I'm a day late. That kind of ruins the pattern. Thanks again for all your reviews. And I'm making this chapter as long as it has to be for one of them (you know who you are—">:O"). Happy now! …Well, that's about it. Here's Chapter 6:

Thaldar rushed as fast as he could with his injuries. King Caineghis must be informed that his suspicions were correct. As he sprinted through the sea of trees, he rounded a corner and came within view of Gallia's city main city. He hastened his pace, keen to relay his report to the king. There was a look of concern from many of the laguz he passed. It was no surprise. It was common knowledge that he had left only days before with an entire squad, only to come back alone and battered. But he didn't stop. He went straight to the palace. Upon his arrival, the front guard allowed him access, but was alarmed at his condition. Thaldar continued down the halls, arriving at the throne room doors, and requested immediate audience with the king.

"Of course, sir Thaldar. Go right ahead." The guard opened the door, and Thaldar entered, relieved to finally be there.

"Thaldar, what happened out there?" the king asked at once.

"My king, we arrived at the former foot of Mount Revlis, only to find it destroyed. There was nothing but rubble where it once stood. Several hundred dragons, of varying colors, were there. Before we had a chance to retreat, they decimated my squad. They left me alive, as if they wished my return." he concluded.

"I see." Caineghis heaved a sigh. For an entire mountain to go down overnight meant that at least 40 of Goldoa's population was involved. "Do you have any knowledge as to why they would follow the Black Knight?" he implored.

"Possibly. Their odor resembled that of the tainted laguz from the previous war, only much stronger."

"So the Black Knight has deformed them the same way as in the past. This is worse than I feared."

Suddenly, another beast arrived in the throne room. "Your majesty, a moment of your time? It's urgent."

"Very well."

"We've just received word that the Black Knight and an army of dragons has passed through Gallian territory without any attacks. He seems bent on reaching Crimea quickly."

"If he's made no attacks, it means he's satisfied with us and wishes to provoke the other nations as well. This is escalating rapidly, and there's only one option. We must follow him. We'll rendezvous with the other nations and their militaries will attack from the front while we attack from behind. The only chance is to divide and conquer. Thaldar, assemble our attack forces immediately. We move out in one hour's time. After that, take a rest."

"I beg your pardon your majesty, but…" Thaldar appealed, "I can't just lie down at a time like this. I have to fight, too. Besides, the troop will need a leader."

"Sir Ryko will lead them. You will command the remaining troops and defend the city. That's an order."

"Yes, your majesty," Thaldar replied in defeat. He then left to prepare the army.

"Ranulf, Lethe, Mordecai…" King Caineghis said, "I hope you've completed your mission. We'll need Crimea's support."

As Gallia prepared to move out, Geofferey and his troops in Trivis were preparing to leave, having dealt with the bandits. But then…

"Sir Geofferey! Enemies spotted!" one of his troops yelled to him in his tent.

"What? The bandits have returned?"

"Worse! It's dragons!" Geofferey quickly grabbed his lance and rushed outside, to find yellow dragons approaching from the south, and atop the one in front was…

"The Black Knight! How is this possible?" he was bewildered, bur regained his composure almost immediately. "All troops, prepare to engage. We must defend Trivis."

The troops complied, taking formation at the town's entrance. The battle lasted longer than Gallia's had, but only because of the smaller force of dragons. A squad of 15 beorc soldiers was no match for 70 dragons. However, the troops fought hard, despite being showered with yellow-dragon lightning, and focused all their strength against a single enemy, allowing them to kill one of the dragons. But even though they fought valiantly, it wasn't long before Geofferey was all alone.

Geofferey knew that he stood no chance, but he readied his horse nonetheless. "I won't let you go any further." he said simply, and prepared to fight, but the dragons just turned away and headed off eastward. As the paladin prepared to follow, he stopped himself, knowing that he must report to the queen. Without waiting to reassure the citizens, he was off.

Another day passed by. Kurthnaga and the others had traveled only partway through Goldoa, but were determined regardless. Geofferey was halfway to Melior, with the lives of his loyal soldiers still fresh in his mind. Sanaki and Sephiran had convinced two of the senators to agree to mobilization. The white and blue dragons had reached the coastlines, and as ice and water elements, had begun to swim to the bird nations. Elincia was assembling the troops, wondering what the Black Knight was plotting. And as for Ike, things were about to get interesting.

Ike was outside practicing his vertical thrusts. It was the only thing he could find that could keep his mind off of Elincia. For the past few days, however, he had the inexplicably feeling as though something was amiss, as though he should be elsewhere but without knowing where or why. But as turned his head to the right at the sound of running, he saw three rather familiar forms heading his way. As he completely turned to greet his old friends, he saw their hurry and presumed that this was no time for small talk. The look in their eyes when they transformed confirmed it.

"Ranulf. Lethe. Mordecai. It's good to see all of you. What's happened?"

Lethe cut to the chase, "The Black Knight has returned."

"What? That can't be!" Ike had become angry quickly.

"Unfortunately, that's just the good news. He's already slain Master Giffca, attempted to kill Prince Reyson, and if our king is correct, is allied with Goldoa." Ranulf waited for this news to sink in. "On top of that, we've already been ordered to warn Crimea to mobilize. If this keeps up, war will be here before you know it."

Ike, understandably, was having difficulty absorbing all this, especially with his mind focused on the Knight's return. "……I…see…is it really him?"

"No other could kill Master Giffca with one blow," Mordecai answered.

"I understand." Ike was thinking more clearly than he had in months, "I must return to Melior. Eli—Queen Elincia will know what needs to be done. Give me fifteen minutes." In that time, he rounded up the entire mercenary team and explained the situation. Everyone was stunned, save Soren, who merely glowered. But surprised as they were, the group quickly packed their essentials and set off with the laguz, completely trusting their commander.

Just outside of the base, the Black Knight watched Ike and co. head off at top speed. At this, he chuckled to himself.

"Excellent. I couldn't let Ike get near when I attacked Trivis, for his strength could have stopped my army before we reached Daein. But now that's no problem, and Caineghis's subjects have played right into my hands. With him leading Crimea's forces, the prophecy shall move even closer to fulfillment, and this world will soon suffer the dark god's wrath yet again." Again he laughed, and returned to his dragons via warping.

When he arrived, he called out to the lifeless beings before him, "We shall now move towards Daein's capital. Get going!" The Goldoans did as ordered.

The day passed by, with Ike and co. moving at an excellent pace and the Black Knight taking his time. Elincia was discussing the events with her retainers, asking their opinions of the best course of action.

"Clearly we must move forward as swiftly as the wind itself, lest our olden foe have ample time to wreak more destruction," came the voice of the poetic sage.

"We can't be rash," replied the blue-haired swordmaster, "If we charge ahead too quickly, we may leave Crimea unprotected, and the Knight will have his way."

"I agree with both of you," the queen replied, "If—Ah! Geofferey! What happened?" for the paladin had just arrived, with his armor shattered and his face bruised.

"The Black Knight has returned. He has an army of dragons doing his will. They destroyed my entire squadron without mercy. Forgive me, but I couldn't stop them."

"All that matters is that you survived," Elincia replied. "Where are they now?"

"After the battle, they headed east. They Knight is probably headed back to Daein."

"I see. King Caineghis was correct. We will have to act quickly to stop the Black Knight."

But another then entered the room. The others gasped at his arrival as he said, "The Knight is mine."

Elincia looked upon the face she'd dreamt about for months. "Ike…"

There! They're back together! Happy now! I'm just kidding. It was about time that Ike got back to the palace. Sorry if this story feels kind of rushed. I had to hustle just to get it up today—a day late. Anyway, next chapter will have more Ike + Elincia, plus the dragons will reach the birds. Please review. Until next time.