Happy nondenominational winter season, my faithful readers. I can't do a review section, but I will clear some things up:

The war starting too quickly: that's the idea. The whole point is that things are moving ahead too quickly to stop by any means other than force. Also, dragons are very powerful, so if everyone doesn't get involved at once, they don't stand a chance.

The whole Black Knight warping thing: for this story, the Knight was manipulating things from the start. In order to keep Ashnard from feeling threatened, the Knight made him think he was weaker than he really is.

The medallion: he doesn't have it. Just check the chapter again. Also, he doesn't need it; Izuma just thought he did. If my premise of the game's story is correct, you need it if you're using the galdr of release, but it can be anywhere if you use the world-war method. (To that end, can someone please tell me why Mist, Ike, and Sepheran decided that Sanaki needed to know the galdr? She's not going to release the dark god, and her knowing it just endangers the world, so why did they think she needed to know it?)

Elincia and "My Lord Ike": she stopped calling him that in their 3rd support conversation, so that's where it comes from. She'll switch between the two for now.

The lack of description, character development, and whatnot: I'm just a lousy writer. Sorry, but that's how it is.

Well, I think that covers everything. Thanks for all your reviews, and here's chapter 7.

"Ike…"

"Ah! Truly the heavens have seen fit to bless us once more! For when we learn of a threat to our fair Crimea, the great Sir Ike does return to us. Clearly, fortune smiles upon our beloved homeland this day," said the spell caster.

"Bastion, enough…" Lucia whispered as she made a quick gesture to the queen and ex-lord. The two were staring at each other, all signs of the determination Ike had upon entering gone for the moment. But moments only last so long, and the two silently agreed that this wasn't the time or place for a heart-to-heart.

"It's good to see you all again," Greil's son began, "As I said, the Black Knight is mine. I humbly ask that you allow me to travel with the army until they reach him."

"It's good to see you as well," the queen replied, "But what do you mean 'travel with the army'? Where else would you be?"

"I…have no intention of commanding Crimea's forces," all of the room's faces, including the doormen, showed either shock or disbelief.

"What are you saying?" the sword master cut in, "Why not?"

"I have my reasons," he replied firmly.

The queen stood. "If that is how you feel, I won't force you. But please spend the evening here. We won't depart until tomorrow morning."

Ike was reluctant, but remembering that the other mercenaries would need a good night's sleep before something like this, he replied "Very well. I accept."

At about the same time, the southern islands were getting some unexpected visitors. Tibarn and his eyes and ears were on one of Phoenicis's peaks.

"My King, white dragons are approaching us. About…70. They'll be here in roughly five minutes at this rate." Janaff's eyes had picked up the laguz before the attack came.

"Ulki, what do you hear?"

"…There are two squads of dragons. Janaff, what do you see north-northeast of here?"

"Hold on…Another squad, but of blues, is headed for Kilvas' capital. They'll be there in roughly 6 hours."

"What could King Deghinsea be doing? Why is he sending out troops of dragons?" the king's ears asked.

"…It can't be."

"My king?"

"Never mind. Janaff, fly to Kilvas and warn King Naesala of the possible threat. Ulki, come with me to alert the citizens. If this is what I think it is, we may be under attack shortly."

"Yes, sir!" the two replied. Janaff took to the east, while the king and Ulki flew north and south, screeching a warning to prepare for possible attack. Hawks all across the capital dropped what they were doing and took to the skies, ready to fight. In four minutes, the dragons were on the horizon, coming ever closer. At this point, the hawks were assembled, and Tibarn's voice rang out.

"Do not fight until one of us is attacked, and don't give up." Cheers greeted his orders, but the dragons arrived shortly thereafter. Wasting no time, they unloaded their icy breath upon the hawks, who scattered and prepared to fight.

The hawk tribe was the master of the skies, but the dragons were so strengthened by each other that their wings worked too. The airborne battle dragged on with Tibarn's forces doing dismally. For every attack made by a hawk was shortly followed by another casualty—the attacker. The hawks, with a home field advantage and up against one of the weaker dragon tribes, managed to kill 10 of the dragons (Tibarn killing 2 of them on his own). But as the remaining hawks prepared for the end, the dragons had fulfilled their objective to attack only until they had provoked Phoenicis. They abruptly turned and left, and as the hawks began to follow dutifully, Tibarn ordered "Stand down."

Tibarn saw all the slain bodies below, and muttered, "So Lehren's Prophecy is really coming true. Whoever's behind this will pay dearly."

It was 8:00p.m. Ike was standing upon the ground where Ashnard had fallen 5 years before. Someone approached him, and he turned to look, though he knew who it was.

"I thought I'd find you here," Elincia said to him, "This was our final fight in the war. It was where you addressed your troops after the victory, and where we said our goodbyes eight months ago."

"Yes. I thought if I came here, I could put the past behind me, and finally move forward."

"What is it that's troubling you? Please let me know. I'd like to help if I can."

"There's nothing you can do. These are things that I have to deal with myself," he replied firmly. But Elincia wasn't done. She had long since left behind her weaker self.

"Then answer me this. Why do you refuse to command the forces? We both know you make an excellent general with a great chance of victory, so why?"

"I have my reasons."

"What reasons?"

"…"

"Please tell me," she pleaded.

"…I don't deserve to command them," he finally admitted.

"What do you mean?"

Ike's thoughts turned to the man from Zalgo. "…I abandoned Crimea. I was their hero, a symbol of hope, and I just walked away."

"Is that what you think? You are responsible for Crimea's freedom. You fought hard to liberate her, and yet you say you betrayed Crimea? You've done more than you ever needed to, and all of Crimea knows that. And I'm certain that they'd be happy to have you back. I would…"

"Elincia…" Their eyes met, and Ike realized that she was right. "Alright, I'll do it, if the position is still open."

"That's good to hear." She wanted at say something more, but decided not to. Not yet at least. "I'll go inform Geofferey and the others."

"Elincia."

"Yes?"

Ike also found trouble saying what he wished, so he simply said "Thank you."

"Your welcome, my lord Ike."

As she walked away, Ike looked up to the moon, still uncertain about the future, but feeling better than he had in ages.

Okay, so that chapter was shorter than the others and I'm sorry, but the holidays are really screwing up my schedule. Only talking between the two for now, because I didn't want to rush things. Now tell me honestly, do you hate this chapter as much as I do? This reminds me well that I suck at writing. Oh well. Please review. Until next time.