The transformation is enough to distract Benedict entirely, startling him into a cry of anguish as the situation's reality-- or lack thereof-- is driven from his mind.
"No!!" he gasps, lurching forward as if to stop Colin from tipping forward, flailing at the miserable but ultimately incorporeal form of his friend.

"What happened! Is this--" He looks back at Byerly, his face white with panic, "what have you heard?"