Chapter 4

Underground Caves; Graxos IV (Sector 2815)

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Hal asked as he and Kilowog hovered over the underground caverns of their current destination.

"Trust me, we're in the right place." Kilowog responded. Both Lanterns continued looking around the caves.

"Should we be worried if she attacks us?"

"Not at all, she was just a recruit last I saw her, a lot like you actually." The two then saw a bright green light in the distance before being slammed into the wall.

They then turned to see a woman with short blond hair and a mostly white attire with the Symbol of the Green Lantern Corps on her chest. She appeared almost human, about the same age as Hal, only difference being that her ears were long and pointy and she had golden skin.

She stared at the two of them menacingly before speaking.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" she asked, a strong tone of authority in her voice.

"Arisia, it's me. Kilowog." The Bolovaxian responded.

The woman, now identified as Arisia, then began floating closer towards them. "Sorry, Kilowog. I didn't recognize you earlier." Arisa stated, loosening her grip and letting them go, she then turned to look at Hal who was just staring at her dumbfounded. "And who are you?"

"Oh, sorry" Hal stuttered "I'm Hal Jordan."

"And where are you from if you don't mind me asking."

"Earth, Sector 2814"

"Sector 2814?" Arisia then pinned Hal to the wall yet again "That's impossible, the Green Larntern Corps only allows for one member in each sector, and your sector already has a Green Lantern." She then turned to look at Kilowog. "Kilowog, where is Abin Sur?"

"Dead" Kilowog responded, lowering his head to the ground. "The Manhunters got him and Hal found his ring."

"More like it found me." Hal added as Arisia released him.

"Well, I apologize for that" Arisia stated politely "I guess I'm a little brash since I never really finished my training before all this started."

"Don't worry about it, we understand." Kilowog responded.

"Well, if you'd like you can stay here for the night." Arisia offered.

"We appreciate that" Kilowog stated "But we should-"

"Kilowog, we just got here and we've been flying all around the galaxy. Maybe we should just rest here, after all, our rings are almost out of energy." Hal interrupted him, much to Kilowog's annoyance.

"Great, I'll let my father know you will be staying." Arisia stated before floating away. Kilowog then turned to look at Hal.

"I don't know how many hours there are on Earth in a single rotation, but on Bolovax Vik this could still be considered noon." Kilowog complained "Also, my ring is still fully charged, so why are you-" Kilowog cut himself off when he noticed that Hal was staring at Arisia. "You can't be serious."

Fentara Rrab's Headquarters; Graxos IV

Arisia lead her two guests into a large building not far from the entrance to the underground caverns. Hal and Kilowog entered following Arisia, inside was a man with short white hair and a beard across his face. He had many of the same features that Arisia had, Hal felt nervous as they entered the building.

"Kilowog" the man responded, embracing the Bolovaxian. "I did not expect you to come."

"It's good to see you again, Fentara." Kilowog responded "I thought the Manhunters got you." Kilowog then brought Hal closer to him "This is Hal Jordan, the new Green Larntern of Sector 2814."

Fentara turned to look at Hal "Then that means Abin Sur fell to the Manhunters, a shame. He was a good man, and an even better Larntern."

The attendants then decided to sit to discuss the situation.

"So, Kilowog, Mr. Jordan" Fentara began "What brings the two of you here?"

"My home was attacked" Kilowog responded "The Manhunters followed me after I found Hal. We've been traveling the galaxy, from sector to sector searching for help."

Fentara turned to look at Hal, who nodded in confirmation. Arisia looked at her father, seeing the look of despair on his face.

"Have you encountered any other Lantern?" Fentara asked "Surely some of them might agree to help you."

"No, Penelops is dead and Tomar is busy rebuilding his world." Kilowog replied.

"What about Sinestro?" Arisia asked.

"Drowning himself in a bar." Hal responded rather bitterly.

Arisia then stood up, bumping her fist up "If they won't accompany you, then I will."

"No, you will not." Fentara objected "I will not have you risk your life to those things."

Hal was about to speak before Kilowog stopped him.

"The decision should be hers, not yours." The Bolovaxian responded. Arisia turned to look at her father, who had a disapproving expression on his face, then to the other lanterns. Confused at the prospect of leaving her father and possibly dying or remaining there until the Manhunters found them, she stormed out of the room.

Hal and Kilowog turned to look at each other, then back to Fentara.

"I'll go talk to her." Hal commented before walking after Arisia.

Underground Caves; Graxos IV

Outside, Arisia looked into the caverns, the underground village was more active than she expected. Hearing footsteps behind her, Arisia turned only to see Hal walking towards her.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked casually.

Arisia then turned to look at the village, taking a moment to breathe.

"I assume Kilowog told you that my father was once the Lantern in charge of this sector." she spoke. "I was just a little girl when he was chosen for the Corps. When my mother died, he left the Corps so he could raise me, but I wanted to be a Green Lantern like him. Once the Oans felt I was old enough, they gave me my father's ring. He never liked the idea of me being a Lantern."

"Sounds like he might have been a bit overprotective of his little girl." Hal chuckled, only to stop at seeing Arisia's scornful look.

"You could say that" she responded with a sigh "He was always looking out for me, never taking his eyes off me, assisting to every training exercise I was put through. Then the Manhunters attacked us. My father attempted to stop them so I wouldn't get hurt, but he was gravely injured in the fight and his condition has only gotten worse since then. My father is dying."

"He seemed pretty healthy when we came in."

"He puts up a façade so I won't worry, but he hasn't been doing a good job." A single tear rolled down Arisia's face. Hal closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. "Sometimes I fear that if I leave him, I'll never see him again."

Hal let out a painful sigh.

"You don't have to come with us if you don't want to" He said softly "Kilowog and I will just keep looking."