Sam was in a dilemma. To move away from his spot meant the death of Officer Schmidt, but to remain might mean his own. There was very little time to decide, too.
At the moment, the Trickster was focused on his own problem; breaking the godly enchantment that protected the Bow of Heracles from destruction. He would turn his attention back on Sam soon enough, though.
Sam wasn’t sure he could withstand an attack from the eight shimmering golden fists the Trickster had conjured into being when even Crow-Man was blown away by them. Yes, that’s right. These things weren’t illusions anymore.
Chiron explained it in the brief time they had to discuss Sam’s options, Listen, kid, illusions operate differently than most powers in the way they grow in strength based on how they’re perceived by both
