{Chapter: 79 - Side Quest}
Aiden stood in the middle of the spacious hotel suite, the floor beneath him polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the green glow pulsing from the power ring on his finger. The air was quiet, serene even, and yet filled with the electric tension of boundless potential.
"Let's try it out," he murmured, flexing his fingers as his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
With just a thought, the dark green energy surged from the ring, flowing around him like liquid light. It manifested first into a shimmering shield, crackling softly with stabilized force. Then, without pause, it shifted form again and again—into twin bo-staffs, a sleek pistol, a pair of twin-edged swords, heavy plasma cannons, then into larger constructs: a sports car gleaming with emerald light, a stealth fighter jet, and even a a small mechanical exosuit.
Each transformation was swift, seamless. Aiden moved through them with instinctual ease, his will guiding the energy like a seasoned conductor leading an orchestra. And though he marveled at the flexibility of the constructs, what truly excited him was the deeper connection he felt within the ring itself. This wasn't just the standard power ring anymore.
He could feel it—the Aether. It flowed inside the ring like a dark river of endless energy. Unlike before, he wasn't using his own energies to maintain these constructs. The ring now fed off the Aether's power, drawing from its wellspring without restraint. And perhaps more importantly, it didn't seem to be draining the Aether at all.
He furrowed his brow, holding the ring close to his face as if inspecting a divine relic. "So... the Green Lantern tech needs to recharge, but the Aether doesn't. That makes the ring a shell, and the Aether... the core?"
It was a perfect fusion. The Aether's infinite power made the ring almost unstoppable, and in turn, the ring's ability to suppress and contain dangerous energies kept the Aether from corrupting him. It even enhanced his devouring ability. With the ring acting as a filter, he could consume fragments of the Aether at a steady pace—small, safe portions that gradually empowered him.
Even better, the ring retained all its original functionality, including one of its most valuable yet subtle features: the spiritual mask. It was a mental defense system—an invisible fortress for the mind. With it, his thoughts, emotions, and willpower were shielded from mental attacks, illusions, or fear-induced manipulation. Against entities like Parallax, Charles that would make a huge difference.
Aiden smiled. "What a wonderful day," he said aloud, gazing out the window toward the twinkling stars scattered across the dark expanse of the night sky.
He slept well that night. For the first time in days, his mind was calm, free of conflict or looming danger. When morning came, warm golden sunlight spilled through the hotel window, casting soft rays across his bed and onto the floor.
Aiden yawned, stretched, and got up. He brushed his teeth, splashed cool water on his face, and then enjoyed a quiet breakfast at the hotel lounge—a plate of eggs, toast, and fresh fruit.
While sipping coffee, he pulled out his phone and opened the quest log. The side quest was still listed: "Save the beauty and make the Green Lantern known."
He tapped his fingers on the table, thinking it over. In the original storyline, scientists from the Speedily Department studied Abin Sur's body and the yellow fear crystal, which eventually led to their corruption by Parallax. But since he had already sealed both the corpse and the crystal in his system space, he'd effectively prevented that chain of events from ever happening. He had completed the quest in his own way—quietly, efficiently, and with zero casualties.
Feeling satisfied, he opened his contact list and called Carol.
"Hey Carol, remember me? It's Aiden. Do you have time today? Great. I'll be waiting downstairs at the hotel."
After hanging up, Aiden headed down to the lobby. The morning crowd was bustling, tourists and locals alike moving through the space with practiced rhythm. Aiden stepped outside into the sun, the cool breeze brushing against his cheeks.
Fifteen minutes later, a sleek silver car pulled up. Carol stepped out wearing a tight black dress, her hair styled elegantly and her makeup subtle yet radiant. The way she carried herself exuded confidence. She looked stunning.
Aiden's eyes lit up. He opened the passenger door and slid into the car. "You look beautiful," he said sincerely.
Carol smiled, her cheeks warming slightly. "Thank you. I took extra time today."
As she started the engine, she glanced at him. "Where do you want to go?"
He shrugged. "Anywhere you like. I just wanted to spend some time with you."
Her smile widened. "Then let's go exploring."
They drove through Coast City, visiting famous landmarks and scenic parks. Along the way, they chatted about trivial things—movies, food, old memories, and dreams. The tension between them eased with each passing moment, replaced by a growing comfort.
Eventually, they arrived at a quiet park nestled on the edge of the city. The area was serene, with cherry blossoms in full bloom and a slow-moving stream cutting through the center.
They walked together down a winding path, passing other couples, families, and children playing with kites. The warmth of the sun and the soft breeze made everything feel timeless.
They found a bench beneath a large tree and sat down, watching birds flutter overhead. After a few minutes of quiet, Aiden casually placed his arm around her shoulders. His hand rested lightly, without pressure.
Carol glanced at his hand and then looked at him, raising an eyebrow with a teasing smile. "Isn't this a little old-fashioned?"
Aiden chuckled. "Maybe. But classics never go out of style."
She laughed and leaned slightly into him, their shoulders touching.
"And that's not important. What is important... is that you didn't refuse," Aiden said with a slow, teasing smile as he looked into Carol's eyes.
Carol couldn't help the flush that crept up her cheek. Her lips curled in a soft, knowing grin. "Actually... I've never really talked about love before."
She paused, as though unsure whether to go on. The vulnerability in her eyes surprised Aiden. It made her seem softer, more human than the cool, confident pilot she usually portrayed.
"Since I was five, my father groomed me to become the company's successor," she continued. "And when I wasn't in the office, I was flying. Planes were my only freedom. Home, work, the cockpit... that was my world. Love was something distant, something I figured I'd just never have time for."
Her gaze dropped briefly before returning to his. "The company's goal was to develop cutting-edge combat aircraft, get recognition from the Department of Defense. But... something went wrong. The contract fell through. I was crushed. I felt like I'd failed not just the company, but my father. I went to a nightclub just to drown the stress. I didn't expect to meet you there."
She looked at him with wide, thoughtful eyes. "To be honest... Yesterday night I wondered if that was heaven's arrangement. Maybe... maybe God is telling me it's time to let someone in. Maybe... it's you."
Aiden's heart thudded in his chest, not from surprise, but from how perfectly the moment felt. He reached out and gently pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. Her body stiffened for a split second before she relaxed against him, resting her head against his shoulder.
"I think it was fate," Aiden said quietly. His fingers lightly brushed her arm, sending a thrill up her spine. "I think you were meant to be in my life."
"You're warm," she said softly. "And strong. I feel... safe with you."
He looked down at her, his voice husky. "Carol... are you wondering if I'm serious about you?"
She tilted her head, eyes shining. "Yes. I am."
Aiden didn't hesitate. "Of course I am."
Carol may not have known him long, but Aiden knew her story. He'd seen her type before—strong on the outside, a pillar for others, trained to lead and fly and shoulder responsibility. But deep down... she was just a woman. A woman who longed to be seen, to be loved, to have someone tell her she didn't have to be strong all the time.
When Aiden first arrived in the Marvel world, he never imagined he'd be bound to just one woman—especially not after receiving that fateful Quest. From that moment on, his path became clear.
Across countless worlds, he encountered extraordinary women—powerful, brilliant, stunning—yet burdened by loneliness, heartbreak, or betrayal. They had given their all, yet love had eluded them. Powerful, brilliant, stunning—and yet, heartbreakingly alone. They had conquered armies, shattered empires, mastered magic and science… but love? That one battlefield had left them scarred. Aiden saw past their armor, Aiden saw not just their beauty, but the quiet ache behind their strength, and he made a vow.
If he could be the one to give them the warmth and devotion they craved—to remind them that they could be cherished, not just admired—then that, too, would be part of his purpose.
He would not shy away from this "burden," nor treat it as conquest, but as responsibility and honor. To turn away even one would be a cruelty he could not allow himself. In a world filled with chaos and broken hearts, he would become the sanctuary they never thought they'd find.
Sure, some might call it building a harem. He preferred to think of it as community outreach with emotional benefits.
And while he joked, he never treated it lightly. This wasn't conquest. It was responsibility. It was love. To turn away even one of them would be a cruelty he couldn't allow himself.
So yes, the road was long, the schedule complicated, and the emotional maintenance occasionally terrifying—but in a world full of chaos and broken hearts, Aiden would be their calm. Their anchor. Their sanctuary.
And maybe… invest in a really big house.
"I won't lie to you," he said. "I may not always be here. I have responsibilities... big ones. But I swear, every chance I get, I'll come back to you. And when I do, I'll make sure you know exactly how much I missed you."
Carol's eyes shimmered. She leaned into him further. "That... might just be enough."
Aiden gently lifted her chin with his fingers. Her eyes fluttered as their faces drew closer. Their breaths mingled, hearts pounding, and finally, their lips met in a kiss—soft, tender at first, then deeper as emotion flooded through them.
The world seemed to pause. Her fingers brushed the nape of his neck, and Aiden pulled her just a little tighter into his arms. She could feel the strength in his body, the heat, the intent. It was new, it was thrilling, and she welcomed it.
The kiss left her slightly breathless. "You're... good at that," she murmured against his lips.
"I haven't even started yet," Aiden said with a playful smirk.
Carol laughed, and the sound made his chest feel lighter. For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world didn't exist. Just the two of them, surrounded by rustling leaves, the hum of distant city life, and the stars slowly brightening overhead.
BOOM!!
A thunderous noise shattered the moment. They both jumped, breaking their embrace.
Carol's eyes darted around the park, scanning for the source. "What was that?"
Aiden had already stood up, scanning the area. The explosion had come from a nearby street.
"There seems to be an accident," Carol said quickly, already breaking into a run. "Let's go check it out."
Aiden blinked. That was unexpected. He rushed after her, catching up as she darted through the trees.
But as soon as they rounded a corner onto the street, they were met with chaos. A flipped car smoked in the center of the road, and a group of masked men with assault weapons had taken hostages. Sirens wailed in the distance as police formed a perimeter, trying to negotiate.
Aiden's heart clenched when he saw Carol standing defiantly before the armed men. In the confusion, she had been taken hostage.
She stood tall, refusing to show fear—but he could see the tension in her eyes.
"Of course," Aiden muttered under his breath. "Is this... part of the Quest? Save the beauty?"
He had no doubt Carol would be fine—because he was here. And nothing, nothing, would happen to her while he drew breath.
*****
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