Leike turned to the Night Watcher crew operating the Alchemy Cannons. "Aim every barrel at the openings. Blast down every one you can and cut them off at the source. If we can't kill them all, we'll seal them in."
The Night Watchers at the cannons acknowledged the order.
"Iron Guard Battalion, use fire to keep it contained. Fall back if you can't hold. Don't force it."
The soldier leading the Iron Guard Battalion nodded.
Finally, Leike looked at Agnes.
Most of the color had drained from Agnes's face. Splattered bits of flesh stained her gray-white nun's habit, but her eyes remained resolute.
"You can do more than you're doing now." Leike's words were not a question.
Agnes offered no explanation. She turned and took a Scripture from inside her habit.
It was small, only a little wider than her palm. The corners of its copper-colored cover were worn. It was far older than Adrian's copy and a grade lower, but the moment her fingers touched the cover, a faint, warm golden light appeared along its spine.
She opened the Scripture and knelt on one knee. The two nuns accompanying her silently moved closer, and all three voices joined in a low recitation of the same prayer.
The pages of the Scripture turned slowly. Golden light seeped from between the lines and gathered above the book, gradually taking shape.
A Little Sun of Holy Light rose above the Scripture.
Its light was not dazzling, but as it spread, the Ghouls visibly slowed. Their steps dragged and their roars grew slurred. Several of the nearest ones dropped straight to their knees.
Calling Angel was an ability unique to Believer Transcendents, who were naturally opposed to the Eerie and Contamination. With that single move, the threat posed by the Ghouls in the