Post-shadowbringers

The ever-growing concern of the Scions' bodies back on the first hinder X'enik from being able to enjoy celebrations on The First.
Xenik is less than enthused to hear about the updates on the Empire’s schemes. He is much less enthused to see Gaius there with Estinien, but chooses to dismiss his presence for the excitement of seeing his Dragoon brother Estinien again. He manages to catch the dragoon just as he’s leaving, and the two catch up over a drink.

[5.2]
Learning about the Empire's plans for a new weapon, he’s more than keen to escape back to the First where pressing issues are… slightly more favourable to deal with. Upon his return to the Crystarium, X’enik fondly looks upon the Exarch with his newfound happiness. Perhaps he will aid Lyna in convincing him to take a break from his research and offer to take him on an outing.
Surely Ardbert has been laid to rest, his soul resides within himself even. All answers point to Elidibus posing as the bygone Warrior of Light, and the thought of the ascian sullying Ardbert’s legacy sickens him. The mystery of the Echo’s granting and its potential link to the starshowers of the Seventh Umbral Calamity increase X’enik’s suspicions about Hydaelyn and furthers his uncertainty about his faith in the power he holds. For now though, these findings will have to wait.

In light of their discovery of Elidibus’ goal, X’enik travels with the scions to Anamnesis. Before the Scions descent into the depths, Thancred and X'enik share a rare and wholesome moment of respite together where they can communicate their previous tension properly.It is shortly after that X’enik and Thancred will have to part again for their separate duties, and how he regrets that he cannot join the object of his affection, but he understands that he is much needed where he is, as well as much needing a rest. In previous days, he would have nothing but apathy for the civilians who are determined to throw their lives away. Yet with having grown accustomed to the role of a hero, X'enik refuses to idly stand by and watch them leave without an attempt to convince them otherwise.[5.3]
X’enik is alarmed to hear news of Thancred collapsing and his feet cannot carry him faster to the infirmary. Thankfully, Thancred is conscious when they arrive. X’enik is unsurprised to hear that the--

Gunbreaker has been suffering for a while now, and the miqo’te had clocked onto this since he saw Thancred’s fatigue begin to affect him. Before heading back to the Rising Stones, X’enik stays behind in the infirmary for a little while to express his worries with Thancred. Since he was the first to arrive on this shard, it would make sense that his link would be the first to weaken. Though he believes his suggestion would be futile, he asks Thancred to rest a little longer, lest he overexert himself again. The fate of the scions continues to hang in the balance, and X’enik refuses to stop until he has ensured their safety.X’enik shares Alisaie’s concern for the Exarch’s wellbeing and his intentions to risk his life to return with them. X’enik shares a quick word with the Exarch about his newfound joy for life and his overexertion before seeing Thancred and the others off to deal with the black-masked Ascians.He sets off back to Anamnesis Anyder to meet up with Y’shtola, a trip he surprisingly looks somewhat forward to, for any excuse to bask in Amaurotine landscapes brings him joy.
It is much too soon that his excitement is dulled by his discovery of Y’shtola’s unconscious body, and the same Ascian who wears Ardbert’s face. As much as he wishes to lash out at Elidibus, he grits his teeth and obeys the Emissary in order to keep Y’shtola safe. X’enik is stricken with heartbreak as he suffers through a gruelling trial of fighting familiar and friendly faces, including Thancred. As he progresses, he begins to realise the meaning behind such a betrayal to himself: Elidibus wants X’enik to see that killing the convocation is no different than killing his former friends; that he kills indiscriminately, just like the convocation. Alas, he lacks any need to be reminded of such, for this is a large part of his self-loathing; intrusive thoughts that plague him every free moment he has to himself. Of course, Elidibus denies any semantics behind the trial he sets for X’enik, which is blatantly a lie. Before he has much of a chance to argue about that, Y’shtola returns to press her own allegations against him.

X’enik discovers a trail of crystals outside the capitol and chooses to pursue them. The fragments of long forgotten memories lead him to an old friend: Hythlodaeus. The Amaurotine entrusts X’enik with the final crystal, said to be crafted in secret by Emet-Selch. A gift from Emet-Selch, much like the ring he now wears. X’enik’s thoughts are interrupted by Y’shtola, who he travels with to join the others in Eulmore.X’enik leaves the Exarch behind in the Crystal Tower with painful reluctance. Knowing G’raha’s regrets in not being able to join him on his adventures, he silently vows to make such an experience possible for one day.X’enik finally stumbles upon Elidibus in the throne room, where he vows to enact his mission and succeed. The Warrior of Darkness cannot help but feel an ache of pity for Elidibus upon his realisation that he has forgotten those dear to him, but this is soon pushed aside as Elidibus strikes the first blow. Emet-Selch’s words reinforce his resolve against his former friend.