Chapter 121

Tomar-Re, the Green Lantern assigned to Sector 2813—the sector where Krypton was once located—floated down with a steady courage, standing directly in front of Kara Zor-El. The Green Lantern Corps, symbolizing unshakeable will and bravery, met her intimidating aura with unwavering resolve.

Tomar-Re wasn't much to look at by human standards; his features resembled a cross between a bird and a fish, nothing like the humanoid Kryptonian standing before him. As Kara stared at him, she found herself wondering if she'd ever seen such an odd figure. But Tomar-Re was unphased, offering her a warm smile as he introduced himself, "I am a friend of your House of El."

Most people who didn't understand Kryptonian culture mistook the "S" crest for a simple letter, but Tomar-Re instantly recognized it as the emblem of the House of El—a symbol of hope. The El family was well-known on Krypton, one of its oldest and most respected lineages.

Seeing her brows relax slightly, he continued, "I visited your family when you were born, Kara Zor-El. Your mother Alura and your aunt Astra were both generals of the highest caliber. In fact, they assisted me in apprehending several fugitives within Krypton's nearby sectors."

At the mention of her mother and beloved aunt, Kara's posture softened ever so slightly. It would be unusual for someone outside Krypton to know those names unless they had a true connection to her family. Yet, her suspicion wasn't fully erased. She maintained her guard and asked, "Where were you when Krypton was falling?"

Kara wasn't out for revenge against bystanders; she knew she couldn't blame others for her homeworld's destruction. However, if she found out that any Green Lanterns or Guardians had played a role in Krypton's fate—or even merely watched it happen without intervention—she would not forgive them.

Calm and unshaken, Tomar-Re sighed heavily, "The truth is, I was often in Krypton's orbit, supporting the El family when I could. However, when your aunt Astra was branded a dissident, tensions rose, and I kept my distance to avoid being implicated. Nonetheless, I continued to monitor Krypton from afar."

Tomar-Re's face grew somber. "In the final days, I discovered a compound that might have stabilized Krypton's crust long enough for evacuation. Unfortunately, a yellow stellar flare erupted nearby, damaging my ring. Temporarily blinded, I lost precious time. By the time I made it back, Krypton was already... gone."

As he spoke, Kara could sense his genuine regret. The yellow color, which weakened Green Lantern power, had obstructed him—a fact she couldn't entirely fault him for. Her frustration with Krypton's fate lingered, but she knew that perhaps, in his situation, Tomar-Re truly couldn't have saved her world.

"Kara Zor-El of Krypton," one of the Guardians interjected with their cold, impartial tone, "return the ring now."

Kara's brows knitted as she scoffed, "You think I want this?"

With a smirk, she reached for the green ring on her finger. But to her surprise, it wouldn't budge. The ring resisted her attempt to remove it, glowing brighter as her grip tightened. The more she pulled, the more radiant the green energy grew, resonating with the willpower of the entire Corps itself.

"Stop!" shouted one of the Guardians abruptly. "The original Green Lantern ring channels directly into the core willpower of the universe. If this continues, Oa itself could be at risk!"

They exchanged worried glances before one spoke again, "If the ring chose her, there must be a reason. However, she should remove the red and black rings instead."

With a huff of resignation, Kara shifted her focus to the other two rings on her right hand, attempting to pull them off as well. But her efforts only grew more frustrating when she realized they, too, resisted.

She scowled, muttering, "You've got to be kidding me. I really can't remove these?"