When Cole realized the individual he mistook for a wounded captive was
actually Venger two thoughts ran through his mind; the first was 'Get the hell out of here,' the second was 'Payback for last night.' After witnessing the wounded demon rip two
armed soldiers to shreds in a matter of seconds, the powerless Mentalist had
a feeling that trying to fight Venger, even in the demon's weakened
condition, would be dumb. Back in Ingeld's tower, Hank slid down the cord he made from his arrow. The swanmay, still bundled and honking, was second. To slide her down safely, Hank
created a smaller energy noose to string her up by her feet. The Ranger
then waited for the Sheila, Night Steel, Glitter and the others at the right
stairwell as he watched Cole blow a hole into the next tower. As the
situation seemed to be somewhat in hand, he then fired arrows at the
entrances of the remaining towers to prevent any guards from advancing on his
position before he and the rest could escape into the fortress.
Venger charged for the opening the Mentalist unknowingly created for him.
Readying himself as Cole braced for the worse, he stepped on something squishy, disturbing, and yet, familiar. Looking at what he stepped on Cole backed up in utter horror at what he beheld, lost his balance and fell out of the tower. Hank, seeing that del Tigre was having problems with his equilibrium and gravity, fires a volley of arrows at points below the tower hoping Cole could grab at least one before plummeting to his death. Bouncing off of the first two but managing to get a grip on the last one, Cole takes one last glance up to the tower above, a little shaken at the sight of what he saw.
Venger stood just outside the edge of the prison wall, his wounded nude form and full wingspan was seen by all present. With his magic already at work healing his injuries, Venger turned his attention to the next pair of guards to reach the prison. Their swords were initially raised against him but they soon lowered the blades after glancing at the towering figure and numerous bodies of those who tried before. Silently the dark lord, on bended knee, reclaimed his property. He then called the guards to his side only to punch through the rib cages of both men with his talons. 'I shall let none who have born witness to this...dismemberment survive the night,' he thought looking at the Mentalist struggling to take hold of the arrow, 'and the Zarpathos-Scion shall be next.' His bloodlust further heightened by killing the guards with his bare hands, Venger decided it would be a fitting end to rip the Mentalist to shreds before the eyes of all who would oppose him, especially the Ranger and his allies. Having chosen his next victim, the healing dark lord leaped into the air, ready to descended on the Mentalist.
Hank fired as best he could but none of his arrows were connecting with Venger, somewhat distracted by the fact he didn't seem to be wearing his familiar garb. Cole, in a panic, chucked whatever the items he was carrying at the incoming Force of Evil. 'What the heck did I throw?' Cole thought, closing his eyes and praying for a miracle. He missed out on seeing a pleased and then surprised expression on the face of the dark lord. While Venger certainly could find use for the Stone of Zarpathos in his conquest of the Realm, he found the Energy Arrow meant to explode on impact which accompanied it less to his liking. Already weakened from his injuries and the use of his magic to repair them, Venger began to curse these newcomers and their allies. They would not be safe from his wrath...after he regenerated a new body, in a day or so.
Cole opened his eyes after he heard the explosion overhead and saw the gold and crimson that quickly spread out across the sky. The mass assumed the form of Venger himself, posed menacingly as if to strike. The image soon faded. Cole caught the Stone of Zarpathos and returned it to it's pouch, after it bounced off of his head. He also felt something else bounce off of his head soon after. He wasn't sure what that was, but it sure made him feel uneasy. After the explosion, Hank fired another arrow near Cole which took the shape of a cord. The Mentalist caught it and slid down the cord, joining the others gathered at the stairwell.
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