Reading settings
Chapter 333: Fear Fills the Sky
Universe, Space Sector 424.
"This is Carmel Star Cargo Ship Three, requesting permission to return to the Interstellar Port."
"Carmel Star Interstellar Port acknowledges. Permission granted."
The faint light of countless stars scattered across the black velvet canvas of the universe, twinkling like tiny crystals. A spaceship, like a metallic island, navigated slowly through the darkness. Its form was sleek and sharp, like a colossal sword lying majestically and solemnly against the cosmic backdrop.
Having finished the communication, the Carmel Star's communications officer stretched out with a long yawn and leaned back into his seat.
"Finally heading back... How long have we been out this trip? Thirteen months?"
"Thirteen months and twelve days," his colleague beside him said. "I can't wait to go back and hold my newborn little daughter. I've only seen her through remote projections since she was born."
"I'm really happy for you, buddy. Heard this is your last cargo run?"
"Yeah, fifty years, hundreds of runs big and small, and I've finally made it through," the communications officer said with a wide smile. "I'm retiring after this trip. I'll go back, dote on my wife, hold my precious daughter, and then... you know, enjoy the retired life and all that."
"You've earned it, buddy. That's great."
As they were chatting idly, a colleague behind them finally couldn't take it anymore. "Hey, you two, can you quiet down? You have no idea how badly you're jinxing us right now, do you?"
The two looked at each other.
"Calm down, chief. We're just making small talk."
"Yeah, nothing's gonna happen. Trust me, I've made hundreds of these runs. It's just routine transport, nothing can go wrong—"
The sound of an impact tore through the ship before his last word could fall. A heavy roar echoed as the entire vessel let out a pained shriek, unable to bear the strain.
"What the hell...!?"
"Impact alarm! We're under attack!" someone shouted in a panic.
The captain had no time to settle scores with the two jinxes—who might as well have jammed a flag of misfortune straight into the ship's engine—and quickly turned his head.
"What attacked us? Where did it come from?"
"I don't know. The thing is very fast, and the radar didn't register it. But the shield integrity dropped by thirty percent in a single hit. If it hits us again... oh no." The crewman's face filled with despair. "We're done for..."
A tenth of a second later, another violent impact struck. Through the porthole, the crewman only managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the attacker's path—a golden streak seemed to flash across the universe, like a silent hunter piercing its prey with a sharp arrow.
The entire ship trembled under the impact, its metal structure screaming in agony. The force field shattered under the strain, and the sturdy aerospace alloy fractured. A searing fireball began to expand from the breached cabin, like a magnificent yet tragic firework. Golden and white light intertwined to form a blooming flower of death. Fragments and energy tumbled in the aftershock of the explosion, some burning, some glittering, like a grand funeral.
Everyone on the ship's heart nearly stopped.
They were all veterans of space travel, and it was precisely for this reason that they held no illusions of luck in this situation. A hull breach and disintegration during an interstellar journey was a catastrophe from which there was no escape. Even if a chosen one managed to survive such an event, it would be impossible to survive out in the universe.
Unless a miracle occurred.
Like... right now.
As if from the farthest reaches of space, a miraculous blue light dispelled the darkness of the universe. Two blue trails, one after the other, emerged from an interstellar fold tunnel, shooting out at a speed exceeding light, bringing with them hope and salvation.
When everyone from the ship came to their senses, they were shocked to find themselves floating in the universe. Beside them were silent flames erupting in the vacuum, surrounded by the fragments of their disintegrated ship and the light of the explosion, like a magnificent scene a painter had splashed across a boundless canvas.
"Don't be nervous, don't be afraid..."
A voice slowly sounded out, carrying a kind of indescribable magic, like a gentle hand softly stroking one's spirit.
Saint Walker and Brother Warth from Odym, two Blue Lanterns, spoke softly under the glow of the blue light.
"...Everything is going to be alright."
The rescued crew members were dumbfounded, as if doubting the reality of what they were seeing.
"The legendary blue angels of the universe who spread hope... I thought they were just a myth..." a crewman stammered.
"I assure you, we are as real as the star that grants you its blessings," Saint Walker said gently. "You'll be alright."
The force field created by the Blue Power Ring protected the crew. At the same time, the ring issued an alert: "Vacuum seal damage level six. Gravity field offline. Life forms in danger. Recommend immediate transfer."
"I'll leave them to you, Brother Warth," said Saint Walker. "Take them back to the Interstellar Port on Carmel Star. No problem?"
"Of course."
Brother Warth replied, looking at Saint Walker.
"Are you going to do something?"
Saint Walker looked toward the streak of light that had pierced the interstellar ship and was now flying toward the other side of space at hypervelocity.
"...I'm going to stop that thing."
A Power Ring.
That was the culprit that had destroyed the ship: a yellow Power Ring. It seemed to be merely searching for a wielder, in an unmanned state with its weapon systems not even activated. But even in such a state, a casual collision while passing by was enough to instantly take out a spaceship.
Saint Walker naturally couldn't let it go.
The Yellow Power Ring also quickly sensed Saint Walker in pursuit.
"Blue Lantern member detected in pursuit. Simulating automated defense. Win rate assessment... 0%." The Yellow Power Ring calculated rapidly. "Adjusting strategy. New plan: flee at full speed. Resimulating. Probability of successful escape... 0%."
By the time the calculation was complete, the poor Power Ring was already sealed within a Blue Lantern shield created by Saint Walker.
"Error. You do not possess the ability to instill Great Fear. You have not been chosen—"
The Yellow Power Ring relentlessly struck the shield from within.
"Error. Recalibrating course for Space Sector 304—"
"Be quiet."
With a thought from Saint Walker, the energy of his Blue Power Ring poured into the other ring. The energy of the Yellow Light was extinguished, like a flame doused by a great flood.
It quickly quieted down, no longer darting about. Even its mechanical AI tone changed. "...Respected Blue Lantern Saint Walker, what are your orders?"
Just then, Brother Warth flew over. "A Yellow Power Ring. It seems this is the omen Master Ganthet warned us about. The other Lantern Corps are emerging... But why did it need to go to Space Sector 304?"
"Because it was only passing through here, Brother Warth."
Saint Walker turned, his expression grave as he looked out into the boundless universe behind him.
"...Just like them."
Brother Warth followed his gaze, and his pupils couldn't help but contract.
He saw Power Rings.
Yellow Power Rings, one after another, countless Yellow Power Rings were flying in every direction, drawing crisscrossing paths through space, like an intricate golden net.
"Such a number..."
Brother Warth looked at Saint Walker in astonishment.
"Could this be what Master Ganthet spoke of? Is the prophecy coming true?"
"I don't know, Brother Warth. But if this is truly a prelude to the War of Light, then we need to notify everyone we can."
"First, the Green Lantern Corps; they must be warned. Then, even more importantly, the 'Supreme' of the Blue Lantern Corps needs to be notified..."
"...We need someone to notify 'Ultraman' on Earth."
In another Sector.
The Weapon Master looked up at space, seemingly observing something through his red eyepiece.
After a long moment, he finally turned his head.
"Our Yellow Power Rings are being tracked, Sinestro," he said. "Some Power Rings have already started to go offline."
Sinestro frowned. "The Green Lantern Corps?"
"No, it doesn't look like it. The offline Power Rings have had their energy drained, the fear energy neutralized. The Green Lanterns don't have that kind of ability."
The Weapon Master paused, then continued.
"From my understanding of the Spectrum, only one type of Color Lantern has this ability."
Sinestro's brows furrowed.
"The Blue Lantern Corps... Fine. Since they want to cause trouble, we'll start with them."
Sinestro's figure lifted off the ground, hovering as he raised his voice.
"Then Odym will be our first target. Give the order to our Yellow Lanterns! We are going to... attack the Blue Lantern Headquarters!"
(end of chapter)
Universe, Space Sector 424.
"This is Carmel Star Cargo Ship Three, requesting permission to return to the Interstellar Port."
"Carmel Star Interstellar Port acknowledges. Permission granted."
The faint light of countless stars scattered across the black velvet canvas of the universe, twinkling like tiny crystals. A spaceship, like a metallic island, navigated slowly through the darkness. Its form was sleek and sharp, like a colossal sword lying majestically and solemnly against the cosmic backdrop.
Having finished the communication, the Carmel Star's communications officer stretched out with a long yawn and leaned back into his seat.
"Finally heading back... How long have we been out this trip? Thirteen months?"
"Thirteen months and twelve days," his colleague beside him said. "I can't wait to go back and hold my newborn little daughter. I've only seen her through remote projections since she was born."
"I'm really happy for you, buddy. Heard this is your last cargo run?"
"Yeah, fifty years, hundreds of runs big and small, and I've finally made it through," the communications officer said with a wide smile. "I'm retiring after this trip. I'll go back, dote on my wife, hold my precious daughter, and then... you know, enjoy the retired life and all that."
"You've earned it, buddy. That's great."
As they were chatting idly, a colleague behind them finally couldn't take it anymore. "Hey, you two, can you quiet down? You have no idea how badly you're jinxing us right now, do you?"
The two looked at each other.
"Calm down, chief. We're just making small talk."
"Yeah, nothing's gonna happen. Trust me, I've made hundreds of these runs. It's just routine transport, nothing can go wrong—"
The sound of an impact tore through the ship before his last word could fall. A heavy roar echoed as the entire vessel let out a pained shriek, unable to bear the strain.
"What the hell...!?"
"Impact alarm! We're under attack!" someone shouted in a panic.
The captain had no time to settle scores with the two jinxes—who might as well have jammed a flag of misfortune straight into the ship's engine—and quickly turned his head.
"What attacked us? Where did it come from?"
"I don't know. The thing is very fast, and the radar didn't register it. But the shield integrity dropped by thirty percent in a single hit. If it hits us again... oh no." The crewman's face filled with despair. "We're done for..."
A tenth of a second later, another violent impact struck. Through the porthole, the crewman only managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the attacker's path—a golden streak seemed to flash across the universe, like a silent hunter piercing its prey with a sharp arrow.
The entire ship trembled under the impact, its metal structure screaming in agony. The force field shattered under the strain, and the sturdy aerospace alloy fractured. A searing fireball began to expand from the breached cabin, like a magnificent yet tragic firework. Golden and white light intertwined to form a blooming flower of death. Fragments and energy tumbled in the aftershock of the explosion, some burning, some glittering, like a grand funeral.
Everyone on the ship's heart nearly stopped.
They were all veterans of space travel, and it was precisely for this reason that they held no illusions of luck in this situation. A hull breach and disintegration during an interstellar journey was a catastrophe from which there was no escape. Even if a chosen one managed to survive such an event, it would be impossible to survive out in the universe.
Unless a miracle occurred.
Like... right now.
As if from the farthest reaches of space, a miraculous blue light dispelled the darkness of the universe. Two blue trails, one after the other, emerged from an interstellar fold tunnel, shooting out at a speed exceeding light, bringing with them hope and salvation.
When everyone from the ship came to their senses, they were shocked to find themselves floating in the universe. Beside them were silent flames erupting in the vacuum, surrounded by the fragments of their disintegrated ship and the light of the explosion, like a magnificent scene a painter had splashed across a boundless canvas.
"Don't be nervous, don't be afraid..."
A voice slowly sounded out, carrying a kind of indescribable magic, like a gentle hand softly stroking one's spirit.
Saint Walker and Brother Warth from Odym, two Blue Lanterns, spoke softly under the glow of the blue light.
"...Everything is going to be alright."
The rescued crew members were dumbfounded, as if doubting the reality of what they were seeing.
"The legendary blue angels of the universe who spread hope... I thought they were just a myth..." a crewman stammered.
"I assure you, we are as real as the star that grants you its blessings," Saint Walker said gently. "You'll be alright."
The force field created by the Blue Power Ring protected the crew. At the same time, the ring issued an alert: "Vacuum seal damage level six. Gravity field offline. Life forms in danger. Recommend immediate transfer."
"I'll leave them to you, Brother Warth," said Saint Walker. "Take them back to the Interstellar Port on Carmel Star. No problem?"
"Of course."
Brother Warth replied, looking at Saint Walker.
"Are you going to do something?"
Saint Walker looked toward the streak of light that had pierced the interstellar ship and was now flying toward the other side of space at hypervelocity.
"...I'm going to stop that thing."
A Power Ring.
That was the culprit that had destroyed the ship: a yellow Power Ring. It seemed to be merely searching for a wielder, in an unmanned state with its weapon systems not even activated. But even in such a state, a casual collision while passing by was enough to instantly take out a spaceship.
Saint Walker naturally couldn't let it go.
The Yellow Power Ring also quickly sensed Saint Walker in pursuit.
"Blue Lantern member detected in pursuit. Simulating automated defense. Win rate assessment... 0%." The Yellow Power Ring calculated rapidly. "Adjusting strategy. New plan: flee at full speed. Resimulating. Probability of successful escape... 0%."
By the time the calculation was complete, the poor Power Ring was already sealed within a Blue Lantern shield created by Saint Walker.
"Error. You do not possess the ability to instill Great Fear. You have not been chosen—"
The Yellow Power Ring relentlessly struck the shield from within.
"Error. Recalibrating course for Space Sector 304—"
"Be quiet."
With a thought from Saint Walker, the energy of his Blue Power Ring poured into the other ring. The energy of the Yellow Light was extinguished, like a flame doused by a great flood.
It quickly quieted down, no longer darting about. Even its mechanical AI tone changed. "...Respected Blue Lantern Saint Walker, what are your orders?"
Just then, Brother Warth flew over. "A Yellow Power Ring. It seems this is the omen Master Ganthet warned us about. The other Lantern Corps are emerging... But why did it need to go to Space Sector 304?"
"Because it was only passing through here, Brother Warth."
Saint Walker turned, his expression grave as he looked out into the boundless universe behind him.
"...Just like them."
Brother Warth followed his gaze, and his pupils couldn't help but contract.
He saw Power Rings.
Yellow Power Rings, one after another, countless Yellow Power Rings were flying in every direction, drawing crisscrossing paths through space, like an intricate golden net.
"Such a number..."
Brother Warth looked at Saint Walker in astonishment.
"Could this be what Master Ganthet spoke of? Is the prophecy coming true?"
"I don't know, Brother Warth. But if this is truly a prelude to the War of Light, then we need to notify everyone we can."
"First, the Green Lantern Corps; they must be warned. Then, even more importantly, the 'Supreme' of the Blue Lantern Corps needs to be notified..."
"...We need someone to notify 'Ultraman' on Earth."
In another Sector.
The Weapon Master looked up at space, seemingly observing something through his red eyepiece.
After a long moment, he finally turned his head.
"Our Yellow Power Rings are being tracked, Sinestro," he said. "Some Power Rings have already started to go offline."
Sinestro frowned. "The Green Lantern Corps?"
"No, it doesn't look like it. The offline Power Rings have had their energy drained, the fear energy neutralized. The Green Lanterns don't have that kind of ability."
The Weapon Master paused, then continued.
"From my understanding of the Spectrum, only one type of Color Lantern has this ability."
Sinestro's brows furrowed.
"The Blue Lantern Corps... Fine. Since they want to cause trouble, we'll start with them."
Sinestro's figure lifted off the ground, hovering as he raised his voice.
"Then Odym will be our first target. Give the order to our Yellow Lanterns! We are going to... attack the Blue Lantern Headquarters!"
(end of chapter)
