A/N: so sorry that I took so long to update I had exams. Well I'm still trying to get into the story again so here is a revealing chapter :) lots of talking but don't worry next chapter will be better I promise :) reviews are 10000% welcomed! Hope you enjoy
Chapter 4 : Cold Heart
It had been awhile till Korin finally came to the living room to join them for dinner. Hal and the others were surprised to see him after all he did take so long to get changed but here he is, wearing long pants but shirtless.
Hal sizedu him up and noticed he was fit and muscular for his age, he had deep scars along his ribs and on his back. The boy had gone through a lot in the war. This was proof of that.
What caught Hal's eye was the strange markings on his back (which he figured was a thing his species had) and chest. The markings on his upper back and chest were shaped like a pair of wings while the rest just looked strange.
"Korin, why aren't you wearing your shirt?" Korin's grandfather asked, breaking the long awkward silence. Korin casted his eyes downward and replied;
"None of my clothes fit me anymore"
Korin's grandfather looked puzzled but soon realization clicked in his mind.
"R-right you have grown much since you left two years ago" Korin's grandfather stammered. He stood up from his seat and patted Korin's shoulder. "I still have your father's clothes. They should fit you as you are now"
Korin's grandfather then left the room. Kilowog gazed at Korin with an sympathetic gaze.
"You were in the war for two years?" He asked. "How old were you, kid?"
Korin looked at Kilowog, his breathing slow. "I left in my 14th year"
"You were so young Korin, why did you go?" Hal asked, he continued to hold his gaze on Korin but Korin turned away.
"I had my reasons. It doesn't matter anymore" Korin murmured in reply. Korin's grandfather entered the room once more carrying a black shirt. It was V-neck shirt and once Korin wore it, it hung loosely on him. Korin held tufts of the shirt looking deep in thought but soon brushed it off. Korin's grandfather smiled and began to serve dinner to them.
Over dinner they began to discuss the situation Ishra is in;
"So let me get this straight. the princes are having a family feud, cause a war to break out and now one of their most respected soldiers has been branded renegade...did I miss something?!" Kilowog bellowed causing Razer to drop his spoon in his soup. Razer glared at Kilowog in which, Kilowog merely smiled.
"Relax big guy, I'm sure Korin could fill us in" Hal spoke giving Korin a reassuring look.
"I have told you about the family feud,however that was not the staring point of the war" Korin began, his voice low and solemn.
"What do you mean?"
"The starting point was when our men were murdered and their bodies put for show, Prince Drevin told us it was the doing of his brother Prince Darren. After that, The people were in an uproar and decided to join Prince Drevin to fight against Prince Darren" Korin's grandfather explained further as he sipped his soup.
Korin looked at his soup and sipped it slowly. Gazing Hal in the eye he spoke again;
"That was the reason why I left, I thought and believed that Prince Darren had allowed greed for power to cloud his mind and actions to kill our people but, that was not the case" his voice broke. "I...was wrong"
Korin's grandfather jerked his head to his direction.
"What do you mean, Korin?"
"I mean, that the man we are rooting for...fighting for is not the man we think he is" Korin explained further.
"You mean he is a crook?" Hal tried to clarify.
Korin nodded and stood up, he walked to the window and gazed outside his eyes full of pain. "He is a cruel man and doesn't deserve to rule our planet..." Korin growled.
Kilowog got up and held both of Korin's shoulders as if strengthening him.
"Tell us what happened, kid"
Korin took a deep breath and told them what had happened;
"I had joined the military to bring justice for my people. Soon, the longer I stayed in the front lines, the more I began to realize how wrong this was. All this killing was meaningless because no matter how long we fought and stained our hands with the blood of others, nothing changed. Nothing"
Korin stood atop the cliff staring down below, charred soil and wrapped bodies of Ishran men lay before him. He felt nothing, he had grown accustomed to the smell of burnt soil and the death that follows suit with every bullet shot.
He was a decorated soldier, a certified killing machine. Yet in some lonely way he felt...guilty.
"Lieutenant Korin!"'a voice called out in the distance snapping Korin out of his daydream. A man who was definitely older than Korin but of lower rank held his hands together and bowed to him, an Ishran salute."Sir, the top brass have called in for you. They have a mission for us" the man told Korin.
Korin turned to face him and nodded, he took one last gaze at the chaos he had caused and walked back to their encampment.
It was probably one of the most formal calls from the higher brass for this time, Prince Drevin had joined them.
"Lieutenant Korin, I have heard much about you. A man who knows when to do what is necessary" Prince Drevin spoke elegantly.
"It is my honor, Your Majesty" Korin murmured, his voice low but respectful.
"I have heard that your scouts have discovered a settlement about 5 km from the base"
"Yes Your Majesty, we believe that Prince Darren's troops are hiding out there"
Prince Drevin clapped and smirked. "I love this man. He's done his work well. It seems there is nothing left to discuss, gentlemen"
"But Your Majesty-" the higher officers spoke but were silenced by a wave of Prince Drevin's hand.
"I have made up my mind, gentlemen. Young Korin has shown great promise and I wish to raise his troop's morale" Prince Drevin commanded, his voice authoritative.
"I don't understand, Your Highness" Korin said with confusion in his voice.
"It's simple Lieautenant Korin, I have authorized a raid to be done on that settlement and I shall be accompanying on your mission. I shall not be questioned" Even by the call, Korin could feel Prince Drevin's steely gaze. "Have I made myself clear?"
Korin could only manage a nod as the call ended. Korin walked out of the communications camp and faced his platoon who stood patiently for him.
"Men suit up! Bring in all you got. We are commencing our raid!"
His platoon yelled in unison, cheering but as soon as Korin held his fist up there was silence.
"We have a special guest along with us, the man we fight so valiantly for. The rightful heir to the Ishran throne, Prince Drevin!" The crowd cheered again. "Let us show him that we are the greatest platoon in all of Ishra!"
The platoon yelled and cheered loudly and began to sing songs to keep them moving as they prepared for the raid. They were strong men, Korin thought. While they cheered and yelled in confidence for the raid, here Korin was dreading and sick to the stomach.
He closed his eyes and rested his hands on the cool metal handle of his phaser. He felt a wave of coldness seep into him, he needed to be cold to be the killer he had to be. All in the name of Ishra, he shall burn his dread.
Soon, they were commencing the raid. Prince Drevin followed them as he was guarded heavily by a few soldiers. Korin and his platoon had to kick down all the doors and drag the survivors out one by one. Korin scoffed at the result of this raid. It was a failure. There was no soldiers here just women and children.
Korin looked into the eyes of two orphans that say before him. He recognized those eyes, they looked exactly like the eyes of the man he killed. Korin's eyes widened in horror, he was their father. He had killed their father.
"Well it seems that there weren't any of my brother's troops here, how unfortunate" Prince Drevin spoke as he he curled his hand over the other.
"However this isn't an entire loss"
"I don't understand Your Majesty" Korin said, his voice trembling as he looked at the frightened orphans. They shivered at his gaze.
"You are a fine soldier, Korin" Prince Drevin slowly handed a phaser into Korin's hand. He whispered into his ear. "Kill them"
Korin stared at Prince Drevin, wide eyed. The man who stood for the New Ishra is now telling him to murder children.
"Sire, t-they're just children...they don't deserve this"
"They may be children now, but when they are older they will rebel to avenge their fathers. They are a threat to the New Ishra and it is your job to eliminate that threat, lieutenant Korin"
Korin steeled himself as he normally would and aimed the phaser at them. His eyes were wild once more and just as he was about to pull the trigger, he noticed their eyes...at that instant he lowered his weapon.
"No"
"No?" Prince Drevin questioned, his voice now seething. "Let me remind you, Lieutenant Korin that I have power to give you hell for the rest of your life or should I say to that pretty girl you left behind...Havanna"
Fear gripped Korin. His hand began to tremble. "You wouldn't... She has nothing to do with this"
"She won't if you end those children and others lives now"
Korin was put into a spot. The safety of Havanna was at stake but was he willing to kill all the women and children here? Was he that hollow? Does he really have a cold heart?
"It seems that you are not the soldier I thought you were, oh well, I guess I'd have to kill you too"
Korin heard a click of a phaser on his back and knew Prince Drevin was going to kill him. However that was not what was ticking in his mind, it was the fact that Prince Drevin had said 'kill you too'
"What do you mean, kill me too?" Korin questioned, his eyes now wild and cold once more.
"I'll tell you since you're going to join them anyway, those soldiers who were killed and hung" Prince Drevin smirked.
"You...killed them"
"No better way to start a revolution than by inciting the rage of the people. Prepare to join them, Lt. Korin"
Korin swiftly turned around and twisted Prince Drevin's arms till the phaser fell to the ground. Using the phaser in his hand, Korin blasted an escape route for the children and women.
"Go while you still can!" He yelled at them as he focused his attention on Prince Drevin. "You are low, you have killed brave men for your greed...you're not worthy of the throne. For Ishra, I shall execute you now"
"Lieutenant, what are you doing?!" Korin's men yelled as they watched him hold a phaser to Prince Drevin's head.
"He's a traitor! Stop him!" Prince Drevin screamed pathetically. Korin glared at him but he knew he couldn't kill him. He was vastly outnumbered. Suddenly an old memory clicked in his mind.
The Emerald Guardians, the Green Lanterns protect the peace in the universe. They will never allow injustice to continue.
They are protectors of iron will.
Korin pushed Prince Drevin away toward his men and caused a diversion by shooting some rocks about them. Using that moment of confusion, he grabbed a jet booster and oxygen mask and flew away. He knew what must be done and he can't do it alone. He needed the Green Lanterns
"You mean Prince Drevin...did all this?" Kilowog mumbled, his ears drooping low after hearing Korin's story.
"That's right, that was the reason I was looking for you and pleaded your help" Korin said. He looked at them all. "Ishra is in grave danger. Havanna is in danger"
Hal stood up and thought for awhile. "I have an idea"
"Is this going to bring us to death's doors again?" Razer questioned with sarcasm in his tone.
"Well aren't you a piece of sunshine today?" Hal said as he crossed his arms.
"I say we try talking Drevin to stepping down"
"Are ya outta your mind?" Kilowog bellowed. "What makes you think he's gonna listen?"
"It's been a long time since Green Lanterns kept charge, perhaps we could use some of that authority again. Besides if he resists, I got you three with me don't I"
"I don't know Jordan, this doesn't feel right" Kilowog spoke with concern in his voice.
"It's worth a shot I'm trying to avoid as much confrontation as possible, we leave now"
The team stood up and made their way outside. Korin also stood up but Hal held his shoulder.
"You stay here kid"
"But I want to assist you" Korin pleaded but Hal shook his head.
"No kid, you're a renegade now. You might incite rage if you tag along. Stay here for now and rest, leave this to us"
Korin nodded while Hal patted his shoulder as he smiled. Hal then, left the room with the others leaving Korin and his grandfather alone in that house.