Reading settings
Chapter 339: Infinite Fear
"Thank you again for coming."
Saint Walker flew before Orin Vale.
"As you can see, if you hadn't come, things could have been much worse."
Now that the battle was over, Orin Vale shrank back to his normal size and shook hands with Saint Walker. For several days, he hadn't paid much attention to the situation in this corner of the universe, so he really did need Saint Walker to bring him up to speed.
At the same time, he noticed that the Blue Lantern Corps seemed to have developed considerably during this time. He vaguely remembered that when he last left, the corps was still in its infancy, and even Saint Walker was just a rookie. But now, that small team of just a few members had developed into what looked like a proper Lantern Corps, and Saint Walker already seemed to be a capable Leader who could hold his own.
"It looks like you're doing a good job in this position," Orin Vale said. "With the situation this universe is about to face, I think we need people just like you."
"Thank you, but I'm not sure if I have the ability..." Saint Walker said humbly. "Honestly, I thought Master Ganthet would be more suited to lead the Lantern Corps. Just as the Guardians have led the Green Lantern Corps for billions of years."
Orin Vale shrugged. "Since you've brought up that example, I think that's precisely why you're more suitable than a Guardian."
Although Ganthet was considered one of the more reliable Guardians, the Little Blue Men as a race just seemed to inspire distrust, as if they were always about to cause some trouble. In any case, Orin Vale found it easier to trust a Corps led by Saint Walker than one led by a Little Blue Man.
He also noticed some Blue Lanterns secretly pointing and whispering about him.
"Is that the Supreme Being?"
"He's even stronger than I imagined..."
"His strength isn't the point. What's important is that Hope. Did you feel that light?"
"Truly admirable."
"It's hard to disagree."
"..."
Their voices were hushed, but Orin Vale had excellent hearing.
"Supreme Being?" Orin Vale looked at Saint Walker, a little puzzled.
"It's a term that started circulating internally among the new recruits... It originated from the legends about you that spread throughout the stars," Saint Walker explained. "After the Blue Lantern Corps was founded, we dedicated ourselves to spreading Hope across the stars, and during that time, we inevitably heard such rumors.
"A Giant of Light has been seen in many places, one capable of turning the impossible into the possible, and despair into hope. They even say that the legendary Lord of Apokolips was once defeated by that light..."
Orin Vale was speechless.
Had he unknowingly become an interstellar legend?
He was suddenly and inexplicably reminded of Great God Noah from the Ultraman Universe, whose stone statues—his clones—were everywhere. Could it be that the Great God had been just as dashing in his youth, which was why his successors always felt as if his shadow was everywhere?
"The spectrum of fear is rising. This is no illusion," Saint Walker said with a grave expression. "We've seen them recruiting with our own eyes, and this invasion proves their determination for war. Master Ganthet's warning was correct. The War of Light is finally about to begin..."
"Leader! Supreme Being!"
A Blue Lantern flew across the crater-scarred battlefield.
"I'm not any Supreme Being... Ugh, forget it, it doesn't matter."
This wasn't the strangest name the people of various worlds had given the Ultra Race anyway. Titles were trivial.
"What happened?" Saint Walker asked.
"We intercepted a communication on the Green Lantern Corps' channel. An emergency message. Just now, the home planet, Oa, was also attacked by the light of fear!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of all the Blue Lanterns changed, and a commotion erupted.
"The Green Lantern Corps was attacked?"
"What's the situation? Was anyone hurt?"
"We have to go help them!"
"..."
The Blue Lantern who brought the message continued.
"The specifics of the battle are unknown, but one thing is certain. The Yellow Lanterns' objective seems to have been clear from the start. They snuck in while no one was on guard, launched a sudden surprise attack, and used long-range transport to abduct a Green Lantern..."
"Which one?" Orin Vale asked.
But even as he asked, Orin Vale probably already knew the answer. After all, there was only one Green Lantern who could inspire such a love-hate obsession in the Yellow Lantern leader.
Just as he thought, the Blue Lantern quickly continued.
"Green Lantern Hal Jordan."
"This is the Sinestro Corps, Yellow Lantern Michel's squad, rendezvousing with other teams to support Yellow Lantern Sludge's squad... My God!"
A squad of Yellow Lanterns that had just arrived on the scene was dumbfounded when they saw the battlefield on this planet.
As far as the eye could see, there were vast numbers of Yellow Lanterns. A visual estimate put their numbers at well over a hundred, forming an iron-tight encirclement. Such a grand lineup could easily wipe out ninety-nine percent of the civilizations in the universe.
Over a hundred Yellow Lanterns, against a single person.
A Green Lantern who, in theory, should be countered by the spectrum of fear.
"Is that all you've got!?"
Hal Jordan roared, and the vast array of constructs of missiles, mechs, and warships materializing behind him opened fire at full capacity. The green light exploded in a series of booms, sending another group of Yellow Lanterns sprawling.
The Yellow Lanterns participating in the siege were already trembling with fear.
It was illogical. Completely illogical.
This didn't feel like facing a Green Lantern; it felt like ganging up on the Green Lantern emotional entity, Ion. No, it was debatable if even an emotional entity was this powerful.
Was it possible for any sentient creature in this world to possess willpower of this magnitude?
Finally, when a more senior Yellow Lantern arrived at the battlefield, he shouted into the team channel: "Stop wasting your feeble constructs on futile attacks! Your constructs are fragile before this Green Lantern; sending more won't make a difference!
"You should be focusing on his willpower! Use your fear! The yellow power ring can do more than just make things and fire!
"Now, on my command, everyone together..."
Receiving unified command, the Yellow Lanterns' offensive changed. With over a hundred Yellow Lanterns united, the light of fear erupted like a sun, seeming to illuminate the entire planet in a golden hue!
Hal poured all of his willpower into his power ring, roaring as he faced the curtain of yellow light.
"Come on! Bring it on, but no matter what you do, I will not... will not..."
The next moment, he seemed to hear the distant, almost faded voice of his Green Lantern Power Ring in his ear.
"Warning, Willpower... exceeding upper limit, cannot... withstand..."
Then came the sound of something shattering, like a hammer striking a diamond.
Hal's pupils contracted violently.
It was his Green Lantern Power Ring.
His power ring had shattered.
The green light seemed to finally disintegrate, and the endless golden light rushed into his heart like a flood bursting through a dam. With it came boundless Fear, and a Despair that felt like drowning.
(end of chapter)
"Thank you again for coming."
Saint Walker flew before Orin Vale.
"As you can see, if you hadn't come, things could have been much worse."
Now that the battle was over, Orin Vale shrank back to his normal size and shook hands with Saint Walker. For several days, he hadn't paid much attention to the situation in this corner of the universe, so he really did need Saint Walker to bring him up to speed.
At the same time, he noticed that the Blue Lantern Corps seemed to have developed considerably during this time. He vaguely remembered that when he last left, the corps was still in its infancy, and even Saint Walker was just a rookie. But now, that small team of just a few members had developed into what looked like a proper Lantern Corps, and Saint Walker already seemed to be a capable Leader who could hold his own.
"It looks like you're doing a good job in this position," Orin Vale said. "With the situation this universe is about to face, I think we need people just like you."
"Thank you, but I'm not sure if I have the ability..." Saint Walker said humbly. "Honestly, I thought Master Ganthet would be more suited to lead the Lantern Corps. Just as the Guardians have led the Green Lantern Corps for billions of years."
Orin Vale shrugged. "Since you've brought up that example, I think that's precisely why you're more suitable than a Guardian."
Although Ganthet was considered one of the more reliable Guardians, the Little Blue Men as a race just seemed to inspire distrust, as if they were always about to cause some trouble. In any case, Orin Vale found it easier to trust a Corps led by Saint Walker than one led by a Little Blue Man.
He also noticed some Blue Lanterns secretly pointing and whispering about him.
"Is that the Supreme Being?"
"He's even stronger than I imagined..."
"His strength isn't the point. What's important is that Hope. Did you feel that light?"
"Truly admirable."
"It's hard to disagree."
"..."
Their voices were hushed, but Orin Vale had excellent hearing.
"Supreme Being?" Orin Vale looked at Saint Walker, a little puzzled.
"It's a term that started circulating internally among the new recruits... It originated from the legends about you that spread throughout the stars," Saint Walker explained. "After the Blue Lantern Corps was founded, we dedicated ourselves to spreading Hope across the stars, and during that time, we inevitably heard such rumors.
"A Giant of Light has been seen in many places, one capable of turning the impossible into the possible, and despair into hope. They even say that the legendary Lord of Apokolips was once defeated by that light..."
Orin Vale was speechless.
Had he unknowingly become an interstellar legend?
He was suddenly and inexplicably reminded of Great God Noah from the Ultraman Universe, whose stone statues—his clones—were everywhere. Could it be that the Great God had been just as dashing in his youth, which was why his successors always felt as if his shadow was everywhere?
"The spectrum of fear is rising. This is no illusion," Saint Walker said with a grave expression. "We've seen them recruiting with our own eyes, and this invasion proves their determination for war. Master Ganthet's warning was correct. The War of Light is finally about to begin..."
"Leader! Supreme Being!"
A Blue Lantern flew across the crater-scarred battlefield.
"I'm not any Supreme Being... Ugh, forget it, it doesn't matter."
This wasn't the strangest name the people of various worlds had given the Ultra Race anyway. Titles were trivial.
"What happened?" Saint Walker asked.
"We intercepted a communication on the Green Lantern Corps' channel. An emergency message. Just now, the home planet, Oa, was also attacked by the light of fear!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of all the Blue Lanterns changed, and a commotion erupted.
"The Green Lantern Corps was attacked?"
"What's the situation? Was anyone hurt?"
"We have to go help them!"
"..."
The Blue Lantern who brought the message continued.
"The specifics of the battle are unknown, but one thing is certain. The Yellow Lanterns' objective seems to have been clear from the start. They snuck in while no one was on guard, launched a sudden surprise attack, and used long-range transport to abduct a Green Lantern..."
"Which one?" Orin Vale asked.
But even as he asked, Orin Vale probably already knew the answer. After all, there was only one Green Lantern who could inspire such a love-hate obsession in the Yellow Lantern leader.
Just as he thought, the Blue Lantern quickly continued.
"Green Lantern Hal Jordan."
"This is the Sinestro Corps, Yellow Lantern Michel's squad, rendezvousing with other teams to support Yellow Lantern Sludge's squad... My God!"
A squad of Yellow Lanterns that had just arrived on the scene was dumbfounded when they saw the battlefield on this planet.
As far as the eye could see, there were vast numbers of Yellow Lanterns. A visual estimate put their numbers at well over a hundred, forming an iron-tight encirclement. Such a grand lineup could easily wipe out ninety-nine percent of the civilizations in the universe.
Over a hundred Yellow Lanterns, against a single person.
A Green Lantern who, in theory, should be countered by the spectrum of fear.
"Is that all you've got!?"
Hal Jordan roared, and the vast array of constructs of missiles, mechs, and warships materializing behind him opened fire at full capacity. The green light exploded in a series of booms, sending another group of Yellow Lanterns sprawling.
The Yellow Lanterns participating in the siege were already trembling with fear.
It was illogical. Completely illogical.
This didn't feel like facing a Green Lantern; it felt like ganging up on the Green Lantern emotional entity, Ion. No, it was debatable if even an emotional entity was this powerful.
Was it possible for any sentient creature in this world to possess willpower of this magnitude?
Finally, when a more senior Yellow Lantern arrived at the battlefield, he shouted into the team channel: "Stop wasting your feeble constructs on futile attacks! Your constructs are fragile before this Green Lantern; sending more won't make a difference!
"You should be focusing on his willpower! Use your fear! The yellow power ring can do more than just make things and fire!
"Now, on my command, everyone together..."
Receiving unified command, the Yellow Lanterns' offensive changed. With over a hundred Yellow Lanterns united, the light of fear erupted like a sun, seeming to illuminate the entire planet in a golden hue!
Hal poured all of his willpower into his power ring, roaring as he faced the curtain of yellow light.
"Come on! Bring it on, but no matter what you do, I will not... will not..."
The next moment, he seemed to hear the distant, almost faded voice of his Green Lantern Power Ring in his ear.
"Warning, Willpower... exceeding upper limit, cannot... withstand..."
Then came the sound of something shattering, like a hammer striking a diamond.
Hal's pupils contracted violently.
It was his Green Lantern Power Ring.
His power ring had shattered.
The green light seemed to finally disintegrate, and the endless golden light rushed into his heart like a flood bursting through a dam. With it came boundless Fear, and a Despair that felt like drowning.
(end of chapter)
