California.
Seaside town, Mogoro Beach.
In the dark night, stars twinkled, and meteors streaked across the sky, flashing through the darkness.
Many children and lovers, upon seeing the night sky, clasped their hands to their chests, closed their eyes, and prayed, wishing upon the passing meteors to grant their desires.
However.
What they did not know was that this shooting star marked the end of one of the greatest heroes, the greatest Green Lantern of all time—Abin Sur.
Inside a small spacecraft.
Abin Sur's body no longer breathed. His eyes were closed, his red skin pale, lips already white, with no trace of blood. His red face was still creased with worry. Even in death, his brow remained furrowed, filled with concern and unease.
It was Parallax who had broken free from control, spreading fear throughout the universe. That anxiety had not vanished, even in death.
The last remnants of Abin Sur's willpower kept the Green Lantern uniform barely clinging to his body. At his chest, the granulation of the wound was exposed, flickering faintly with yellow fear energy, disturbed by the surrounding green light energy.
Once the next successor was found and the ring passed on to the next Green Lantern, his weak will would finally fade away. Everything would be entrusted to the next hero.
Heroes fall, becoming meteors.
But this would not be the end. The will of the fallen would be inherited by those who follow. The hearts of heroes do not waver. In time, new champions will rise to fight against evil.
The spacecraft pierced through the atmosphere, the surface of its thick glass glowing red from the intense friction. The blue flame spewing from the rear thrusters weakened, sputtering at its limit. The propulsion system locked, unable to continue.
After a journey across three light years, seeking the next successor, the ship had finally reached this blue planet. Its energy was almost depleted.
The ship creaked, the propulsion fully exhausted. Without power, it succumbed to Earth's gravitational pull, plunging into the atmosphere, the friction igniting the hull like a meteor, trailing a long flame as it hurtled toward Mogoro Beach.
Hal Jordan stood tall, the waves crashing at his feet, sending foam into the air. The sea breeze blew through his hair, his brown jacket flapping against his chest. His face was solemn in the darkness, filled with silent respect and grief.
In the dark night, he quietly watched the falling spacecraft.
He knew Abin Sur's story. Witnessing this moment, he felt deep admiration and reverence for the greatest Green Lantern of the previous generation.
In Hal's eyes, there was both hope and sadness. His hands clenched into trembling fists.
This was the end of a hero. But the will remained.
"The green light shines bright, its light everlasting."
Hal stared into the night, muttering softly to himself, eyes locked on the burning spacecraft as it fell.
The sea breeze howled around him as he recalled the Green Lantern oath.
The will's light endures. The flame never dies.
Because the will is inherited.
In his memory, he saw himself as the one chosen to succeed the greatest Green Lantern, becoming the protector of Sector 2814, including Earth, a member of the Justice League, standing guard over this sector, the universe, and the world.
"Is this… the hero who guards the universe?"
Diana looked into the distance, her vision sharper than Hal's. She could faintly make out the red figure within the falling craft.
Though she did not feel as deeply as Hal, the death of a hero still commanded a moment of silence and respect.
The wind howled over the black waves. The crashing surf grew louder, sending cool mist onto their faces like icy breath.
Hal Jordan, Victor Stone, Diana Prince, Arthur Curry.
The four stood silently, facing the sea breeze. Their hair whipped in the wind as they watched, filled with respect, mourning the passing of a hero.
Boom…
The spacecraft slammed into the coast, landing about seven hundred meters from where they stood. A massive shockwave rolled outward, rocks flying high, waves crashing violently, steam and water vapor rising.
The strong wind forced Hal to shield his eyes with his hand against the dust and debris as he squinted at the wreck.
A rock the size of a basketball shot toward Hal.
Boom!
Diana stepped forward, pulling the divine shield from her back. With a swift motion, she deflected the flying rock, its heavy mass easily swatted aside, falling harmlessly to the ground.
At the crash site, a crater more than ten meters wide steamed as seawater flowed down its sides, cooling the craft's surface, sending hissing vapor into the air.
Hal Jordan stepped toward the fallen spacecraft, the cold sea breeze blowing against him, his gaze steady and determined.
The others followed, approaching the small ship. The acrid scent of scorched earth and rising steam filled the air, brushing their skin.
Diana held her shield in one hand, the Sword of Vulcan in the other, alert as she scanned the surroundings.
Aquaman gripped his trident, waves surging behind him.
Victor tensed, sweat forming on his hands as he steadied his breathing, staying vigilant.
Hal stepped closer, eyes locked on the fallen Abin Sur within the damaged ship. The faint flicker of the Green Lantern ring glowed near the lifeless body, the last trace of his will.
The ship's temperature had cooled somewhat, washed by the seawater.
Click.
Hal pushed open the damaged hatch. Seawater poured inside.
Abin Sur lay on his back in the pilot's seat, lifeless. The scene overlapped painfully with Hal's own memories. A deep sadness filled his heart.
Tears welled in his eyes as he looked upon Abin Sur.
At that moment, the Green Lantern ring began to glow, gently separating from Abin Sur's finger, rising toward Hal.
The ring, radiating green energy, hovered before him, casting green reflections across Hal's face.
Hal inhaled softly, his mourning gaze replaced by firm resolve.
"I will inherit your will."
He reached out, ready to grasp the ring.
Suddenly.
The ring trembled. Its light blazed bright, so intense that Hal instinctively squinted and raised his hand to block the glare.
Just as Hal was about to grasp it.
The ring shot away, soaring into the night sky, a streak of green light piercing the darkness.
The unexpected action left everyone momentarily frozen.
Hal stood stunned.
His hand remained outstretched, motionless.
His fingers trembled uncontrollably as a wave of panic surged through him.
"No!"
Turning his head in shock, Hal's eyes widened in horror. His body shook as he stared helplessly at the departing ring, its green glow fading into the distance.
In the depths of the night, as dark as an abyss, a white figure emerged.
The Green Lantern ring, glowing brilliantly, traced a green arc through the sky, stopping above this white figure. The green light illuminated a powerful body and a face sharp as if carved from stone, with unwavering eyes.
The white figure seemed surprised, pausing in place. Naturally, he raised his right hand.
The ring, shining with green willpower, swiftly slid onto the middle finger of his outstretched hand.
In the dark night, the green light shone like the first ray of hope at dawn, instantly piercing the darkness, radiating a powerful aura of will.
"Target lifeform locked. Barmulodi of Krypton. You possess strong willpower capable of overcoming fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps!"
(To be continued.)
***
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