The difference still is who faces that aggression: ones who expect it or ones who would not. Hypnos's power would have been perfect here. He could put them all to sleep and buy time for them to figure out how to break the illusion. But Hypnos isn't here. Thanatos is, and he has a job to do.

Thanatos shifts to be taking the lead as they move in this direction. "I am used to being attacked by those who do not understand. Stay behind me."