After The Nelvaanian Liberation
To say that Anakin Skywalker is trembling would be an understatement. The normally dashing young Jedi Knight is shaking with unspeakable pain.
He can still feel and see the brutal bite marks from the leeches across his flesh, which is now also scorched with even fresher wounds caused by the blaster fire from battle droids and the mutated Nelvaanian soldiers. Bits and pieces from the electric generator are lodged into upper abs, right biceps, his right pec and his right nipple has a cut that is dripping red. Destroying that blasted generator blew up his mechanical arm and the agony is plaguing his entire right biceps.
As he strokes the furry bantha that delivered him to the cave, the young man looks down to check out the rest of his body. Every taut, built muscle, from his abs, to his pecs, collarbone, biceps and broad shoulders is decorated with blood.
His head is spinning, which only exacerbates his pain. It is only the will of the Force that allows him to tolerate for a brief moment. If Padme were here, she could comfort him, embrace him, and touch him in the special way that she does. If only he could see her soon. Though, he will have to clean up before he does because for sure, she will want to see him topless, bare chested, shirtless. And when she does, he doesn't want her to worry, so he'll need to get rid of the blood as much as possible.
The weather is getting warmer on Nelvaan, thanks to Anakin's destruction of the electric generator. The fact that there is no more snow or blizzard ripping through Anakin's torso is a welcome change to be sure.
Obi-Wan Kenobi slowly approaches Anakin. Despite his heroic return, the boy seems a bit off, as if something is troubling him. Perhaps, he saw something in the cave.
"Ana..." Before Obi-Wan can finish, Anakin Skywalker clutches his six pack, which is expanding and contracting with his every rapid breath and his built chest heaves aggressively.
The hero throws up a river of blood, which stains the melting snow, leaving behind crimson grass in its place.
Obi-Wan, Shaman Orvos, the Nelvaanian warriors and the rest of the village all rush to Anakin's aid as he collpases chest first on the ground, this time, the melting ice cutting his body.
Anakin Skywalker groans as he gets up and despite feeling groggy, the first thing he notices is the brown, intricate cocoon that is wrapped around the stump of his destroyed mechanical arm.
Obi-Wan lends his hand, which Anakin takes and rises.
"The young women of the tribe extracted the derbis that was lodged to your body." Obi-Wan gestures at Anakin's now less bloody torso.
Anakin nods non verbally. Obi-Wan smirks a bit. The women had gotten a little too touchy with Anakin during the process, so Obi-Wan had to intervene.
"Your top robe is here. But the rest of your attire was...um...burnt." Obi-Wan points at the chars near the fire. "The children were playing around and got carried away with the fire."
Anakin smiles softly but immediately cringes because even a smile hurts his aching body. He reaches out for his robe and throws it over his shivering body. Clothed at last! Shirtless no mire!
Obi-Wan continues. "You've done a great thing for these people. Well done, Anakin. But tell me more about your experience in the cave."
"I listened to the mother Just as the Shaman said." Anakin replies in his husky voice. "Do you think...they will be able to reclaim their old lives?"
Anakin glances down at the Nelvaanian people, who look very happy, deep in celebration and a smile creeps up his face.
"I sense they will." Obi-Wan answers. "As long as each of them is willing to accept himself."
Though Anakin did not answer the question, Obi-Wan decides not to press further, which turns out to be a mistake for sure.