Chapter 71 - The Price of Pride - Part 3 (R18)

Oa - Headquarters of the Green Lantern Corp

As Hal Jordan touched down on Oa, the remnants of the Green Lantern Corp who had survived the counter-offensive against the Saiyan warship were already returning. Surveying the scene, Hal witnessed injured lanterns being ushered into the medical facility. This was a sight he had never encountered before, a staggering loss for the corp. More than half of those who had been dispatched did not return, their rings now dispersed in search of new lanterns.

Hal was all too aware that this significant loss would embolden those who had previously been kept at bay by the lanterns. Peaceful worlds, once liberated, would soon be plunged back into chaos and conquest.

Arriving at the medical center, Hal was taken aback by the sight of John, Kilowag, and Sinestro. Three elite lanterns laid low by their injuries, with Sinestro still reeling from the stark reality of their powerlessness against the Saiyan warship.

"How are your injuries, John, Kilowag?" Hal asked, concern etched on his face as he approached their beds.

"Far from it bub! That ship... it's aptly named... a true harbinger of death!" Kilowag grunted in response, pain lining his words.

John, despite his evident discomfort, forced himself upright to address Hal. "Our intelligence on that ship was woefully inaccurate. The power it wields is inconceivable. We directed a combined assault with Sinestro, who was armed with a new power ring supposedly more potent than the light of will. Yet, we were unsuccessful. Our combined might was dwarfed by the ship's cannons. Apart from Mogo's attack, our efforts didn't even make a dent in its shields."

"WHAT? The guardians even deployed Mogo? Those short-sighted fools! They're courting death!" Hal's anger was palpable.

"HAL! It's not your place to insult the guardians! They are the protectors of the universe," Laira's voice interjected, her disapproval clear as she made her way towards them.

"Laira! When did you get back?" Hal was surprised to see her.

Laira replied, "Just now. This situation is a mess," nodding towards John and Kilowag. "Hal, mind your language."

"Normally, Laira, I would heed your advice and retract my words. But the circumstances are dire. These guardians have effectively declared war on an entity that we... no, that none in our universe, can hope to defeat!"

John and Kilowag, as well as Laira, looked grave upon hearing these ominous words. John then asked, "Hal, you're privy to information we're not. What are we missing?"

Hal took a moment to gather his thoughts before he disclosed a succinct account of his encounters with Orach, his origins, the alien invasion on Earth, and Orach's connection with the ship. As they listened, their faces paled. They had never heard of, let alone confronted, the feats that Hal was describing. This instilled a deep-seated fear about the fate of the lantern corp, especially if Orach decided to confront them on Oa for attacking his ship.

As the conversation unfolded, the guardians, led by Ganthet, made their appearance. On seeing them, Laria, John, and Kilowag bowed in respect, while Hal simply met their gaze with a blank expression.

Scar, noticing Hal's lack of deference, reprimanded him, "Hal Jordan! Show some respect."

Hal responded, his voice echoing throughout the medical facility, "My respect disappeared the moment I saw my comrades in this state. According to the battle logs I reviewed en route, that ship was unaware of our existence. It even warned you about its origins. From our encounters with it, it was clear it was solely focused on the buoys and that we were no match for its power. So why, just WHY did you let Sinestro's pride cloud your judgement and lead my comrades into a battle with that thing?"

Scar was about to retort when Ganthet silenced him with a wave of his hand. "Hal Jordan, we took an oath to protect this universe from all threats. While it's true we could have handled this better, two facts cannot be overlooked. One, that ship was responsible for the deaths of our lanterns and second, its presence disrupts the delicate power balance we've maintained for so long. We needed to confront the ship, understand its intentions, and assess its power. Although we mourn the loss of our lanterns, we have gained invaluable knowledge about our adversary."

"The price of obtaining this information was too high!" Hal retorted, his voice filled with a potent blend of anger and resolve.

Ganthet replied calmly, "Hal Jordan, it's natural for you to feel this way. Now, since you have a connection with Orach, can you facilitate a meeting between us and him? We would like to discuss his intentions and make it clear that he needs to control his ship."

Upon hearing this request, Hal was momentarily speechless. A shiver ran down his spine and he yelled, "HELL NO! NEVER! Are you courting death?"

At this outburst, the guardians were taken aback. They knew Hal was one of their strongest and most fearless lanterns, but right now, they saw genuine fear in his eyes.

"HAL! Calm down!" Laira said, placing her hands on Hal's shoulders and gently pressing them to bring him back to a calm state.

After a moment, Hal thanked Laira and turned again to Ganthet. "Listen well, guardians. Your long existence and power may have fostered pride and arrogance. But if you truly wish to meet Orach, you must set aside these attitudes. He severed my arm for a minor display of arrogance. If you approach him with an attitude of superiority, I can assure you, you will ALL meet your end!"

The guardians fell silent at this grim warning. While some, like Scar, showed disdain and labelled Hal a coward, others, like Ganthet, were contemplative. Ganthet finally said, "I understand and appreciate your advice, Hal Jordan, and will consider it. But we must still insist on speaking with Orach. Please invite him to Oa." With these words, the guardians vanished.

Once they had departed, John asked Hal, "Is this Orach guy seriously going to kill the guardians just for showing him some attitude? Is he unhinged?"

Hal replied, "He would. But don't get me wrong, he's not unhinged. His perspective is simply different. He sees us as beings from a lower realm, which is what we are. He is a genuine entity from the higher realms with immense power. If beings from lower realms like us don't act humbly when meeting him for the first time, he views it as an affront and retaliates. Currently, due to Wonder Woman's influence, he has started to show restraint. But I doubt he'll show any restraint on Oa when meeting these guardians."

John, Kilowag, and Laira were puzzled on hearing about this new hero, Wonder Woman, from Earth, who could influence a being from a higher realm.

Curiosity piqued, John asked, "Who exactly is this Wonder Woman? Is she really from Earth? I've never heard of her before. Why would a being from a higher realm listen to her?"

Kilowag and Laira shared the same confusion, their faces mirroring John's curiosity.

Hal chuckled in response. "Seems you two have missed a lot, stuck on space missions. Believe it or not, she is indeed from Earth. She's an old hero who played a major role during World War 2. She's an Amazon, part of an all-female warrior race that resides on a hidden island called Themyscira, under the protection of the Greek gods. Turns out those gods were real. These Amazons are formidable fighters, yet breathtakingly beautiful. If I didn't know about their disdain for men, I would have dubbed that island a paradise on Earth. Unfortunately, men are usually forbidden there. I was only allowed in their air space during the defense against Kryptonian forces."

Hal paused to recollect his thoughts before continuing, "Normally, the Amazons don't venture far from their island. However, circumstances led Diana – that's her real name – to explore the outside world. She possesses power comparable to Superman and even has the ability to fly. After her contributions during the war, she chose to live a quiet life. But when the invasion occurred, she stepped up once again. Upon meeting Orach, she was wary of him like we were. But something happened, they formed a bond. I believe they are even dating or planning to. Lately, due to her connection with Orach, she has displayed new powers. In my opinion, she's become the most formidable among us. Even Superman might find it difficult to match her, though who knows what future holds. The Kryptonian physique is an anomaly. But it's safe to say, the only one who can pacify Orach is her."

John, Laira, and Kilowag listened attentively to Hal's explanation, their expressions a mix of surprise and intrigue.

After a moment of contemplation, John said, "It seems like a good time for me to return home. If you're planning to head back to Earth soon, I'd appreciate it if you could wait until I recover."

Hal nodded in affirmation, "Sure, no problem."

Laira then seized Hal's hand, a determined glint in her eye. "Since you're here waiting for John to recover, why don't we use this time to train?" she suggested, pulling Hal away.

John and Kilowag shook their heads, knowing well how relentless Laira could be when it came to training.

Meanwhile, in Hal's quarters on Oa...

Two figures could be seen intertwined on a bed, their lips locked in a passionate exchange.

The man gently pulled away, their tongues parting and leaving a thin trail of saliva connecting their tongues as they separated.

He then shifted his attention to her ear, nibbling softly at the edges, causing her to startle and clutch the bed sheets.

Ah!...

Satisfied with her reaction, he moved lower, his lips planting soft kisses down her neck, tracing the curve of her clavicle. Each touch sent electric waves through her, her body responding to his every action.

Mmm…

His gaze held an appreciative glint as he paused to admire the scene before him - his lover, reveling in the pleasure he was providing. He then shifted his focus to her chest.

His mouth descended on her right breast, starting with a gentle lick on her nipple before kissing it, eliciting a surprised moan from her. He continued this intimate act, capturing her nipple with his mouth and sucking on it. He then added his tongue to the mix, swirling it around her nipple, making it harden in response. Her moans grew louder as her body arched upward, the pleasure making her forget everything else.

Ah!...

She placed a hand on his head, trying to keep him in place, yearning for this exquisite sensation to last longer. Eventually, he lifted his head, releasing her now hardened nipple and allowing her breast to jiggle slightly. He mirrored these actions on her left breast, adding a gentle bite on her nipple that made her scream in surprise and delight.

Ah!...

However, he wasn't finished. He continued to focus on her nipple, while his free hand started to explore further down, moving past her waist and towards her intimate area. His middle finger located her entrance and gently pushed inside, beginning to stimulate her. This action sent waves of pleasure through her, causing her to tightly grasp the bed sheets. This persisted until she reached her peak.

Ah...!

After he had savored her beautiful, ample breasts to his satisfaction and felt the wetness of her opening, he moved his head upwards, detaching from her nipple. He brought his fingers, damp with her arousal, and tasted her sweet essence from his fingers. He then moved to place soft kisses along the midline of her body, journeying from her sternum to her well-defined abs, and then to her navel.

Mmm…

He then proceeded further down, focusing his attention on her intimate area where he gently blew on her clitoris, before offering a soft kiss, sending waves of pleasure through her.

Mmm…

His mouth then found its way to her opening, his tongue delving inside her, tasting her arousal fully.

Ah...Mmm…

Caught up in the pleasure, she wrapped her legs around his head, locking him in place, wanting to prolong her ecstasy.

Ah...

As she reached her climax, he was showered in her release.

Ah...

"Give it to me, Hal," she demanded, her voice husky with desire

Complying with her request, Hal lifted and spread her legs apart, revealing her vagina. Aligning himself at her entrance, before slowly inserting the tip of his member.

"Give it to me!" she commanded once more.

Her command was met with his obedience as he plunged deep inside her in one thrust. The sensation was intense, causing her back to arch and a loud moan to escape her lips.

Ah...

He started moving in a gentle rhythm, gradually increasing his pace until he was pounding into her. The pleasure was intensified with every thrust, her muscles clenching around his member, creating an exhilarating sensation.

"I'm…coming!"

Their actions culminated in an intense climax, leaving them both breathless.

After reaching the height of their passion, the woman experienced a comforting warmth radiating from her core as the man reached his climax releasing his seeds.

They shared a moment of silence, looking deep into each other's eyes before succumbing to their desire again, leading to two more rounds of fervent lovemaking.

As they lay intertwined, basking in the afterglow of their shared intimacy, the woman turned to him, "Feeling better now?"

"Yes, thanks Laira. I needed that," Hal replied.

Laira nodded and then asked, "What about that woman you have feelings for back on Earth? Carol, isn't it? Why not find solace in her?"

With a helpless smile, Hal replied, "Scheduling a date with her is near impossible with her workload. I admire her dedication and fully support her career ambitions, but it leaves little room for romance. It's as if we inhabit different worlds. Ironically, with you, despite us being from different planets, that's not the case. I truly enjoy my time with you even though you hated my guts back then. Maybe we should..."

Laira interrupted him with a playful twist of his ear, making him wince in pain.

"Ouch! Why, Laira?" Hal grimaced.

She smiled, warning him, "While I'm open to the idea of a relationship with you, Hal, I won't play second fiddle to anyone, including Carol. If you ever make me feel that way, you're in for a world of pain. I won't hesitate to kick your ass."

"Never! Sorry if I made you feel that way!" Hal quickly assured her.

Satisfied with his response, Laira released his ear. Hal, turning towards her, said, "Laira, thank you for standing by me, for being a great friend and comrade. Laira Omoto of Jayd, would you honor me by allowing me to court you?"

Laira, taken aback at first, chuckled at his formal proposal, but then, cupping his face in her hands, she replied, "Sure. But remember my words, Hal. Don't disappoint me."

Hal nodded, smiling at her. Later they eventually fell asleep in each other's arms. Over the following days, while waiting for John to recover, Hal and Laira spent their days training together, pushing each other to their limits, with Laira often besting Hal. At night, however, Hal dominated, their lovemaking carrying on into the night. Her moans contained within the confines of their room by the barrier Hal had erected.

Once John had fully recovered, he and Hal prepared for their journey back to Earth. Laira, expressing her desire to see Earth, decided to join them. Hal agreed, not wanting to upset his new girlfriend. He also resolved to end his romantic relationship with Carol and remain just friends. John had no objections to Laira's inclusion. After obtaining permission from the guardians, the trio set off for Earth.