Accismus⋆౨ৎ˚⟡.• Anakin Skywalker⋆౨ৎ˚⟡.•

23.

Anakin knew that Sol was in the arena. From his place against the pole in the sand, he felt her white glow in the Force that never failed to intoxicate him. Ever since their talk in the spiritual realm of the Force, Anakin realised how much he cared for Sol, and how he was always able to sense her in a room, or arena, full of people. Even on the other side of a building or a ship, Anakin found peace in her signature.

Master Obi-wan was unhappy to see his Padawan and the senator of Naboo in the same arena as him. With his hands chained above his head, he watched as the two were chained to their own poles with their gazes avoiding his.

'I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten my message,' Master Obi-wan had said with sarcasm.

'I retransmitted it as you requested, Master,' Anakin had replied, before he tried to look away from his Master's piercing glare. 'Then we decided to come and rescue you.'

'Good job.'

With the three chained, an address was made from the archducal box of spectators. The crowd roared at the mention of the supposed criminals who will meet their justice from a public execution. The panic settled into the three, and Anakin whipped his head around in an attempt to find where he sensed Sol's signature. His anxiety didn't help and every time he looked into the crowd, he only saw the insects that inhabited a majority of the planet. It seemed impossible, but Anakin wanted to at least see Sol for the last time before his soul entered the Force for eternity.

'They've taken Sol, Master,' Anakin said while looking around, making Obi-wan turn to his Padawan to see his ever-moving gaze. 'I don't know why, but I fear Count Dooku has taken her.'

'She's up there. I see her behind Dooku,' Obi-wan nudged his head to the highest level of the arena. 'Good to see that you two are finally working together, but it just had to be in the most foolish way. I mean really, Anakin, did neither of you think that it would be a bad idea to bring the senator here?'

Anakin huffed. Master Kenobi always found the time to scold him, even minutes from their execution. He would have tried to explain himself further, but the noises from the three openings into the arena made him pause. Padme, Anakin and Obi-wan watched as three monsters were guided into the arena. With electric-current weapons, Geonosian guards zapped the monsters to force them into line and direct them towards the chained prisoners.

For Padme, there was a nexu. A cat-like creature that was quick and vicious, the Geonosian next to it attempted to guide it, but was ripped away and torn in two by its large teeth and claws. Hoots from the crowd sounded and Padme was already working on breaking her cuffs to somehow get away from the definite death sentence.

For Obi-wan there was an acklay. It hissed as it was shocked by the guard next to it but was obedient as its tall, stalk-like legs took its lean body towards its prey. With a large mouth and green skin, the acklay were lethal with their sharp teeth and legs that ended in a sharp point.

And for Anakin, there was a reek. Taking all the vicious elements from a rhino and a bull, the reek huffed smoke from its nose as it entered the death zone. Large tusks protruded from its jaw and from the top of its head, and its stature was thick with muscle and power. At its entrance, Anakin's expression slacked, and he wondered if he would even be able to search the stands again without the help of his vital organs that would be mauled by the monster in front of him.

'Let's try and work together on this one, my young Padawan,' Master Obi-wan readied himself to take on the acklay, and Anakin looked to his Master in surprise.

'What about Padme?'

'She seems to be on top of things.'

Anakin turned to see the senator making her way up her pole with her cuffs loosened and the chain in her hands. He was amazed to see her sudden abilities to climb without support and turned back to see that the reek had been allowed to run free from its guard. Readying himself, Anakin prepared to take on one of the most dangerous animals in the galaxy.