A/N: The lovely Eve Torres makes an appearance in the story as Elisinet, Kysandior's maidservant.

And what's up Nischelis's sleeve?

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Chapter 12- Showdown In The Forest

"You won't get the satisfaction," Kysandior growled.

"And how do you propose to do that?" Tarnechis asked.

"Oh, just like this," Kysandior replied, backhanding the leader of the Assassin Dolls into a rock.

"What the—?" Nischelis asked. "Tarnechis, check your head. You're bleeding."

Tarnechis let his hand explore the back of his head. When he drew his hand back, he saw blood.

However, that didn't sit well with him.

"What's the matter?" Kysandior asked, snickering.

"You made me bleed, bastard," Tarnechis growled. "You're going to pay."

"Sure, sure," Kysandior challenged. "I'm going to pay—that is the same line that Niarchos feeds me all the time. Save that shit, because I am going to murder you the second we get out of this."

"Oh, shut up," Junquian snarled, slapping Kysandior square in the face.

"Slap me again, and you'll lose that arm," Kysandior threatened.

Kolachin began fuming, which was normal for him. "Oh, please, Kysandior. I'd love to see that—with your hands tied."

"Nischelis, tie his hands," Tarnechis ordered. "I don't need him slapping anyone again for the moment."

Nischelis grinned. "Neither do I. I can do better—I'll tie all their hands up."

Nusqial cleared his throat. "So, then it's settled. We take them to Siraena."

Irinis smiled. "I like that idea a LOT better. I'll help Nischelis tie them up."

Kelkiar snarled a reply. "I don't, and I know this was NOT what you were supposed to be doing."

Tarnechis cast a steely glare in Kelkiar's direction. "For the moment, how about you shut up?"

"Make me," Kelkiar growled.

"You really don't want to tell him that," Junquian said, delivering a swift roundhouse kick to Kelkiar's jaw.

"Anyway," Tarnechis grumbled.

"Why're you so down, brother?" Nischelis asked. "We've got the Reptilian crown princes in our grasp—and you're sulking all over the place."

"Because I can't decide whether I want to disobey Lady Siraena and kill them," Tarnechis hissed.

"Then do what I would do, and that is to let them go—under the impression that they're going without getting any other injuries," Nischelis replied.

"Are you serious, little brother?" Tarnechis asked.

"Yes, I am," Nischelis replied.

"Then fine," Tarnechis said. "Let them go back—we did what we were told to. Isikan has the message, and we'd better tell his message to Lord Niarchos."

"WHAT?" The others were in shock.

"Are you shitting me?" Aschinal asked.

"No, he's not," Nischelis said. "And you know if you don't, something will happen to you."

"You heard me," Tarnechis said. "Release them."

"Consider them released," Junquian grumbled.

"Thank God," Kysandior said. "I thought I was going to have to kill you or something. Come on, Isiki. You too, Kelkiar. And you as well, Neijior."

"Don't forget to deliver my message," Isikan said to the Assassin Dolls.

"Trust me," Irinis said. "We won't."

Once they left, the Assassin Dolls looked at each other in shock.

"Now, you're sure this will work," Tarnechis whispered to Nischelis.

Nischelis smiled, a sick smile on his face. "I am sure. We'll have our chance to get them back. Isikan won't live after we're done with him."

Nusqial smiled. "You two are fucking evil."

"Yes, we are," Tarnechis replied. "Don't like it?"

"I do," Nusqial said. "I honestly do."

"What the fucking hell was the point of that? We might as well tell Lady Siraena to flay us alive," Kolachin complained.

"I think Nischi is on to something," Junquian said. "Let's let his plan come together on its own."

"Okay, that I can do," Irinis replied.

"I have to say how insane this idea is," Kolachin muttered.

Irinis glared at him. "And I'm at liberty to tell you no one cares."

"This will be interesting," Tarnechis said. "But we have to trust our brother when he says he has something up his sleeve."

Nischelis grinned. "I have more than something up my sleeve. You'll just have to find out for yourselves."

"I hate when he says that," Junquian grumbled.

"Poor Jinqui," Nischelis said. "Worried, are we?"

Junquian hissed at him. "No, of course not. Just wondering what you are up to."

"I will tell you in due time," Nischelis promised. "But we have a job to do at the moment."

"Aye, that is true," Aschinal said. "Let's finish it."

Kysandior, Kelkiar, Isikan, and Neijior finally made their way back to the castle. Once they arrived, Kysandior explained what had happened and why they were away so long.

"It's okay, Master Kysandior," his maidservant, Elisinet, said. "We were a bit worried is all. But we knew you'd come back, eventually."

"That's my Elisineta," Kysandior replied, calling her by the nickname he came up with for her. "Please, my dear, draw a bath for me."

Elisinet smiled. "Already have, my lord. You girls! Prepare a bath for the princes and our esteemed archer."

Three other maidservants ran up to Isikan, Kelkiar, and Neijior. "Your baths are ready. Come with us, please," one of them said.

"Hmm, hmm," Isikan murmured. "Can I just have her?"

"No," Kysandior growled. "You need a COLD bath."

Isikan gasped in shock. He didn't realize he had thought that out loud. "Oops."

Kelkiar and Neijior both burst out laughing. "That's too rich. We all heard that one."

Isikan blushed. "I was that obvious?"

"Yeah, you were," Kysandior said. "Again, you need a COLD bath."

"Sigh," Isikan said. "Please burn these clothes, I reek—badly—because of them."

"Right away," Elisinet said, holding the clothes away from her. "Yick, what the hell died on these?"

Meanwhile, the Assassin Dolls arrived at Niarchos and Imniar's lair, where Niarchos, Imniar, Siraena, Ijanios, and Mirachis sat in the great room waiting for them. They were all talk as they entered the room.

"Was Isikan given the message, my minions?" Siraena asked.

"Yes, my lady," Tarnechis answered.

"He had one for you as well, Lord Niarchos," Nischelis added.

"What was it?" Niarchos asked.

"I'll answer this one," Junquian said. "Isikan has challenged you to a game of his own. If you win, he'll leave the forest—forever. If he wins, you leave him alone."

Niarchos was stunned. "Is that so?"

"Every word of it," Junquian said.

"I wonder what he's playing at," Imniar muttered.

"As do I," Ijanios said.

"I think I know what the archer is up to," Nischelis said.

"Really, Nischi," Siraena said. "Let's hear it."

Nischelis took a second to clear his thoughts. "I think Isiki has something up his sleeve."

"How so?" Mirachis asked.

"He thinks that if he wins, the forest will be rid of you, no doubt. But, there is another motive here. You won't stop torturing him until he has no choice but to back down."

"So intelligent, that one is," Niarchos thought to himself.

Nischelis turned to Niarchos, a smile on his face. Somehow he had heard the compliment Niarchos had given him. "Thanks for the compliment, Lord Niarchos."

Niarchos returned the smile. "Of course, Nischi. But, I have a question. Were you all planning to kill or harm Isikan and the others?"

Tarnechis grinned. "We were a bit on the undecided side of things. But you never asked us to kill him. And the other three were unexpected."

Imniar was angry. "I would have killed him. And Keliki as well."

Aschinal snickered. "Of course you would."

Imniar glared at him. "And you wouldn't?"

"Yes, but a slow and painful death is what he needs," Aschinal retorted.

Throughout all the chatter, Nusqial remained quiet.

This was unusual, even for him.

However, it didn't go unnoticed by Irinis, who pulled him to the side.

"Are you all right?" Irinis asked.

"I still feel we should have killed him," came the reply.

"That's not how they would've wanted it—for the moment," Irinis reminded him.

"Moving onto other topics, I wonder what Nischi's plans are," Nusqial complained.

Irinis sighed. "Nusi, listen to me. We'll find out as soon as Nischi wants to tell us. From what Tanil said, Nischi's onto something big. Don't press him on the subject like Kolachiki is doing."

"I heard that!" Kolachin shouted.

"Sorry, Kolachiki," Irinis apologized. "Nusi is being whiny."

Kolachin grinned. "He has a right to be so curious as to what Nischi is planning—I too want to know what the big secret is."

"Tanil knows something, but Nischi made him not tell us," Irinis continued.

"Very true," Kolachin said. "But, it's better we wait. Plus, it's not good when Nischi gets mad—you know that."

Tarnechis glared at them. "What was that?"

"Nothing, Tanil," Irinis said. "Nusi was a bit curious as to what Nischi is planning."

Tarnechis snickered. "There is no way I'm going to beg Nischi. We have to wait."

Nischelis felt his blood boil. Now he was getting mad as hell. "Stop fucking asking about what I have planned. Tanil knows nothing. You'll find out soon enough."

Nusqial sighed. "Fine, I'll stop. I'm going hunting. We haven't eaten since we were awakened by Siraena."

The others nodded. "Let's get something to eat. A few mortals living near here will do," Irinis growled.

With that being said, the seven demons ventured back into the forest.

After they left, Siraena sat in her favorite armchair, watching the fire Aschinal fixed for her. As she stared into it, she couldn't help but think about the ass whipping Isikan had given her a few days before.

"I will get you, Isikan," she hissed. "This is far from over."