Star Wars Multiverse

Different Path (2)

Anakin couldn't believe it. He had hoped for so long to have a family whom he could love and who would love back in turn; he still could not believe that he had actually been attracted to somebody like Padme, and he hoped the bitch died lonely, in pain and old, her former youthful beauty melted off, like the wax of a melted candle.

Anakin travelled the galaxy, lost and despondent. he didn't even give a thought, not a single thought, about how it was easier said than done since he didn't have his Force powers anymore after the Jedi Council stripped them from him after that disaster on Naboo.

For a long time, everyone in the Jedi had hated and derided him, terrified and amazed by his sheer power and his talents in the Force, so it was something great for them whenever they found something they could use against him like his past. Anakin had often asked himself if the Jedi, once they heard about him losing his powers, had cheered since it meant they were no longer inadequate.

He didn't care.

He didn't give a damn about the Prophecy.

He didn't even care if it even applied to him anymore.

But at the same time, he realised that he wondered why the Jedi had been so desperate to find him on Jedha. But it made no difference now; thanks to Padme's actions on Corellia, whatever kind of tentative relationship between himself and the remaining Jedi was dead and gone.

While he was travelling, Anakin felt something strange before he heard the Will of the Force.

How was this possible?

The Jedi had severed his connection to the Force years ago, in the early days of the Clone Wars. He should not be hearing or sensing anything, so why was he suddenly able to hear the Will of the Force?

Fascinated and worried, Anakin set the navigational computer and once the calculation was made, the Shmi jumped into hyperspace. When the ship exited the hyperspace vortex, at last, Anakin quickly checked the ship's charts. The Shmi was in a very remote corner of the galaxy. It had been surveyed, and explored, but never exploited. No mining conglomerate had touched the place, no colonist ship had made the touch down to set up a colony or an outpost, and there was nothing really special for any scientific institute to set up some kind of research laboratory here.

And yet.... Anakin could feel something. It was like a leftover shadow of his former Force ability which was still within him and his soul was telling him there was something about this place which was extremely important.

It should have been impossible for him to hear the Will of the Force, never mind sense there was something unnatural about this planet, but it was happening.

Anakin sighed and obeyed the Will of the Force, and he directed the Shmi on a gentle glide through the planet's atmosphere before he made the touchdown. The planet was lush with vegetation, and once he had conducted some basic environment checks, he made sure his blaster was at hand when he opened the ramp.

Come to me.

The whisper in his ear made Anakin follow, as much as he wished it didn't have such an effect on his mind and willpower. While he didn't have a strong connection to the Force like he had done in the past, Anakin could tell this planet was rich in the Force. The Jedi had taught him that the Force could be visually understood if you stood outside on a planet like this, and watched as the sun began to set, casting shadows over all.

Anakin found himself in a vast tavern which was both natural and yet there were signs someone had moved in and enlarged it. He found himself in what could be both thoughts of a thrown room and a cathedral rolled into one. There was something strongly spiritual in this place.