With a deafening explosion, the entrance to the building was completely blown apart. Shards of glass and delicate porcelain decorations from the courtyard shattered under the shockwave, scattering debris across the ground. As the dust settled, Green Lantern strode in confidently. The space between the gate and the inner hall was wide open, and it was packed with alien warriors from various species. At the sound of the blast, they turned, their voices rising in angry shouts and curses.
More than a dozen aliens grouped together, glaring at the intruder. Green Lantern, however, didn't move a muscle. He stood tall, his green light glowing faintly around him, and showed no signs of fear or hesitation. To the watching crowd, it seemed like he hadn't done anything, but all at once, a crushing weight pressed down on their chests. Unable to resist the invisible force, the warriors stumbled and collapsed, smashing into the ground and nearby objects.
With a faint hum, the green light around him grew brighter, and Green Lantern lifted off the ground. Hovering just above the floor, he crossed the entire courtyard without touching a single step and burst straight into the inner hall.
Inside, the atmosphere was more formal but equally tense. This room held stronger members of the group, likely the leaders. At the center of the room, a few aliens sat in a circle, deep in a serious discussion. Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when Green Lantern arrived. They looked at him in shock, some exchanging confused glances as if wondering what had happened to the guards outside.
The Krafal Second Alliance was one of the most powerful forces on this planet. The only other group that could rival them was the "Eastern Hemisphere Alliance," often called ASEAN. Both alliances had dominated their respective territories for years without interference, so the idea of someone storming into their headquarters was nearly unthinkable.
As the dust settled, the leaders grew more puzzled. Was this… just one person? A single intruder, challenging the might of their entire alliance? Their disbelief was almost palpable.
Two alien warriors, standing closest to the door, decided to act first. One resembled a giant sea cucumber with slimy, rippling flesh. The other was covered head to toe in sharp, thorn-like spikes, looking like a humanoid hedgehog. They stepped forward, their body language oozing aggression.
Green Lantern didn't budge. His expression remained calm, almost amused, as he watched the two aliens approach. Without warning, there were two loud thuds. The sea cucumber alien was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall with such force that he became embedded in it, struggling to free himself. The spiky alien didn't fare much better; he was flung backward at an alarming speed, colliding with his own teammates. His sharp spikes stabbed into their bodies, making them scream in pain.
The entire room froze as the remaining aliens stared in disbelief. They hadn't seen Green Lantern move a finger. How had he managed to defeat two of their strongest warriors so effortlessly? A heavy silence hung in the air as realization dawned—this wasn't just any opponent. They had underestimated him.
Unbeknownst to them, Green Lantern hadn't needed to act at all. His Lantern Ring provided him with an "absolute defense" that activated automatically. The force field surrounding him was a standard function of the ring, designed to protect its wearer from any attack. It was strong enough to allow Green Lantern to survive in the vacuum of space or withstand the impact of Superman's punches. The two aliens had unknowingly triggered the defense system, which retaliated by bouncing their attacks back at them with devastating force.
Throughout the DC universe, Green Lanterns were known as enforcers of justice, their power and authority unmatched. Yet, on this distant planet, the aliens had no idea who they were dealing with. They only knew that the green-clad figure before them had taken down two warriors without lifting a hand.
Through the chaos, Green Lantern's eyes scanned the room, settling on a figure seated at the far end. This individual had a humanoid appearance—broad-shouldered, dark-skinned, and powerfully built. At first glance, he could have passed for a human, though subtle differences in his facial structure marked him as something else. What caught Green Lantern's attention, however, was the way the other aliens seemed to instinctively move to protect him. It was clear that this man was someone important—perhaps the leader of the group.
"Who are you?" a deep voice demanded. The speaker was a tall alien who had led the guards outside. His sharp tone suggested authority.
Green Lantern smiled faintly. "That doesn't matter," he replied, his tone casual but sharp, as though hiding a blade behind his words. He took a step forward, and the alien warriors around him automatically stepped back. It was as if his very presence commanded them to retreat. The circle of warriors shifted with him, widening the space between them.
"There's a Cantel missing," Green Lantern said, his voice steady and confident. "I hear he's one of yours."
The room fell silent as the aliens processed his words. Some of the leaders exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions revealing their thoughts. So, he's here about that.
Cantel's disappearance had become a topic of widespread concern. The fall of the Cantel Legion's leader was an extraordinary event, and his killer was now a fugitive wanted across the star system. Powerful figures from all corners of the universe had been trying to track him down, hoping to claim the reward from the ruling powers of the star realm. Yet, despite their efforts, no one had dared to confront the Krafal Second Alliance directly—until now.
The boldness of this green-clad stranger stunned them. To storm into their headquarters, showing no fear, and demand answers was an act of audacity they had never seen before.
Finally, the tall alien broke the silence. "You're asking about the legion commander again?" he said, his voice laced with irritation. "Then you'll be disappointed. And even if we did know, what makes you think we'd tell you?"
The aliens waited, their eyes flickering between Green Lantern and their leader, wondering how this confrontation would play out.