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| “ | You must survive. Merely because there is still a role that I require you to fulfill. | „ |
| ~ Thales to Kronya after saving her. |
| “ | For thousands of years, we have existed underground, living on only that we might someday see our vengeance realized. Here and now, that vengeance is finally within our grasp. | „ |
| ~ Thales' most famous quote |
Thales (also known by his alias Volkhard von Arundel) is the main antagonist within the Fódlan Saga of Nintendo's Fire Emblem franchise.
He is the main antagonist of the 2019 tactical video game Fire Emblem: Three Houses and one of the two main antagonists (alongside Seiros) of its 2022 spin-off sequel Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.
He is the leader of Those Who Slither in the Dark, as well as the employer and "ally" of the Flame Emperor. After assassinating the real Volkhard von Arundel and taking his place, Thales slowly installed puppets in every facet of life in Fódlan, and effectively ruled the Adrestian Empire while also having significant hidden power in both the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and the Leicester Alliance. Operating from behind the scenes, he is responsible for many of the tragedies that happened in the entire saga, including the Tragedy of Duscur and the five-year conflict in Fódlan.
He is the arch-nemesis of Byleth Eisner, Edelgard von Hresvelg and Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, as well as the second arch-nemesis of Rhea/Seiros and Sothis.
In English, he is voiced by Christopher Corey Smith (credited as Chris Smith), who also voiced Slayde in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and Legion and Reinhardt in Fire Emblem Heroes. In Japanese, he is voiced by Masaki Terasoma.
Personality[]
Thales is best known for his cruelty and psychotic desire for power. He is presented as a cold and calculating mastermind who is willing to cross any lengths to achieve his goals, no matter how many innocents are hurt and/or die from his vile experiments and schemes. Thales is also incredibly arrogant and confident in himself, which often leads to his downfall. That being said, he is also cautious, as best seen when he realizes that a skilled sorcerer could track down his javelins of light right back to their main base.
Thales claims that he desires vengeance for his people, blaming humanity for what happened to him and the slithers, but despite his claims, he sees his people as pawns, willing to sacrifice them without a second thought as best seen with Kronya, who has her murdered by Solon due to her failure to kill Byleth and the House students. This proves that deep down, for all of his talk of avenging his people, Thales only cares for power and sees his people as expandable. In fact, Epimenides, one of the leaders of the slithers, is even disgusted by Thales' methods.
Thales also harbors strong hatred towards Sothis and those who worships her, with his hatred so strong that he made himself a martyr, sacrificing himself in hopes of bringing down Seiros/Rhea, Byleth, and their allies.
Quotes[]
Fire Emblem: Three Houses[]
Thales[]
| “ | So you have shown yourself, Fell Star. Or, should I say... Sothis? I will spill every drop of blood in your body to fulfill the longstanding goal of the Agarthans! | „ |
| ~ Thales' pre-battle quote against Byleth. |
| “ | Thales: You are our greatest creation. We used the defiled beast's blood as the fuel to your flame, that you may burn even the gods. Now is the time to cleanse Fódlan of that power, and bring forth our salvation. Flame Emperor: There will be no salvation for you and your kind. Those responsible for such gruesome deeds in Duscur and Enbarr. Thales: All so that you may acquire the strength you need. All for a purpose... |
„ |
| ~ Thales speaking with the Flame Emperor. |
| “ | You will never...get to enjoy your victory. For all Agarthans... Let there be light! | „ |
| ~ Thales' final words (in Verdant Wind & Silver Snow). |
Lord Arundel[]
| “ | Your very presence has foiled our plans, yet again... | „ |
| ~ Thales' pre-battle quote against Byleth (as Lord Arundel). |
| “ | You would raise a weapon against your uncle? You've grown into a savage of a man, just like your father. | „ |
| ~ Thales (as Lord Arundel) taunted Dimitri in their pre-battle quote. |
| “ | Do our hopes end here... | „ |
| ~ Arundel's defeat quote. |
| “ | There it is... the light... | „ |
| ~ Arundel's final words (in Azure Moon). |
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes[]
| “ | Then die along with it! | „ |
| ~ Thales to Seiros in Scarlet Blaze. |
| “ | Thales: So this fragile flesh has run its course. No matter. (Edelgard tries to attack Shez and DImitri, but Shez stops her) Shez: Dimitri, go! (Shez kicks Edelgard away) Edelgard: Uncle, no... Thales: You cursed beasts will never defeat us! Dimitri: You're wrong! Thales: NOT ANOTHER STEP, YOU FOOL!!! Dimitri: THIS ENDS HERE!!! (Dimitri kills Thales) |
„ |
| ~ Thales' final battle with Shez and Dimitri, before his death in Azure Gleam. |
Trivia[]
- It is unclear if there was an original Lord Arundel whom Thales replaced just as Solon replaced Tomas and Kronya replaced Monica von Ochs, or if the identity of Volkhard von Arundel was fabricated. It's implied in Three Hopes that there was a "real" Arundel, whom Thales killed and replaced.
- Thales is Three Houses' counterpart of the classical Fire Emblem villain Gharnef, as both of them acted as a malevolent warlock and started the game's horrid events. Since Three Houses was partially inspired by Genealogy of the Holy War, Thales is also considered to be a equivalence of Manfroy, whose characteristic was also inspired by Gharnef like Thales was.
- Unlike Solon and Kronya, nobody in Three Houses had directly pointed out that Thales was the true identity of Lord Arundel, and he never switched his persona on-screen either. Even so, the fact that both of them shared the same voice actors, any mentions of the real Lord Arundel's personality difference (just like that of the real Monica and the real Tomas), the two characters having similar build, as well as Hubert's investigation results, had all foreshadowed Lord Arundel's true identity was Thales. However, Thales posing as Arundel is confirmed in Three Hopes.
External Links[]
- Thales on the Fire Emblem Wiki
- Thales on the Pure Evil Wiki
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