Val Aikyn
Xbr'aal Vidraal
Eorzean Name: Valkyn
Gender: Pangender
Sex: Intersex
Race: Xbr'aal Hrothgar
Birthplace: Iq Chikhan, Urqopacha
Age: 25 years
Height: 10ft (3,10m)
Weight: 1084lbs (490kg)
Birth
In the year 1552, under the light of the red moon Dalamud, Val Aikyn was born in the isolated city of Iq Chikhan, located high in the mountains west of Urqopacha. A city where men are not allowed, and as is their culture, an Astrologian was summoned shortly after the birth to predict their future and reassure the mothers, Val Th'ras, the Hunting-Chief, and E'rral Mis, the protector of Iq Chikhan, that the cub wouldn’t need to be taken to Iq Br'aax.
Val was born bigger than the average, with a soft dark beige fur and brown stains on their back, glowing blue eyes inherited from their grandmother. Their pupil on the hand, was red as the moon, a rare occurrence among the Chikani, known to allow one to see souls.
Childhood
The initial years were calm, with Aikyni, the nickname given by their mothers, growing healthily and showing ease in the Chikhani teachings. Until the night they ran away from their mothers to explore outside the city and get to know the surroundings. Their exploration didn't last long until they found a baby in blue swaddling clothes in the snow, after taking her to Iq Chikhan some search parties tried to find the little Xbr'aal's parents, and without success, Aikyni's mothers decided that they would adopt the baby, naming her Vet Ren'ai.
(continue)HUNTING NIGHT
At 12 years, Val Aikyn hit the age to accompany the adults on hunts, the Hunting-Chief gave them their first Soul Crystal because they had the potential to become a Viper in the near future. Along with a few other young and adult Xbr’aal, they finally had the experience of a night hunt, coming down from the mountains with nothing more than the light of the stars illuminating their path. They arrived to the Yok Huy territory from Worqor Lar Dor and split into two groups. The first would head north to Chabameki, and the second, Val’s group, would stay to hunt in the Yok Huy territory thanks to an old agreement.They made it to Sunken Stars without any problems, but the further they walked, the more noise they heard. Some Silver Lobos had somehow gotten there, and something was driving them away. Some bodies were lying on the ground. Whatever was killing them didn't seem interested in eating. That was enough to make most of them not want to be there anymore, and rightly so. That's why they decided to just pick up the Lobos that were already dead and leave.One of the other young hunters who was helping had stayed a little further away, and Val saw something strange lurking, they couldn't tell what it was, but from the silhouette it looked like another Lobo, a little bigger than the others, and so they ran to help. They were just a child and should have warned instead of doing this, but it was their instinct, just to run and run towards that creature. And it was in the midst of all this that they were willing, in the midst of darkness, to help her.
That's when two claws appeared out of nowhere and hit their face. Adrenaline kept the blood pressure from dropping, and the staring of those red eyes stopped them from moving for a few seconds, staring at that creature as it seemed to taste their blood. The other hunter dropped everything she was carrying to warn the others. And in that time they just needed to survive, that thing was much bigger than expected, a bipedal creature, with eyes glowing at night, and scales that camouflaged it.
Soon the pain became greater than the fear, and they drew their swords, moving as fast as they could, always guiding themselves with the eyes of the target which was all they could see clearly. But especially for a child, that was not only fast, but also strong and resistant, they felt the swords slide over the scales, doing nothing but dulling the blades. That's when they remembered what has been taught, to use them as fangs, always biting your prey.
So they went for the creature, thrusting the blade between its scales. Finally, a blow had gone through, and the creature had fetid blood. But they were so stunned by landing the blow that they couldn't see the claw coming at them again, and almost lost an eye. It was their first hunting experience, and losing a lot of blood, they could feel their vision getting blurry. And with the gift of the moon, they heard the others behind while javelins were thrown at the creature.
Something sparked on them, Val didn't know what it was, but an instinct told them to land blows from one wound to the other, piercing where the scales were already weakened, and tearing until it stopped moving.After that, the body had no more strength, and Aikyni just fell to the ground, letting them be carried back home. They only woke up hours later and others had also carried that creature, for Val it was something that all of them did, but they screamed as if they were the one who protected and hunted alone what was said to be a Chupacabra.
Adolescence
THE HUNTING FESTIVAL
In their late teens, they decided to take part in the hunting festival in Tuliyollal, it was the first time they entered the city, and so amazed by the size and colors they didn't notice the Xbr'aal in front of them, resulting in a stumble."Hey watch where you're going, you almost crushed me" exclaimed the Xbr’aal.Still lost, they looked around for the source of the voice, until they felt a light pinch on their leg."Down here" the voice continues, his accent was at once different and similar to what they were used to.And finally, looking down, they could see the owner of that voice, an Xbr'aal with orange fur, sweet eyes like green apples, and a smile on her face despite the accident. They couldn't help but notice how the young woman was adorned in gold, with an axe as big as she was, and the sight left them speechless, blushing even.“Sorry, I was… I” Val tried to respond, avoiding eye contact.“Not from here, huh? I can show you the place but we need to go fast if you want to attend the festival”“Wait, how do you know I’m here for this?”“Your accent, silly. Anyone can point out a Chikhani when they speak, and the little I know about your culture, I know you’re here to hunt.”“Fair, I wasn’t expecting the Xbr’aal around here to be so…”“Small? Not everyone has Yok Huy blood.”“Cute, it’s not everyday we find someone who is both strong and with such a charming look.” they say with a sneer on their face.“WHAT!?” she was frozen with the compliment, it didn't seem like a common thing for her to hear something like that, much less someone she had just met, but she soon tried to compose herself “Wuk, my name is Wuk Lamat, and you are?...”“The Third Promise?... Sorry, my name is Val Aikyn. I hear a lot about you in Iq Chikhan, not a lot but.. I hear about you, people enjoy the idea of a Xbr’aal being one of the promises and how you can represent not only us but Iq Br’aax too.”“So people talk about me… We better go or we'll be late.”She hurries, showing the city from one side to the other, from the market to the residential area, arriving at Vollok Shoonsa just in time for the festival to begin."I salute you, brave warriors, and thank you for coming! But before the festivities begin, I must remind you that this is not just a celebration of martial prowess. This day we hunt not to take the life of our prey, but to acknowledge our place within nature's design, and give thanks for the bounty of Tural!" were the words of the Dawnservant as always. And after the Head of Reason, they finally started.
The competition was fierce, with several competitors from all over Tural battling for first place until the last minute. Zoraal Ja wasn't participating, and Koana was no longer in Tural, leaving only Wuk and Val in contention for first place.
And then, in the end, the winner was finally announced, Val Aikyn, who broke their swords during the event and continued fighting only with their fists and paws, displaying the unique fighting style of the Chikhani, mixing punches with dance steps.“Long is the time since the last time we saw one from the mountains gracing us with their presence. They us, little moon, what reward are you looking for?” The Head of Resolve exclaims.“An axe, sun lords, sturdier than my swords, but small enough for me to lift with one hand.” They replied with confidence, noticing how the Dawnservant was smiling back at them, as if he knew what was going to happen.
Gulool Ja Ja finally had the axe in his hands after a few minutes, handing it to Val and giving them space for what was to come. They then knelt down, extending their arms towards Wuk Lamat.“I dedicate this prize to you. You deserve an axe as tough as you are.”She was frozen again for a few seconds “WHAT!? No, it’s yours, I can’t accept this.”“But you should Lamaty'i, as it is disrespectful to deny a weapon as a gift in their culture” The Head of Reason spoke clearly.“Yes papa.” Taking a deep breath and calming herself, she approaches, accepting the axe and smiling at them."And to you, Val Aikyn, we can offer no more rewards from the vault, but for your display of strength in fighting with your fists, and humility in giving your reward to my daughter, I offer you our respect, you will be known as Xbr'aal Vidraal, the biggest Xbr'aal to ever walk in Tuliyollal."They had no answer to this, but nodded to Gulool, and patted Wuk Lamat's head before getting up to finally return home “See you soon, Lamaty’i.”BACK HOME
Upon returning to Iq Chikhan, Val Aikyn was greeted with great joy and a night of festivities, it was unusual for Chikhani to participate in the Hunting Festival, with the news not only of the victory but of how they had lost their swords a surprise was orchestrated.E’rral Mis, the protector, reached her own child with a box in hands. “This is for you Aikyni, we think it’s a more fitting path for you.”Confused, they approached E'rral, opening the box and finding an ancient relic: a black greatsword engraved with rubies. And, beside it, a dark wine crystal with an emblem resembling a star.“This is a Soul Crystal?” They take it, looking closely “I don't remember seeing anything like it.”"Dark Knight belonged to your grandmother, she came from far away to here. She kept it and made us promise that we would give it to you the day you found someone special to protect, and we made the sword according to the plans she gave us, especially for you."“I… Someone special to protect? Who?”“We know what you did for the third promise.”“Mom, I just met her.”“You're no different than your other mom, you both act before you think. But if you don’t want, I can keep it.”“No, I… I want it.”“Good, take it, tomorrow you start training with your new tool.”They took the sword, feeling strange about its weight at first, but it didn't take long for them to get used to it, and they spent the whole night without putting it down.
Adulthood
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Eorzea
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Hooks
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