Clearly, none of those present took Nimrod's final words seriously-after all, who would believe that a saint of the Aurora Order would bless members of an Orthodox Church?
The Blackthorn Security Company quickly sprang into action. Several lower-Sequence Nighthawks were assigned to guard the Chanis Gate underground, while Dunn and Daly, the highest-Sequence members and the most skilled in combat, remained aboveground. Dunn took out the urn containing Saint Selena's Ashes, while Daly stood beside him, dragging "2-078," Death's Door.
As a Beyonder of the Death Pathway, Daly had a certain sensitivity to death. Even if something went wrong and Death's Door escaped its seal, she had ways to deal with it.
To Dunn's surprise, Leonard, who usually seemed the most unreliable and rather secretive, insisted on joining the battle and volunteered to wear "2-105," the Blood Vessel Thief.
Out of trust in his teammate, Dunn decided to grant Leonard's request.
Meanwhile, Nimrod held the Shadow Lantern and quietly concealed himself in the shadows of a corner.
"Do you think we can succeed?"
Leonard quietly edged over to Nimrod, desperately suppressing the panic in his voice. Nimrod glanced at him.
"Why not ask the old man parasitizing you?"
"I..." Leonard was momentarily at a loss for words. "I did..."
Judging by your reaction, Pallez Zoroast didn't answer you, then?
Actually, I'm rather curious how Pallez described me to you to scare a wannabe protagonist like you this badly... Though Nimrod was curious about quite a few things, he did not tease Leonard any further. He merely waved a hand.
"Tell Pallez I'm not Amon. If I really were Amon, would he still be living here safe and sound?"
"But you really are lucky. You met the only-no, one of the only two Marauders with a conscience. Never mind Amon; even