X'enik Vlyxflare
About
◬ Race/Clan: Seeker of the Sun, Miqo’te◬Gender: Male◬ Guardian: Rhalgr◬ Age: 30 (as of patch 6.1)◬ Birthday: 23rd Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon ♏◬ Height: 5’8”◬ Birthplace: Ala Gannha, Gyr Abania◬ City State: Gridania◬ Grand Company: Order of the Twin Adder◬ Affiliations: Amaurot / Ishgard◬ favourite food: Buckler Stew◬ alignment: Chaotic Good◬ nicknames: Enik, Enny
Personality
X’enik, at the beginning, was rather quiet and generally quite grumpy, apathetic and closed off (His attitude can be considered incredibly similar to Cloud Strife). When confronted with questions, he would simply dismiss them with a change of subject. That said, there has never been ill intention behind his actions towards others, no matter how cold he seems, unless one harbours ill intent themselves. X'enik exhibits no hesitation when it comes to killing non-innocents or witnesses to his crimes, until later on into his role as the Warrior of Light, when his conscience catches up to him.Throughout his time with L’arhael and the Scions, X’enik has learnt to be more carefree and quell the burning vengeance inside him that has caused him so much grief. Thanks to L’arhael and the Scions’ support and presence, he is able to express and communicate his emotions more freely and smile more. Times are tough, but he has loving and trustworthy friends that he is able to lean on.
He’s somewhat easily excitable when it comes to things he’s fascinated with, namely the ocean, pirates or new cultures. It’s not easy to see it on his face other than a fascinated sparkle in his eyes.Due to the nature of his past he has major trust issues, but once one has earned his trust, he becomes and remains incredibly loyal. His biggest loyalty lies with his tribe.
He’s a very hardworking man and will get things done when they need to be, unless he’s drunk.
When he’s drunk, his personality shifts to that of a useless airhead. It’s potentially one of the reasons he and Hien get along so well, especially when intoxicated.
Pre-ARR
X'enik Tia was born the younger son of the X tribe in Gyr Abania. He was raised to become a loyal warrior and hunter of his tribe, until he was kidnapped as a teen by the Empire when they invaded his settlement. His parents were killed in the process, leaving X'enik orphaned. He spent the rest of his childhood in captivity where they were experimented on (aether modification on various races) if they survived.
During this time he met an old man, an Ala Mhigan merchant known as Aldhelm Vlyxflare who became a grandfather figure to him. He'd tell X'enik countless tales from different regions that would eventually give him hope of seeing the world outside the experimentation facilities, and Gyr Abania. Alongside that he’d teach him of various heroic Ala Mhigan tales that would soon ignite his aspiration to become a hero himself.X'enik succeeded in achieving his dream of escaping the empire, but not unscathed. However, Aldhelm sacrificed himself later in the "great escape" from the empire. X'enik's hair had been bleached orange-white and his right eye was blinded as a result of both the experimentation and escape (Later on X’enik is able to have a vague field of view through Aethervision. this is a skill granted to him through hydaelyn’s blessing and he only inherits this at the beginning of ARR). His aether became imbalanced, and slightly fire-aspected, resulting in his almost inability to use magicks, at great risk.
Aggrieved by his loss of Aldhelm, X'enik lost sight of a future and lurked in the South Shroud (Buscarron’s Druthers) as a rogue, “earning” his keep through robbery, pickpocketing, and occasionally assassination. As the calamity befell the realm, X’enik sought refuge in Gridania, where he was faced with the realisation that he would need an honest job. One day he was approached by a spritely young miqo'te, L'Arhael (character belonging to @Lucius_rat on twitter). L'Arhael proposed they travel together as adventurers, to which X'enik bluntly refused. After a few drinks and sharing untold tales, L'Arhael decided to ask again. To his surprise, he accepted this time. It took saving a civilian from a gang of ruffians with a devilish hangover to reignite X'enik's resolve, and L'Arhael was more than overjoyed to see it himself. However, the vengeful tendencies he held towards the Empire never left.He and L'Arhael registered to the adventurer’s guild where X'enik, in inspiration of L'Arhael's own inherited legacy, Assumed Aldhelm's last name to be known as X'enik Vlyxflare.
a realm reborn
X’enik returns to Gridania after a period of traveling to Gyr Abania (to visit surviving escapees from his tribe). He's already adept at the class due to his upbringing as a Tia, but Adventurer’s Guild policies required him to undertake official training as well. Still somewhat reluctant to undertake these seemingly frivolous quests to him, his desire to protect his remaining tribe survivors and any future victims from the Empire was stronger.
X’enik is conflicted meeting the Scions. Still riddled with trauma and insecurities from his past, he's struggling to make a decision about whether to join them or continue his comfortable route as rogue adventurer with L’arhael. He's eventually persuaded by L’arhael to join them, and it would soon prove to be the right choice as he could gain somewhat of a leverage against the Empire.The reveal of his dream as a gift of the Mothercrystal herself, the Echo, is something X’enik wished he didn’t have. To him, this is a burden thrust upon him that would hinder him from achieving his goals, but he soon realises that it would also be beneficial to him in defeating the Empire. Subsequently, it allows him to gain faint vision in his blind eye, only through the detection of aether, a tactical advantage to him that he loathes to appreciate.
Despite his shyness and social inabilites, X'enik begins to start forming bonds with Alphinaud and Thancred. Often on nights after long days, he and Thancred would unwind in local taverns, but despite how well they get on, X’enik is unable to find the cause of a particular shyness he feels towards the "bard".X’enik is generally very detached from the Scions and their cause, but the Empire's invasion of the Waking Sands is a particular moment where his concern and trauma manifests. Gaius van Baelsar's mere existence seems to infuriate X'enik upon meeting him. Alphinaud manages to stop him from driving himself headlong into a losing battle before the three return to the Waking Sands. Alphinaud, curious about X’enik’s obviously personal grudge against the empire, attempts to ask about it, but is met with a blunt dismissal.
The reveal of Thancred’s possession by Lahabrea shakes X’enik to his core. X’enik finds comfort in Thancred in that he can relate to the man’s insecurities and guilt. He refuses to admit to himself that he misses his presence and presses on, impatience growing. Lahabrea had shown a very specific interest in X’enik that he can’t quite comprehend, something that seemed to go further than his interest in X'enik's potential as Eorzea’s hero.Upon defeating the Ultima Weapon and Lahabrea X’enik feels a surge of accomplishment. Despite being unable to show much of it, he is happier for it and being hailed as a hero continues to fuel his resolve, not to mention a very proud L’arhael. He strives onwards towards his goal.
As the Scions continue with their efforts, X’enik is able to grow closer to Alphinaud. The Scions had proven themselves to be useful allies, but not quite friends yet. X'enik also finally musters the courage to pursue a closer friendship with Thancred.When his blessing of Hydaelyn is stripped from him by Midgardsormr he begins to feel empty and insignificant. Despite not being one of faith, Hydaelyn's blessing had slowly grown in value to him.X’enik manages to successfully complete a commission from his former lancer tutor and has the fortune of encountering Estinien, the Azure Dragoon. As dissatisfied as he looks meeting the dragoon, deep down he eventually finds a newfound respect and somewhat a role model in him. The art of the dragoon is a fascinating skill to him.
Once Estinien learns the truth about his past and turns against Ser Alberic, X’enik has to point his weapon towards his new ally. Unlike Estinien's tutor, he isn’t all too upset by the situation given the short time they've known one another. Once defeated, Estinien disappears with the dark creature, and X’enik expects to never see him again.X’enik is sceptical of Ishgard's parley for aid due to their previous reticence when it came to prior issues among the three nations. He has little choice but to join when Minfilia and Alphinaud accept, earning the respect of Aymeric.The disaster that occurs at the celebration banquet would be the last time X’enik sees Thancred for a while, and X’enik having recently established that he holds feelings for the rogue, is not prepared for it. With mounting uncertainty, X’enik sets foot into Ishgard with the remaining Scions, their only words of encouragement from an unfamiliar silver-haired elezen.
Heavensward
The lack of welcome the Scions receive outside of house Fortemps dampens X’enik’s mood even further, and another bunch of seemingly insignificant fetch quests test his patience as he wants to find his comrades and dismiss this inconvenience as soon as possible. X’enik’s bond with Estinien grows stronger as they travel to parley with Hraesvelgr, Alphinaud growing rather fond of him too. Although their effort to convince the wyrm to cease bloodshed fails, X’enik learns of Nidhogg’s wrath born of his vendetta against man and begins to realise the consequences of vengefulness. Conflict and slaughter will not make a peaceful environment for those he loves to live in.The slaying of Lahabrea contributed to satisfying his hatred of the Ascian after possessing Thancred. As ever, he still can’t place the odd feeling he got by Lahabrea’s presence. However, the losses continue as he watches his brother in arms Estinien get whisked away by Nidhogg’s shade. Never had he known vengeance to be such a dangerous path, and he realises how grateful he should be to the Scions for stopping him from falling into the same madness. X’enik is at this time overcome with grief for his fallen friends, especially Haurchefant who he’d formed a deep and unusually strong friendship with in his time in Ishgard, and now held an unbearably heavy guilt for his death.During this time throughout Heavensward, X’enik comes across Fray in the Brume, from whom he also begins to learn how to harness his hatred for the Empire into power to protect the weak. He conquers his darkside after realising the consequences of vengeance. He then meets Sidurgu, another man he can find himself relating to, for he’s not one to wear his heart on his sleeve.
After the events of Heavensward, X’enik meets up with Sidurgu. He is unaware of the fact that he begins to cling to the Au Ra out of grief for Thancred’s absence. When the mysterious boy Myste appears, X’enik is conflicted by his intentions, and resents the idea of going along with the plan as much as Sid, but he can’t help but feel as if he recognises the boy.When the mysterious man intervening in his battle with the self-proclaimed Warriors of Darkness is revealed to be Thancred, X’enik is elated, however he vows to keep his feelings to himself for the thought that Thancred would never feel the same way. The boosted morale was somewhat short-lived when Thancred learns of Minfilia’s fate. He empathises with Thancred’s grief after having lost his own family.
A few days later X’enik and Thancred decided to catch up over drinks in the Forgotten Knight. They speak for hours of the rogue’s time in the wild and of the events in Ishgard.
After one too many drinks, Thancred grows sluggish and X’enik decides to help him back to his room. Thancred, intoxicated and still riding out his grief of Minfillia, makes the impulsive decision to kiss X’enik outside of his room. One would think X’enik’s reaction to this is pure joy, but it is quite the contrary. He knows it wasn’t genuine and he knows of Thancred’s coping methods. Thancred, acutely aware of his mistake, can only give X’enik an apologetic look and quietly retreat into his room. The miqo’te is left by himself to process the situation.Nary a word is between X’enik and Thancred until before the former entered the Antitower, where he makes the promise to bring Minfillia back safely. As the Warrior of Light, he has the power to save those he and his dear ones love, he believes. But he doesn’t, and he is unable to bring her back. Thancred hearing the news storms out of Matoya’s cave with X’enik on his heels. X’enik finally manages to catch up to the rogue outside to apologise and comfort Thancred, only to be met with hostility and the painful truth: He’d slayed many primals, but what hero was he if he couldn’t bring back one friend? If he couldn’t keep a single promise?
X’enik is unable to respond, and is once again left by himself as Thancred walks away from the scene. From here, the rift between the two only grows.Once X'enik and Alphinaud manages to pry Nidhogg’s eyes away from Estinien, X’enik is inwardly overjoyed to be reunited with the man whom he’d formed a brotherly bond with, just like Alisaie and Alphinaud are as siblings to him. Seeing that the dragoon had finally found peace and his soul cleared of vengeance not only makes him happy for his friend, but also gave X’enik hope that he too would be cleared of the raging storm within him.
His next calling is when Lyse and the rest of the Scions pledge to free Ala Mhigo from Imperial occupation and grant independence to Gyr Abania, X’enik’s home. It is then that X’enik chooses to share his past and personal goal with the Scions, earning support and strengthening the bond with his friends.
Stormblood
X'enik had not travelled much for leisure since before his time with the Scions. Setting foot in his homeland of Gyr Abania feels surreal, and nothing can compare to the joy of seeing his fellow surviving tribemates. The nostalgia of Ala Gannha's surroundings, even if brief, is enough to give him a breath of fresh air among this difficult series of events.He is more than eager to jump into battle and end the Imperials’ reign of terror in his homeland, but an efficient plan takes time to devise and execute. Before leaving, he decides to take up the role of machinist after realising that it may be better utilising the vision in his right eye. A promise is made to help the X Tribe rebuild once Gyr Abania as a whole has been liberated.When arriving in Othard, X’enik is blown away by the culture and traditions of its people, not to mention his excitement over the pirates of the Ruby Sea. Secretly, he wishes to join the confederacy. He soon wants to learn the culture and traditions of the people of Othard, gaining further enthusiasm for their cuisine. However, the thing that sticks out to him about Othard is the namazu species. He quickly becomes obsessed with them as if it was miqo’te nature with fish, but without a tendency to eat the creatures. Mayhaps.
X’enik warms up to Hien quickly upon meeting him at the Steppe and the prince becomes a new drinking buddy to keep X’enik company in Thancred’s absence, by being the friend to let loose and go on crazy drunken antics with. While in the Steppe, X'enik's enlightenment of the Auri traditions open his eyes and vaguely remind him of his tribe back home in Gyr Abania.Striking down Zenos and freeing the land he called home was the best achievement he could accomplish so far. It had been his ambition from the very beginning, and knowing he’d succeeded in the first step made his heart swell. Now that the first step of his own goal has been achieved, it's time to think bigger. Through this whole ordeal, the Scions had been at his side, and the revelation to him that they have indeed become like a second family to him, is made. It's an all around happy day for X'enik.
Little was he aware of his brother’s status - or even that he’s still alive - X’ezah steps into the palace’s throne room just as X’enik is about to leave. X’enik is frozen to his position in elation is what he would like to think, but the imperial armour he catches his brother donning causes his heart to drop. X’ezah reveals that X’enik and the scions’ victories are but fleeting, and that he intends to undo them all, for the sake of the Empire that so lovingly took him under their wing. He wishes to see the downfall of X’enik as the Warrior of Light, and swears to strike him down as the inconvenience that obstructs him from reaching his goal. X’enik is not left much space to say anything before X’ezah disappears, and he swallows his anger and heartbreak for the celebration of Ala Mhigo’s liberation before retreating to his room afterwards to break down.
X’enik’s exchange with Fordola gives him a brief chance to reflect on the past and the deeds he has done up until now. He has definitely suffered many tragedies that have contributed to his trauma, even giving up, but he still presses on thanks to his goals and his friends who are always there to keep him in check. After her aid in the fight against Lakshmi, he visits Fordola once again after she’s returned to her cell to thank her personally, and tell her that he understands her guilt. He feels a huge amount of empathy for her, having experienced a similar fate as a child.Gosetsu’s return brings a rare smile onto X’enik’s face, that another loss he thought he had suffered was alleviated.[drk]
[After helping Myste, he later is exposed to the true identity of the young elezen: the embodiment of his guilt for Haurchefant and Ysale’s deaths, among others. It is then that X’enik calls upon Fray once more to defeat the simulacrums and put an end to Myste’s plan. He and Fray state their forgiveness, and X’enik is finally able to find inner peace, accepting his guilt and laying his vengeful tendencies to rest. Myste’s final words will always be with him.]Hope begins to diminish in X’enik once Thancred, Y’shtola and Urianger are suddenly struck down by ‘The Calling’, leaving him once again at a loss and concern. Once again he is scrambling to find answers that will bring his friends back.Whilst looking for a cure, X’enik is able to bond further with Alisaie, in which he realises that the two are more alike than he had expected. Hope is rekindled in him once they learn of Alphinaud’s safety. After Gaius van Baelsar reveals his identity, X’enik is immediately enraged at the sight of him before quickly regaining his rationality that the man did after all save Alphinaud. It doesn’t earn Gaius the least bit of trust or forgiveness, however. Hatred towards the former legatus aside, the mention of another Ascian in the midst leaves a sour taste in X’enik’s mouth.
Alisaie and X’enik confide in each other while visiting Ga Bu, and the two of them grow closer as he empathises with her guilt for not being able to save the kobold. His promise with her becomes a new source of his motivation.Further hope is brought to X’enik upon learning the origin of the voice calling to him that Thancred and the others are possibly with the mysterious figure, before Alisaie falls to the calling during battle, and he is left all alone.
Shadowbringers
X’enik is finally called to the first, where he meets a merchant briefly with striking similarity to Aldhelm. The encounter sends him into an even more disoriented state, but he presses on. He then meets the Crystal Exarch. He is easily able to sense a familiarity from the ‘Mystel’, and those senses remind him of G’raha Tia. With those thoughts in mind though, he keeps quiet. He is more than eager to find his lost friends, and rejoices in the news that they too are on the First.He decides to find Alisaie first and, having harnessed his guilt, is able to comfort her in hers and remind her that their promise still stands. Only when Tesleen’s disturbing transformation into a sin eater befalls them does he become aware of the severity of this world’s calamity.
Thancred’s return with a young Minfilia overjoys X’enik once more, until he notices a change in Thancred’s behaviour. He is unable to get him to open up much further than explaining Minfilia’s existence here on the First. Even Y’shtola has picked up on Thancred’s strange behaviour, especially around X’enik, and even teases him about potential ‘feelings’.Things are still awkward, Thancred's behaviour towards X'enik is off, even more so with Minfillia.
In Raktika, Thancred leaves after Y’shtola calls out his foul treatment of Minfillia and X'enik follows to question his behaviour. Thancred refuses to communicate rationally. X'enik pushes him to the wall and pins him, reminding him that he's lost his entire family and Thancred needs to learn to move on, reciting the very words Thancred said to Emmanelain after punching him (3.3). Thancred says nothing, brushes X'enik aside and walks away.In Amh Araeng, Thancred, X’enik and Minfillia are on their way to communicate with Minfilia over (young) Minfillia's fate as the Oracle of Light, when Ranjiit stops them in their path. After being sent onward by Thancred, X’enik keeps a strong front for Ryne despite his desperate concern for Thancred and pushes onwards. He has always had faith in Thancred’s abilities and resolve, but something tells him this time is different.
Back at the top of the mineshaft, a bruised and battered but very-much-alive Thancred greets them with a painful smile, along with the other scions. X’enik does his best to hold back tears (and maybe his fists out of anger for endangering himself), and he swears he can see a glint in Thancred’s eyes too. In that moment there's an unspoken exchange of relief and forgiveness where the distance between them closes and they have a moment to speak before heading for Malikah's Well. As usual for X’enik, it isn’t much of a feat, but he hangs behind to take a moment to himself afterwards in order to process his emotions. As much as he would like to hug Thancred and exclaim his joy for seeing him in one piece, he refuses to reveal any such feelings for the hyur.
Tensions and pressure rise with the fall of Vauthry and many secrets are laid bare at once. The (much expected) reveal of the Exarch’s identity as G’raha Tia, Urianger’s consortium with G’raha to use X’enik as a beacon to absorb the light - which he feels rather hurt and betrayed about - and the (also expected) betrayal of Emet-Selch. However, he isn't given much time to process the situation before he collapses, completely losing his senses due to the overconsumption of light. It is Thancred who carries his limp body back to the Crystarium in silent rage, refusing to say a word to anyone. Whilst X’enik is --
unconscious and bedbound, Thancred sits beside him and vents his woes. He voices his regrets in “not doing enough” to help X’enik as X’enik had done for him, and prays that he doesn’t lose another loved one.G’raha’s message from the sufferers from the 8th Calamity on the Source fills him with such a welcoming warmth that it brings tears to his eyes. To be revered so was never in his wildest dreams and he swears to bring him back, no matter the cost.
Deep in the depths of the ocean where forgotten memories lie, X'enik meets a "new old friend," Hythlodaeus. This ambiguous character entrusts unto him a ring that was supposedly intended as a gift for Emet, by X'enik himself. Confused at first, he learns that X'enik, and everyone else, were once "whole" beings, and that his "whole" self was the sender of this gift.X’enik fails to understand the gravity of Emet-Selch’s desperation until the Scions head into a projection of Amaurot's demise, with the architect narrating a grim story. Odd memories and feelings strike X’enik as they push through the horrors, and he can’t quite begin to describe the anguish he feels, until seeing a particular monstrosity. A monster that - he seems to remember - killed his friend. Emet attempts to strike a deal with X’enik to coax him into joining his cause using a particular sore subject as his leverage: the loss of X’enik’s home. The two share grief for the aforementioned, but X’enik, after an internal struggle, realises that there is no point in dwelling on his past anymore and refuses to be swayed by Emet. The two fight a deadly battle, which in the end, X’enik narrowly wins and is rewarded with a bittersweet smile from Emet with the passionate request to “remember that we once lived.” In that moment, X’enik is struck with another memory: that he and Emet were in fact the best of friends in bygone days. The group makes no delay in heading back home bringing victory with them, and X’enik a heavy heart.
That night after the defeat of Hades, X’enik decides to drink during the celebration, but ends up having a little more than he should. Thancred ends up having to take a drunken miqo'te back to his room, in which he ends up venting to the hyur about his guilt and suffering as the Warrior of Light/Darkness, and how heroism was not at all what he was raised to believe it to be. X’enik ends up abed in Thancred’s arms as the hyur attempts to comfort him after the Miqo’te sobs about his woes. It isn’t until the next morning that X’enik wakes up in a panic after seeing Thancred asleep next to him. Thancred, the only sober of the two, reassures him that nothing of the implied happened. X’enik is nonetheless embarrassed about the gravity of the situation, and
especially perplexed about how Thancred chose to comfort him in such a way.