Heinrich's axe severs the immobile vampire's head with a single stroke. As that happens, the vampire makes a noise that sounds curiously like a sigh of relief, as though an ancient soul has been freed at last.
The remains catch fire very quickly when Heinrich kindles them. Smoke pours from the sarcophagus, threatening to fill the tomb in a matter of moments. Heinrich goes back into the still, cold water, again trusting to the elven ring's power. He emerges again on the shoreline, soaked and chilled but unharmed.