"Anakin, did the Force give you any direction?" Thor asked.
Anakin snorted. "That's not exactly how the Force works."
"Isn't it? Relax, feel its flow until it guides you where you need to go?" Thor questioned.
"No... well, sometimes, yes—but not always," Anakin replied, sounding slightly surprised at the question. "The Force can be... confusing."
"Ah, philosophical nonsense," Thor nodded knowingly and clapped Anakin on the back—not quite gently—nearly making him stumble forward. "Though this type of nonsense is something I and the other Avengers have had to learn as well."
Anakin managed a slight smile. "I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult."
A thought crossed his mind: Is this really the legendary Thor? One of the Avengers' strongest warriors?
To Anakin, this godlike being seemed remarkably casual—not quite like the irreverent Stark, but there were similarities.
He'd expected a god to carry himself with more gravitas or majesty, not this sharp-tongued informality.
Though in terms of raw power, Thor had clearly achieved mastery. The duel with the Son had been spectacular. If not for the urgent need to rescue Ahsoka, Anakin would have preferred to witness the entire battle.
"Even if I do find the Son, the real challenge will be fighting him," Anakin stressed. "We should at least have some kind of plan."
"Perhaps I can distract him," Thor suggested. "My power should be sufficient to keep him occupied, giving you time to close the distance and strike with the dagger."
"I'm afraid it won't be that simple," Anakin said thoughtfully, speaking as much to himself as to Thor.
As they prepared for the confrontation ahead, a voice suddenly echoed through Anakin's mind—familiar yet distant.
"Nothing is impossible..."
Anakin frowned. That voice—where had he heard it before?
Thor, however, showed no such hesitation.
"Whoever you are, show yourself," Thor commanded, his voice firm. Lightning crackled around Mjolnir. "Unless you wish to face the combined wrath of Thor Odinson and Anakin Skywalker."
"The Chosen One." The voice sounded again, clearer this time. "An interesting title. Considering your frequent defiance of expectations, it suits you—if it doesn't make you uncomfortable."
Both men tensed as silver-white mist drifted in from nowhere, gradually condensing. The vapor slowly formed into a humanoid shape, until...
"You have grown stronger, Anakin," the figure praised. "Just as I always believed you would."
When Anakin saw who had appeared, he nearly dropped his lightsaber in shock.
Thor remained alert, though his wariness eased somewhat after sensing the spirit's aura.
"Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin said, disbelief coloring his voice. "Is it... really you?"
"Indeed, Anakin," Qui-Gon Jinn confirmed, walking toward the stunned Jedi Knight. He paused briefly to regard the God of Thunder. "Thor Odinson, welcome to our galaxy. It is an honor to meet one as powerful and renowned as yourself."
"You know of me?" Thor asked with mild surprise.
"When one surrenders their physical existence to the cosmic forces that bind the universe, they learn many things," Qui-Gon explained.
"But Master, how are you here?" Anakin asked, still reeling from seeing the Jedi Master who'd helped free him from slavery on Tatooine.
"I once told Obi-Wan that this place is unique—a convergence point in the Force," Qui-Gon revealed. "It allows me to manifest more clearly here than anywhere else in the galaxy. I have come with purpose. The question is: are you ready?"
"Ready?" The question confused Anakin, the word echoing in his mind.
"Ready to face your demons," Qui-Gon said, his expression serene despite the weight of his words. "The ones you fear losing, and the one you fear becoming. I believe in you, Anakin—even when you do not believe in yourself. You are strong in the Force. With that strength, you can fulfill your destiny and push back the darkness that approaches."
Anakin's confusion deepened. What did that mean, exactly?
"Are you referring to the Son?" he asked hesitantly.
"He is only part of it, Anakin." Qui-Gon reached forward and placed a firm hand on Anakin's shoulder. "You must look deeper within yourself. Trust your instincts. Never lose faith in your friends and allies. Keep moving forward."
With that, Qui-Gon's spirit faded, leaving behind a confused but determined Jedi Knight with more questions than answers.
Silence hung heavy until Thor broke it with an exasperated sigh.
"Typical philosopher," Thor said with a wry smile. "Always speaking in circles, never giving straight answers. It's like dealing with my brother when he's being particularly cryptic."
Though Anakin wanted to defend his first unofficial master, he couldn't find the words. He shared Thor's frustration, so he remained silent.
Anakin raised a hand and rubbed his forehead, muttering, "Why can't they just say what they mean?"
Just as Thor opened his mouth to respond, his expression suddenly sharpened. His head snapped upward, and Anakin felt immense pressure as Thor began spinning his hammer rapidly.
A deep shadow swept in like a windstorm and lifted Thor into the air.
"Thor!" Anakin shouted, moving to pursue—but his steps froze mid-stride.
The Jedi Knight encountered unprecedented resistance, as if bound by invisible chains. He could barely move.
Gritting his teeth, Anakin struggled against the constraint. He felt the Force release him partially. He turned toward the source of the power, hand moving to his lightsaber.
Mist filled the air, growing thicker with each passing moment. In the gathering darkness, it became almost impenetrable.
Then, a sound emerged.
At first, it was vague—like wind through distant structures. Then it clarified: heavy, mechanical breathing that echoed around Anakin, making his heart pound against his ribs.
Anakin couldn't explain what he was feeling, but fear began creeping through him. That breathing... why did it sound so... familiar?
As the mist dissipated, a tall, dark, imposing figure emerged. From every angle, this being resembled the Son, yet was fundamentally different.
The figure was encased entirely in black armor, no flesh visible. The helmet appeared to be a grotesque fusion of skull and insect, with crimson lenses and triangular respirators emitting that terrible hissing, wheezing breath. A black cape billowed behind him, occasionally revealing gray undertones in the armor. The only colors came from blinking red and blue lights on his chest panel, and an eerie green glow emanating from his belt.
Anakin's breath caught. The air around him seemed to thin. Who—or what—was this?
The Dark Side emanated from this being in waves as deep as—or deeper than—the Son's corruption. He radiated malevolent energy that chilled Anakin to his core. Every instinct screamed at him to retreat, to flee.
"So..." The man's voice carried a metallic quality through his helmet's vocoder. "Of all possible opponents, I face you. I wonder if this is a test of loyalty... or merely entertainment."
Anakin nearly staggered under the weight of the oppressive presence.
The figure in black unclipped something from his belt and activated it with ruthless efficiency. A brilliant crimson lightsaber blade ignited, casting blood-red illumination across the mist.
"We shall see," he said coldly.
Instantly, the figure lunged forward with blinding speed. The red blade crashed against Anakin's hastily ignited blue lightsaber, and Anakin's arms trembled under the overwhelming force behind the strike.
Instinctively, Anakin thrust his free hand forward and unleashed the most powerful Force push he could muster. The armored figure was hurled backward—but he didn't fall. He extended both hands as if catching some massive weight, then gradually arrested his momentum.
"Impressive," he murmured.
As his opponent rushed forward again, Anakin barely raised his lightsaber in time to block the crimson blade.
To his shock, an invisible grip seized his legs. Anakin growled in pain but managed to roll backward, dropping to one knee and swinging his lightsaber to break free from the Force hold.
From just that single exchange, Anakin was already breathing heavily, exhaustion creeping through his limbs. If he had to describe the power disparity, facing this enemy was far more draining than an entire day of combat.
This opponent was unlike anyone he'd ever faced. But no matter what, he wouldn't surrender easily.
Anakin braced his free arm against his knee for support, forcing himself to stand and assume his combat stance.
"Who are you?" Anakin demanded, eyes narrowing.
"Your doom," the black-armored figure replied, his voice cold and absolute. "And your future."
Then Anakin was driven back by the figure's terrible strength and Dark Side power. He was forced backward, barely correcting his balance as he slid across the ground.
He had to resist this assault. Anakin pushed back against the crimson blade with all his strength and swung his own lightsaber in a counterattack—but the strike was deflected effortlessly, forcing him back onto the defensive.
This enemy was like an insurmountable wall, suffocating in his dominance. Anakin couldn't even spare a thought for Thor's battle with the Son.