The Hunt Begins (Dark Data)

[Yu Kanda]

The unexpected duo started their way towards the upper floors, climbing the stair case. Not an easy task with the medieval structure shaking and slowly collapsing around them. Both primes struggled with keeping their balance. From a distance they could hear the sounds of battle, screams, shouts and shots fired. Brave souls laying their lives on the line to save the life of others.

The upper floor looked nearly identical to the lower ones. A depressing sight. From behind they heard a loud roar. It was combined with one of the strongest shakes they felt so far, almost as if the earth beneath their feet would tear open.

"Hold on!" Kanda shouted as he grabbed hold one of the iron torch-holders latched on the wall.
Celestia wasn't so lucky, her small body was thrown against the wall.

"You alright?" The exorcists asked calmly as he watched the pony get back up on her feet.

"I will be. Those stones will give you a mean headache alright."

And just like that the shaking, screaming and rumbling stopped. Something happened, good or bad was yet to be determined, but something  happened. 'Whatever those two did, it seems to have worked.' Kanda concluded with a certain sense of satisfaction. 'Now we can take care of the judge without any interference. With God as my witness, their sacrifice will not be in vain.' Kanda's experience with these kind of situations wasn't positive. Usually, when the storm of battle settles, it means lives were lost and the angels come to collect the souls that have been set free.

Only two primes left to take down the judge. The general's slowed down paced didn't go unnoticed by Celestia. However there was no reason to run anymore. Running would only provide opportunity for the enemy to ambush them. With the loss of three of their allies they would have to be smart. Kanda noticed his innocence bow started to take its toll on his body. He dismissed the weapon and rested his hand upon his sword, strapped to his side. Ever since he started this mission he noticed his second innocence synchronization has been giving him troubles. Perhaps for now he should refrain from using it unless absolutely necessary.

The aerie hallways created an unpleasant atmosphere. The cold breeze that found its way through the castle gave Kanda Goosebumps underneath his Black order uniform. The two were both quiet and on guard. The silence carried on for so long that it started to become uncomfortable.
"I sure hope those two are alright." Celestia obviously attempted to break the silence, hoping some small talk would break the tension. Her partner wasn't a fan, "Ssh! Stay quiet, who knows what is crawling here." Kanda snarled back.

'Just my luck.' Started going through Kanda's mind. 'We finally reach the root of the problem and I am stuck with this talking pet. Perhaps the judge is hungry and sees her as dinner, that would make for a good distraction as I relieve him from his head.'

Up ahead Kanda noticed a large door, covered in velvet red cushion. A few meters before the door, there was an intersection of hallways. From the pit of his stomach an ominous feeling emerged. Something was behind that door, and it wasn't good. The exorcist sensed an alarming evil presence behind it. Whether it was his innocence warning him or just common sense, it didn't matter. If this was their final destination, and the judge was hiding behind those doors, this thing could finally end.

The general prepared for the worst and unsheathed his sword. His movement changed ever so slightly as his footsteps no longer produced sound. Both hands were gripped tight around the katana's handle. The weapon itself pointed towards the floor. Behind him the pony did her utmost best to move as silent as Kanda. With her being in the air most of the time she never really needed to sneak around. Her lack of practice in the art of sneaking showed.

Kanda approached the intersection, with just one meter between him and the corner left he heard a sound behind him. The sound of a pony stumbling down, tripping over her own hooves.  Not only did it distract the swordsman, it also alarmed a ghoul which was just around the corner. The grunting creature came around the corner, arms stretched out, reaching for the exorcist.

To any lesser warrior this may have been a problem. But for an experienced combatant like Kanda the slow movements of the ghoul made it look like child splay. With a single fluent motion the swordsman guided the sharp edge of the sword passed the arms. The skin of the ghouls neck sliced open as the weapon separated head from limb. The lifeless body crumbled to the floor as its head rolled towards Celestia. The pony took a few steps back as she looked rather shocked at Kanda. The exorcist didn't show any sign of regret or any other emotion for that matter within his cold gaze.

 "Whatever is hiding behind that door, we take it down and we do it fast. We have to remember the mission and the lives that will be saved." The general spoke.
Celestia nodded firmly, "Let's do it!"

Both primes walked towards the door, ready for combat. With a strong kick Kanda forced open the door. It was time to end this once and for all.

906 words according to word.