[The noise is quiet, and quick, but Ben would've caught it even if he weren't paying specific, close attention now. This is the other piece of data he needs, this is the other ability he needs to witness, to know about, even if he can't help Alex with this part of it; he needs to know the ins and outs so he can help his friend hone his tactics based around it. So, later, he can help in other ways, maybe.
It's like how hard and fast Alex can punch: this is an ability, and Ben will do what he can to help him use it most effectively.
It's in that fraction of a second that Ben realizes his mistake, though. He steps back again, almost instinctive, at the subtle gesture but it wouldn't be enough. Later, Ben won't know why he didn't expect this. He should have. The sound is loud and would be to even someone with normal, dull human hearing. To Ben, it's deafening, and he lets out a surprised shout and falls back another few steps involuntarily.
His ears are ringing, they hurt, but he's a soldier. He's trained better than this. It's his turn and Alex is starting forward, and Ben flanks him without hesitation, striding forward to catch up and pace him, hold up his end of the plan.
Three of them are down and out, done and over; two more are struggling back to their feet, batting out flames and gibbering either to each other or just in general, panicked and angry. The first one to come at them with anything like cohesive intent comes overhand, and Ben barely has to think, which is fortunate: he steps into the overpowered swing, catches the creature's wrist, and twists sharply into the turn he executes quickly, neatly, and immediately. The end result is the length of pipe that had been in the creature's hand is in Ben's, now, as he completes the spin and then half-turns back, raising the new weapon to just about chest level. The downward strike is swift, decisive, and Ben has dismissed the jerking form from his consideration before the pipe has even hit the ground when he drops it.
[ Spam ]
It's like how hard and fast Alex can punch: this is an ability, and Ben will do what he can to help him use it most effectively.
It's in that fraction of a second that Ben realizes his mistake, though. He steps back again, almost instinctive, at the subtle gesture but it wouldn't be enough. Later, Ben won't know why he didn't expect this. He should have. The sound is loud and would be to even someone with normal, dull human hearing. To Ben, it's deafening, and he lets out a surprised shout and falls back another few steps involuntarily.
His ears are ringing, they hurt, but he's a soldier. He's trained better than this. It's his turn and Alex is starting forward, and Ben flanks him without hesitation, striding forward to catch up and pace him, hold up his end of the plan.
Three of them are down and out, done and over; two more are struggling back to their feet, batting out flames and gibbering either to each other or just in general, panicked and angry. The first one to come at them with anything like cohesive intent comes overhand, and Ben barely has to think, which is fortunate: he steps into the overpowered swing, catches the creature's wrist, and twists sharply into the turn he executes quickly, neatly, and immediately. The end result is the length of pipe that had been in the creature's hand is in Ben's, now, as he completes the spin and then half-turns back, raising the new weapon to just about chest level. The downward strike is swift, decisive, and Ben has dismissed the jerking form from his consideration before the pipe has even hit the ground when he drops it.
All in all, he barely breaks stride.]