The Whiphid stood in front of one of the Jedi statues, studying the facial expression. Long ago, the statues were whole. But now, most of them were faceless and without limbs. The surface of many blackened by energy weapons, meant to make the locals forget about the Jedi who had once lived here, when the temple had been whole. But all that remained after the devastating Clone Wars and the rule of the Empire, were ruins. Ruins of a temple that had been a stronghold of the Light Side. And what a stronghold it had been. Even now, years after its destruction, not a single tree had managed to penetrate the flagstones that once made up the floor of the central hall. The remains of the temple were overgrown with all sorts of plant life, yes, but somehow it all just felt more.. complete. Enveloped by nature and connected to the Light side, like the way it should be. Like he should be.
The Knight had spend the last few decades searching for inner peace, but he hadn't found it yet. He was supposed to let go of the past, but the past tormented him no matter what he had tried. His outward appearance was that of a man at peace, with a serene and often stoic expression. He understood the Jedi Code, lead the life a Jedi was supposed to live and walked the path of the pacifist. But none of eased his burdens. The burdens of a father, a mentor and the immense guilt he felt for his past deeds. On days like these, he couldn't help but think of his brother and the Whiphids he had once considered his family. He had accepted banishment, which had sent him down a path stained by the blood of innocents. He would never be able to make amends for that. But he had tried, by taking care of those in need of help. He had guided many to the Order, hoping that they would find a better chance at life there. But as he looked at the relics of the old Jedi Order, the Whiphid feared that what he considered to be a safe haven for the lost and misguided, would once again fall to ruin, like it had done more than a century ago.
Kraud turned around, his vision slightly obscured by the hood of his cloak. The Devaronians weren't fond of the strangers, often pilgrims, who came to visit the remains of the Jedi Temple. That was why he had decided to keep his hood up, covering most of the white fur that made him stand out in the jungles of Devaron. He didn't want to be by a bother to the locals, which meant that he had to visit the remains of the temple in secret, hoping that it contained the wisdom he was looking for. But alas, this site had taught him nothing new. It was a nexus in the Force, but not one he managed to fully attune with. It was different, which had given him high hopes at first; only to realize that there was nothing out here. Like Vrogas Vas, all that remained were ruins. Taking a final look at the circle of statues around him, Kraud prepared to leave the temple ruins behind.
@AfroBandit20