Villains Wiki

Hi. This is Thesecret1070. I am an admin of this site. Edit as much as you wish, but one little thing... If you are going to edit a lot, then make yourself a user and login. Other than that, enjoy Villains Wiki!!!

READ MORE

Villains Wiki
Advertisement

You're free to try... but you won't get away from me that easily. I'll carve out your monstrous heart and put an end to the beast dwelling within. Your destruction is everything I've ever fought for!
~ Epimenides, speaking through Shez, to Byleth as they attempt to escape from him.
Ah, but you are mistaken. I am not Arval. My name is Epimenides, an ordinary man who vowed to kill the beast which set the earth ablaze. Do you not comprehend my purpose? I must save this world and its true people! That is why I chose to pass my consciousness down through the ages. And you... You are the vessel for that consciousness.
~ Epimenides revealing his identity and goals to Shez, Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude.

Epimenides, also known as Arval is one of the two overarching antagonists (alongside Nemesis) within the Fódlan Saga of Nintendo's Fire Emblem franchise.

He is the overarching antagonist of the 2022 tactical hack-&-slash video game Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, the spin-off sequel to the 2019 video game Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

He is a mysterious and enigmatic being who resides inside the mind of a mercenary named Shez. He's later revealed to be one of the leaders of Those Who Slither in the Dark, the main antagonistic faction of the Fodlan series and the arch-nemesis of Sothis.

He is voiced by Mutsumi Tamura in Japanese and Melissa Hutchison in English, the latter of which also voice Merlina.

Biography[]

Backstory[]

Epimenides was a male human Agarthan Lord, possibly of similar rank to Thales, who wished to destroy Sothis and save his people. He created the "progenitor god" Arval to pass down his consciousness. With the power of the false progenitor god, he was powerful enough to decimate the armies of Saint Seiros single-handedly, going up against Cethleann, Cichol, and even Seiros herself and forcing them all to retreat, ending the battle in a draw as his own forces had already pulled back. In their next battle, Seiros transformed into her dragon form, the Immaculate One, and fired a full power blast at him, which he met with his own might. He was presumed destroyed after the battle, however he survived through Arval and eventually chose the protagonist Shez to be Arval's (and his own) vessel hundreds of years later.

Reveal and Banishing Shez and the Three Leaders[]

Arval rescues Shez from getting killed by the "Ashen Demon" Byleth and speaks to Shez inside their head. However, they do not have memories of anything before they met Shez, even though they knew how their powers work.

In the chapters "The Hour of Vengeance" and "Into the Chasm", which are only available if Byleth was recruited, Epimenides becomes one with Arval and possesses Shez's body to kill Byleth. However, before Epimenides can strike the killing blow at the Ashen Demon, Shez resists him and urges Byleth to flee. Epimenides quickly reasserts control over Shez's body and resumes his pursuit of the Ashen Demon.

Later, Epimenides finds Byleth and once again attempts to kill them before he is stopped by Shez's party. Epimenides warps himself and Byleth away several times in the hopes of avoiding the "foolish distractions", but in the end, he gets defeated and captured.

However, Epimenides quickly escapes, sacrifices Solon and banishes Shez, Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude to Zahras. He then explains his story and goals to the four before he teleports away.

Epimenides then creates phantoms of Shez, the three lords, and their allies to destroy Shez and the three lords, but the four defeats all of the phantoms. As Epmenides sees Shez coming to attack him, he tries to attack first, but Shez avoids all his attacks. As Epimenides attempts to block Shez's relatitory attack, he angrily demands Shez why they continue to resist him, to which Shez responds that it is because it is their choice to make the tomorrow they are fighting for before finally cutting Epimenides down. Arval briefly resurfaces and tells Shez that he is proud of how strong they have become, and how they have grown more than he has ever thought possible, yet he's never felt more alone. As Arval/Epimenides fades away, Shez then uses their second sword to free themselves and the three lords from Zahras, allowing them to return to their world and continue the war.

Other Media[]

Fire Emblem Heroes[]

Epimenides, under the alias Arval, is a playable character on the gacha mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes.

Personality[]

Epimenides is a cold, ruthless, cruel and calculating figure, in direct contrast to Arval's more sassy attitude, though they both possess a calm and collected demeanour. He is focused completely on his mission to kill Sothis, and cares deeply for his people, the Agarthans. During the War of Heroes, as seen through Arval's paralogue, he did not seem to hold Thales in much high esteem in regards to his leadership, considering his methods to be distasteful. Unlike Arval, who expresses no anger towards Shez if they recruit Byleth, Epimenides calls Shez a failure if they refuse to fulfill his duty as his vessel by killing Sothis' host. However, despite this, how much Epimenides cares for or values them is ambiguous; Byleth later mentions to Shez that Epimenides seemed to go out of his way to make sure that Shez's body was unharmed while he controlled it.

Quotes[]

It's over. Oh, how I've waited for this day... The day that I kill you!
~ Epimenides, possessing Shez, attempting to kill Byleth.
Forgive me for this, Solon. But without your sacrifice, this world can never be made clean. O great Zahras, weil of night fluttering in the abyss! By the laws of creation, throw wide your infernal gates and swallow my foes!
~ Epimenides opening the gates to Zahras after sacrificing Solon.
Epimenides: Ah, there you are. My partner in destiny.
Shez: You're not Arval. And even if you were, I'd fight you all the same.
~ Shez VS Epimenides.
Epimenides: BEGONE WITH YOU!!! The cycle of this world...must be protected! (Epimenides attacks with his magic, but Shez avoids them all and attacks Epimenides) You fool... Why must you resist me so?!
Shez: You know my reason! The tomorrow we're fighting for... THE CHOICE IS OURS TO MAKE!!!
(Shez defeats Epimenides)
Arval: It's incredible...just how strong you've become.
Shez: Arval...
Arval: You have grown more than I ever thought possible. And yet... I've never felt...more alone...
~ Arval/Epimenides' last fight with Shez, before he is killed by them.

Gallery[]

Navigation[]

           Fireemblem Villains

Archanea Series

Dolhr
Medeus | Morzas | Khozen | Volzhin | Heimler | Dejanira | Xemcel | Gouber | Bulzark | Degenerated Dragons

Khadein
Gharnef | Yodel

Archanea (country)
Hardin | Lang | Eibel | Nehring | Willow

Grust
Camus | Zharov | Dactyl | Grigas | Kannival | Hollstadt | Sternlin | Larissa | Toras

Macedon
Michalis | Lykke | Merach | Bentheon | Emereus | Harmein | Orridyon | Gail | Rumel | Ruben

Gra
Jiol | Gra Captain

Galder Pirates
Gazzak | Gomer

Pyrathi
Mannu

Assassins
Eremiya | Clarisse | Legion

Other Criminals
Hyman | Bathys | Dahl | Barm


Fire Emblem Gaiden & Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Rigel
Rudolf | Berkut | Jerome | Seazas | Magnus | Mueller | Zakson | Gazelle | Lawson | Xaizor | Blake

Duma Faithful
Duma | Jedah | Nuibaba | Medusa | Marla | Hestia | Tatarrah | Mikhail | Garcia | Jamil | Dolth | Gharn | Cerberus | Naberius | Hades | Aurum | Argentum

Zofia
Desaix | Slayde | Fernand

Grieth Pirates
Grieth | Barth | Garth | Wolff | Brigand Boss

Other
Jarth | Degenerated Dragons (Duma)


Jugdral Series

Friege
Bloom | Reptor | Hilda | Ishtar | Ishtore | Kempf | Reinhardt | Liza | Paulus | Baldack | Baráth

Thracia
Travant | Arion | Magorn | Distler

Dozel
Lombard | Danann | Brian | Slayder

Agustria
Chagall | Eldigan | Elliot | Boldor | Philip | Macbeth | Clement | Jacobi

Yngvi
Andrey | Scipio

Silessa
Daccar | Myos | Pamela | Donovan | Díthorba | Cuvuli | Lamia

Verdane
Munnir | Cimbaeth

Munster
Raydrik | Aizenau

Loptr Church
Loptous | Manfroy | Veld | Sandima | Kutuzov

Velthomer
Julius | Arvis | Aida | Vaja | Victor


Elibe Series

Bern Empire
Zephiel | Desmond
Wyvern Generals: Murdock | Brunnya | Narcian | Galle
Others: Pereth | Rude | Slater | Flaer | Randy | Ohtz | Raeth | Teck | Martel | Jemmie | Zeed

Etruria
Roartz | Arcard | Oro | Morgan | Roberts | Zinc | Nord | Scouran | Gelero | Scott | Windham

Ostia
Leygance | Devias

Caelin
Lundgren | Bool | Yogi | Eagler | Zagan

Laus
Darin | Erik | Bauker | Bernard

Sacae
Gel | Djute Clan (Monke) | Glass

Dragons
Jahn | Idunn | Ain

Black Fang
Nergal | Sonia Reed | Brendan Reed
Four Fangs: Lloyd Reed | Linus Reed | Ursula | Jaffar
Others: Pascal Grentzer | Kenneth | Jerme | Oleg | Cameron | Teodor | Aion | Uhai | Zoldam | Boies | Wire | Beyard | Heintz

Morphs
Sonia Reed | Limstella | Ephidel

Ganelon Bandits
Migal | Carjiga

Eubans's Mercenaries
Eubans | Sealen

Others
Zugu | Groznyi | Sigune | Puzon | Taliver Bandits | Damas | Dory | Jasmine and Paul | Maggie and Rose | Henning | Wagner


Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Grado Empire
Lyon | Vigarde
Grado's Six Generals: Riev | Valter | Caellach | Selena
Others: Orson | Gheb | O'Neill | Breguet | Saar | Novala | Murray | Tirado | Beran | Aias | Carlyle

Carcino
Pablo | Binks

Bazba's Bandits
Bazba | Bone

Others
Fomortiis | Zonta


Tellius Series

Daein
Ashnard | Izuka | Maijin | Dakova | Emil | Balmer | Kamura | Kotaff | Danomill | Mackoya | Norris | Kayachey | Homasa | Kasatai | Rikard | Gromell | Hafedd | Heddwyn | Shiharam Fizzart | Goran
Four Riders of Daein: Black Knight | Bryce | Petrine | Bertram

Kilvas
Naesala | Seeker

Gallia
Pain and Agony | Kezhda

Begnion Senate
Lekain | Hetzel | Numida | Valtome | Oliver | Seliora | Kimaarsi | Istvan | Lombroso | Sergei

Begnion Central Army
Zelgius | Levail | Septimus | Callum | Veyona | Silvano | Rommit | Roark | Zeffren

Begnion Occupational Army
Jarod | Alder | Zaitan | Burton | Laverton | Djur | Radmin | Isaiya | Wystan

Crimean Rebels
Ludveck | Yeardley | Maraj | Tashoria

Disciples of Order
Catalena | Yuma | Dheginsea | Sephiran | Ashera

Zawana's Bandits
Zawana | Ikanau | Ikanau's Thug

Others
Havetti | Nedata | Gashilama | Schaeffer | Pugo | Feral One


Fire Emblem Awakening

Plegian Army
Gangrel | Aversa | Garrick | Orton | Vasto | Campari | Mustafa

Valmese Empire
Walhart | Yen'fay | Excellus | Cervantes | Pheros | Ignatius | Farber | Dalton

Grimleal
Grima | Validar | Excellus | Aversa | Chalard | Ardri | Nelson | Jamil | Algol

Others
Victor | Vincent | Roddick | Gecko | Xalbador | Cassius | Ruger | Morristan | Gyral | Dalen | Nombry | Ezra | Zanth | Hierarch

Einherjar
Camus | Gharnef | Legion | Hardin | Travant | Arvis | Julius | Ishtar | Raydrik | Narcian | Zephiel | Lloyd Reed | Linus Reed | Ursula | Nergal | Lyon | Oliver | Petrine | Black Knight | Ashnard | Sephiran


Fire Emblem Fates

Nohr
Garon | Arete | Iago | Hans | Zola | Daniela | Kilma | Nichol | Candace

Hoshido
Sumeragi | Omozu | Haitaka | Kumagera | Daichi | Senno

Valla
Degenerated Dragons (Anankos) | Arete | Anthony

Others
Kotaro | Gazak | Funke | Lloyd and Llewelyn | Tarba | Zhara


Fódlan Saga

Those Who Slither in the Dark
Thales | Solon | Kronya | Cleobulus | Myson | Odesse | Bias | Pittacus | Chilon | Anaximandros | Dolofonos | Epimenides

Church of Seiros
Seiros | Aelfric Dahlman

Flame Emperor Army
Flame Emperor | Death Knight | Kostas | Metodey

Adrestian Empire
Edelgard von Hresvelg | Volkhard von Arundel | Hubert von Vestra | Jeritza von Hrym | Ludwig von Aegir | Grégoire von Varley | Randolph von Bergliez | Fleche von Bergliez | Baron Ochs | Baron Bartels | Viscount Fenja | Viscount Menja | Baron Barnabas

Holy Kingdom of Faerghus
Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd | Rufus Thierry Blaiddyd | Lonato Gildas Gaspard | Miklan Anschutz Gautier | Gwendal Roche | Count Rowe | Viscount Mateus | Viscount Elidure | Viscount Gideon | Viscount Kleiman | Count Duval | Baron Pryderi | Gaspard's Militia | Mateus's General | Duval's General | Cornelia Arnim

Leicester Alliance/Leicester Federation
Claude von Riegan | Erwin Fritz Gloucester | Acheron Lethe Phlegethon | Viscount Siward | Viscount Albany | Gloucester's General | Phlegethon's General

Ten Elites
Nemesis | Maurice | Riegan | Blaiddyd | Gloucester | Lamine | Goreril | Daphnel | Dominic | Gautier | Fraldarius | Charon

Others
Pallardó Davino | Shahid | Leif | Mercenary Captain | Duscur General | Ingrid's Suitor | Almyran Navy Captain | Death God Gang's Leader | Western Church's Leader | Balthus's Assassin | Gloucester's Mercenary | Duscur Insurgent Commander


Fire Emblem Engage

Gradlon
Sombron | Fell Princess | Four Hounds (Zephia | Griss | Marni | Mauvier) | Corrupted | Corrupted King | Corrupted Monarch

Elusia
Hyacinth | Ivy | Hortensia | Nelucce | Abyme | Rodine

Alternate Elyos
Fell Heir | Fell Alfred | Fell Céline | Fell Diamant | Fell Alcryst | Fell Ivy | Fell Hortensia | Fell Timerra | Fell Fogado

Dark Emblems
Shadow Dragon | War Father | Dark God | Dark Bishop | Demon Dragon | Dark Druid | Demon King | Mad King | Judgement | Despair | Mad Dragon | Liberation King

Others
Teronda | Mitan | Tetchie and Totchie | Emblem Edelgard | Emblem Veronica


Fire Emblem Heroes

Emblian Empire
Embla | Veronica | Bruno | Elm | Letizia

Kingdom of Múspell
Múspell | Surtr | Laevatein | Laegjarn | Helbindi

Realm of Hel
Hel | Líf | Thrasir | Gustav | Ganglöt

Dökkálfheimr
Freyja | Triandra | Plumeria

Realm of Ginnungagap
Ginnungagap

Niðavellir
Fáfnir | Ótr | Eitri

Jötunheimr
Þjazi

Vanaheimr
Gullveig | Njörðr

Yggdrasil
Læraðr | Hræsvelgr | Níðhöggr | Eikþyrnir

Ásgarðr
Alfaðör | Loki | Thórr

Others
Aelfric | Anankos | Arete | Arion | Arvis | Ashera | Ashnard | Aversa | Berkut | Bertram | Black Knight | Brigand Boss | Brunnya | Caellach | Camus | Candace | Cervantes | Clarisse | Cornelia | Corrupted Monarch | Death Knight | Dheginsea | Díthorba | Duma | Eldigan | Eremiya | Fell Princess | Fernand | Flame Emperor | Galle | Gangrel | Garon | Gharnef | Grima | Hans | Hardin | Hestia | Hilda | Hortensia | Hubert | Iago | Idunn | Ishtar | Ivy | Jaffar | Jarod | Julius | Kempf | Kronya | Legion | Limstella | Linus Reed | Lloyd Reed | Ludveck | Lyon (Fomortiis) | Marla | Marni | Mauvier | Medeus | Metodey | Michalis | Murdock | Mustafa | Narcian | Nemesis | Nergal | Oliver | Orson | Petrine | Reinhardt | Riev | Rudolf | Seiros | Selena | Sephiran | Solon | Sonia Reed | Ursula | Travant | Validar | Valter | Veld | Vigarde | Walhart | Yen'fay | Zephia | Zephiel


Fire Emblem Warriors

Validar | Grima | Iago | Gharnef | King Oskar | Velezark


Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE

Garrick | Aversa | Gangrel | Lon'qu | Excellus | Lorenz | Dark Yashiro | Dolph | Linde | Macellan | Palla | Yatsufusa Hatanaka | Gharnef | Pheros | Cervantes | Medeus | M-DEUS

Advertisement