Nykl was a young Balawai resident of Haruun Kal during the era of the Clone Wars, and the sibling of Urno. During the Summertime War, while trying to escape a conflict, he, along with Pell Nakay, Terrel Nakay, Keela Nakay, and Urno, were involved in an incident where their steamcrawler became trapped in flowing lava; however, they were rescued by Jedi Master Mace Windu. Nykl's father and a contingent of Balawai searched for them, but upon discovering the children and Master Windu, they were ambushed by Kar Vastor accompanied by his Akk Guards and akk dogs. Nykl, his brother, and his father all lived through the ensuing battle, but only after Nykl and the other children tragically watched Vastor brutally kill Terrel. Windu then escorted them, along with other captured Balawai, to a steamcrawler route where a Balawai gunship saw and rescued the prisoners. As Mace gazed at the children for the last time, he could only wish that Nykl and the others would eventually be able to view a Jedi without feeling hatred.