Alear

Alear is the main protagonist in Fire Emblem Engage. As an Avatar, their gender, along with their name and birthday, is determined by the player.

Alear is a Divine Dragon and child of the Divine Dragon Monarch Lumera. 1000 years prior to the events of Engage, Alear is said to have participated in the war against the Fell Dragon Sombron. In the aftermath of the war, they sustained heavy wounds and was put into a deep slumber. Housed in the Somniel, over a thousand years, the people of Elyos would worship Alear as the Divine Dragon. Most royal families would be granted permission to visit them as they slept and they were regularly attended by at least 33 generations of stewards dedicated to protecting and serving Alear when they would eventually awaken.

Alear is one of the numerous children of the Fell Dragon Sombron. Due to Sombron's ruthless disregard for his children, seeing them as nothing more than expendable pawns to his ambitions, many of Alear's siblings had perished under various circumstances, some even by Sombron himself. Alear had become so jaded towards this that they developed an aversion for the Corrupted and only sought to be useful in the eyes of their father to avoid the same fate. The only sibling that remained was their youngest sister Veyle, who was too young to serve their father. They gave her their Dragonstone as a memento, who in turn held onto it so she could reunite with them in the future.

To prove their worth to Sombron, Alear would collect the Emblem Rings for their father's sake. During an outing in the snowy mountains of Gradlon, Alear encountered what appeared to be a doppelganger, though with a few color differences. Sensing an energy similar to Emblem Rings, they engaged their impersonator but was swiftly defeated. They soon forgot about the encounter, but shortly after met a woman who identified herself as Lumera, the ruler of the Divine Dragons. Though hostile at first, the two bonded over similar feelings of loneliness. Lumera asked Alear if they could speak again and, not used to such kindness, accepted.

At some point during the war, they formally betrayed Sombron and defeated him. When their backs were turned, Sombron used the last of his strength to pierce Alear, causing them to die in Lumera's arms. Lumera infused Alear with her essence so they could live and eventually become a Divine Dragon themselves. Due to this, half of Alear's initially red features became blue. In order to protect them, Alear was placed in a special bed chamber in the Somniel. Lumera would continue to give them her essence over the years to help them heal and awaited the day they would eventually wake up. She also placed the Ring of the Hero-King on their hand where it remained while they slept.

Alear awakens after a thousand years to the surprise of the current Stewards of the Divine Dragon Clanne, Framme and Vander. Alear discovers that they have lost all memories of their past. The news of their awakening spurs their Stewards to take them to Lythos Castle to inform Queen Lumera of their awakening. En route to the castle they are ambushed by corpse soldiers known as the Corrupted. Though they are able to deal with a portion of the enemies, they nearly overwhelm them before a massive white dragon destroys the remaining Corrupted. The dragon assumes the form of a woman who identifies herself as Lumera, Queen of Lythos and Alear's mother. At the castle, Lumera is overjoyed by their awakening but is heartbroken to hear that they have lost their memory.

In hopes of spurring their memory, Lumera spars with Alear and teaches them about Engaging with the Emblem Rings with Alear evoking the Ring of the Hero-King. Alear is able to defeat Lumera and as a reward, she gifts them Libération. After, Lumera attempts to give Alear a ring, a gift she had promised to give to them shortly before they went into their thousand year slumber. Unable to recall this promise, Alear asks Lumera to hold onto the ring until they can remember. That night, Alear is awoken by a sudden attack on Lythos castle. Elusia, one of the nations of Elyos, raided the Ring Vault in the castle, stealing most of the Emblem Rings. As luck would have it, Prince Alfred of Firene had just arrived in Lythos with his retainers to request aid, joining Alear's forces in turn. As the Elusian forces leave, Alear is attacked by a hooded figure who nearly kills them. Lumera intercepts a massive beam attack and is mortally wounded as the hooded figure escapes, but not before dropping a Draconic Time Crystal. Lumera reveals that due to pouring a massive amount of her Divine Dragon energy into Alear as they slept, she was already severely weakened. She pleads to Alear to recover the remaining Emblem Rings held by the four nations of Elyos and trusts that they will succeed. She entrusts the Ring of the Holy Knight as she succumbs to her wounds.

After putting Lumera to rest, Alfred asks Alear for assistance as Elusia had also invaded Firene with the intention of stealing its Emblem Ring. Alear accepts his request and immediately departs from Lythos to fulfill their mother's mission.

Arriving in Florra Mill Town, Alear meets Céline, Alfred's younger sister, who had recently escaped Firene Castle with the Ring of the Caring Princess, which Firene had been safeguarding. Alear evokes the Ring and quickly defeats the Elusian forces that followed Céline. After the battle, Alear is ambused by a Corrupted only for a young girl to rescue them. She introduced herself as Veyle and tells them that she is looking for someone. Alear wishes her well before continuing onward. At Firene Castle, Alear and their forces repel the invading Elusian forces and rescues Queen Eve. She directs Alear north near the Firene-Brodia boarder where a second ring that Firene secretly protected was held in a secret shrine. There, Alear and Alfred encounter Yunaka who had recently stumbled upon the Ring of the Dawn Maiden which had called out to her. Unfortunately it had been stolen by bandits so Alear and their forces raid the camp and recover the Ring, evoking it. Veyle is encountered once more where Alear discovered that she injured her leg. Alear bandages her wounds and she tells them that she is looking for her sibbling. The two part ways once more with Alear heading for Brodia.

At the boarder they are met by Prince Alcryst who initially believed that Alear's forces are either bandits or Elusian soldiers. After firing a warning shot, Alear quickly identifies themselves, causing Alcryst to immediately prostrate himself in front of Alear out of shame. Having been tasked by King Morion to escort Alear to Brodia Castle, they first are intercepted by an Elusian force lead by Princess Hortensia of Elusia wielding a corrupted Ring of the Princess Exalt. She demands that Alear relinquish their current Rings, but they refuse. Hortensia is forced to retreat and Alear arrives at Brodia Castle where he is warmly greeted by the Crown Prince Diamant and King Morion himself. King Morion willingly gives the Ring Brodia had been safeguarding, the Ring of the Young Lion, which Alear evokes. Suddenly, Brodia is castle is attacked by the Crown Princess of Elusia, Ivy wielding a corrupted Ring of the Sage Lord. Alear gives Diamant the ring to use and their combined force is able to defeat Ivy, who drops her ring as she is forced to flee, allowing Alear to evoke the ring. King Hyacinth of Elusia personally leads his army in an all-out attack at the Brodia-Elusia border, spurring Morion to face him directly in battle. Worried for his father's safety, Diamant asks Alear to follow his father, which they accept.

At the border, Alear and his forces witness Morion defeat to Hyacinth wielding a corrupted Ring of the Lady of the Plains. As Hyacinth retreats, taking Morions body with him. Ivy once again stands in their way, though this time she does not have an Emblem Ring due to her previous failure. Alear defeats her once more, but chooses to spare her life and thus she retreats with gratitude for their mercy, but not before telling them to head to Destinea Cathedral where King Hyacinth took King Morion. Arriving at the Cathedral, they were already too late as King Hyacinth had already sacrificed King Morion and turned him into a Corrupted. Alear and their forces defeat Corrupted Morion, Princess Hortensia, and King Hyacinth.

Sombron is revived due to Morion's sovereign blood and betrays Hyacinth, devouring him as well to further empower him. The myserious hooded assailant appears and promptly steals the Rings Alear had as well as the Draconic Time Crystal. The hooded figure is revealed to be Veyle, who gives the six rings Alear had to Sombron, who promptly corrupts them. With no options, Alear and their army is forced to escape the Cathedral with Sombron's Four Hounds and Veyle in pursuit. At the Shadowy Moor, the Four Hounds and Veyle have nearly caught up to them, but Princess Ivy joins their forces, giving back the Draconic Time Crystal and gives them the Ring of the Princess Exalt and the Ring of the Lady of the Princess that she stole from Sombron. Alear promptly evokes the rings and their forcess successfully flee from the Four Hounds.

Alear takes their forces to Solm in hopes of recovering the final Rings still being safeguarded by them. In the desert sands, Alear meets Fogado a member of Solm's Sentinels. After helping to dispatch some Corrupted, Fogado offers to bring them to Solm Palace where they meet Queen Seforia and also learn that Fogado is a Prince of Solm. Queen Seforia willingly offers to give them the Ring of the Radiant Hero, but forgot that Crown Princess Timerra currently had it. They meet Timerra at the Oasis Village where she willingly gives the Ring to Alear so they can evoke the ring. After dealing with some bandits, word arrives that Elusia had invaded Solm Palace and was holding Queen Seforia hostage. At the Palace, they find the Four Hounds and a brainwashed Hortensia. Alear and their forces are able to repel the Four Hounds and free Hortensia of her mind control, rescuing Seforia in the process. Queen Seforia reveals that Solm also held onto a second ring in secret. Directing them to the Northern Fortress, Alear encounters the dancer Seadall who found the Ring of the Crux of Fate. They evoke the ring and escape the Fortress which had been overrun by Corrupted.

Word arrives that Elusia was heading to Firene once more to threaten its people in order to coerce Alear into relinquishing their remaining rings. At the Azure Coast, Hortensia's retainers Rosado and Goldmary, having deceived Sombron's forces, was able to steal the Ring of the Azure Twins, allowing Alear to evoke the Ring. By the time Alear and their forces arrive at Florra Port, most of the building had already been destroyed with the Four Hounds, Veyle, and a Corrupted Hyacinth. Alear and their forces are able to defeat them forcing them to retreat. Veyle wrests enough control of her body from her other half long enough to deceive Zephia into giving her the Ring of the Holy Knight and Sage Lord, which she promptly sends to Alear. Taking it as a sign that Veyle trully is good, they vow to follow the Four Hounds to Elusia and rescue Veyle.

Mauvier delivers Alear and their forces to Lythos Castle as the Four Hounds and Veyle were laying siege on the Divine Dragon Shard. Though she is controlled by a helmet that amplifies Zephia's mind control spell. After a grueling battle, Alear is able to damage the helmet enough, restoring control to the normal Veyle. Sombron appears and, having deemed Veyle a defect, fires a massive breath attack. Alear intercepts the attack and protects her, but they are mortally wounded in the process. As they reveal their true familial ties to each other, Alear dies in Veyle's arms as Sombron absorbs the powers of the Emblem Rings, granting him his full original power.

Alear awakens in a astral space where they meet Veyle. Alear rallies the despondent Veyle and requests that she use her Fell Dragon powers to revive them. Their plan succeeds and Alear is revived as a Corrupted. They are able to recover the rings, but the extent of Veyle's revival wears off and Alear begins to fade. In desperation, the Emblem Rings evoke a miracle ritual, completely reviving Alear as an Emblem themselves, turning Lumera's ring that she intended to gift Alear into the Ring of the Connector, making Alear the Fire Emblem.

Sombron raises the continent of Gradlon from the ocean and opens a massive portal in the sky to other worlds. Veyle, having the ability to sense special crystals that empower Sombron, leads them to them so they can destroy them. The first crystal, guarded by the final two of the Four Hounds Zephia and Griss, is destroyed when they are defeated. In her death throes, Zephia reveals the next crystal's location currently at the bottom of a deep lake. In a last moment of regret and out of spite to Sombron, Zephia gives Alear a special Draconic Crystal that allows their army to travel into the far past. The army is transported roughly 1000 years prior where Alear encounters their past self. They are able to defeat their past self, knocking them out and destroying the second crystal. The final blow caused their past self to forget about this encounter. Back in the present, Veyle locates the final crystal but she refuses to tell Alear who is guarding it. Veyle enters Gradlon temple alone to spare them from having to face a Corrupted Lumera. Despite Veyle's best attempts, she is unable to kill her and Alear forces their way in. Alear bitterly engages against Lumera and eventually defeats her. Restored of her sanity, Lumera is pleased to see that Alear has finally accepted her gift and is surprised to learn that they have become the final Emblem. Knowing that Elyos would be safe under their guidance, Lumera is finally put to rest and Alear prepares to finally face Sombron.

Alear raises the Somniel into the portal. Just before entering the portal, Marth informs them that the Emblem's power is weakening and after the battle, they will likely disappear. In the portal dimension, Sombron explains that he is from another world and was going to leave forever. Alear questions why he even brought such ruin to Elyos. Sombron tells them that he is originally from another world where his kin was killed when he was young and he was spared out of pity. He was sent to Elyos, a world inhabited by Dragons, where he lived alone. His only memento from the original world was an Emblem Ring he smuggled, the Ring of Foundations. The Emblem within it was his only companion, but when Sombron began connecting to the inhabitants of Elyos, the Emblem and its ring suddenly disappeared. Having lost his companion and suspecting the people of Elyos of separating him from his companion, he laid waste to the world and desired to amass enough power to return to his original world to exact revenge. Knowing that Sombron will still return and to prevent him from further endangering other worlds, Alear vows to stop him. The unstable nature of the portal dimension weakens the connections to the Emblems, but Alear evokes their power as the Fire Emblem and a final clash ensues. Even with his true draconic form, Sombron eventually falls to Alear and their forces. In his defeat, Sombron laments his impending demise, but Alear encourages him to try and use the Emblem's invocation one last time. After saying the chant, as he stares at his two remaining children, Sombron states that he has finally reestablished his bond with his original Emblem before he finally fades from existence, but to them he is merely talking to himself.

Alear and their forces return to Elyos and, true to Marth's words, the Emblems fade away, each giving Alear one last heartfelt message. While heartbroken, Alear is warmly greeted by their stalwart allies who promise to assist them in leading Elyos into a brighter future. An undisclosed period of time later, Alear appears in the Ring Vault surrounded by the twelve Emblems. They inform the now Emblem-less rings that they will be succeeding Lumera as the Divine Dragon monarch. They try one last time to evoke the Ring of the Hero-King, but nothing occurs. Their allies arrive and escorts them out of the chamber so they can begin Alear's coronation. As they leave, the Emblems make one final promise in spirit to Alear that should their power be needed once more, they will answer and Engage with them again.

Should Alear fall in the final battle against Sombron, a different ending occurs. Alear awakens in an unknown location where Sombron informs them that their forces perished after they died. Alear sees a much older Veyle wearing the Ring of the Connector on her finger. Behind her in a mirror, Alear sees that they have reverted back to their Fell Dragon appearance and have been turned into a Dark Emblem.

The Alear of the parallel Elyos was the biological offspring of Lumera, but was very much like their counterpart in every other respect. When Lumera died sealing away Sombron, they took her place as Divine Dragon Monarch and led the people of Elyos when he returned. Alear and Sombron killed each other at the same time in the ensuing war, and in the absence of a Divine Dragon the world began a slow and inexorable decline into darkness.

Alear is brought to the parallel Elyos through the lingering power of their alternate self, where they are surprised and shocked to see the current state of the world but nonetheless help Nel and Nil acquire the Emblem bracelets to restore the world, meeting the Four Winds along the way. After Nil reveals his intentions of honoring Sombron's wishes, Alear and their allies defeat him. They then offer the remaining members of the Four Winds and Nil to join their world, as the parallel world was unrecoverable. The Four Winds initially go along with them, while Nil joins after managing to revive Nel.