Su Zhan stood in the center of his hotel suite, the city's morning light pouring in through the window. He flexed his hand, feeling the weight of the new Aether Lantern ring. After last night's fusion, he was eager to test its full potential. He focused, and in an instant, a swirl of dark green energy appeared before him, shifting and morphing at his command.
First, the energy condensed into a shield—its shape unmistakably inspired by Captain America's iconic weapon. With a thought, he changed it into a staff, then a pistol, a submachine gun, and a cannon. The constructs came faster and easier with each attempt. He tried more complex shapes: a car, a plane, even a motorcycle. At first, only small objects would form, but as he adapted to the ring's dual energies, his creations became larger and more intricate.
What truly amazed Su Zhan was the synergy between the Green Lantern energy and the Aether's reality-warping power. Not only could he use the ring's original abilities, but the Aether's energy no longer drained him. In fact, the ring seemed to restrain the Aether, making it easier to control and even allowing him to absorb its power more efficiently. The ring's energy never seemed to weaken, as if it was drawing on the Aether for a constant recharge, while the Aether itself remained undiminished. The usual need to recharge the Lantern ring was, for now, a non-issue.
He grinned as he remembered another crucial function of the Green Lantern ring: the mental shield. With it, he could block telepathic probes and mind control—an invaluable safeguard in a world filled with psychic threats. At last, one of his greatest vulnerabilities was resolved.
He glanced out the window at the brightening sky, feeling a rare sense of contentment. "What a wonderful day," he murmured, watching the city come alive below.
After a restful night, Su Zhan woke early, greeted by the warmth of the morning sun. He went through his usual routine—brushing his teeth, enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant—before returning to his room to consider his next move.
The system's tasks echoed in his mind: "Hero saves the beauty" and "Make the Green Lantern famous." In the original storyline, Abin Sur's body and the yellow fear crystal would have been recovered by a secret government agency, leading to a scientist's infection and a disaster at a public event. Carol Ferris would have been placed in danger, giving the new Green Lantern a chance to rescue her and reveal himself to the world. But with both the body and the crystal safely stored in his system space, that scenario would never unfold.
He considered his options. The easiest way to accomplish both tasks was to spend time with Carol Ferris and be ready to act if danger appeared. With that in mind, he picked up his phone and dialed her number.
"Hello, Carol? It's Su Zhan. Do you have time to go out today?"
There was a brief pause, then Carol's voice, warm and a little surprised. "Su Zhan? I was just thinking about you. Sure, I'd love to. Where should we meet?"
"I'll wait for you downstairs at the hotel," he replied with a smile.
Fifteen minutes later, Carol's car pulled up to the curb. She stepped out, dressed in a sleek black outfit that accentuated her figure, her hair shining in the morning light. Her makeup was subtle, her expression bright.
Su Zhan slid into the passenger seat and offered her a sincere compliment. "You look beautiful today."
Carol's cheeks colored slightly, but she smiled. "Thank you. I spent a little extra time getting ready."
"Where would you like to go?" she asked as they pulled away from the hotel.
Su Zhan shrugged. "I'll leave it up to you. I'm happy to follow your lead."
Carol grinned. "Alright, then. I'll show you around the city."
They spent the morning exploring the city's landmarks—the seaside promenade, the bustling downtown, and the quiet beauty of a riverside park. Conversation flowed easily between them, laughter mingling with the sounds of the city. As the day wore on, they found themselves sitting side by side on a park bench, watching the world go by.
Su Zhan stretched his arm along the back of the bench, then gently let it rest on Carol's shoulder. She glanced at his hand, then looked up at him with a playful smile. "Isn't that move a little old-fashioned?"
He laughed. "Maybe, but it works. You haven't pushed me away, have you?"
Carol shook her head, her smile softening. "Actually, if I'm honest, I've never really dated before. My father always expected me to take over the company, and I became a test pilot. My life has mostly been work, home, and the cockpit. We were developing a new fighter jet for the military, but the project hit a snag. I was frustrated, so I went out to a nightclub—and that's where I met you. Sometimes I wonder if it was fate or just luck."
"Maybe it was both," Su Zhan replied, gently encouraging her to lean against his shoulder. Carol hesitated, then relaxed, letting herself rest against him.
"It feels… nice," she admitted quietly. "I never thought I'd be here, like this."
Su Zhan looked at her seriously. "Carol, I know we haven't known each other long, but I mean it when I say I'm serious about you."
She studied his face, searching for any hint of insincerity, then nodded. "I believe you."
He smiled, feeling the moment deepen between them. "I can't promise I'll always be by your side—my life is complicated. But I promise I'll do my best to make time for you, no matter what else happens."
Carol's voice was barely above a whisper. "That's all I need."
Su Zhan leaned in, and Carol met him halfway. Their lips touched in a gentle, tentative kiss—her first, and for both of them, a moment that felt both new and inevitable.
The peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden, violent noise—a loud crash echoed from the street nearby. Carol jerked upright, eyes wide with alarm. "What was that?"
Su Zhan stood, scanning the area. "Let's check it out."
They hurried toward the source of the commotion. As they rounded the corner, they saw a chaotic scene: a car had crashed, but it was no ordinary accident. Armed men with guns had emerged, taking hostages and exchanging fire with the police.
Before Su Zhan could react, Carol was grabbed by one of the gunmen and pulled into the fray. The situation was tense; the criminals were desperate and dangerous.
Su Zhan felt a surge of determination. "So this is how the system wants me to complete the task," he thought, a wry smile touching his lips. He was not worried; he had absolute confidence in his ability to protect Carol and handle whatever threat appeared.
He stepped forward, ready to show the world the power of the new Aether Lantern—and to save the woman who had already begun to mean so much to him.