The Hunt Begins (Dark Data)

[Celestia]

Though tenacious and resilient, the ghouls were neither particularly capable or intelligent. As such, when they were focused on the task it was simple enough for Celestia and Yu Kanda to break through the pack of them. Yu Kanda stumbled for a moment, but this was due to an unexpected effect of the region they were in rather than any notable effort on the part of their attackers. When he explained as much, while they ran onwards, Celestia nodded grimly. “Yes,” she replied between breaths, “I'd noticed something to that effect myself. I must apologize, I would have said something had I known other people than just I were affected. It's something we will have to account for in the battle ahead.” Still, the delay was inconsequential, and the route to the fortress lay open ahead of them.

They only managed to cover part of the difference before it became apparent that the way behind them was not so empty. The first sign of pursuit was what began as a steady thumping from some distance in the way they'd just come, steadily gaining in volume. Celestia was prepared not to look back, whatever was behind them could likely be avoided by doing what they were already doing, racing toward the forest.

The voices of her allies, those that had stayed behind to keep the enemies distracted or keep allies who decided to stay behind safe, gave Celestia pause. She was initially pleased to hear her allies returning to her, but Revan's tone as he called out gave her pause. She slowed slightly, managing to put two and two together just in time expect the creature that came thundering up behind them. It was as if the even the ground itself had aligned with Nebula's cause and wanted to destroy the primes. How could they fight the very ground they were standing on?

Perhaps they wouldn't have to. Revan was already acting on the concept Celestia was forming, that perhaps the creature didn't need to be beaten, it could be avoided. Indeed, it didn't seem particularly tactically minded, and it couldn't be easy to manage all that bulk. With a little cleverness, the charging, animate mound could be turned, unintentionally, to their advantage.

The creature pursued them right up to the fortress' walls, and when the primes suddenly veered out of the way, right through them. The walls were sturdy, but could only hold so much. That they stayed standing was a testament to their durability, but a hole was created all the same. The creature stumbled, disoriented, but it was entirely undamaged and would recover quickly.

“We don't have long!” Celestia called out as she surged forward. She wouldn't let any of her companions mistake the momentary of calm for an actual break in the action, if she could help it. She scrambled through the hole created by the creature's impact, keeping a watchful eye out and ready to blast anything hostile which lay in wait on the other side. The creature stirred as she passed, which spurned her on faster. “We can lose it in the passageways, or force it to tear apart the fortress chasing after us!"