How do I get into the stronghold?

fully buffed i have 5k defense, the starting mobs hit me for around 3k, while the advanced knight A hit me for 8k, and 9k when under the attack buff, so it's pretty easy to die there, had to escort a corsair to the empress door, it wasn't pretty, she lost around 70% of her HP while on ship with HB and iron will

a pally i know fully buffed max def after inflicting threathen got hit the amount stereo said.