Mike's parents were both part Animalian, something they thought would be a solid foundation for a relationship. Unfortunately by the time they had his older brother things were already rocky. Once they had Mikel they split, his father taking his older brother Kamon to Thorrig and his mother taking him - across the world to a small hunting town called Drend.

Genetics-wise, Mike inherited enough Animalian genes from his parents to be recognised as an Animalian of the Pangolin Family, Manidae Class. Meaning he can tilt forth features of the pangolin, primarily for defence. So he grew up learning basic combat and such as if to maybe one day become a Lysotaur hunter under his mother's - the now Archuntress of the town - encouragement. Lacking much ambition in terms of goals, this was all well and good by him.

That is until a circumstance of misunderstanding but well-meaning intentions led to the god of loyalty crowning him his champion. As a minor punishment for the quote, "monkey business," he gave Mikel a twinge of primate in appearance to go along with the protective plating he was born with. In Mikel's own subconscious vow to 'never sew lies or misunderstandings with words,' - to only rely on his actions - he had his mouth magically sewn shut and instead uses the dandelion fluff of his champion staff to literally illustrate his thoughts if needed.