"If you keep pacing like that, my friend, you're going to wear a trench right into the ground," T'Challa observed with mild amusement, watching Anakin's restless movements.
They'd paused their discussion with Thor to consider their options. The reality remained unchanged—they were still trapped on Mortis with little to do except wait for the right moment to depart.
Everyone's thoughts kept circling back to the Son and his capabilities. Though they'd witnessed the dark avatar's power firsthand, they all understood he possessed far more terrible abilities yet unrevealed.
"Anakin, there's no need to worry yourself into exhaustion," Obi-Wan said, attempting to reassure his former Padawan. "Whatever's happened, you've handled it well. Tell me—how are you feeling?"
Anakin sighed, confusion evident in his eyes. "I'm not sure leaving right now is the right decision," he murmured. "The Son has fully embraced the Dark Side."
"We won't gain any advantage by remaining," Thor interjected, his voice carrying the weight of certainty. Thunder rumbled distantly as if to punctuate his words.
"If we attempt to leave, he'll do everything in his power to prevent us," T'Challa pointed out gravely. "The Son's abilities are growing exponentially. He's gaining greater control over this realm and could easily turn it against us."
"A concerning prospect," Obi-Wan agreed.
"However, all power has its vulnerabilities," Obi-Wan countered thoughtfully.
"What about the dagger?" Vision asked. "Could we still use it against the Son?"
"I didn't see it," Anakin replied. "Do you think the Son has it?"
T'Challa shook his head. "It's either with the Father or the Daughter. I recall that during Thor's initial battle with him, the dagger fell to the ground. The Father retrieved it and concealed it within his robes. The Son doesn't possess it."
Vision's expression grew troubled. "Then this is merely a temporary reprieve."
Before they could discuss further, Spider-Man and Ahsoka emerged from the ship bearing unwelcome news.
"Okay," Spider-Man announced, clapping his hands together, "we've got two pieces of bad news. Which do you want first?"
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at the attempt at levity.
"Well, to be fair, there's a small silver lining mixed in with the bad news," Ahsoka added more seriously.
"We have two broken hyperdrive pins, a damaged power converter, the main engine needs a double-ignition sequence to clear debris, and the backup vents need recharging." Ahsoka's voice carried a note of frustration as she rattled off the list.
The Jedi Master's frown deepened. "That does sound problematic," he commented dryly.
Watching Ahsoka hop back into the floor opening, Obi-Wan pressed, "Can we repair it?"
"We can try rewiring the primary initiator and welding the dampening vents," Ahsoka called back. "That might give us enough power to break atmosphere. What happens after that, I can't guarantee."
"We have to take any chance we can get," someone observed. "It's better than staying here waiting for the inevitable."
"Thor, are you certain you could extract us if necessary?" Spider-Man asked.
"Can any of you survive in the vacuum of space?" Thor asked in return.
"I can," Vision answered immediately.
"My suit is equipped for such conditions," T'Challa confirmed.
"Mine too," Spider-Man added, raising his hand.
Obi-Wan simply rolled his eyes at the exchange.
During this brief discussion, Anakin quietly left the group and climbed into a nearby speeder. His Padawan was the first to notice. "Master? Where are you going?"
Anakin quickly explained himself. "I'm going to speak with the Father and Daughter. I don't believe they can contain the Son without assistance. Perhaps we should make our stand here."
"Anakin—"
"I'll regret leaving without their blessing," Anakin said firmly. "It will haunt me."
Obi-Wan sighed. "As much as I'd prefer to go myself, the reality is you shouldn't go alone. The Son has focused his attention on you specifically—he may be unstable enough to attempt anything."
"I will accompany him," Thor volunteered, stepping forward. "I have my own reasons for being here. It's likely the Father knows what I seek."
T'Challa considered this. "If Thor goes with you, then I believe Anakin will be adequately protected."
"But what about the ship—" Anakin hesitated.
"We're capable of managing," Vision stated firmly.
Spider-Man, however, looked uncertain. "But Vision, if the Son actually shows up... I mean, with your Stone..."
Vision placed a reassuring hand on Spider-Man's shoulder. "I trust all of you to ensure that doesn't happen."
With that settled, Anakin and Thor departed, leaving the rest of the group to continue repairs.
Meanwhile, the Father and Daughter stood atop a high peak, overlooking a valley below. The landscape was dotted with large stones and burial mounds.
"We haven't visited here in a long time," the Daughter said softly, a melancholy smile touching her features. "Our fallen deserve to be remembered, don't they?"
The Father didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at the valley of graves, his expression distant and filled with longing.
"This was her favorite place, wasn't it?" the Father finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of ancient memory. "You and your mother brought seeds and cuttings from countless worlds, finding homes for each one. You even convinced your brother to help a few times, though he'd never admit it now."
At those words, the Daughter's expression darkened. Her smile became tinged with sorrow and pain.
"Yes." Her eyes glistened, and she reached up to wipe away gathering tears. She pointed to a particular mound marked by a double-sided pyramid-shaped monument. This burial site was the second-largest in the valley, surpassed only by the one upon which they currently stood.
"We were so happy then," the Father continued, his words seeming to echo across time. "Those simple joys—love and laughter—before everything changed."
The Father drew a dagger from within his robes, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and determination.
"And now, I must act once more—"
"Father, you cannot do this!" the Daughter interrupted anxiously.
"I must!" The Father's voice was hoarse with emotion. "This is what must be done."
The atmosphere between them grew heavy and tense. Finally, she gently placed her hand against her father's cheek, her tone softening. "This is not your fault, Father."
He shook his head slightly, holding her hand briefly before releasing it. He took a deep breath, worry evident in his gaze. "But it is, my child. Can't you see the pattern repeating itself?"
The Father turned his attention to the graves scattered throughout the valley, his eyes resting on the dagger in his hand. He straightened, sighing deeply. "Pride, arrogance, ambition—we always seek to prove ourselves right, to validate our methods to others and to ourselves. But now, your brother's recklessness has brought catastrophe upon the entire galaxy." He shook his head with bitter self-awareness.
His daughter lowered her head in silence, her brow furrowed with deep regret and grief.
"Daughter, I beg your understanding," the Father said, his voice thick with pain and self-recrimination. "I am merely an old fool, still obsessed with predicting—even controlling—the future. Now everything teeters on the brink of collapse. Chaos, destruction, and death spread like poison."
"Father, is this truly irreversible?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper. "Must we remain here, paying for our past mistakes until this universe becomes cold and lifeless?"
The Father fell silent at her question.
Suddenly, thunder cracked overhead, shattering the heavy atmosphere. Both looked up in surprise as Thor descended from the sky, holding Anakin securely in his other arm. The Jedi Knight's landing was less than graceful.
"Oof." Anakin grimaced, his hair windswept and disheveled. "You could have warned me we were about to land."
Thor shrugged unapologetically. "I suppose I should have."
Anakin rolled his eyes at the response. "Why didn't you tell me we could actually fly here without the speeder?"
"If I'd warned you," Thor said with poorly concealed amusement, "how would I have gotten to hear you scream like a frightened youngling?"
Anakin's expression turned sour.