Chapter 584: Luke's Conspiracy!
Diana Forces a Retreat
Kilowog, unlike Sinestro who was outwardly fierce and inwardly cruel, was outwardly tough but had a very meticulous mind. He sensed the deep hostility from Clark and the others through their body language.
This was not a good sign!
The combat power of the five heroes was extraordinary. If a conflict truly erupted, over half of the four hundred Green Lantern warriors would likely be lost.
After a moment of silence, Kilowog softened his tone.
"Our goal is the same as yours: to protect this planet. The Parallax incident was our failure, and Oa has paid a heavy price for it. The Green Lantern Corps has lost over five hundred comrades. I hope you can understand my feelings."
Diana said gravely, "I understand your feelings, however..." Her tone suddenly became firm. "Some things must be made clear."
"Earth is our home. As guests, no matter what your needs are, you should notify us in advance, not trespass with over four hundred warriors. This is a severe act of provocation."
"If you intend to use this to coerce us..."
Diana raised her sword, pointing it directly at Kilowog's chest.
"Then let the war begin!"
Her words were decisive and left no room for negotiation. Barry's mouth twitched, Clark looked expressionless, surprised Diana would speak so aggressively, and J'onn remained outwardly calm.
The only one among the five who openly approved was Linda; she had disliked these green light warriors from the start.
The atmosphere turned cold.
Diana's move completely exceeded Kilowog's expectations. His purpose was to take Parallax and Sinestro; he never intended, nor dared, to start a war. He only deployed such a massive force to intimidate them.
Now, his intention had been exposed, leaving him in an awkward position.
Time ticked by. The two sides remained in a tense deadlock, neither willing to back down. Seeing the situation worsen, Hal stepped forward to mediate.
"Superman, calm down Wonder Woman. Don't let her be rash. Kilowog, you put aside your temper, too. We are all allies; there's no need for this."
"It's just a negotiation! Let's talk. Find a place and take our time."
Diana glanced at him. "Can you speak for him?"
Hal looked at the big Lantern, received a subtle nod, and sighed with resignation.
With Hal's intervention, the situation finally eased. The two sides agreed on a negotiation time, and the Green Lantern Corps withdrew.
Barry clutched his chest, genuinely shaken.
"Diana, you were crazy! What if they had attacked?"
"They wouldn't dare."
"Why?"
Diana lowered her sword. "Because we are stronger."
Ganthet's Revelation
Inside the Oa starship, Kilowog faithfully reported his encounter to the Elder Ganthet, concluding with his final deduction.
"Parallax is on the center of that island. The Earthling named Luke Shaw is likely sealing it."
Sealing?
Ganthet expressed doubt. As a Guardian, he knew Parallax's power intimately. He had never heard of anything capable of permanently sealing it; even Oa's prison was only designed to contain it.
"Are you certain it is a seal?"
"Yes, but judging by their expressions, the process must be very dangerous. Otherwise, they wouldn't be guarding the island, refusing to move even a step."
"Most High Guardian, should we stop them?"
After a long silence, Ganthet gave an unexpected answer.
"No. Let's observe for now."
"But..."
Kilowog was confused. "A monster like Parallax can only be kept safe in the Oa prison. If it remains loose on another planet, an accident is inevitable."
"Earth is no ordinary life-bearing planet. This young world hides many secrets."
"Are you implying..."
Ganthet said indifferently, "Several millennia ago, the Dark Lord Darkseid sought to conquer the universe, but he suffered an unprecedented defeat on Earth. Since then, he has never set foot in this sector again."
Kilowog's pupils contracted. He was stunned speechless, completely tuning out the rest of the conversation.
The Dark Lord Darkseid!
The cosmic tyrant who vowed to destroy everything—an entity so terrifying that even the Green Lantern Corps dared not provoke him. Such a powerful being was defeated by Earthlings?
His mind was in turmoil, blank. He only snapped back to reality when his comrade Tamar patted his shoulder.
"What's wrong with you?"
"N-nothing."
Kilowog forced a smile. "I was just spaced out while speaking with the Most High Guardian."
Tamar, not suspecting anything, said gravely,
"How are you going to handle the Earthling situation?"
"We'll proceed with negotiations at the agreed-upon time."
Tamar looked deeply confused. "Don't you see that the Earthlings are just stalling for time?"
Kilowog said soberly, "Is that your thought, or is that their thought?"
"Everyone believes that."
"So, you're ready to start a war? A new war against the Earthlings who defeated Parallax?"
Kilowog stared motionless at his friend, who hesitated, ultimately backing down. Kilowog shook his head.
"Sinestro's actions have brought unprecedented humiliation to the Corps. You all want to prove yourselves, to prove that the Green Lantern warriors are still capable of protecting peace in the universe. I share that goal. However, we cannot be impulsive. Rash actions will only lead to more dreadful consequences."
"I am not impulsive! My only thought now is to take that damn Sinestro and Parallax back to headquarters for trial!"
Kilowog: "..."
Tamar took a breath and stated clearly, "We lost too many comrades in this war. Some died in unknown corners, some on Oa, and some are buried in the Solar System. The sacrifice is too great. And Earth? What did it sacrifice?"
"Don't think I don't know this: Sinestro's purpose in returning to Oa was because of Earth. He wanted to retrieve the other half of his body, which is why he risked destroying the Central Battery. And that agreement for two months." He suddenly looked up.
"How did that Earthling named Luke Shaw know about something happening two months in the future?"
Kilowog was speechless.
Tamar gave a bitter laugh. "The entire incident is suspicious from start to finish. Sinestro clearly could have stalled, waited until he was stronger, and then tried to reclaim the other half of his body. Yet he didn't. Aren't you curious about the reason why?"
Kilowog said coldly, "Tamar, stop talking. Return to Oa. Calm yourself down."
"I am perfectly calm. I don't need your reminder."
Tamar gritted his teeth. "That Earthling must possess something that threatens Sinestro. He could have told us, but he chose to hide it, wagering with two months of time, to force Sinestro to act prematurely."
"That damned bastard! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have lost so many people!"
"Enough!"
Kilowog roared, "Central, revoke Tamar's authority. Send him back to Oa. Execute immediately."
As his voice dropped, a column of light enveloped Tamar's body, and he vanished amidst an unwilling roar.
Hal Jordan walked in from outside, his expression complex, asking,
"Was everything he just said... true?"
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