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.

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post-shadowbringers [part 2]

During the battle, Emet-Selch lends his strength in the final push against Elidibus. X'enik must stifle his emotions and press on.

X’enik, still pitying Elidibus upon his defeat, chooses to return the convocation’s crystals to him in hopes that it will restore his memory and put his troubled mind at peace. Despite the strong adversity Elidibus caused, X’enik did not resent him. The Exarch’s pained cries are what pulls him from his send-off and he rushes to his friend’s side, face wrought with worry. The Exarch’s soft words do little to reassure him, but X’enik forces a smile regardless. X’enik firmly promises to bring G’raha on his next adventure, no matter what. Little does the red-head know of the journal X’enik has been keeping safe for when the day comes. The two exchange a heartfelt moment before the Exarch is no more, and X’enik is left clutching the vessel where his soul now rests, tears falling. Thancred is the first to offer comfort.

Outside at the Exedra, X’enik explains the events to the scions. For a moment, he wonders if he did the right thing, but reflecting on Elidibus’ memories restored and his heart moved, he wouldn’t have it any other way. Beg Lugg’s recount of the Exarch’s heartfelt approach towards risking his soul’s fate stirs hope in X’enik as one may expect, for he is reminded of the newfound passion that his friend embraced upon struggling through his depression. Mayhaps now, G’raha can finally realise his dream of travelling alongside the Warrior of Light.X’enik joins Thancred and Ryne on their journey to choose and deliver flowers for Minfillia. Since also growing close to Ryne and having helped Thancred about his reconciliation with her in Amh Araeng, he feels it best to accompany them first.After an emotional exchange between Thancred and Ryne in the Exedra (enough to make X’enik tear up), they head inside to the Ocular, the scions bid their farewells to Beg Lugg and Ryne, and Thancred entrusts his gunblade unto her. There, X’enik bears witness to a rare event: a passionate final hug between them. With that, each of the scions commit their essence to the vessels and an anxiety-riddled X’enik is bound for the source, his precious family in his arms.X’enik, overjoyed to see his old friend again, pulls G’raha into a hug (whether it’s out of elation or to hide his tears, one cannot tell). On the way back to the Rising Stones X’enik recounts Lyna’s words to him on behalf of her and the residents of the Crystarium, to which he tearfully thanks him.

Later that night on the balcony of Mor Dhona, Thancred and X’enik have a deep discussion. Thancred sheds tears over his separation from Ryne, and X’enik comforts him, to which Thancred finally decides to confront X’enik about his feelings and confesses. Admittedly, Thancred isn’t used to confessing genuine, serious feelings and stumbles a few times, X’enik teasing him for such, but he is undoubtedly overjoyed and shocked that Thancred has finally reciprocated his feelings.

❧ Your caresses enfold me, like climbing
Vines on melancholy walls.

A few days later, everything is back to normal and X’enik is finally able to catch a moment’s rest. He decides to spend his time helping G’raha prepare for adventure, chatting with the twins, and spending quality time with Thancred, whether it be at the bar or in private.[5.4]
Alisaie’s passion in her search for a cure for the tempering motivates X’enik to help her out. Of the twins, he is slightly closer to her than he is to Alphinaud, and he knows from before the events of the First just how committed Alisaie is to this cause. With that, he travels to Azys Lla with Alisaie and G’raha in search of information on tempering.The attempt to cure Ga Bu succeeds, and X’enik swells with pride for Alisaie’s hard work and happiness for the kobold. Strong as she is, X’enik has seen her come a long way from before their time on the First and is excited to see her provide to the world that she has strived to protect.

Thancred believes it is time to head to Garlemald and investigate once again. Urianger insists on joining him, and X’enik would rather help as well. Whilst there, X’enik runs into his brother X’ezah for the first time since the initial defeat of Zenos. They fight, and X’enik learns that X’ezah is indeed working under Zenos, but resents him and is working on “something much better.” Left pinned to the floor by his older brothe who swears to kill him, X’enik is the slightest bit too hesitant and it’s Thancred and Urianger’s intervention that saves him. X’ezah leaves, stating that he will not alert the imperials of their presence and that they should head back home. Since X’enik “belongs to him”, X'ezah will kill him himself. There is a deep cut left on X’enik’s lip that is sure to leave a persistent memory of this encounter. He begins to realise that this is nowhere near the brother that he once knew, and grimaces at the prospect of having to kill him. Back in the quarters, Fandaniel and Zenos are not pleased with X'ezah's secrecy about the Scions' presence in Garlemald and punish him accordingly.

❧ God and the devil are fighting there and the battlefield is the heart of man.

[5.5]
Thancred, Urianger and X’enik return to the safety of the Rising Stones, the Miqo’te among them branding a new scar. The Scions are shocked to hear about the return of his brother X’ezah as he had chosen to push back the memory of their previous meeting and refrain from telling them. He insists that he is fine, and brushes aside any concerns by instead checking in on the others and their wellbeing.

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