Can happen, use tornado to break the prison faster. I had all my points put into the fissure skill, all i could get at lvl 23. Move a lot, use the pentagram to break his path and if needed try to get def and resists up for fire and lightning for you and merc. My merc was dying very fast. That should let you beat him easily. Once i was done with Normal difficulty and hit lvl 30 i respecced at akara and went for a full tornado build for NM and Hell.
How.... I keep getting thrown in a bone cage
Can happen, use tornado to break the prison faster. I had all my points put into the fissure skill, all i could get at lvl 23. Move a lot, use the pentagram to break his path and if needed try to get def and resists up for fire and lightning for you and merc. My merc was dying very fast. That should let you beat him easily. Once i was done with Normal difficulty and hit lvl 30 i respecced at akara and went for a full tornado build for NM and Hell.