The Phantom’s Revenge

Riddle: Two young adventurers, Tristen and Lawrence, travel to the state of Pennsylvania in search of the legendary Phantom --- to face it, and conquer it, if possible. The Phantom is famous for exacting revenge on any who challenge it, but the two daredevils are undaunted. When the brave crusaders finally spot the Phantom, they are awestruck, and approach the Phantom as if they are hypnotized. The Phantom’s henchmen then put the two into a strange carriage, restraining them with metal bars. The Phantom then uses a chain to hoist the pair high into the air. Suddenly, they are released and plummet downward, where they are roughly tossed to and fro until Tristen throws up on Lawrence as a result of this abuse. However, because they are both still alive and breathing, they are released from their restraints by the henchmen, and are permitted to leave. Although it sounds truly unbelievable, Tristen and Lawrence decide to return to challenge the Phantom that very same day. Have these two adventurers lost their minds? Are they both in need of immediate mental health treatment; or is there a more sensible explanation for these events?