Anakin's shoulders screamed in pain as the guard dragged him down a passageway. He couldn't feel the bottom half of his body, but the sheer force he was being pulled along the corridor was pulling his arms out of their sockets. He tried to study his surroundings, to spot anything that might establish where exactly he was. The hall was almost in pitch black, but he could make out some statues lining either side of the towering walls. They seemed to have reached the hall him and Obi-Wan had been brought into yesterday. The pair reached the door at the end, and after a brief conversation through the security intercom, let in.
Anakin could barely believe his eyes as he surveyed the huge room he was in. Its high walls were adorned with red and black carvings of various symbols that he didn't recognise. There were paintings everywhere and plush scarlet carpet lined the floor. Anakin stared open-mouthed at the sheer luxury surrounding him. He'd never witnessed anything as grand as this anywhere in his training before.
A small chuckle directed his eyes to the centre of the room. There he saw a throne, covered with the same markings as on the walls, and seated on it was a man shrouded in black. The chuckle appeared to have come from his, as there was no one else in the room.
"I see you have kept my guards busy, young man."
Anakin almost smiled at the strange man's remark, but stopped himself.
This is no time to let your arrogance get the better of you.
The man seemed to sense this thought, chuckling again, this time louder.
"Leave us."
The guard obeyed, dropping his load to the floor and promptly shutting the door.
There was a long silence. Anakin lay face down on the carpet, still unable to stand up.
"Don't try to stand up, the gun's effect should not wear off for another fifteen minutes at least", stated the dark figure matter of factly.
Anakin was about to give an extremely sarcastic reply, but something about this stranger made him hold his tongue.
Master Obi-Wan would be proud of me.
The dark figure rose off the grand chair and shuffled slowly towards him. Anakin gasped, out of breath – as the man walked closer and closer he could sense the dark energy surrounding him. His head throbbed, and stars swam in front of his eyes. It was exactly how he had felt just before collapsing in his apartment.
A cold hand rested on his shoulder and he passed out.