Anton took stock, shifting slightly without actually releasing Skulduggery. His knees trembled but held, and after a moment he shook his head. "No." Finally he let Skulduggery go, not quite looking Skulduggery in the face even though he wasn't currently wearing a face.

Instead he deactivated Gilgamesh's mask and went to pick up the machete, Hopeless's machete, and Daisy. The former he sheathed. The latter he checked to make sure it hadn't discharged when he dropped it. "We need to go back. There are others who will be needing the help to break his control."