Chapter 120

Kara didn't use the so-called original Green Lantern ring but instead used her own power to defeat Green Lantern—one of the strongest and most distinguished members of the Green Lantern Corps today.

Even Sinestro lay unconscious nearby, and one corner of this "sacred" place had collapsed, leaving a deep crater in the ground.

Kara stood firmly, staring up at the thousands of Green Lanterns in the sky. She remained fearless, pointing defiantly. "If I don't get a reasonable explanation today, no one's leaving—including this planet. We'll pay with blood if necessary."

Hal Jordan was stunned, struggling to comprehend how things had escalated to this point.

He'd only heard bits and pieces about Kara questioning the Guardians of the Universe about the Asgardians' involvement in Krypton's destruction.

Yet Kara's threat was not enough to instill fear in all of the Green Lanterns present.

Someone shouted, "We know she's Kryptonian! Everyone, switch to kryptonite-based constructs to take her down."

"Your death wish!" Kara's expression twisted into fury as her eyes ignited with heat vision, aimed straight at the offending Lantern.

Kryptonite is indeed a potent threat to Kara, but its manifestation still required the power of the Green Lantern rings. Without the ability to project it, the threat was rendered moot.

Kara was already prepared to make the first move, ready to unleash a lethal blow.

But at that very moment, two rings—one black and one red—flew through the sky from a distance, intercepting and withstanding her attack as they halted before her.

"Daughter of Krypton, your heart is full of rage. You belong to the Red Lantern Corps," came a deep, ancient growl, echoing in everyone's ears.

Before the Green Lanterns could fully process this, another ominous, hoarse voice sounded, sending chills through them all: "Daughter of Krypton, you are destined to bring death to this universe. You belong to the Black Lantern Corps."

This time, even the Asgardians looked alarmed.

"The red light of rage and the black light of death? I thought they were sealed. Why are they appearing now?" one of the Guardians exclaimed in panic.

"And these are the original rings of the red and black lights. Once she wears them, there will be no end to the havoc that follows," muttered another.

"Daughter of Krypton, don't be blinded by anger. Things aren't what you think. We did not seek Krypton's destruction, nor have we conflicted with Krypton in over 100,000 years," the Guardians began to explain, their voices betraying unease.

The Guardians knew all too well the fearsome power of these rings. The red light of rage, while prone to causing loss of control in its bearers, held power that could even eclipse the green light. And the black ring was more terrifying still.

The great Blackest Night was driven by the Black Lantern Ring.

Yet Kara merely laughed bitterly. Coming to Oa, she had sensed that the destruction of Krypton might have been anything but straightforward, with these manipulative Guardians likely playing a role.

"Unless you can appease my fury," Kara replied, donning the black ring on her right thumb and the red ring on her right index finger, in stark contrast to the green ring now on her left.

Kara hadn't yet spoken the oaths for the red or black rings, so technically, she wasn't bound to those corps. She simply stood waiting, the next move depending on the Guardians' explanations.

The Guardians exchanged tense looks; they hadn't expected this scenario.

After a moment of initial panic, however, they regained their calm composure, devoid of any outward emotion.

In a steady, measured tone, one of the Guardians began explaining the events of the past, starting with the Kryptonian colonization efforts over 100,000 years ago.

Kara questioned, "Though I don't approve of invasion and colonization, I want to know what happened. Why did Krypton abruptly cease its colonization plans when Kryptonian ships were even sighted as far as Earth?"

She wanted to understand why the Kryptonians, who'd likely discovered the empowering effects of yellow sunlight, had ended their plans so suddenly.

"It was due to Doomsday," one Guardian replied, naming a figure that even caught Kara off guard.

"Doomsday?" she echoed.

"Yes. Doomsday was a biochemical weapon created by Kryptonian science. He was a force so powerful that even the New Gods of Apokolips couldn't withstand him. But like the fury of the red light, Doomsday's rage was uncontrollable.

"Krypton's colonization efforts weren't ended by us but were destroyed by a monster of Krypton's own making. Doomsday eradicated entire colonies, and Kryptonians suffered heavy casualties as a result.

"As a result, Krypton prohibited any research on Doomsday, and during that time, they also discovered a technology called the 'Life Code.'

"From then on, Kryptonians turned inward. Rather than external expansion, they used the Life Code to reshape society, even embedding a fierce loyalty to Krypton within their very genes.

"We tried to warn them, but Krypton's collective genetic loyalty made it impossible for them to abandon their homeworld."

The Guardian paused before adding, "Even you, Daughter of Krypton, are shaped by the Life Code. This is why you were so deeply affected by thoughts of your home planet's destruction."

The Guardians' voices were steady, lacking any hint of emotion as they recounted the history to Kara.

Kara had suspected the Guardians of some dishonorable actions, perhaps even a vendetta against Krypton. But as they produced evidence to back their words, she found herself questioning her assumptions. To her surprise, Kryptonians had once even served as Green Lanterns to help contain Doomsday, though all eventually relinquished their rings.

The mention of the Life Code seemed to resonate with Kara, easing her stance somewhat.

The Guardians' explanation seemed plausible. The Life Code, embedded within her very being, bound her irrevocably to Krypton. She realized that perhaps, her earlier rage and impulsive distrust of Oa had been a result of this genetic loyalty, magnified by her grief for Krypton.

Just then, a Green Lantern with a slightly avian, slightly piscine appearance separated from the group and approached Kara, landing gracefully before her.

"Hello, Kryptonian girl. It's good to see a member of Krypton again. I'm the Green Lantern responsible for your galaxy sector—my name is Tomar-Re," he introduced himself warmly.

"I was the one who reported Krypton's destruction and was assigned to investigate the aftermath. If you have further questions, I can assist you in understanding."