Ben, Zala, Alvida, Rubis and Emeraude headed into the Cave.
"This place is a maze," Zala remarked.
"If we get lost, it means my love can spend a bit more time with Rubis and Emeraude," Alvida teased.
"We would take that," Rubis remarked.
Emeraude also nodded. She and Ben had made love, he had seen everything. She was happy and smiled.
"I think that is a good idea," Ben said.
"See Captain, thinks it is a good idea," Zala added.
"We might want to give them a little space," Alvida said, looking at Zala. Zala smiled back, nodded and walked ahead.
Ben looked at Rubis and Emeraude. "I am glad you both are here," Ben said.
"You have already said that," Rubis said.
"It is our pleasure," Emeraude added.
Ben then grabbed the girls and held their hands. "I know I have said that but I am truly happy you both are here," he said. "I know you have been working hard on the labs," he added.
"Emeraude has been working non-stop sometimes," Rubis said.
"Rubis, you said you will keep that between us," Emeraude responded.
"I cant keep that away from our Captain and husband," Rubis said as she looked at Emeraude.
Emeraude pouted. Ben held her hand. "Emeraude you need to take care of yourself," Ben stated.
"But some of the work is so good and exciting, I have so much freedom to learn and explore," Emeraude said. She sounded like a kid in a candy store.
Ben smiled. "You usually tell Cherry that she has a strict bedtime," Rubis commented.
"I am glad you are enjoying your time in the lab and all the labs are open to you but still take care of yourself. Rubis, you can tell me when she is not taking care of herself. I will deal with it," Ben stated.
"A spank?" Rubis said.
"I will spank you," Emeraude said. They both smiled and giggled at each other.
"But Ben, we are still upset you did not tell us about the Robin situation," Emeraude said.
"It happened quickly and we had to save her," Ben responded.
"I know but," Emeraude remarked as she clenched her other fist.
"It was frustrating sitting on the sideline," Rubis said.
"I know it is but now we have the teleporter so we can gather together when we need each other," Ben remarked.
"Yes and you will call us next time," Emeraude stated as she held Ben`s hand tighter. She could not lose him.
"You heard sister," Rubis said.
"I was going to ask about the cannon and Batan," Ben said.
"Ben we have company," Zala shouted out.
"Let's go," Ben ordered as he looked at Rubis and Emeraude. They both nodded.
They caught up to Zala and Alvida. They saw Red General, Sword Soldier, Golem Soldier waiting for them.
"Let's destroy them," Ben commanded, his voice steady but firm, a spark of determination in his eyes.
The group nodded in unison, ready for battle.
"Burn Bazooka!" Red General roared, materializing a massive bazooka-like weapon from thin air. With a sharp crack, he fired a blazing projectile directly at the group.
"Dodge," Ben shouted. Everyone sprang into action, leaping aside as the shell struck the ground. The impact sent a tremor through the cave. There was a dust cloud that momentarily obscured their vision.
Emerging from the smoke, Ben transformed into his hybrid form, his powerful wings and talons gleaming. He charged at the Golem Soldier and delivered a devastating kick to its chest. The Golem Soldier staggered back but quickly regained balance, swinging its massive fist in retaliation. Ben dodged by jumping high into the air, his wings propelling him backward as he prepared for another attack.
"Sword Attack," Sword Soldier said as it slashed down at Rubis.
Rubis twirled her spear, intercepting the attack with a resounding clang. The force pushed her back slightly, but she stood her ground.
"Kanabo Swing," Alvida said as she gripped her mace tightly and swung it with full force, aiming a devastating blow at her Sword Soldier. IT got hit and there was a massive dent.
Out of the corner of her eye, Alvida saw the Red General charging at her with blazing speed.
"Storm Leg," Zala said as her leg was a blur as she executed a high-speed kick. A razor-sharp blade of compressed wind shot out, slicing through the air and striking the Red General square in the chest. He stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented.
Emeraude seized the opportunity, gripping her spear tightly. "Vert Thrust," she said as she plunged her weapon into the Red General's chest with incredible force. The spear pierced through his armor, sparks flying as the Red General stumbled backward.
Emeraude jumped back. Zala panted. She thought that technique still takes a lot of energy from her. Alvida gathered with them.
"Are you okay?" Emeraude asked.
"I am," Zala responded. Alvida nodded.
"Fireball Pearl Surprise," Red General said as he spawned a pearl shield on its hands, clashing them together to shoot fireballs at them. Emeraude, Alvida and Zala dodged the attack.
"Stinger Kick," Zala said as her leg morphed into a long, razor-sharp spike. She lunged forward and kicked the Red General. The spike sliced across his chest, leaving a deep, glowing gash as sparks flew from the impact.
"Kanabo Swing," Alvida said as she gripped her mace tightly and swung it with full force. The attack punctured through his armor, causing the Red General to stagger back, his movements jerky and unbalanced.
Vert Assault," Ermaude said as she swung her weapon in a wide arc. She struck the Red General's battered form. He reeled from the relentless blow, a crack formed in his.
The Red General staggered, sparks and energy leaking from his damaged form and turned into light.
Meanwhile, Ben saw Rubis was fighting with the Sword Soldier. Ben clenched his fists, channeling his dark energy. Shadows coalesced around his hand, forming a sleek, menacing spear radiating an aura of raw power. "Demon Abyssal Lance," Ben said as he hurled the spear at blinding speed. The dark projectile streaked across the battlefield, a trail of shadow in its wake. It struck the Sword Soldier squarely in the chest, piercing through its armored torso with an explosive impact. The lance didn't stop there, it tore cleanly through the back, emerging from the other side.
The Sword Soldier froze, its blade-arm lowering as cracks began to spider web across its form. A bright glow consumed it from within, and with a final burst of light, the Sword Soldier disintegrated into particles of light.
Rubis looked at Ben and smiled. Before she could say anything, a thunderous roar echoed as the Golem Soldier charged toward Ben.
"Guardian Charge," the Golem Soldier said as he slammed its massive arms into the ground repeatedly, creating shockwaves with every swing as it advanced. The ground cracked under the force of its attack, debris flying in all directions.
"Demon Abyssal Chains," Ben said as thick black chains erupted from his palm, snaking around the Golem Soldier's limbs and torso. The chains tightened, halting him.
Ben glanced at Rubis. "Go, Rubis! Now's your chance," he said.
"Rouge Impact Thrust," Rubis said as she lunged forward. She drove the spear straight into the Golem Soldier's chest, the impact creating a loud crack as the armor splintered. The Golem Soldier staggered back, its balance faltering. A gaping hole now marred its chest, sparks flying from the exposed core.
Ben released the chains. "Demon's Inferno Fist," Ben said as dark flames ignited around his clenched fist. The black fire burned with an intense heat as he charged forward. With a powerful leap, Ben closed the distance and slammed his flaming fist into the Golem Soldier's exposed chest. The force of the blow sent him skidding backward.
Ben then extended his arm, dark energy swirling around him once more. "Demon Abyssal Swallowtail Arrow," he said as he summoned a massive arrow. Its twin-tailed tip shimmered with dark energy as he hurled it with devastating speed. The arrow struck the Golem Soldier dead center, piercing through its core. A moment of stillness followed before a massive explosion engulfed the creature. The Golem Soldier cracks spread across its body. In a blinding flash of light, it disintegrated into glowing particles that scattered into the air.
Ben lowered his hand. Rubis walked up beside him.
"Impressive Captain," she said with a sly grin. She thought he had gotten stronger for sure.
Ben smirked. "Couldn't have done it without you, Rubis," he responded.
Zala, Emeraude and Alvida walked towards them. "Looks like they are all down," Alvida remarked.
"They did not drop anything," Zala added.
"That is strange," Ben said. "Oh well, let's keep going," he added.
Ben and the group of girls walked around the cave. "Captain, look at this," Rubis said.
Ben and the group turned their attention to the wall. They saw a sprawling island being approached by a sleek, advanced-looking boat. Onboard, silhouettes of people were visible,
"Interesting," Zala said.
"The ship looks like the ones we had seen in the Water 7 Lab," Alvida remarked.
"It does," Ben agreed.
Rubis and Emeraude looked at them. They wanted to see these ships. "The style of the drawings remind me of those found in Nanatsu Islands," Emeraude said.
"You are right there sister," Rubis agreed.
"We know that Shushibaruba is linked to this island," Ben said.
"This drawing looks old," Zala said.
"This might predate what we are facing right now," Ben added.
"It could be," Alvida agreed.