[Kratos hears the order, even hears it shouted in Yuan's voice, but he doesn't have the space to consider whys or whats. He hears the crackle before he feels it, but lightning is faster than even him; it strikes him through his sword, sweeping down his arm. His polycarbonate mail snuffs out the force of it, but the purely physical spark still rattles him inside his armour, leaves him gasping and his heart skipping.

[Not enough to knock him off his feet. The hostile prisoners go down; he firms his shaky knees and lungs for the Sylvaranti guard. She manages to block his sweeping blow, and then block again, but she's wounded and he's not -- inside of moments he has her dispatched and turns, expecting to have to meet the Sylvaranti commander's sword.]