powerful ally, and we need them if we’re going to stop K."

"Verum," Luke added quietly, his presence a calming force amid the growing storm.

Alex nodded. "Then let’s get back to the Ogres. We’ve got a war to prevent."

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Returning to the Ogre Stronghold

As CODE made their way back to the Ogre stronghold, the tension in the air grew thicker. The Ogres were restless, eager for battle, and the Humans were preparing for their own offensive. The fragile peace that CODE had helped create was hanging by a thread, and K’s agents were working tirelessly to push both sides into full-scale war.

But CODE wasn’t about to let that happen.

"We’ve got the Dwarves on our side now," Alex said as they approached the stronghold. "That gives us an edge. But we need to act fast. K’s agents are moving in the shadows, and if we don’t root them out soon, this war is going to spiral out of control."

Betsy nodded. "We’ve got allies now, but we need to be smart. K’s playing a long game, and we’re only just starting to see the full extent of his influence."

Drax grinned, his hammer resting on his shoulder. "Long game or not, we’ll crush him when the time comes."

Alex smiled faintly, but his mind was already on the next steps. The fourth floor was proving to be more dangerous than they had anticipated, but with the Ogres, Dwarves, and their growing network of allies, CODE was gaining the strength they needed to face whatever came next.

But K wasn’t finished yet.

The battle for the fourth floor was only just beginning.