- He's only gone a little farther, however, before he sees a "foul fiend" (P273). This is Apollyon, and Christian decides to duke it out with him.
- The narrator describes Apollyon: he's scaled like a fish and winged like a dragon, with a lion's mouth, bear's feet, and spewing fire all the time. Yeah, he sounds awesome, but he's actually terrible.
- Apollyon approaches Christian and questions him. He argues that the City of Destruction, where Christian comes from, is under his rule, which means that Christian is as well. Christian defies this, saying that he's left for the city of the Lord.
- Apollyon pretends to be merciful in order to get Christian back and then reminds him of the danger that people get into by following the Lord. Christian isn't falling for this: he argues that these troubles are only a test to try peoples' love.
- Finally, Apollyon brings up all the ways in which Christian has failed so far—falling into the Slough of Despond, losing the scroll while asleep, being afraid of the lions. He's going for the low blows here.
- Christian, who is still not having any of this Apollyon naysaying nonsense, replies that there are even more ways he knows he's come up short, but that he Lord is merciful and will give him pardon for repenting.
- Apollyon flies into rage at this last reply, and the two battle for half a day. Christian receives wounds to the head, hand, and foot, but continues to fight. "Eye of The Tiger" is playing this entire time.
- Just as Apollyon is about to finish Christian off, our guy reaches for his sword and strikes deep, crying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall I shall arise!" and, when Apollyon reels back, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (P294).
- Not only is this guy talking while engaged in intense physical activity—and wounded, to boot—he is also talking eloquently.
- The narrator stops to account for the terror of the battle, how fierce Apollyon was, and how Christian gives thanks for deliverance when the battle is over.
- Christian is healed by leaves from the Tree of Life (that's handy—where did that come from?!) and stops to eat and rest before continuing.