Complicated

Among the endless stars, this planet seemed insignificant at first glance. It lacked the grandeur of larger celestial bodies and didn't boast any unusual features visible from space. But as the Green Lantern flew closer, Charlie noticed something strange through the screen. A halo of shimmering starlight debris surrounded the planet. The tiny, glowing fragments sparkled like falling stardust, giving the planet an almost magical appearance. It was easy to see why some might call it the "land of stardust."

As they neared the planet's atmosphere, the Green Lantern's spaceship transformed into its bubble form, a transparent green sphere that encased them and moved silently through the sky. This seamless transition was something Charlie had grown accustomed to, but for the young boy traveling with him, the sight was still awe-inspiring. The boy sat wide-eyed, marveling at the way the bubble glided effortlessly through the sky, reflecting the faint glow of the starlight debris around them.

"Uncle, you're amazing!" the boy exclaimed, his excitement spilling over. It wasn't the first time he'd said it, and Charlie doubted it would be the last. The boy paused as if thinking of the perfect way to express himself before adding, "And you're such a nice guy!"

Charlie couldn't help but chuckle at the compliment. Being called a good person wasn't something he was used to, especially in the heat of his current mission. If it had been an adult or even a girl who said it, he might have felt awkward. But coming from this innocent, wide-eyed boy, it was endearing and easy to accept.

"Why do you think I'm a good person?" Charlie asked, curious.

The boy thought about it for a moment. "Well, you give me food, you show me so many amazing things, and you're so powerful. Of course, you're a good person!"

Charlie smiled at the simplicity of the boy's reasoning. "By that logic, the leader who picked you up before must also be a good person?"

"Of course!" the boy said eagerly. "He gave me lots of delicious food and said I could help him unlock the temple and save lots of people. That makes him a good person too!"

Charlie couldn't help but feel skeptical. The so-called leader had likely been using the boy for his own ends. While the ancient gods in the temple were rumored to grant wishes, those pursuing such power were usually driven by selfish desires, not altruism. Charlie wasn't above admitting that he had his own reasons for seeking the temple too. After all, in this vast starry universe, who wasn't chasing something for themselves?

As they descended further into the planet's atmosphere, the Green Lantern's speed slowed significantly. The ring's bubble, which had traveled at incredible speeds in space, adjusted to the denser air and atmospheric conditions. The transition allowed Charlie to take in the breathtaking scenery below.

The planet was stunning. Rolling mountains stretched across the landscape, interspersed with rocky cliffs and dense forests. Yet, unlike Earth's familiar green vegetation, this planet was dominated by a brilliant blue hue. Trees with deep blue branches and leaves formed a vast, alien ocean of color that covered the hills and plains. The strange beauty of the planet struck Charlie immediately. It was exotic, foreign, and yet somehow comforting in its serenity.

The forests were alive with wildlife—birds, beasts, and creatures that Charlie couldn't identify. But there was no sign of human—or humanoid—civilization. The Green Lantern's bubble carried them forward for over 100 kilometers before detecting any signs of intelligent life. Finally, nestled in a clearing among the trees, they spotted a small structure.

At first glance, the building didn't look like much. It appeared to be a crude hut, constructed from rocks and vegetation. In fact, it resembled an oversized bird's nest more than a proper home. Despite its simple design, it seemed sturdy enough to provide shelter from the elements. As they approached, they noticed someone sitting in front of the structure.

It was a child—or at least, it looked like one. The figure was small and short-limbed, with a round, compact body. Its skin was a dark, reddish hue, and its eyes, a dull lavender color, lacked any spark of life. The figure had no hair, and its movements were stiff and awkward, adding to its unsettling appearance.

Hal landed the bubble near the structure and stepped forward. "Sorry to interrupt," he said politely. "Could I ask you a few questions?"

The child—or creature—lifted its head slowly. Its lavender eyes rolled awkwardly to focus on Hal, but it didn't answer. Instead, it let out a series of quiet, unsettling laughs. Its small body trembled as it laughed, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet clearing.

The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting long shadows over the clearing. The golden light outlined the trembling figure of the child, giving it an eerie, almost grotesque appearance. The scene sent a chill down Charlie's spine, though he couldn't explain why.

"Are your parents home?" Charlie asked after a moment, breaking the silence. He glanced toward the hut as he spoke, already moving to peek inside without waiting for an answer. The structure was empty.

The child suddenly spoke, its voice casual and light. "Father… no. Mother… dead! Died completely, hahahaha!"

Charlie froze, stunned by the strange response. For a moment, he wondered if the Green Lantern's translation function was malfunctioning. How could anyone, even an alien, speak so cheerfully about the death of their mother? Then again, Charlie remembered hearing about certain cultures on Earth where death was celebrated rather than mourned. Perhaps this was a similar case—or perhaps the child truly didn't understand the gravity of what it was saying.

The young boy traveling with Hal watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. He didn't understand why, but the child's laughter unsettled him deeply. A strange sadness mixed with a growing sense of unease settled in his chest. He didn't have the words to describe what he was feeling, but the situation made him uncomfortable in a way he couldn't shake.

"Let's move on," Charlie said finally. There was no point in lingering. The Green Lantern's bubble re-formed around them, lifting them into the air. As they rose, the figure of the red-skinned child grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Yet the sound of its laughter seemed to linger in Charlie's mind, like an echo that refused to fade.

As they continued their journey, signs of intelligent life began to appear more frequently. Within minutes, the Green Lantern detected a cluster of crude structures below. These huts, like the child's home, were constructed from rocks and vegetation. They were rough, handmade, and lacked any signs of advanced technology. The settlement had the feel of a primitive village, though there were more signs of life here than in the isolated clearing they had just left.

Hal brought the bubble down near the edge of the settlement. Standing by the side of a dirt path was another figure, this one taller and more humanoid in appearance. Hal approached cautiously.

"Excuse me," he said. "Sorry to interrupt, but we'd like to ask you a few questions."

The figure didn't respond. It stood motionless, staring blankly ahead as though lost in thought. Hal tried again, this time waving a hand in front of the figure's face. Still, there was no reaction. Finally, Hal reached out and gently patted the figure's shoulder.

Suddenly, the figure flinched as if waking from a nightmare. It turned toward Hal, its expression one of terror and confusion.

"Huh? When did you… I didn't… notice..." the figure stammered, its voice shaking.

Charlie stepped forward, sensing an opportunity to gather information. "We're travelers," he began. "We just want to ask—"

"No!" the figure interrupted, its voice rising in panic. "I didn't say anything! I didn't tell them anything! You have to believe me!"

Charlie frowned. "Calm down," he said, keeping his tone steady. "Who are 'they'? What happened?"

But the figure didn't seem to hear him. Its eyes darted around wildly, and it began muttering to itself, falling deeper into some horrible memory. It was clear now that the figure wasn't truly aware of their presence. It was trapped in its own fear, reliving some traumatic event that Charlie couldn't begin to understand.

Charlie stepped back, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. There was something deeply wrong with this place, and the answers they sought were likely far more complicated than they had anticipated.

[TL Note - is switching between Charlie and Hal confusing... let me know and ill go back and edit this chap]