Fatigue

Sylas had just suddenly attacked Alex, and they hadn't even managed to get a grasp on the situation before the latter was heavily injured.

There was no time to explain. Sylas could only rush after him, casting Astral Bind again, only to be rebuffed by some mysterious strength.

Alex glared daggers at Sylas as though trying to bore the man's visage into his psyche. He felt humiliated, but he also felt that it was his fault. It wasn't just Sylas' stats that had calmed him, but also the fact the man was at the end of his rope. And yet somehow, he had still let this happen.

Suddenly, Sylas took out the second Trembling Spear from his Madness Key. His eyes reflected with a cold, indifferent glint, his emotions unreadable. 

Alex's gaze glinted. That was the second item they wanted to procure in this excursion, a serendipitous coincidence, if you will. But the cards hadn't fallen.