AN: Hey all, it's me (Twilight Scribe) again. Seems like I won this round by default, (That makes a hat trick of lone submissions!) which is a little disappointing since I was looking forward to reading what everyone else came up with... But eh, it's not the end of the world, right? ... Right? (I hope it's not. Right now's just not a good time for a zombie apocalypse.) Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

Arc 1, Chapter 5: Reversal of Fortune

Inside the shelter, Seles struggled against her bonds. Those people, they sure seemed resolute on that whole 'killing her' business... Not that that was really anything new for the Chosen. All it meant was that for her sake, and her brother's, Seles needed to get free and fast. If the assassins' client really was someone in Meltokio, then Zelos was definitely in danger, maybe even already dead. If either of them were to survive, she'd have to make good use of the valuable time she'd been given left alone. Make it count. Who knew how much longer she had before the assassins decided to return and finish the job?

Trouble was... Those assassins really knew how to tie their knots. No matter what she did to try and loosen the ropes, they just pulled tighter. Probably some sort of Mizuhoan magic, Seles thought. She leaned back against the stake and sighed. Then looked up.

"Hm..."

She materialized her wings, hoping the ping and glow of condensing mana wouldn't alert her captors, and jumped, using the lift from her wings to soar up and over the top of the stake. Landing silently, Seles hurried to the side of the shelter and pressed herself against the wall.

'Lucky they didn't attach that stake to the ceiling or I'd've had to bust through the roof to get free.'

Glancing around the small hut once more, Seles found nothing but dirt floor and bare walls. The door was covered by a slab of what looked like wood, probably barred from the outside. Sure, Seles knew that with her strength she could probably bash her way out through any one of the walls, but, seeing as her hands were still securely tied behind her back and her sword was nowhere in sight, maybe subtlety was a better idea... She turned her attention back to the door and began formulating the second stage of her daring escape.

-- -- -- -- --

Sheena frowned, scanning the horizon for any sign of their contact. The network was sure taking their sweet time. Or maybe something was wrong... Could their spy in the castle have been discovered? That would explain why they'd yet to get a response to Kuchinawa's message that they'd successfully captured the chosen.

The vague unease she'd felt over the last few hours solidified, transforming into a full-fledged gut instinct screaming that something had changed and they were in danger. Instantly on the alert, Sheena signaled to Orochi and Kuchinawa, calling them both over from their posts.

"I don't like this. Our contact is taking too long." The men nodded, they agreed the situation felt anything but right. "We need to move, now. We're sitting ducks out in the open like this... Let's get the Chosen, we're going into the forest. It'll be easier to hide in there."

Kunais in hand, Orochi and Kuchinawa started back towards the hut that held the Chosen, Sheena following close behind. All three of them were expecting something to happen. None of them were expecting that something to be an angry Chosen kicking down the door as soon as it was unbarred, flattening both men beneath the heavy plank, then leaping out onto it with her red-orange wings blazing.

"I'd prefer to settle this peacefully, but one way or another you will tell me who hired you. Who wants me dead!?" Seles' heart was racing. She had to bluff her hardest and get the information as fast as she could. "Answer me! Answer me now or I'll freeze you solid!"

Wisps of frigid air began to swirl between the two women, making both their breath visible despite the pleasant day and taking Sheena by surprise. The magic worked so fast, only a few seconds and she could barely feel her fingers.

"W-Wait!" Sheena's teeth chattered. The Chosen had to understand what was going on before she cast a full power Absolute and killed them all. "We're on your side!" Seles cocked an eyebrow.

"Really. Then you should be perfectly willing to tell me everything you know."

Sheena gulped, harsh wintry air rasping at her throat. It was now or never. For all their sakes, she hoped the Princess was being as duplicitous as they suspected with her claims about the Chosen, otherwise she and her comrades were a mere breath away from a future as ice sculptures.

"Princess Hilda hired us to assassinate you. She claimed you were planning to murder the King and usurp the throne."

"Did you believe her?" Seles watched Sheena intently, gauging her response. Most people would take the fact that the assassins accepted the job at all as a solid sign that yes, they fully trusted the Princess' story, but Seles knew shinobi always kept something hidden. Ulterior motives, secret agendas... Usually with a strong sense of honor backing them up.

"No." Sheena found it easier to breathe as the air warmed ever-so-slightly. "We have people watching the Princess. Our orders were to wait until we figured out what her motives were and, if she was lying, to help you in whatever way we could. With the way things are looking right now, I think we'll be giving you a hand pretty soon."

For a second, Sheena was afraid the Chosen wouldn't believe her, then the unnatural cold began to dissipate as quickly as it arrived, leaving her with an uncomfortable pins and needles feeling as feeling returned to her extremities. Seles took a deep breath and banished her wings. It wasn't that she trusted the ninja, she had plenty of doubts, but if playing along could get her free and on the road back to Meltokio to save her little brother, then so be it.

"Prove it. Untie me and give me back my sword."

-- -- -- -- --

The walk to Sybak was much longer than Lloyd remembered. Much, much longer. Of course, he'd never made the trip in a sweltering hot, heavy suit of armor before. That, plus the extra weight of Zelos, who had tired out a few miles ago and was once again riding piggyback, steadily ate away at Lloyd's stamina until he felt like he was running on vapors. Plodding to a stop, he looked back at the boy clinging to his shoulders.

"Hey, Zelos, can we stop for a bit? I need a break."

"Okay." Zelos paused, then smiled and added "I was actually wondering when you'd ask. You felt all wobbly but just kept going. You're crazy strong, Lloyd! It's really cool."

"Heh, thanks." Lloyd laughed as he stepped off the road and knelt, letting Zelos dismount before flopping onto his back in the grass and pulling off his helm. "Ah, that's better..."

After a couple minutes of lying there like a lump he heard a soft thump as Zelos plopped down next to him. Lloyd could see something was troubling the boy.

"I'm sorry..." Zelos pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin on his knees. "I shouldn't have asked you to carry me. You're already doing so much to help my sister and I, and the only thing I'm doing is making you tired. So, I'm sorry."

"Hey," Lloyd sat up, armor clinking slightly, and smiled. "Stop apologizing, you dork. You're light. It's this armor that's wearing me out." He knocked a gauntleted fist against his breastplate, making a dull, reverberating 'clong!' for emphasis. "It's heavier than it looks and you wouldn't believe how hot it is in here. Smelly too."

"Really?" Zelos raised his head, sounding a little relieved, and looked over at Lloyd curiously. "If it's that bad, why're you still wearing it?"

A very good question. One Lloyd honestly didn't have a satisfying answer to. In hindsight, he could have just changed out of the armor and stuck it in the Wing Pack as soon as they were a safe distance from Meltokio. A twinge of regret stabbed at Lloyd's heart.

'If Genis were here, he probably would have suggested that right from the start...'

But, Lloyd reasoned, the armor is useful for some things. It got us out of the city without a fuss, and nobody in Tethe'alla's going to question the authority of a Royal Guardsman in full armor, no matter how confused he seems... All in all, it was pretty hand, even if it did feel like he was walking around in a forge.

"People treat me like a Royal Guard when I'm wearing this armor, but if we ran into someone out here and I didn't have it on, they'd probably bother us."

"Oh, that makes sense." Zelos rested his head on his knees again, staring down at his toes in deep thought. "But... Wait, who would we meet out here? There are too many monsters out here to travel, that's why they sent Seles." No answer. The swordsman was glaring at something off in the distance. "Lloyd? Hey, who do you think'll be out here?"

"Them."

Following Lloyd's gaze across the open plain, Zelos could see something shiny slowly creeping over the rise of a nearby hill. A squad of Royal Guards, their distinctive armor flashing in the sunlight. There was no mistaking them. Next to him, Lloyd hurriedly yanked his helm back on and opened the Wing Pack to exchange his swords for the spear he was supposed to be carrying. If they had spotted the guards, then the guards were probably already aware of their presence too. Running now, away from 'allies,' would be suspicious. No, this was a situation they'd have to bluff their way out of.

Pulling himself to his feet, Lloyd stood by the roadside, carefully monitoring the advancing column of soldiers. As they drew closer and he could finally get a headcount Lloyd realized there were eighteen of them.

'Damn it... I know the knights always travel in groups, but that's almost a full company.' Quickly taking stock of his fatigue and dismal spear skills, Lloyd turned back to Zelos who had also gotten up.

"Zelos, I need you to keep calm and stay behind me until we figure out what these guys want, okay? As far as they know, we're allies; but if we look nervous, then they might start to suspect something's wrong." He paused, thinking of how best to word his next directions. He didn't want to scare the kid, but Zelos had to know what to do in case things went sour. "We should be all right, but if it comes down to a fight, you need to get away. Don't worry about me. Just run and don't stop until you find your sister, understand?" Zelos nodded and Lloyd resumed watching the knights. Once they came into earshot the squad's commander raised his spear in salute and called a out a greeting, which Lloyd returned, before bringing his men to a halt in front of the pair.

"Well met, my friend. What duty brings you this far from the palace?"

"I've been charged with escorting Master Zelos to safety in Sybak."

Hidden under his helm, the commander raised an eyebrow. By order of the Princess, young Zelos was to remain under protective custody until the Chosen returned from her mission. He wasn't supposed to be out of his home, much less roaming the countryside on the way to Sybak. Examining Zelos more closely the commander noticed that, thought on the surface he looked unconcerned, even comfortable with the scene unfolding around him, the boy was tense. And that knight accompanying him...

Yes, the commander was sure. Whoever was in that armor, they weren't a knight of the guard. He certainly looked the part; to a civilian he would be indistinguishable from a real guardsman, but as the commander observed the fake knight he caught a host of subtle mistakes that gave the imposter away. Most obvious was the imposter's contradicting orders, but his stance was all wrong. It was clear from his awkward posture and the way he held his spear, below the haft's proper balance point, that the imposter was unused to wearing armor and completely unfamiliar with how to handle the weapon he carried.

"I see." This could not be allowed to continue. Zelos needed to return to the palace immediately, and the imposter... The Princess would determine what to do with him once they arrived. "A noble mission indeed. Perhaps we could be of assistance, Sir... Forgive me, but your voice is unfamiliar. What is your name?" Lloyd paused, biting back his normal response.

"It's Lloyd. Thanks for the offer, but I was ordered by His Majesty himself not to entrust Zelos to anyone else."

This Lloyd, the commander decided, was a terrible liar. His Majesty had been to weak to speak, to even awaken, for months. He signaled to his men with a tiny, almost imperceptible twitch of his finger, ordering them to fan out and surround the two. The knights moved surprisingly fast, trapping them inside a ring of spears.

"Forgive me, Sir Lloyd, but I'm afraid we must insist." The commander took a step forward and put out his left hand. "Your spear. And the armor, take it off. If you cooperate, you will survive to be judged before the Princess in Meltokio."

Lloyd's mind raced as he tried to find a way out. Talking had failed, and fighting was out of the question. There was no way he could get to his swords before the knights skewered him and trying to use his spear at all would be suicide. For a moment Lloyd considered running, the knights would never expect him to whip out his wings and fly off with Zelos, but he knew it wouldn't work. He just didn't have the energy for it. Even if he managed to get them off the ground, Lloyd knew he'd only be able to withstand a couple yards of flight before he plummeted back to earth unconscious. No matter how he planned it out, the result was the same...

With a resigned sigh Lloyd held out his spear for the commander to take, then reached up to remove his helm.

AN: Oh noes! How will our heroes fare in the hands of enemy? Tune in next time for another exciting chapter of From Here to Eternity! (And as for where that large, conveniently-timed group of guards came from... Troop movements from an outpost in Gaoracchia Forest? Just... Don't think about it too hard.)