Quake's Thunder Clap attack went off deafening everyone save for Lord Irzen, Roberts, Bruno, and Willow. The Wolfen sisters yelped in pain from ear splitting noise. The Black Witch screamed not in pain but terror knowing what was about to happen. Serna was awoken up in her cell. The young thief could physically feel the Tendrils of Darkness loosing their hold on him, and last but not least the Force of Evil now could see the mayhem within the East Tower.

".....!" The Black Witch screamed in pain, "darkness....is...failing....master!"

Roberts watched his men stagger slightly at the deafening noise - thankful that the sound of cannon in close quarters had prepared them for such shocks. Roberts himself was not completely sure what had just happened, but he maintained his position, ready to strike Venger if necessary, but to also grab one of the party's targets in this mis-adventure. When things cleared up, they would have to move quickly in order to extricate themselves from this situation.

Due to their sensitive hearing, Kana and Lysana were still on the ground with ringing in their ears.

Lady Malice was stumbling around on her hands and knees trying to shake off the effects of the deafening blast.

War Scribe was blown backward in her chair and struck the back of her head against the stone floor with a resounding thud. The Drowling was knocked completely unconscious.

Irzen turned towards Roberts, Willow and Bruno, "Half-Orc, mind the door and make sure no else strikes at us from our rear. I'll take care of Lady Malice and retrieve Lysana. Willow, get Kana and Serna. Roberts, make sure Venger continues to have a bad day. And Quake keep an eye on that Witch."

Quake couldn't see very well but the vibrations from the Black Witch's sudden movement said otherwise.

Irzen strode over to where Lysana and Lady Malice were writhing on the floor. The Swordsman kicked the Drowling in the head without a moment's hesitation knocking her into the not-so wonderful world of unconsciousness. Afterwards, he wrapped his arms around Lysana and half-dragged, half-carried the Wolf back to the others.

"Irzen! Look out!" Quake yelled suddenly.

Taking notice of the swordsman through the haze of ringing that ended with Lady Malice knocked into wonderland. The Black Witch staggered to her feet. "Going somewhere, swordsman?" The shadows caught a hold of him by the ankles and slammed him back down to the floor. When he shrieked in pain the Black Witch cocked her head to one side, "Ah, the sound of music!"

Willow ran over to where Serna lay captured, broke the lock on her confinement, scooped The Shield Maiden up in his arms and went to check on Kana.

Neven slowly but surely started to get free of the Black Witch's darkness. Bruno could see the lad's hands and arms emerging free of the morass waving to and fro.

Bruno tossed a flash bang into the room near the Black Witch. It wasn't big enough for all the villains in the room but it was he need it for. The Black Witch saw it at the last second too late.

**FLASH!!**

"ARGH!" She shrieked again and her hold on the thief was lost. Neven slid to the floor, alive, and very confused.

Venger had finally extricated his helm from his head and with his vision unclouded now began to survey the scene all around him.

Roberts drew his last un-spent pistol with his left hand and pointed it quickly at Venger's face. In the split second it took him to pull the trigger, he was instantly pivoting, swinging his sword into Venger's midsection. He might be able to dodge one, but not both of hte attacks that Roberts used repeatedly in close quarters fighting.