You decide to banish the elemental while you have the chance.

You approach the stove while mentally preparing to engage Strokmier. The elemental is still working next to the oven, but if you are right about her pattern she should switch back to the stove fairly soon; you carefully move into position and wait for the right moment to strike. Quiet bubbling sounds echo around you as the moments slip by...

It isn't long before she materializes in front of you in a burst of flames, facing the stove and about to resume stirring her sweet concoctions. In that moment you pounce on top of her, grabbing her neck and sending arcane sparks across her body!

She screeches, writhing violently and knocking down the pile of dirty pots behind you with her thrashing tail. You lock your legs around her hips to pin her to you, not letting her escape for even a moment. Despite her best efforts, your grip on her remains unbroken, and her resistance begins to falter. Her body slowly fades as she is pulled back from the earthly plane to - well, wherever she was from.

She finally succumbs to Strokmier's effects, and vanishes in a burst of arcane energy. The kitchen is now quiet and empty, save for you. It seems you've been successful! The door to the next hallway remains slightly open; with your opponent defeated, nothing is stopping you from moving forward.