[i]Time. The construct of a finite existence obsessed with its own mortality. Before your world was formed, before your star gave light, I fought as you do now. I was the First Lantern. And once, so very long ago, I thought that I could change the universe. But now, if I scream and if I shout, it is to keep the universe from changing me. My name is Ganthet. I forged the ring you bear.[/i]
[center][h1][color=lime]G R E E N   L A N T E R N[/color][/h1][b]"Orphan's Lament" [ Part III ] [ [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwhw6AScE_o]Ganthet's Theme[/url] ][/b][/center][hr][hr]

The squat, dwarven figure sat on the edge of a rickety dock.

A large dog of some yellow Labrador breed lay stretched out behind where the man sat, it's tail occasionally twitching as it dozed. The man's trousers were rolled up so that his feet dangled in the cool waters. The brim of a wide, straw hat cast his face in shade, as the white haired figure sat under the light of two suns. 

A simple fishing pole was propped up in his lap. It's line indicated in the water by a cork that listed lazily as it drifted across the surface of the lake. 

He hadn't caught anything in more than a hundred years. And still he returned here. To this place, to this moment, to this plane of existence. For what purpose? He didn't know. It was merely where he belonged.

The yellow lab suddenly raised it's head. The tail moved back and forth a moment, as the canine's ears seemed to shift forward as the animal fixated on what had caught its' attention.

Then it barked.

The wizened figure frowned deeply. Setting aside the fishing pole, the squat figure gingerly picked himself up from off the dock. As he turned, the blue-skinned man raised a hand to the level of his eyes so that he could peer up into the sky.

There was a shadow descending from above.

The Slyggian appeared, donned in the uniform created by a ring of Oa. It had been some time since he had been exposed to one. The sudden proximity seemed to touch an [i]old wound[/i]. The presence nipped at his senses like a limb that had gone numb and was now experiencing a phantom, pins-and-needles pain as sensation now returned.

...no, it wasn't just one ring.

Using the same hand that was shielding his eyes, the white-haired figure removed his hat so that he could better appraise the green construct that floated alongside the Slyggian that approached him from the air.

The Green Lantern landed just a few feet from where the short, white haired alien stood. Dropping to one knee, the Slyggian clutched his ring hand to his chest as he bowed his head and said, "Guardian, I am..."

An uncharacteristic streak of anger flashed through the man. [color=lightblue]"I know what you are,"[/color] the fisherman uttered flatly, interrupting the Slyggian. With a dismissive wave, the man added, [color=lightblue]"I want no part of it."[/color]

The Slyggian's oblong head came up to look at the dwarven figure. Using one hand, the four-armed alien indicated the green capsule floating there. "No part in saving even one life?"

The man seemed to bristle at the implication. [color=lightblue]"Do you think us omnipotent?"[/color] the wizened figure snapped back in retort. [color=lightblue]"Go,"[/color] the man uttered, as he started to turn back toward the lake. Reaching up to place the hat back on his head, the blue-skinned figure paused to add, [color=lightblue]"Mourn elsewhere. That child's life and death has naught to do with me."[/color]

As the man turned and walked away, Salaak seemed to be thinking a moment. Calculating. Finally, rising up from the earth, the Green Lantern said only, "I know about the book."

The old man stopped in his tracks.

It seemed that Salaak had gotten his attention. Extending out his ring hand, the Slyggian remarked, "I ask you to remember [i]who you are[/i]."

The sky turned black. In an instant, in the blink of an eye, the world around them became a hellish storm. The yellow lab gave a yelp as lightning and thunder rolled across the skies. And from everywhere, a voice like that of GOD Almighty snapped.
[h3][color=lightblue][b]YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHO I AM.[/b][/color][/h3]
The force of will staggered and disoriented the Slyggian. Taken aback, the Green Lantern needed a moment before he could continue. "I know that you've forgotten more about this universe than I will ever know," Salaak offered, as he again extended out his hand. "I know that you've saved this universe more times than anyone can count. Now the universe needs you to do it again."

The old man turned to look back at the Slyggian. 

"[b]Help me[/b], Guardian."

The old man looked back toward the lake, as he said, [color=lightblue]"I am no Guardian..."[/color]

"Help me save the Lanterns," Salaak urged, interrupting the god-like being. "Help me to save the Guardians. Help me save the life of just [i]one small child.[/i]"

The old man remained quiet, even as his head was bowed.

When he finally looked back up, he turned his head toward the Slyggian and gave a heavy sigh. [color=lightblue]"You can..."[/color] he began, before trailing off for a moment. [color=lightblue]"...bury him here, if you like."[/color]

Salaak's hand fell back by his side.

The old man started walking back toward his dock, as the sunlight broke through the clouds that were now parting. Pausing his step a moment, the man spoke without looking back. [color=lightblue]"Your universe and what happens in it is no business of mine."[/color]

Placing his hands in his pockets, the old man just walked away.