Even as the words left Epsilon's lips, the gunman brought his rifle instantly to bear. Epsilon was left staring directly down the barrel of the firearm as the stranger flicked the safety off with an audible click. At that point, Epsilon realized that he had made an error. Approaching so soon and so calmly after the disruption had been a mistake. Even if his opponent was not so edgy, anyone would cause suspicion by taking such an event in stride. Epsilon decided that his cover was now useless, especially in the light of the man's threats. He's unstable enough to shoot me whether I'm his opponent or not, Epsilon noted, so our plans for negotiation are moot. I'm sorry, Xaul. He began to gather his power for an attack, when the presence he had sensed before returned. The gunman swore, noticing Savannah's approach at the same time Epsilon mentally marked her position. Epsilon did not have time to do any more than that, because the gunman made a decision.
Epsilon had been monitoring the man's surface thoughts since his appearance. It was not on the level of his connection to Xaul, more akin to walking past a conversation rather than participating in one. You heard a few words, were able to make out the basic intentions, but got no real detail from it. Nevertheless, when the gunman decided that Epsilon's monk disguise needed to be a bit holier, it was enough of a warning to react in time. His power, already called to the surface in preparation, responded instantly to his will. Silver-blue energy flared out from the Esper, condensing into a three-inch-thick plane of force the size of a tower shield that placed itself directly between him and the gunman just as the rifle opened up.
Four gunshots rang through the plaza and Epsilon felt four impacts on his shield as the bullets shattered themselves on the solid energy. With each one came a pang of fatigue as a bit of his power was expended. As the gunman threw himself away from both himself and Savannah, Epsilon sidestepped to shadow him. The movement accomplished three things: it kept the shield between himself and the rifle, prevented Savannah from flanking him, and pincered the gunman between himself and Xaul, still hiding above.
Xaul wasn't hiding any longer, though. A scream of pure fury tore into Epsilon's ears, and he looked up to find Xaul airborne and already covered in the Kounnar's bloody sigils. The Esper's eyes widened and he immediately severed their mental connection even before his partner's warning could reach him. If I had been caught in his mind with Resheph... the Esper shuddered. The brief touch of the god's mind that he'd experienced during their initial meeting had been enough for Epsilon. Espilon leapt backwards as his partner hit the stones of the street in a roll and snapped out his hand. The monk's robe was ripped off his body, useless now that his power was revealed. Coercion flew from his belt and extended itself to its full length as the Esper dropped into his combat stance and prepared for his enemies' response.
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