11 Chapter 11 - The Welcome - Part 2

Summoning every last bit of her strength, Diana tore her gaze away from the fallen Green Lantern. The sight of Hal, once a beacon of indomitable will and fearlessness, now brought to his knees, his arm severed, was enough to make her heart lurch in her chest. The sight was a physical blow, a stark reminder of the perilous situation they were in. But Diana knew she couldn't afford to focus on the horror of the situation. She had to remain composed, for her sake and for the sake of her comrades. So she forced her eyes away, casting her gaze around the battlefield.

The sight that met her was no less disheartening. Her comrades, superheroes who had faced the deadliest threats the universe could throw at them and emerged victorious, were all on their knees. The battlefield was littered with fallen warriors, their usual vibrancy and determination extinguished under the weight of the oppressive force that was bearing down on them. It was a sight that would have broken lesser beings, but Diana knew they were made of sterner stuff. They were heroes, and this was a test of their resolve.

Superman, the Man of Steel, a symbol of hope and strength, was visibly struggling to stay upright. His usual calm persona was replaced with a mask of grim determination. His body, usually as unyielding as the steel his moniker suggested, was shaking under the immense pressure. His blue eyes, normally full of kindness and understanding, were hardened, focused solely on the task of remaining upright.

Nearby, Batman, the Dark Knight, was faring no better. He was hunched over, his entire body tense as he fought against the invisible force. His teeth were gritted, his eyes narrowed to slits as he focused all his energy on resisting the pressure. His gloved hands were clenched into fists, the white of his knuckles visible even in the dim light. It was clear that he was putting every ounce of his willpower into standing his ground.

Cyborg, despite his mechanical enhancements and the ancient power that coursed through his circuits, was not immune to the force. His mechanical limbs were shaking, sparks flying off them as they strained to keep him upright. His face, half human, half machine, was contorted in a grimace of effort. It was clear that even his advanced technology was having a hard time compensating for the pressure.

As Diana's eyes swept over her comrades, a heavy feeling settled in her chest. They were some of the most powerful beings on Earth, and yet, they were being brought to their knees, their powers seemingly useless against this alien force. It was a sobering sight, one that threatened to overwhelm Diana with a sense of despair. But she quickly pushed those feelings aside. They were heroes. They had faced worse odds and triumphed. They would not be defeated so easily.

Her gaze then slowly drifted towards the alien creature, the epicentre of the turmoil that had suddenly engulfed their worlds. Towering over them all, he stood in stark defiance of the oppressive pressure that was pushing everyone else to their knees. What unnerved her more was the inscrutable absence of any malevolent intent emanating from him.

It was as if sowing seeds of despair into the hearts of others was an inherent part of his nature, a second skin he wore with disturbing ease. The purity of his actions, devoid of any remorse or hesitation, sent a shiver of dread coursing down her spine. His eyes, unblinking and cold, were fixed intently on the severed arm of the Green Lantern. A twisted look of curiosity was etched on his face, as if he was a scientist observing a fascinating specimen.

His tail twitched animatedly behind him, a macabre display of delight that was a stark contrast to the grim situation unfolding around him. Diana watched, her heart pounding in her chest, as he examined the ring on Hal's finger. His expression was one of fascination, his gaze almost childlike in its curiosity. It was a chilling sight, one that etched itself into her memory, fueling her determination to fight back.

This creature, this alien, had reduced them to their knees, had brought them face to face with their own mortality. But they would not stay down. They would rise, they would fight back, they would reclaim their world from the clutches of this alien menace. Because they were heroes, they were warriors, and they had a world to protect. They would stand tall against this adversity, their spirits unbroken. They would fight, not just for themselves, but for those who couldn't. Because that's what heroes did.

She steeled herself, deciding he was an enemy. Despite her divinity subtly suggesting otherwise, she couldn't see herself befriending such a person. However, what happened next left her stunned.

Amid the turmoil, the alien, both awe-inspiring and inscrutable, broke the oppressive silence. Its voice, contrasting the somber ambiance of the battlefield, sliced through the tension. Each word, a mix of authority and curiosity, resonated around them, sparking collective interest.

"What is this power that can elevate your power level to a substantial 7000, which considering this a low-level planet, could be considered decent enough, from a base power level of 90? The boost of about 6K and more in power level is astonishing," the alien's words reverberated in the air, an unfamiliar concept cloaked in mystery. The term 'power level' was an alien phrase to them, a cryptic riddle that bounced around in their minds as they tried to decipher its meaning. Amidst the confusion, the more astute among them managed to extract key points from his statement - the Green Lantern was a new phenomenon to the alien, and the reference to Earth as a 'low-level planet' suggested an underlying disregard or underestimation for their home world.

As Green Lantern remained unresponsive, the woman watched, her eyes wide with awe and disbelief, as the alien gently brought Hal's severed limb towards his shoulder. There was a moment of breathless anticipation, a sense of surreal wonder, as the alien proceeded to do what could be best described as an act of pure, unadulterated power. An ethereal red aura began to emanate from the alien's hand, enveloping the wounded area with a comforting warmth that seemed to pulsate rhythmically, like a heartbeat echoing through time and space.

The red aura, a vibrant and glowing testament to the alien's formidable power, began to work its magic. It was as if time was being rewound, the threads of fate unspooled and then knit back together again. As she watched, the woman could see the wound healing, flesh and sinew reconnecting in a symphony of regrowth and regeneration. The severed arm was reattaching itself, slowly but surely, right before her very eyes. What was once a battlefield injury became a spectacle of miraculous healing, the likes of which she had never witnessed before.

The sight was astounding, almost otherworldly. Yet, what struck her the most was the feeling it invoked within her. As she observed the red aura work its healing magic, she felt a strange sensation arise within her divinity. It was not the aura itself that caused this reaction, but the power that birthed it. She couldn't comprehend it, but it sparked a curiosity within her that was as intense as it was inexplicable. She found herself drawn to this alien and his extraordinary abilities, a mystery that she was now determined to unravel.

Despite his body being healed, Green Lantern was hovering precariously on the edge of unconsciousness. The ordeal he had just endured had pushed him to the brink, draining him of nearly all his strength. His body felt heavy, like a lead anchor dragging him down into a sea of fatigue. Yet, through sheer willpower, he held on, fighting back the encroaching darkness threatening to pull him under.

The alien, noticing his struggle, commended him for his extraordinary resilience. Without warning, he slapped him abruptly, a sharp sting of reality intended to jolt him awake. Once again, he posed his questions, his tone insistent, demanding answers.

Green Lantern, at this point, was too spent to offer any resistance. The stark realization of his powerlessness in the face of this formidable creature had extinguished any will to fight. He felt his defenses crumbling, his resolve weakening. He felt like a small boat caught in a tempest, battered by waves of despair and hopelessness.

Slowly, with a voice barely above a whisper, he began to unravel the tale of the Green Lantern Corp. He spoke of the immortals who stood as the backbone of the corps, the emotional spectrum that powered their light, and the embodiment of will that the green light represented. His words filled the air, painting a vivid picture of an organization built on the bedrock of willpower and determination.

As he spoke, the alien listened attentively, his entire focus riveted on his words. Every syllable he uttered, every fact he revealed, was absorbed by him in silent fascination. The rest of the the heroes watched in hushed anticipation as Green Lantern bared the secrets of his order to this formidable stranger. The atmosphere was thick with tension, a silent testament to the gravity of the revelations being shared.

"Interesting. The concept of an emotional spectrum, is it? I must admit, this is the first time I've encountered such a concept. Does it truly exist in the realm of reality? And if it does, how exactly does it function? Where and when did it originate? I'm curious to understand why these guardians you mentioned can manipulate it to create these so-called green lantern rings. Is this ability exclusive to them, or can others also harness it? And why is the form of a ring necessary? Furthermore, could you shed some light on the significance of the lantern part? Oh! He fainted. That is rather unfortunate. I was hoping for more answers!" The alien's words tumbled out in a rush, his tone a mix of curiosity and frustration. As he finished, an expression crossed his face that was remarkably childlike — the disappointed pout of a youngster whose new toy had been abruptly confiscated.

Dianna, who had been observing the alien throughout this exchange, found herself confronted with an enigma. The nature of his existence was proving to be elusive and complex, defying her attempts at categorization. His presence was a paradox, fluctuating between ally and adversary in the span of mere moments. One moment he lent his support, the next he projected signs of hostility, and now, all she could perceive was an almost child-like entity, radiating a pure, unadulterated curiosity. The alien was a riddle wrapped in a mystery, his shifting demeanor keeping her constantly on her toes.