At first, Aster was lost as to what Mercuxio might have had in mind, too preoccupied with keeping the mage in her sights. It wasn't easy, and it occurred to her that whatever was thinking of would have to be good, otherwise they were doomed to failure - or worse, should the mage have another spell up his sleeve. Then she saw him lift his runed mace, and comprehension dawned. Her eyes widened, and automatically she braced herself for the onslaught. The mage might not have known what was coming, but she certainly did. The reputation of Confessors preceded them.
How they continued without being struck or sending their horse into panic, she would never know, but it was a sight to behold. Fire and lightning left bolts of light behind her lids when she blinked, the air suddenly thick with the smell of burnt foliage and ozone. Fire burst at intervals around and ahead, until with a final hiss of flame and a shriek, one of them found their mark, sending the mage flying backwards. Rather fitting, when one considered the fate he'd had in store for them.
She gave a curt nod of satisfaction, though he couldn't see it. "Well struck, Confessor. Very well struck." They approached as the skies cleared and the gods tamed their fury, and when they were close enough Aster slipped from the horse, performing a lightning-quick check over horse and riders. She could smell a pungent odour close to one ear where stray cinders had singed her hair, leaving a dark tuft a little shorter than the rest - but other than that and some stress on the part of the horse, they had emerged unscathed. When she was satisfied, she rounded upon their prey, the mage still moaning on the ground. When he saw her approach, he raised a hand as if to cast or curse, letting out a groan of frustration and pain when nothing happened.
"Your powers are negated." She informed him coolly, drawing her gun for the third time. This time however, her hands were perfectly steady. "You are bound by law, and we suggest you remain still." With the tell-tale click of her thumbing back the hammer, there was no need to point out the alternative.