Hal was somewhat distraught. Although he had already decided to give up his identity as a Green Lantern, thinking of everything that had happened recently filled his mind with a hollow sense of frustration.
What had he done lately?
It seemed like he had done a great deal: cooperated with Schiller to complete his plan, fought Gotham's citizens, come to Green Lantern Corps headquarters to take over the adjutant's duties, and then resigned outright in less than a day.
A lot had indeed happened during this time, leaving him somewhat exhausted. Yet in truth, none of it had achieved any results. After going in one big circle, he had become an ordinary person again.
Did power and justice have to coexist? Which was right, pursuing power or pursuing justice? Did pursuing power mean giving up absolute justice? Justice without the protection of power was merely empty words; power without the protection of justice was nothing but tyranny...
Hal pondered these questions as he slowly walked back. When he took off the Green Lantern ring, he had not even considered how he would return. But soon, he had no time to think about that.
Just as he was about to return to his previous dormitory along the corridor bridge, a group of people stopped him. Leading them was a rather elderly Green Lantern, who said, "Sorry, but the deputy Corps Leader would like to see you."
"The deputy Corps Leader?" Hal asked in confusion.
"That's right. He was leading a patrol in a nearby sector and only returned today. Having heard of your heroic deeds, he wishes to meet you."
"Sorry, but I'm no longer a Green Lantern. Let me leave." After saying that, Hal tried to pass through them, but the leading Green Lantern extended an arm and blocked him.