Both everyone at the NGP and the Ultra Blood Hunters appear to be stunned having just witnessed something so terrifying. Even Cain can’t seem to keep his full attention on the battle with Cole. Sariph is unyielding, not allowing any time to think. From his left arm a black barbed chain materializes out of nowhere. He whips it around Toxic with such force the chain pierces into his armor. Toxic struggles as acid oozes from the suit eroding the chain, but the acidic defense is too late. Sariph quickly yanks Toxic to him before devouring him unceremoniously. Again the demon howls spewing black mist. This time clutching his stomach howling with severe indigestion pains.

With every new challenge introduced Sariph’s body responds by growing exponentially larger and more aggressive. Thunder charges in for another hard smash, but Sariph clasps his body easily with one hand. Sariph’s mouth opens, stretching to meet the size of Thunder’s head. Large black teeth grind against the stone neck until ultimately Sariph’s bite breaks through the rock and metal. With a loud crunch he devours Thunder’s head. With the meal more dark blue energy rushes from the body slurping into Sariph’s mouth.

Gemming has already started the process of generating another wave of water, but is quickly taken off guard as Sariph throws the remainder of the large rock body at him. In the same stroke Sariph teleports to Gemming wrapping his tentacles around him. Together they disappear into the demon realm. For a long moment Sariph doesn’t reappear. Cain’s storm hasn’t backed off, but Cole notices Cain’s attacks don’t seem to have any bite behind them.

What is he doing? Is he distracted? Is he running out of energy?

Cain calls, “You don’t understand… This is a lose lose situation! We’ll have to finish this another day.”

“Don’t think I’ll let you get away now that you’re losing!” replies Cole while maintaining Cain in the clutches of his storm.

With the commotion lessening Blazer finally makes himself known to Cole and the others. He arrives soaking wet and panting, “Guys!”

Rush cries, “You’re ok! We thought you were dead!”

Blazer wipes the mud from his face, “Me too! I couldn’t save anyone! Not Toxic, not Thunder, not even Alpha and Omega! There were just too many of those things!”

“Alpha and Omega were taken too?!” questions Rush.

“I don’t know what happened. They weren’t even thinking! They just charged right into the middle of those things. They didn’t even try to hide, they just attacked. They were stupid and now look at them! They’ve been taken inside! There’s no way we can save them now!”

I sent them to their death! They might have survived if it weren’t for me using my power to control them!

Cain calls to Cole, “What’s the matter? I thought you were ready to defeat me, but now look at you! You can’t even cope with the feelings of guilt from your power. How could you possibly hope to overcome the path before you if you're afraid of your power?! In this state you can’t even overcome me!”

“I won’t listen to you! Your power won’t work on me!”

“You just don’t understand Cole! Can’t you feel the demon approaching?! It will be back! There’s nothing to do but run!”

“I won’t let you!”

With the words leaving his mouth Cole felt it. The foreshock of palpable evil. Arch calls, motioning his arms to move, “Everyone! Follow me! Retreat to the forest! Retreat to the mountain!”