A/N: Seems like Ijanios has some competition of his own. Chris Jericho visits us in this chapter as Mirachis, Ijanios' worst nightmare and the most dangerous Reptilian, compared to Kysandior.

Also, Siraena shows just how evil she can really be in this chapter as well!

Enjoy!

Chapter 5- A New Challenge

"This should be interesting," Ijanios muttered as he walked back to his castle. "Telling me to go away like that—after I wasted my time helping him help his stupid brother."

Isikan, perched in the trees above Ijanios, watched as the mage continued his conversation with himself. "Wonder what the idiot's talking about now?" he murmured.

"Stupid Niarchos," Ijanios continued. "Why do I bother?"

"You bother," a voice behind him said, "Because you somehow care for those two."

"Who said that?" Ijanios asked, whipping his head around. "Come out and show yourself, whoever you are!"

Isikan continued to watch in surprise. "Damn."

The voice continued to talk to Ijanios. "Why be scared, Ijanios?" it asked.

"Leave me alone," Ijanios yelled.

"Oh, but I won't."

"Show yourself!" Ijanios shouted.

"Fine, you want me to show you who I am? Then it shall be done." Mirachis Parinchilos finally showed himself to a more than frightened Ijanios. "Happy now?"

"Are you fucking serious?" Ijanios said. "You're an idiot, Mirachis. How long have you been following me?"

"Since Isikan Fortoulis has been sitting in that tree over there."

"What?" Ijanios asked. "I didn't see him."

Shit, Isikan muttered. I'm caught.

Right you are, Idiotkan, Mirachis hissed. "Show yourself, Isikan."

Isikan stayed where he was. Reaching for his crossbow, he slipped two arrows into it and aimed at the two wizards. "How's this for a show?" he shouted, firing at them.

Both Ijanios and Mirachis fell to the ground within seconds. Both mages looked at each other, only to see that they had both been shot with an arrow from Isikan's crossbow.

Which meant one thing—they would die within minutes of each other if they didn't remove them—the reason being that Isikan's arrows contained a deadly toxin that would liquefy their intestines and internal organs.

Leaving the arrow as is would kill them regardless.

"That's gotta hurt," Isikan snickered.

"Get these out!" Ijanios roared.

"NOW!" Mirachis added.

"How about NOT?" Isikan said. "Y'know, I think that is a new look for you two. Arrows in your backs—nice."

"You little motherfucker," Ijanios swore. "When I get this thing out my back, I'm going to—."

"Going to what?" Isikan said. "Beat me?"

"That's what I'm going to do," Imniar said. "Take those arrows out, Isikan."

"Nope." Isikan fired another arrow, this time landing it into Imniar's shoulder.

"Damn you," Imniar swore.

"Ha ha...losers." Isikan disappeared into thin air, leaving the three to suffer from his arrows.

What nerve he has, Niarchos hissed. All three of them got shot. Oh, well. Better go help.

"Well, well," he murmured. "What happened here?"

"Isikan," the three fallen Reptilians moaned.

"I don't know if I want to know what happened," Niarchos said.

"They were arguing, and I was just walking by," Imniar said.

"And you just happened to be shot by Isikan's arrows?" Niarchos asked. "That is the funniest shit I ever heard."

"It is not!" Imniar shouted. "This hurts so bad right now, big brother. Just help me—not them."

"Why?" Niarchos asked, laughing. "This is hilarious!"

"No, it's not," Imniar said, frowning. "Because if I die, that means Kelkiar wins—and keeps his title as ruler of the Reptilian Nation."

"Shit." Niarchos hated it when Imniar was right. "Hold still, I'll pull it out. Then I'll get Siraena to heal you."

"She's a healer?" Imniar asked.

"She dabbles in the dark arts, whenever she feels like it. But I am sure she can do something to help that wound you have." Niarchos smiled.

"I hope so," Imniar said, wincing at the pain in his side. "What about them?" he asked, glancing at Ijanios and Mirachis.

"This isn't good—for you or them," Niarchos said. "Let me help you up." He carried him back to his lair, where Siraena gasped at the arrow sticking out of Imniar's side.

"What happened?" a horrified Siraena asked.

"Isikan," Niarchos said.

"You pissed the punk off, didn't you?" Siraena asked.

"Of course he did, why else would he have an arrow there?" Niarchos snickered.

"Fuck off," Imniar hissed.

"How about no?" Niarchos growled. "I came to help you out. And this is how I get repaid?"

"Enough!" Siraena shouted.

Both men looked at her, then looked at the floor. "Sorry," they mumbled.

"I thought so," Siraena said, pulling the arrow out of Imniar.

"Ow!" Imniar shouted.

"Whatever," Siraena grumbled.

"Anyway," Niarchos said. "Isn't there something you can do to heal the wound?"

"That I can do," Siraena said, grabbing a bowl from the table. "Hold this, Niacha. I need someone to hold that so I can rub some of this salve onto the wound."

"Okie dokie," Niarchos said, smiling.

"Ooh! That's cold," Imniar said.

"It's supposed to be," Siraena explained. "The colder this is, the better it is to heal the gash in your side."

"Okay," a weak Imniar said.

"At least someone thinks this will help," she muttered. "Hold still...or else it's going to land on other places besides your injury."

"Sorry," Imniar apologized.

"Don't be," Siraena said. "Be happy that I'm helping you."

"I am. I was a bit worried that you wouldn't." Imniar was serious as he spoke.

"I'm very nice once you get to know me," Siraena said. "I was irritated when all you would call me was 'that girl' every time you saw me with your brother."

"I could never remember your name, Siraena," Imniar said.

"I'm glad you did now. Should I even tend to Ijanios and Mirachis?" Siraena asked Niarchos.

"Crap, I forgot about them," Niarchos said. "I'll be back."

Meanwhile, the two wizards were still lying on the ground in a great deal of pain. "Oh, God. Won't anyone come help us?" they asked each other.

"Probably not," Mirachis said. "In case you didn't remember, the village hates us."

"Not everyone hates you," Niarchos said.

"What the hell? You came back?" Ijanios said, shocked.

"I couldn't let you die, even if I wanted to," Niarchos replied. "Plus, Siraena says she will heal you as well. No one should be subjected to die by Isikan's arrows. Not even you two."

"Well, that is good to hear," Mirachis said. "If you need more than one mage to help Imniar in the games, then let it be known that I'm offering my services."

"That would be wonderful," Niarchos said. "Let's get you to my lair. Siraena will work on you as soon as she's done with Imniar."

"Then it's settled," Ijanios said. "But I want my revenge on Isikan. He is a threat to us wizards."

"And to me and my brother as well," Niarchos agreed, picking both men up and slinging them over each shoulder.

"Thank you again," Ijanios said. "I don't want to die a horrible death right now."

"Me either," Mirachis said.

Finally they arrived at Niarchos' lair. "Siraena!" Niarchos called. "Your two other patients."

"Put them over there, on the couch," Siraena yelled. "Almost done with Imniar."

"Great. Will do," Niarchos replied, gently placing them onto the couch. "Anything else?"

"Go lie down, you look tired," Siraena said.

"Will do," Niarchos said. "Gentlemen, she will be with you shortly. I'm going to go take a nap."

"You do that," Ijanios said. "We'll be fine."

"Okay," Niarchos said. "Just holler if you need me." He turned and walked to his chambers. Once he settled into bed, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

Back in the living room, Ijanios and Mirachis smiled at each other.

"I'm glad we weren't left out there," Ijanios murmured.

"So am I," Mirachis said.

"It could have been worse," Ijanios said.

Imniar came out of the back room. "Which one of you is going to be next?" he asked.

"I will," Mirachis said. "I really don't feel right from this thing."

"Let me help," Imniar said, pulling the arrow loose from his back.

"Damn, ow!" Mirachis growled. "That hurts and stings at the same time."

"Come on to the back with me," Siraena said, putting an arm around him. "I'll have you fixed in no time. Imicha, please take the arrow out of Ijanios too."

"Will do," Imniar said, yanking the arrow from Ijanios' back.

"Ow," Ijanios howled.

"Sorry," Imniar said. "I know it hurts. Be patient."

Ijanios looked at Imniar, a confused look on his face. "Why help me?"

"Because you helped me."

Just then, Siraena came out and carried Ijanios to the back. "You can rest here with Mirachis until you're both ready to walk."

"That's awfully nice of you, Lady Siraena," Ijanios said. "Please,work your magic. I am grateful."

Siraena smiled. "You are most welcome," she said.

Meanwhile, Imniar sat in his brother's study, an evil grin on his face. "I will get you, hunter," he growled. "Trying to kill me will never work."

Isikan smiled as he glanced into his scrying mirror. "So, you want to challenge me, eh, Imniar?" he asked. "You got the balls to challenge me, after I shot your ass with one of my mind erasers? Hah! No one stops me—EVER!"