Chapter 178: Ahalmez

Kaya had grabbed Mikita and Alvida and flew. 

"Kaya, we need to turn east from the main temple ruins," Mikita said.

"I know, this should be the way," Kaya replied.

"Let's make pace," Alvida said. 

They all nodded and Kaya flew faster. They got to the east side of the ruins. Kaya started flying around. They could see pillars and status however nothing of real interest. 

"Over there," Alvida pointed out. 

Kaya and Mikita looked in the direction and saw a temple. It was covered in overgrown vegetation. The small temple ruin stood frozen in time, its round roof now a mere skeleton of crumbling stone tiles. The weathered pillars, adorned with faded carvings, framed the entrance. Moss clung to the aged stones and the scattered debris were on the round roof.

"You think it's there?" Mikita asked.

"My gut feeling says it is," Alvida replied 

"Let's check it out," Kaya replied. Kaya flew down. They approached the temple. It was old and weathered. 

"It does not look like this place has been open for a while," Kaya said.

They walked to the front of the temple. "Look there," Mikita said. 

They looked up and saw the monster from the drawing. It had a large circular body and the head of an animal. It had a long neck. "Good spot," Alvida said.

"So we are on the right track," Kaya said.

"Yes we are. We can trust our new crewmates," Alvida said.

"You and Ben are very trusting," Mikita said.

"Ben, maybe but I am cautious; however when it comes to the harem members, I trust fully," Alvida replied.

"I do as well," Kaya said. She added, "I know it is not rational but when they join us, I know I can fully trust each other. I don't need to hide anything." 

Mikita smiled. "I am living proof of that," Mikita said.

Alvida and Kaya giggled. "Yes, you are but you were a softie," Alvida said.

"Softie," Mikita yelled.

"Lets keep our eyes open," Kaya said.

"I know but I am not letting the remark go away," Mikita said.

Alvida smiled back. She walked over and pushed the temple doors. The doors were stuck. Kaya walked up and pushed as well. 

"Let me join as well," Mikita said. She walked over and started to push.

They all pushed together. "Meteor Fist," Mikita said as she increased the weight in her hands and pushed the doors. The doors could not take the pressure and broke. 

"Well that is one way of doing it," Kaya said.

"It is," Alvida added.

They walked in and saw a statue. The statue had a spherical torso with two mechanical arms. Its neck was long and cable-like. It had the head of a dog. On top of the head and hands were gemstone-like hemispheres. 

"Ahalmez," Kaya read off the statue. 

"This looks similar to the statue that Nojiko, Vivi and Honey told us about," Alvida said.

Mikita nodded. 

Suddenly the statue started to break apart. The stones fell down and in place of him was an orange machine monster. It resembled that statue.

"What did we do?" Kaya asked.

"I don't know but it does not look friendly," Mikita said. 

Ahalmez looked angry. He fired a tornado from his mouth.

"Look out," Alvida said.

They all jumped out of the way. The tornado flew out of the building. 

"That was close," Kaya said.

Ahalmez looked at Kaya and fired a beam from his mouth. Kaya saw this. She opened her mouth and charged her energy. A ball appeared in her mouth and she fired a golden beam towards the beaming coming towards her. "HyperBeam," Kaya said. The beams clashed which resulted in an explosion. The piece of the roof collapsed. The building shook.

"Kaya careful," Mikita said.

"Sorry," Kaya replied.

"No need to apologies, we need to take him out of the building," Alvida said. Mikita and Kaya nodded. 

Mikita jumped in the air and launched a flying kick towards Ahalmez. "Groundbreaker," Mikita increased her weight and kicked him in the chest. Ahalmez went backwards. It looked at Mikita and tried to punch her. 

Mikita jumped back towards the door. Ahalmez swung left and right using his long arms to punch Mikita, however he was too slow. 

"Slipstream Cannon," Alvida said as she created a vortex around her by spinning her body rapidly. This generated a powerful current of air in which she compressed and fired it This current can be compressed and fired on the backside of Ahalmez. He went forward through the doors. 

Ahalmez looked behind. Mikita ran up to him. "Meteor Fist," Mikita said as she increased her weight dramatically in one hand. She threw a powerful punch at his face. Ahalmez's head got knocked back however he recovered and looked at Mikita. He tried to punch her with his long arms however Mikita decreased her weight and dodged the attack. 

Mikita increased her weight back to normal and landed on the ground. She jumped back. Ahalmez followed outside. Alvida and Kaya followed suit. They surrounded him. 

"Angel Beam," Kaya said as she used her one hand and fired a gold beam towards Ahalmez. She hit his back and one of the tubes. Ahalmez looked behind and fired his arm towards Kaya. Kaya saw an arm coming towards and jumped off the way. The arm went back. 

"He has some interesting moves," Mikita said. 

"They are annoying," Kaya said. 

"Slip Punch," Alvida said as she slipped the air with a punch, pushing it towards Ahalmez. The force of the air hit his arm. There was no damage. Ahalmez looked at Alvida and fired a beam at her. "Slipstream Dash," Alvida said as she slipped around and dodged the attack.

"Aim for this arm," Alvida said. 

"Okay," Kaya said. She opened her mouth and fired a golden beam from her mouth and hit his right. "Angel HyperBeam," Kaya said.

"Slipstream Cannon," Alvida said as she created a vortex around her by spinning her body rapidly again and firing a powerful current of air at Ahalmez` arm. There were some scratches on his arm. Ahalmez fired a tornado at Alvida. Alvida jumped away. 

Mikita ran up and jumped in the air. "Gravity Stomp," Mikita said as she increased her weight dramatically. She leapt into the air and delivered a powerful kick. Her foot connected with his arm. It created a small shockwave. Mikita jumped back. The arm had sparks on it.

"Almost there," Alvida said. 

"Angel Beam," Kaya said as she used her one hand and fired a gold beam towards Ahalmez. It hit his arm. 

Mikita followed up with her own attack. She ran up towards Ahalmez. Ahalmez saw Mikita running up. He used his neck and swept the area. Mikita jumped up and dodged the attack. She raised her fist and increased her weight and punched his arm. "Meteor Fist," Mikita said. The arm snapped and broke. 

Ahalmez used his other arm and punched Mikita in the stomach. Mikita went flying back. "Mikita," Kaya said.

Ahalmez fired a beam from his mouth towards Mikita. Kaya flew and grabbed Mikita out of the way from the attack. 

"Thanks," Mikita said.

"Are you okay?" Kaya asked. She was concerned for her crewmate. 

"I am fine," Mikita said as she got up.

Alvida jumped and kicked the face of Ahalmez. She then jumped towards Kaya and Mikita.

"Be careful," Alvida said.

"I will," Mikita said. She smiled. 

She looked at Mikita. "Okay. One down, one more to go and then we can finish it," Alvida said.

Ahalmez fired a tornado from his mouth towards the girls. They jumped out of the way. Alvida and Mikita ran towards the arm. Kaya fired a gold beam from her mouth at his arm. "Angel HyperBeam," Kaya said. A small explosion could be seen. 

Ahalmez looked at Kaya and used his eyes to fire a quick lazer beam. The beam hit Kaya. She stumbled backwards. 

Mikita ran up. She leapt into the air and increased her weight. "Gravity Stomp," Mikita said. She kicked the arm with her increased weight. Mikita jumped back. There were sparks on his arm. Ahalmez used his neck and tried to hit Mikita but she decreased her weight and just dodged the attack. 

Alvida ran up towards Ahalmez. "Slip Punch," Alvida said as she slipped the air with a punch, pushing it towards Ahalmez. The force of the air hit a joint and the arm exploded and broke off. 

Alvida and Mikita group back. Kaya joined them. 

"Are you okay?" Alvida said.

"I am fine," Kaya said and added, "A zoan devil fruit helps."

Ahalmez looked weakened. 

"They were right, once its arms are gone it is almost defenceless," Mikita said. 

"Let's take it down," Alvida said. They both nodded. 

Mikita ran up to Ahalmez again. She jumped in the air. She squatted. "Groundbreaker," Mikita said as she increased weight and dropped her body onto Ahalmez. Her bum hit the spherical body with full force. The robot went down and hit the ground causing the ground below to be destroyed. This created a small hole. Mikita jumped out of the way. 

Alvida ran up. "Slipstream Cannon," Alvida said as she created a vortex around her by spinning her body rapidly again and firing a powerful current of air at Ahalmez` body. A huge dent was seen on his body when the current of air hit. There were several sparks from his body. The tubes on top cracked. 

Kaya saw the two attacks. She closed her eyes and thought of Ben. She thought of his lance attack. Kaya raised her arm in the air. She thought about the slingshot that her best friend used and he was able to catapult stones. She thought about the lance again. Kaya started to form a white arrow shaped projection in her arm. It was made of white energy. She held the projection and threw it at high speed towards the sphere body of the monster. "Angel Heavens Arrow," Kaya said as the arrow hit Ahalmez and pierced his body and exploded. A fireball and smoke could be seen from the wreckage. 

"Wow," Mikita said.

"That was incredible," Alvida said.

"Yeah, thanks," Kaya said as she transformed back and was about to collapse when Alvida caught her.

"That move took a lot out of her," Mikita said.

"It was powerful for sure," Alvida said. 

"These monster robots are strong," Mikita said.

"Yes, my Slipstream cannon can take out a large ship but they can take multiple hits from it," Alvida said.

"We need to get stronger," Mikita said.

"I trust the girls but we need to step up," Alvida said.

"Yes, I want to get stronger for them and Ben," Mikita said.

Alvida smiled. "I will stay here with Kaya. Mikita, could you go and see if you can find the treasure?" Alvida asked.

"Sure. I will be back," Mikita replied. Mikita ran up into the temple and saw pillars fall over. The walls were cracking. She ran into the temple and looked around. She saw an altar at the back of the temple. She approached the altar.It was old and worn-out. its once-grand surface now a patchwork of cracks and weathered stone. Faint remnants of faded inscriptions hinted at the altar's former significance, now blurred by the erosion.

Mikita thought there was nothing on the altar. She looked back and saw a green orb behind the altar. She smiled and picked it up. She ran out of the temple with the green orb.