Character Questions: Xan Shio (Original Take)
Full name: Shio Xan of Osaka
Nickname: Black Dragon of Osaka (Duel Moniker), Spectre (alias when he was in hiding from Zasalamel), Dragon-chan (by Taki)
Occupation: Duelist and Wanderer
Appearance: Black hair tied in a low ponytail that reaches the middle of his back. His skin is slightly darker than an average Japanese man. Despite fighting at least one hundred duels, Xan never got a scar until his first encounter with Elysium and the Oak Tree he destroyed. The incident granted him a large scar on his back. He gained another scar on the right side of his chin after his first fight with Raphael.
Age: 18 at the beginning of his story, 20 after the time skip.
Mannerisms: Tends to keep to himself. Very blunt and straight to the point as he never really developed any social skills. Getting a conversation out of him requires effort from the other party. But he's generally kind, soft-spoken, and very respectful to his elders.
What does he/she wear?: His first outfit was made with all Custom Parts from SCIII's CaS system. The Dragon Robes and gloves are both black with gold outlines on the robes, Hunter's Pants, and black fish skin boots. After the time skip, Xan now wears a black undershirt with chainmail underneath it. He wears a black overcoat with a dark green scarf that doubles as a muffler. He wears Hunter's Pants and Black Buckled Boots. Trading the Dragon Gloves, he now wears Knuckle Gloves. Qing Long used to be sheathed on his side, but his Spadroons and Later Katanas were strapped on his back.
Favorite color: Bamboo Green
What is he/she good at?: Xan's Original Version only knows battle. So anything that involves that is a skill he excels at.
What is he/she bad at?: Lacking social skills means he's not good at being diplomatic. Peacetime is foreign to him, so he finds it hard to change with the times.
What does he/she want?: To survive in this world he finds himself in.
What is his/her goal?: To stop Zasalamel, Algol, Nightmare, and Azwel
What lie does he/she believe?: This pain and suffering on this road is something he can and will take on alone.
What flaw results from the lie?: He tends to subconsciously push help away. Baba and Kin practically forced themselves into his life.
What truth does he/she learn?: That he doesn't have to deal with the Soul Swords' shenanigans by his lonesome.
What is his/her background?
A young Xan Shio was an interesting youth. He was adopted at a year old by a spiteful Mani as she had yet to lose a duel for her hand after years of failed attempts. She would raise him as best as she could, teaching Xan the way of the sword as soon he could walk without repeatedly falling over. Being a teacher was one of the few things she was better at than being a mother. At seventeen, Xan was enrolled in the Japanese Coast Guard. Shortly thereafter, he killed the Daimyo of Kyoto and was branded as one of Japan's most infamous swordsmen. Becoming a duelist only added to his infamy as he went 100-0 and met his first lover who lead him down a darker path to the point where Soul Edge marked him for death. Together, with a Monk and his Priestess wife, the trio ventured their way across Asia and Europe before the monk's untimely end by Zasalamel. Xan's life quickly derailed after that incident. Spending a year and a half doing nothing but training to prepare for what his journey of stopping the zealot would entail. After finishing Zasalamel who turned into Abyss off, Xan enjoyed a short peace until he was called into action against his wishes. He would be sent back into the past to stop Nightmare, an act that would leave him in an extended mood of bitterness.
Character Questions: Xan Shio (GbNF Take)
Full name: Shio Xan, Xan of Osaka
Nickname: Edgemaster (by his adversaries), Black Dragon of Osaka (old moniker), Ryu (Baiken's pet name for him), Mr. Xan (by Dakini), Xan Sifu (by Mulan), Pa, Otou-san, and Dad (by Kim)
Occupation: Edgemaster, Blacksmith, Royal Family's Bodyguard (alongside Baiken)
Appearance: Little has changed appearance-wise in comparison to his original counterpart. The only noticeable difference is his eyes. They're tired and have small bags as if he's dozing off.
Age: 439 when we first meet him, 464 after the time skip.
Mannerisms: Get rid of his shyness and amplify the other mannerisms of the original version, and you get the Modern version of Xan's mannerisms at first. After growing accustomed to peace with Baiken and Ida by his side, Xan has learned to remain calm and not act so confrontational. He is also incredibly wise due to his age and origins whereas others ask him for wisdom, even the Edenians. Now he only acts like he originally did towards his enemies or if constantly pushed.
What does he/she wear?: Xan wears a black duster with blue accents, a black undershirt, and a blue scarf, which can also be used doubled as a mask. He wears black pants and boots, silver shin guards, and fingerless gloves over his hands. His O-Katanas are sheathed on his back. And when he needs it, he spawns the Blue Fire Jian in his right hand.
Favorite color: Sky Blue
What is he/she good at?: Unlike his original counterpart, Xan is also good at Smithing Weapons. He's a solid cook since he had to learn how to feed himself and a young Kim. Thanks to peace, it's revealed that Kim's love for children came from both of her parents, as Xan is surprisingly amazing with them. Makes sense considering he raised one until adulthood. His age also made him amazing in the sack, but that's all I'll say about that. (Lol)
What is he/she bad at?: Xan has known death, violence, and war for so long. He has PTSD and finds it difficult to acclimate to peace when he's alone. That has become easier to do in between the time skip. Still, if left unchecked for too long, he might fall back into old habits which no one is on board with since the cast unanimously agrees he needs to rest.
What does he/she want?: He just wants to make Kim happy and proud of him.
What is his/her goal?: To defend Earth and Edenia from any and all threats.
What lie does he/she believe?: That he's to blame for all of his loved ones' deaths and demises.
What flaw results from the lie?: He can be a bit of a shut-in, causing the people around him to force him into society.
What truth does he/she learn?: That his friends and loved ones died so that he may live on and honor their memories.
What is his/her background?
In an alternate timeline, Shio Xan's life after the battle at the Lost Cathedral was drastically different. Almost all of the people he grew close to during his journey were dead with a few exceptions. Tragedy would strike again and take his last three friends for what seemed like eons. Xan was put in a dark spot and contemplated suicide, only to be saved by the Sun and Moon Goddesses, Edgemaster, Isabella 'Ivy' Valentine, and lastly and most importantly, Chai Xianghua. All those mentioned helped him out of his dark stupor in a myriad of ways. Ivy and Xianghua stayed by his side and personally helped in his recovery. Edgemaster taught him his trade in true weapon mastery, and Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi made him their first champion, granting him various gifts to help in his new job of defending Japan from monsters and humans alike. Soon after, Xan would, at the suggestion of Ivy, adopt a baby girl and named her Kimura.
Raising Kim brought Xan happiness for the first time since Xianghua passed away. Once in a while, an unnamed Hokkaido Shiba Inu hybrid would visit the pair and the Goddesses who would help Xan raise Kim alongside a still alive Ivy. But it wasn't until the Maddox Family Matriarch and her close friend introduced themselves that Xan's life really picked up for the first time since Abyss' death. After a rocky start with the rest of the Maddox Family, especially Benjamin's wife Jade Xan, Xan would prove his usefulness and become a valued friend and ally.
Along the way, he entered two romantic relationships. The first was with a mentally matured Mileena who was all but enamored by the Edgemaster. The pair broke it off after mutually agreeing that the Edenian people would never be on board with a hybrid relationship. That led to Xan beginning a relationship and eventual life partnership with the one-eyed Samurai, Baiken. It was Baiken who convinced him to join the Edenian Armed Forces as the Royal Family's Bodyguard promising to do it with him. In hindsight, the Edenian Populus would have happily taken Xan's relationship with Mileena over Baiken since as a pair Xan and Baiken convincingly scare the crap out of the people, dubbing them 'The Bullies'.
Xan now lives in the same cottage that Mai raised Callie Ann and Benjamin in all those millennia ago with Baiken and Shana's oldest pup Ida. Shana passed away from old age in the twenty-five-year time gap. Though the rest of the cast insists he rest after centuries of service to Earthrealm, Xan will happily lend his mercilessness and skill to protect what he has now.
Additional Questions for the Original Take and GbNF Version of Xan?
Did Xan feel like he was ever part of the makeshift group with Baba and Kin?
Whether he felt that way or not, Baba and Kin forced Xan to interact on a casual level. Baba was his progenitor, opening himself up to others since she's naturally loud and bold. Kin took a different approach, just being friendly. It worked since he views Kin as a brother and will immediately call Baba his best friend. Xan felt part of the group when the trio traveled together.
(Makes sense. They were an oddball threesome together, but it all worked out in the end)
Which was OT Xan's toughest challenge?
In the original story, Abyss would've given Xan a near-death experience and died from his wounds had the group not brought him to the Proving Grounds. Dealing with SC1 Nightmare alongside Kin and co in the past would've been cake compared to dealing with Abyss. The only person to give Xan a challenge on Abyss' level would be Algol. However, he and Taki would persevere since those two working together are entities of mass destruction.
(I always said that anyone paired with Taki would be difficult to deal with, let alone defeat in battle. Xan makes that damn near impossible)
Is Xan's sense of loneliness gone now that he's in Edenia?
He doesn't have much choice in that regard. If not with Baiken, Ida is always following Xan around. If he's with Kim, he's most likely babysitting Ben's children. Though he still misses those from his time like Taki, Kin, Baba, and especially Xianghua. His new friends and family have eased that sense of loneliness.
What can we expect from Xan from here on out?
Xan will have his defining battles in the coming Arcs. Some of the villains we haven't met will be his foil in some ways whether moral or physical. I would name them, but like I'll spoil the surprise since I want to finish this story. Xan's time in the spotlight has yet to come since we only saw bits and pieces of his battles off-screen or the fights we saw in full were extremely one-sided due to his age and experience.
(All evil forces better start saying their prayers for what will come)
Editor's Thoughts
Xan lies as the Forces of Light's trump card. Basically, he is the deciding factor in who wins or loses. That's the kind of power and influence he possesses. It helps that now he lives a life where things are a bit simpler while taking care of his daughter and living more in peace. I expect something huge will happen with him when the story resumes.