STAR WARS FUTURE REPUBLIC: Shadows in the Force

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Raxar, after several days of recovery in Carilia's hut in Weik, finally felt strong enough to get up and continue his journey. The wounds he had suffered were practically healed, thanks to Carilia's attentive and loving care. That morning, as the first rays of the sun illuminated the little cabin, Raxar said goodbye to his protector.

Carilia watched him with a mixture of sadness and concern in her eyes. —So, what will you do now? Where will you go? — She asked, her voice soft but charged with emotion.

Raxar sighed, knowing he didn't have a clear answer. —I'm not sure, Carilia. I can't go back to the Jedi Temple. After what happened in the Port of Voss... I failed, and I am not able to return to the Order as if nothing had happened—. Carilia nodded slowly, understanding. She walked up to him and took his hands, looking at him tenderly.

—You have nothing to worry about or regret, Raxar. You will always be welcome here. I've grown fond of you these days, and you'll always have a place in this cabin.

Raxar looked at her with gratitude and affection. —Your words mean a lot to me, Carilia—. He pulled out a holocron he had recorded during his stay and handed it to her. —I want you to keep this—. Carilia picked up the holocron curiously, examining it closely. —What is this?

Raxar smiled slightly. —It's a holocron. Maybe someday someone will need it. Store it in a safe place—. Carilia nodded, putting the holocron away carefully.

—I will. I promise to protect it—. Raxar grabbed the rest of his belongings and headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned to Carilia one last time. —Thank you for everything, Carilia. For your care and for your words. I will never forget what you have done for me.

Carilia smiled sadly, her eyes shining with pent-up tears.

—Take care, Raxar. And remember, you'll always have a home here.

Raxar nodded, feeling a lump in his throat. Then, with one last glance, he said goodbye and began to walk towards the port, his mind full of uncertainties, but also with the certainty of having found a true friend in that remote corner of Weik. As Raxar walked away, Carilia stood at the door, watching him until he disappeared over the horizon. She kept the holocron in a safe place, promising herself that she would protect it, not only for its contents, but as a symbol of the time shared with Raxar.

Raxar slowly approached the Port of Voss, keeping a safe distance as he watched the bustle of reconstruction. From his elevated position, he could see residents and workers scrambling to lift crumbling buildings, repair streets, and clear debris. The sound of hammering and the voices of workers filled the air, creating a cacophony that echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of his failure.

The Port of Voss, which had once been a place of life and activity, was now scarred by the recent battle. Raxar noticed the tired but determined looks of the people who worked, each struggling to recover what had been lost. Among them, a well-known figure stood out, Senator Grem Valor, who led the reconstruction work with visible determination.

Grem Valor, with his slightly worn suit and dust stains on his hands, gave instructions to the workers. Despite his fatigued appearance, his presence radiated an air of hope and leadership. —We need more hands in that corner, and make sure the foundation is solid—, he said in a firm but encouraging voice.

Raxar watched the senator for a moment, feeling a deep sorrow in his heart. He remembered the chaos, destruction, and loss that had occurred under his watch. His thoughts turned dark, and his mind filled with doubts about his ability as a Jedi.

—I'm sorry... —, he murmured into the air, his words barely audible, carried by the wind.

He lifted his hood to hide his face marked by guilt and shame and turned to walk away from the harbor. Every step he took felt heavy, as if the emotions of his failure were clinging to his feet, preventing him from moving freely. The emotional charge was palpable, a weight that made him walk hunched over and with his eyes lowered.

As he walked away, Grem Valor felt a presence on the horizon. He paused his work for a moment and looked in the direction of Raxar. His eyes searched in the distance but found no one. —Could it have been my imagination...? — He asked quietly, turning his attention to the urgent tasks.

For Raxar, every step away from the Port of Voss was a reminder of his self-imposed exile. He felt that he did not have a clear direction, a purpose to guide him. His mind wandered between the memories of his mistakes and the uncertainty of his future. Without the certainty of his place in the world, each step seemed to take him further away from the redemption he longed for.

The landscape around him became a reflection of his inner state: a vast desert of doubts and regrets. He walked without a clear destination, only hoping to find somewhere, sometime, the strength to face his demons and find a new path. As he lost himself in the distance, the wind carried his whispers of regret and hope, carrying them to an unknown destination.