LLOYD

He watches in horror as the statue goes crumbling down, as the great red banner comes falling to the fire and burning into pieces.

As catastrophe spreads, all these scenarios make him question what is truly going on. The red banner should have been part of the installation ceremony; could it be that someone of their side is taking it down? If so, are they in trouble, considering they are so near to the podium where the guards should be?

Hesitation is at its peak within Lloyd this day, this very moment, something he has never once experience, much less bother to consider about the problems it might bring.

Yet there he is, standing in the bell tower, watching helplessly as chaos takes its place upon the place he calls home.

Lloyd glances nervously to Trevor, who he has shoved in the corner and threatened with his own smarts: claiming he has a bomb that will destroy them both once he pulls it out of his pocket. He can only rely on Trevor's naivety and gullibility to delay time.

Seeming to catch his eyes, Trevor chuckles. "I told you: the beginning is only the end."

Eyes narrowing, Lloyd is careful to keep his hand in his pocket as a pretence to his lie. "What are you supposed to be, a spy?"

"Whatever and however you wish to think it. I was supposed to guard you – you're really sharp. Didn't you suspect Trajan, anyway? Well, I suspect you."

"Did you not say earlier that my intelligence wasn't in any way great to what you fathom of? And suspect, you say? What in Asteria are you trying to get at?"

There's an insignificant, yet undeniable little movement from Trevor. Lloyd makes sure he is still at least five feet away from him just in case he decides to somehow attempt anything funny, and double checks with a quick reassurance of his own senses that his hand is still at it, faking a scene.

"You're damn right to suspect Trajan," Trevor admits, grinning. "He's the mastermind of all of this." Upon seeing Lloyd's horror-struck expression, he adds, "What, didn't expect a loyal general could've – with his very own hands that he's sworn to use to solely protect the seven kingdoms – be the cold-blooded murderer himself, to be the traitor of his own kingdom, his own people? People are so naïve to trust an oath made by knights, where it's merely based on plain o' words. You are all predisposed into thinking that you'll be living a life of peace and protection under the seven kingdoms system, but that is nothing but an illusion, a lie."

Lloyd is unable to think of what made Trevor think that way, and worst of all, is unable to imagine the general being a threat, an enemy. Sure, he's had his suspicions, but only to the extent of him hiding something – especially after the incident with Kai – and never as something so far as to lead an entire group of desperate, innocent rebels into a trap set by him all along only to destroy any potential threats or to ensure the absolute rule of an empire.

But the puzzle pieces all fit: the fact that he was behind Kai's attack, and the way he insisted Kai to tell him anything he remembers afterwards, for he must've overheard or oversaw something Trajan was hiding and plotting. And what of his insistence to send Rose and Kai outside? To protect them is nothing but a cover up; he wants them out of the way.

"Trajan sent Rose and Kai away to make sure they don't interfere because of their gifts, is that right?" Lloyd asks through gritted teeth.

Trevor looks amused at his reaction, as if enjoying this despite his 'dangerous' position. "Those two have a surprise coming their way."

"You –"

"Lloyd!"

Unable to question further due to the sudden mention of his name from below, Lloyd turns around instinctively to the source of pleasant interruption, recognising the voice immediately.

But the moment he does so, he regrets his irrational actions in this situation however desperate: in the event he turns to look out of the giant arch opening of the bell tower in search for his saviour, he has released his hand from his pocket hence unfolding his charade; what more is the fact that he is putting himself in a unimaginably dangerous position where his back is to the enemy.

And before he can even begin to place himself in deep regret for the already obvious consequences of his foolish actions, he is hit by a force so strong it sends him tumbling off the arch opening and falling from the high bell tower.

LANCASTER

Lancaster is desperately waiting for Lloyd to answer when his head pops out from where he rightfully should be, only, not in the way he's expected – his entire body follows, and he falls from the arch opening of the tall and old bell tower, right towards Lancaster.

He hasn't got the time to feel surprised, because all he knows is that Lloyd will plummet to the ground if he doesn't do anything soon. But there really is nothing he can do except... attempt to catch him to break his fall.

And he does.

He seizes Lloyd seconds before he hits the ground, and they both tumble on the ground, dust and dirt covering them, the harsh surface of the ground scraping their skins as they finally come to a halt, panting. Their little victory is almost immediately interrupted by the haze once again as it invades Lloyd, and Lancaster hands him a piece of cloth he's taken from scattered, tattered flags on his way here hurriedly.

"Hurry. Cover up."

"Where did you get this?" Lloyd looks at the ugly, distorted piece of cloth in disgust, but takes it anyway as his lungs begin to feel threatened; Lancaster himself has one on his own, anyway. "By the way, nice catch," he praises with a confident look he always wears, as if complimenting himself.

Lancaster returns a disgusted look. "That is the first, and the last. I am never catching you or picking up after you ever again; pull yourself together. Where is her highness?"

"Her highness? But... she's not here."

"What?" Lancaster scans around, a haze of his own clouding his thinking. "Then where could she be?"

"And Rose. Kai. They're... I think they're in trouble. Trevor, he –"

"What's up with this haze?" Kai's familiar voice calls, coughing. Lancaster turns to find both Kai and Rose running their way, all in one piece. He breathes a sigh of relief.

"It's dangerous. Put these over your nose and mouth." He hands them similar pieces of cloth like the one he has given Lloyd. "I do not know what or who did this, and not even what this is, but..."

Rose's eyes widen, as if she is suddenly struck with an idea of a whole new invention that could possibly save poverty and end all violence, and she puts the cloth on without complaining, unlike Lloyd. But that isn't the reason why Lancaster has trailed off. It's because he sees it in her eyes: that she is struck by realization.

"The Opuxes," she whispers. "It's the poison from them, in mass amount!"

"Told you I didn't steal it," Kai comments immediately, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. He sends an accusing, piercing glare to Rose. "Who's the idiot who lost her own items?"

"Not now, Kai," Lancaster snaps. He turns to Rose. "Are you certain?"

She nods, confident. "Look, it's quite translucent up close, if you see through it properly!"

True, indeed. Lancaster has noticed the translucence of this odd substance in the air. And if Rose's predictions are right...

"Someone is a rat," Kai voices out Lancaster's thoughts.

"Trevor. And..." All eyes move to Lloyd. He sighs. "Trajan. Trevor told me everything. He's an idiot. But I still cannot seem to wrap my mind around the idea of Trajan, the Great General, to be the mastermind of all this."

Kai seems pleased with the idea of Trajan being a traitor – he never liked the general to begin with. "I knew Trajan's no good." He slams one of his fists into his other palm, and fire sparks from his skin, burning through his gloves slightly. "Where is he? No, wait..." he trails off, his eyes scanning around, confused.

Realising the problem for the first time, he eventually asks, "Where is Alaina?"