Ike entered Tanith's tent to find the soldier writing a letter.
"Writing another report?"
"Yes, General. The Apostle wants to be kept informed about what happens at the front."
"I see. Well, I just wanted to tell you the meeting's about to begin."
"Understood."
Ike ducked out of the tent and made his way to Caineghis', where they would be holding today's meeting.
"General Ike!"
He turned on the spot.
"Hello Lucia, Geoffrey."
One could tell by just looking at them that they were brother and sister. Geoffrey was only one year younger than Lucia; both of them had ice-blue hair and blue eyes.
"How are your preparations proceeding, General?", Geoffrey asked.
"I can't complain. My men are itching to get this over with, and the laguz especially are about to lose control. What we've seen at Gritnea Tower really set them off."
"That must have been horrible", Lucia said. "I'm just glad the Princess wasn't there."
"Yes, it might have been too much for her", Ike agreed.
Together, they entered the tent. Soren was leaning against a pole in one of the corners, arms crossed, with a look on his face that made it clear to anyone that he wasn't in a mood to talk.
Bastian, Elincia, Tauroneo, Haar, Caineghis, his shadow Giffca, the black lion, Ranulf, Tibarn, Reyson, Leanne, Janaff, Ulki, Ena, Nasir, Naesala and Nealuchi were already gathered around the table. Ike beckoned Soren and the sage quietly appeared by his side. The last to arrive were Tanith and Titania.
"Well, Soren, what's our current situation like?", Ike asked.
"Our forces are controlling the area around Melior. The citizens have been told to leave town, so they won't get caught up in the fighting. The Greil Mercenaries are ready to move out."
"We birds are all set as well", Tibarn said. "We don't need much to prepare, after all."
"Same here", Ranulf added.
Elincia and Tanith reported that their respective factions were ready as well.
"Good", Ike said, pleased. "Then we can begin to make our strategy. Ena, what can you tell us about the enemy units in the castle?"
"There are some Feral Ones here, a few dragons and birds, but beasts mostly, given the proximity to Gallia. The king's guards are elite troops led by Sir Bryce, the only member of the Four Riders who is still alive."
"Just like me, Bryce is a powerful armoured knight", Tauroneo said. "And he is an experienced warrior."
"And then there is Ashnard himself", Haar said darkly.
"Do you think he will participate in this battle?", Ike asked.
"Most likely", Ena replied. "Ashnard is a skilled fighter, and his armour has received a blessing similar to the Black Knight's, though not as powerful. But Ashnard fights using a – special kind of wyvern. He might be a flying unit, but he is not as swift as a draco-knight or the Black Knight."
"We have brought a map of Melior Castle and the surrounding gardens", Geoffrey said.
"Thanks", Soren replied. He traced the streets and stairs with his finger, then, he looked up. "I suggest we split our forces up. We are too many to fight inside the gardens, where Ashnard's main forces await. The beasts will go hunt the enemy troops that are in town, while the birds should circle the capital to make sure no enemy flying unit escape."
"That's a good plan", Tibarn said. "Just leave it to us."
"Ike will lead the main force, along with Princess Elincia. Ena, Nasir, you come with us. Reyson, Leanne, you stay behind the healers and support our troops. Haar, you and Jill will join Tanith's pegasus knights, make sure to clear our paths of draco-knights and magicians."
"Sounds like a plan", Ike said. "Any more questions? No? In that case, instruct your troops accordingly. This meeting's adjourned."
As all the soldiers had gathered in front of the camp, Elincia climbed onto a small hill to address her troops.
"Hear me, Knights of Crimea! Hear me, brave warriors of Gallia! Hear me, you mercenaries, all the laguz and beorc who have aided me! I stand here before you thanks to your efforts! But I must ask you one last time: please lend me your strength! Beyond these hills lies the endpoint of our journey, our home, our castle! This fight will decide our fate. Today, we will know if we are strong enough to win. One single life can be the difference between victory and defeat. Be this one life! Fight bravely! Fight valiantly! Fight truly."
The soldiers, who had watched her speech with rapt attention, started cheering and whooping, some of them even whistled.
"Wow, where did that come from?", Ike asked, surprised.
"Just like you, Elincia has grown during the war", Ranulf answered.
"Yes, she will be a good queen."
Ranulf stared at him.
"What? Don't give me this 'I-don't-believe-you-just-said-that look'! Nasir said so."
"Oh, I'm relieved. And there I thought the world had gone mad."
"Stupid cat", Ike mumbled.
"Commander, why don't you speak to the troops as well?", Titania asked.
"Why should I? Elincia already said everything."
"You are this army's general. Besides, do you remember what Commander Greil always told us before every battle?"
"You want me to speak to them – like father would have? Very well."
Ike joined Elincia, who stepped aside to make room for him.
"Er – hello", Ike said as soon as the crowd had calmed down enough to hear him. "I only have one thing to say to you: in times like this, it matters not what kind of blood we have. We're one big family. And if you don't want to cause your family any grief, then live! This is our final battle, and I don't want anyone dying on me! We're in this together!"
Ike drew Ragnell and held the sword high into the air. The soldiers started cheering and shouting again, brandishing swords, lances and axes, or thrusting fists into the air.
Soren shot a fireball at the castle gates and Tauroneo and Gatrie tore down the remains, while Tanith's troops flew over the walls. The mercenaries spilled into the gardens, followed by the Royal Knights and the Begnion soldiers. Caineghis, who had returned to Gallia, had sent Giffca in his stead, along with Lethe, Mordecai and Ranulf.
As the mercenaries took their positions, Ike suddenly saw a single wyvern approaching them. He noticed that it looked different from any other he had seen before.
A tall man with dark blue hair was riding it, in his right hand he carried an enormous blade no man should be able to handle with just one hand.
"Stay back!", Ike bellowed at the man.
He ignored him and aimed a blow at Elincia. She easily dodged the attack, while her facial expression changed. Ike had never seen her so full of hatred before.
"Ashnard!"
"He's the King of Daein?!"
"Well, well, look at you! You have changed, Elincia. A year ago, you were just a little girl who did nothing but tremble when I cut down her parents. And now you go to war..."
"This time, I will defeat you, and reclaim my kingdom!"
Elincia's voice was trembling with rage.
Ashnard laughed, then, he turned his attention to Ike.
"You must be Gawain's son. I commend you for making it this far, but your journey ends here."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that! I will finish what my parents started! I will stop you!"
"Oh? Well, if you have the strength to do so, then so be it... only the strongest shall rule. This is the idea my ideal world is based on."
"You truly are mad, King Ashnard!"
"If you think so... But enough pleasantries. If you want to kill me, you will have to get past my soldiers first. I'll be waiting, watching you... Don't disappoint me."
"Don't worry, we won't", Ena said quietly.
Ashnard's steed let out a roar, and the king turned to face Ena.
"Well, well! What have we here? The little pink dragon! What do you want this time, General Ena?"
"I want revenge for what you did to me and my love! I will tear you to pieces!"
"Oh my. Another death threat. This is getting boring."
Ena roared and transformed. Ashnard laughed again.
As he flew away, he shouted, "Come, Crimea! Let me taste your noble hearts!"
His crazy laughter echoed from the walls.
"Everyone, are you ready to move out?! We have to finish this once and for all!", Ike shouted.
The laguz transformed, and they charged.
Ike had no time to watch out for others or give them orders, he had to trust they would be able to manage by themselves. The archers and mages attacked from the rear, while the stronger units crushed the enemies and the weaker ones finished off the remains.
Ike, the dragons and Giffca advanced on the platform where Ashnard waited, while the others concentrated on routing the enemy soldiers.
Ashnard spotted Giffca.
"You... you're the one they only talk about in whispers! The Lion King's shadow. Tell me, where is your king hiding?"
"King Caineghis has returned to Gallia. Today, you will fight me", Giffca replied.
"Hah! Then I will send your corpse back to your king."
"If that should be the case, your next opponent will be the king himself."
"King Ashnard... I have a question I want to ask you", Nasir said.
"Oh? Now I realise... You tried to keep the Goldoans from fighting... but that doesn't matter. Well, dragon, what is your question?"
"My warped brothers and sisters... you created them, so you must know how to cure them."
"Hah! There never was a cure! You cannot possibly save them. All that's left for them is death."
"What?! You monster!"
Ena and Nasir charged. As Ashnard moved his steed into the air, they followed and drove him back to the ground with their powerful flames. Giffca and Ike prepared to receive him.
Just as Ena had told him, the laguz were unable to harm Ashnard, but they could harm his steed and keep Ashnard occupied so he had less time to focus on Ike. Ike advanced in a run, jumped over the wyvern's head and delivered a blow that sent Ashnard flying across the balcony. He was smashed against a pillar, a deep cut in his armour. Ike cautiously walked towards him. Ashnard's neck was broken, and the cut was bleeding deeply.
"It's – it's finally over..."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Giffca, Nasir and Ena reverting. The others had finished off the enemy soldiers and now, the other leaders were gathering around Ashnard's dead body.
"Thank you, my lord Ike", Elincia said quietly. "Now my parents have been finally avenged."
Ike nodded, then, he noticed something.
"Ena, stay back! The king's steed is still alive!"
Ena ignored him. The wyvern rose his head and growled, but suddenly stopped. Ena crouched down next to him and tried to caress its head.
"Rajaion..."
"What's this?", Ike asked, stunned. "It's so calm out of a sudden..."
"This is her mate", Nasir said quietly. "It seems that, as he nears death, he has regained his senses."
"What?!"
Leanne said something.
"A laguz?!", her brother exclaimed. "Impossible!"
"It's true", Nasir said. "He is a Goldoan, a black dragon named Rajaion. And Ena's fiancé."
Again, Leanne said something.
"Hm, yes, it might work...", Reyson said.
The herons raised their arms and started to sing. Ike instantly recognised the song. It was the Galdr of Rebirth.
There was a blinding flash of light and the wyvern disappeared. In his stead, a young man with long dark hair was lying in Ena's arms.
"Rajaion? Rajaion, do you remember me?"
"Eeraaaaaah... Ena..."
"Yes! You remember... I am so glad..."
"Ena... you had to suffer so much because of me... I am so sorry..."
"Don't... don't talk like that. It's over now... Everything will be all right. We're together now..." Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Ena... I love you..."
Rajaion's gazed up at her while his mouth curled up in a smile. The next moment, his eyes lost focus and his head dropped to one side.
"No!"
Ena broke down crying, curling around Rajaion's body. It took Nasir and the herons several minutes to calm her while the others watched, horror-struck.
Finally, Ena let go of Rajaion and got to her feet.
"Everyone... thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it."
"Ena, feel free to stay here as long as you want", Elincia offered.
"Thank you, Princess, but I have to go home... I need to take Rajaion back to his home-town. I need to tell his family, as well..."
"Was that the reason you fought for Daein?", Ike asked.
"That's right", Nasir replied. "Ena's fiancé went missing, and she found out Ashnard had captured him, and warped his true form, so she came to ask for my help. Her parents had died, so she had no-one else..."
"But you need to rest", Elincia insisted.
Ena nodded. "Very well... Thank you."
"Lucia, prepare rooms for Ena and Nasir", Elincia ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Lucia ushered the dragons into the castle. Soldiers covered Rajaion's body with a cloak, and moved him inside.
Suddenly, Mist dropped to her knees and picked something up.
"There it is! Reyson, Leanne, I found the medallion. Here, take it!"
"You – want to give it to us?"
"Yes. It's your clan's treasure, after all. My mother was just safekeeping it for Lillia."
"Thank you, daughter of Elena."
While the soldiers started clearing the garden of the corpses, Ike and the others went inside the castle to discuss how they should proceed.