He knows that voice. Even through the echo of a stranger, through the blood rushing in his ears, through the frantic pounding of his heart as he's made helpless.

Things change so quickly in the heat of battle, and usually he keeps up with it, but even once his limbs jerk back into motion it feels like he's moving through molasses as he turns to just stare.

"Ev - "

He'd forgotten about the lieutenant, who's charging them with two rapiers. There's no time to think or consider; Zerxus steps between them, sword whipping upwards with unnatural speed as it catches both strikes.