Chapter 4

Green Lantern's Blight

Time: 1702 AA / 1818 AD

Location: Edge of Sector 3601, Containment Zone

The containment field shimmered under the relentless assault of the dark tendrils, the swirling distortion pushing and clawing at the barriers of willpower I'd erected. For now, it held, but cracks had already begun to spiderweb along the edges, flickering green sparks bleeding off into space.

Sul-Da's labored breaths echoed through the comm-link. I tightened my grip on him, careful not to jostle his injured leg. The dark energy infection was spreading slowly, thin black lines creeping up his calf, pulsing with an eerie rhythm that seemed to sync with the distortions' movements.

++ Infection rate: 2% of body mass affected. Immediate extraction of dark energy recommended. ++

"Extraction," I muttered, my mind racing. "How do we do it?"

++ Warning: Dark energy source is unknown. Extraction risks further contamination or systemic collapse. Recommend immediate medical quarantine. ++

"Great. That's just fantastic," I growled, frustration and fear clawing at my mind. Sul-Da was strong, but this energy—this thing—was something beyond what either of us had faced before.

Sul-Da's eyes fluttered open, his voice weak but determined. "Michael… don't let it spread. Whatever you have to do…"

His words cut into me like a knife. There was no way I was letting this kid—my kid—be consumed by some interdimensional parasite. My jaw clenched, and I reached out with one of my hands, letting green energy swirl around my fingers.

"Hang on, Sul-Da. This is going to hurt, but I'm getting this thing out of you."

He nodded, his teeth gritted in anticipation.

I focused my will, letting the Ring guide me as I formed a precise extraction beam. A fine line of green light extended from my fingertips and hovered over the black wound on his leg. The tendrils of dark energy twitched as if sensing the threat.

Here goes nothing.

With a sharp exhale, I plunged the beam into the infection site. Sul-Da screamed, the sound ripping through me like a physical blow, but I didn't stop. The green energy wrapped around the sliver of darkness, isolating it molecule by molecule, trying to pull it free.

The dark energy fought back.

It writhed and twisted, digging deeper into his flesh, its malevolence palpable. Sweat dripped down my brow, the strain of the extraction mounting. This wasn't just energy; it felt alive, a malignant intelligence resisting me at every step.

"Ring, status!" I barked.

++ Extraction 67% complete. Dark energy resistance increasing. Warning: Containment field integrity at 78%. ++

The dome around the breach shuddered, more tendrils slamming against it, their movements frenzied, desperate. It was like the breach knew we were fighting back, and it didn't like that one bit.

"Come on, come on…" I muttered, pouring every ounce of willpower I had into the extraction beam. The tendrils inside Sul-Da's leg recoiled, the dark sliver resisting for one final moment before—

SNAP!

The sliver tore free, writhing like a snake as it floated in the beam of green energy. I immediately encased it in a containment sphere, locking it down with layers of reinforced constructs. Sul-Da gasped, collapsing against me, the black lines on his leg already fading.

I cradled his face in one hand. "You okay, kid?"

He nodded weakly. "I… I think so."

Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived. The breach pulsed violently, and the entire containment field trembled.

++ Warning: Containment field integrity at 42%. Imminent failure predicted. ++

I glanced at the writhing mass of darkness still trying to force its way through the breach. We didn't have much time.

"Sul-Da, I need you to get back to Stupendous McAwesomeface III," I said, my voice firm. "Tell Thala to prepare the defense protocols. If I don't come back—"

"No!" Sul-Da's eyes blazed with determination. "I'm not leaving you!"

I placed a hand on his shoulder, my gaze softening. "You're strong, Sul-Da. But I need you to protect your siblings. They're counting on you. I'm counting on you."

Tears welled in his eyes, but he nodded. "I'll come back for you."

I smiled. "I'm counting on that too."

With a reluctant nod, he flew off, his form a streak of blue and green light against the star-speckled void. My heart ached watching him go, but there was no time to dwell.

I turned back to the breach, the containment field now barely holding together, cracks spreading like a shattered mirror.

"Alright, you twisted abomination," I muttered, green energy flaring around me. "Let's see how you handle someone who's really pissed off."

The Ring glowed brighter, its voice calm amidst the chaos.

++ Full power authorization granted. All restrictions lifted. ++

A surge of raw willpower flooded through me, my entire being igniting with emerald light. My new Kryptonian-enhanced body hummed with power, muscles vibrating with the combined strength of Oan technology and solar energy.

I extended all four arms, green energy coiling and crackling around me like a storm.

"Ring, collapse the breach. Full force."

++ Acknowledged. Initiating dimensional compression protocol. ++

The green energy shot forward, tendrils of light wrapping around the edges of the breach. The distortion fought back, writhing and screaming in a soundless fury. The tendrils of darkness lashed out, but I blocked them with shields of pure will.

"YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!" I roared, my voice echoing through the void.

The energy tightened, the breach compressing, the edges folding in on themselves. The darkness screamed, its form disintegrating under the pressure. The void twisted, imploded, and—

BOOM!

A shockwave of energy blasted out, washing over me with a blinding flash. I held firm, the Ring's shields wrapping around me like a cocoon.

When the light faded, the breach was gone.

Silence.

Stillness.

I exhaled, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. My limbs shook, exhaustion clawing at the edges of my mind.

++ Breach successfully sealed. Sector stability restored. ++

I let out a shaky breath. "Good work, Ring."

++ You too, Michael. ++

A streak of light shot toward me, fast and determined. Sul-Da. His face was a mixture of relief and anger.

"I told you I'd come back," he said, folding his arms over his chest.

I chuckled weakly. "Guess I should learn to listen."

He grinned, but his eyes were serious. "What was that thing?"

I glanced at the empty void where the breach had been. "I don't know. But whatever it was, it won't be the last. We need to be ready."

He nodded, his jaw set. "We will be."

Together, we turned and headed back toward the familiar glow of Stupendous McAwesomeface III.

There was work to do.