161 Chapter 161: The Guardians of the Universe
Zone 0.
Planet Oa.
The headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps. The Guardians of the Universe divided the entire universe into 3,600 sectors, with Oa located in Sector 0.
The structures, gleaming in green and futuristic bright silver, stood tall on Planet Oa. Among them, the most prominent was the massive central power battery of the Green Lanterns, bearing the emblem of the Corps, emitting a radiant green light from the planet's core.
The central chamber stood atop a high peak, with seven cosmic guardians, each around one meter tall with blue skin, seated around eight towering pillars. One guardian, about 1.7 meters tall, sat with a solemn expression. They all wore identical white inner robes under red ancient cloaks, embellished with intricate and ancient totems embroidered in golden thread. The front of the long red cloaks, spanning over five meters, draped over the tall pillars.
Every time Hal Jordan faced these blue-skinned cosmic guardians perched atop their pillars, he couldn't help but think, "Are you guys sitting up so high and wearing those ancient long robes because of some height insecurity?"
But today, he didn't feel that way.
After projecting the recorded events of Earth being invaded by H'el using the Green Lantern ring, the projection from the ring extinguished. H'el Jordan lowered his right hand adorned with the Green Lantern ring.
"Earth faces unprecedented peril. Guardians of the Universe, I need your help, the assistance of all Green Lanterns," H'el Jordan lifted his head, scanning the solemn expressions of the cosmic guardians.
Earth alone was simply outmatched.
Not to mention H'el, even the 500,000 Kryptonian soldiers alone will absolutely be their end. Earth's annihilation was imminent.
"We, the Green Lantern Corps, uphold peace, order, and justice in the universe. We won't allow Earth to fall prey to the Kryptonian. Hal Jordan, step down for now. We need to discuss our strategy," one of the cosmic guardians spoke with gravity and righteousness.
Hal wanted to continue emphasizing his familiarity with Earth and how his involvement in the battle strategies was fitting, but he was denied by the cosmic guardians and escorted out of the central chamber.
Having no other choice, Hal began contacting the rest of the Green Lanterns, starting with his good friend Thaal Sinestro, seeking their assistance.
At the peak of the central chamber, after Hal departed, one of the cosmic guardians gestured, and the information regarding Earth that played from Hal's ring started projecting again in front of them, providing more detailed insights than Hal's recordings.
The Green Lantern ring has the function of recording information. Although it seems controlled by the Green Lanterns, in reality, the cosmic guardians can freely access and observe its contents.
"Are these the remnants of the Kryptonians? We've waited too long for their appearance!" exclaimed a cosmic guardian, notably standing at 1.7 meters tall. Their blue skin was marred by a grotesquely contorted right half of the face, as if scorched by flames.
Caressing the burnt half of her face, her eyes exuded intense hatred and fury as she observed the projection of Kryptonian Emperor stepping on Superman, a cruel smirk playing across her lips.
Her name is Scar. Once, she was not known by this name but as a member of Malthusians, the earliest life forms in the universe, bearing the name of her home planet, Malthus.
During ancient conflicts between Krypton and Malthus in the cosmos, she was captured by the Kryptonians and subjected to brutal genetic alterations, making her different from the ordinary people of Malthus. Standing at 1.7 meters tall, she went on a rampage against Krypton after being rescued from one of the battles, inflicting atrocities and massacres upon the Kryptonians. Eventually, facing Krypton's ultimate weapon, Doomsday, she suffered the burning of her right half of the face in the searing vision of Doomsday and fled in panic.
The memory of fleeing in terror from Doomsday always left her resentful and bitter about her weakness, feeling unworthy of bearing the name of a Malthusian. Thus, from that moment onwards, she adopted Scar as her name, relentlessly seeking revenge against the Kryptonians across the universe.
"It appears that Kryptonian is a scout." One cosmic guardian spoke indifferently, both hands withdrawing into the wide sleeves.
The term 'scout' referred to Superman.
They had long designed the Green Lantern rings to alert them upon detecting Kryptonians.
The cosmic guardians had received alerts of Kryptonians appearing on Earth. However, due to Earth's central position and unique significance in the universe, they refrained from immediate action.
Instead, they observed.
They wished to ascertain if it was just a lone wanderer or a vanguard of the Kryptonian legion.
If it were merely a solitary Kryptonian, they wouldn't fear it. Often, when they found wandering Kryptonians in the universe, they secretly eliminated them.
If it's the vanguard of the Kryptonian legion, it's a major problem.
This indicates that a mysterious Kryptonian legion has developed in some corner of the universe. They have come to know that Earth is the center of the universe and have dispatched scouts.
What do they want? Do they aim to reclaim their ancient cosmic dominance, starting with Earth?
When H'el appeared on Earth and the destruction caused by the 500,000 Kryptonian soldiers, the cosmic guardians categorized it as the Kryptonian legion's intent to conquer Earth, utilizing it as a stepping stone for their cosmic ambitions.
The cosmic guardians absolutely cannot tolerate Kryptonians occupying Earth, especially considering Earth's significance as the center of the universe.
They've toiled tirelessly over countless eons to divert the gaze of the entire universe to Oa, ensuring that Oa is perceived as the center of the universe, preventing any malevolent forces or beings from truly uncovering the secrets of the universe's center.
They've always hidden the truth that Earth is the center of the universe and cannot allow the Kryptonians to reveal this.
"It doesn't seem like it; he's showing no mercy," remarked one of the cosmic guardians.
Seeing H'el brutalize Superman, leaving him severely injured, he believed that they were not of the same faction or had the same goals.
"Hasn't this race always been like this?" coldly spoke another cosmic guardian.
Kryptonians have historically been perceived as tyrannical, insane, disrupting the universe, either actively conquering or preparing to conquer it.
With their overwhelmingly immense power, they are a scourge upon the universe.
"This Kryptonian appears to be unique."
Although only a fraction of H'el power was displayed, it was enough for the cosmic guardians, seasoned by numerous cosmic battles, to discern his uniqueness.
He doesn't resemble an ordinary Kryptonian; he's very distinct.
"No Kryptonian can be mightier than Doomsday! That's their ultimate, and the flesh of their ultimate has been sealed by us on Oa!"
Scar glared at each Kryptonian in the projection, her hatred overtly evident.
During the ancient cosmic wars.
They brutally won.
The flesh of Doomsday is constantly being eroded in the depths of Oa, as part of an eternal penance.
°°°
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