The dragon's retaliatory attack nearly knocked Sorin clear off of his feet. He planted his sword in the ground, clutching it tightly to keep himself in a secure position. The surge of dark energy from the dragon seared against Sorin's armor and flesh; his "condition" gave him some resistance to it, but it was painful and aggravating none the less. Still, he kept his amber eyes peeled for the outcome of his planned attack against the monstrosity. He could see the Binding Blade clearly planted in the dragon's tail, running with the beast's blood, and yet it was not activating. He scowled in frustration. Perhaps this was a side effect of such a hasty summon? Certainly possible, but Sorin doubted it. Perhaps it just needed a little "kick" to get going? Artifacts weren't Sorin's forte, so he couldn't be sure, but he could at least give it a shot.

Bringing forth whatever Black mana he could wring from the miasma-clogged space surrounding him, Sorin directed his hate and determination at the blade, as well as the offering of mana. Perhaps an invocation could also be in order? Shouting at the top of his lungs, Sorin let loose a throaty roar of, "Be released, Withengar!"

Elbrus reacted immediately. The red blood running over the blade turned black, and the dagger fell from the dragon's hide like a splinter. Before it hit the ground, however, a dark vortex took up the space under where it should have fallen and swallowed the blade. The vortex rippled, then expanded, and the [url=http://media01.bigblackbag.net/45759/portfolio_media/lwsm_139769-withengar-unbound_3099.jpg]ancient evil[/url] sealed within the Binding Blade was finally unleashed. A horrifying monstrosity of flesh and bone emerged from the vortex, climbing up into the world on wicked claws, reeking of diabolical fury. Once fully emerged, the demon screamed; an ear-shattering cry that resonated with the painful deaths of thousands of damned souls. It was vengeance, Unbound. It was the Slayer of Saint Traft. It was the bane of life and light. It was Withengar, and it was now under Sorin's command.

Sorin's mind reeled from the sudden strain of having to control the demon. Its sheer size dwarfed the vampire, giving him difficulty in maintaining a mana link with it. Green mana was best for this sort of thing; Black mana struggled to support such huge monstrosities. Even so, there was no danger of it running amok, as long as he devoted his full attention to controlling it. Hopefully such a massive challenger would keep the dragon well distracted and divert its attacks away from the defenseless Sorin.

He commanded the demon to assault the dragon, and it did so unflinchingly. Its titanic wings heaved and lifted its burdensome body into the air with a great gust of wind. The sun was blotted out under its giant, twisted form, but not for long, as the demon then descended on the dragon like an airborne predator. Shrieking and howling, Withengar dove into the golden behemoth, claws and fangs outstretched, prepared for a cataclysmic clash of twisted light against perfect darkness.