Here's a breakdown:
* The Confrontation: Sophie, accompanied by Calcifer, confronts the Witch of the Waste in her castle. The Witch is enraged by the presence of Sophie and Calcifer, believing they are trying to steal her magic. She casts a spell, transforming Sophie into a creature resembling a bird, which she throws out of the castle.
* Howl's Intervention: Howl arrives, having tracked Sophie's whereabouts. He battles the Witch, using his magic to protect Sophie and Calcifer. The fight is fierce and chaotic, but Howl is ultimately victorious.
* The Witch's Fall: During the fight, the Witch realizes her own power is failing, linked to the weakening of her curse on Howl. This realization breaks her, causing her to lose her magic and shrink into an elderly woman.
* The Aftermath: The Witch flees, defeated and disillusioned. Howl, weakened from the battle, collapses in Sophie's arms. The remaining magical influence of the Witch's curse on Howl is finally broken, allowing him to return to his true form.
This confrontation is the peak of the conflict in the book, leading to the resolution of the main plot points - the Witch's curse, the power struggle between Howl and the Witch, and Sophie's journey of self-discovery.