Rhea’s Fate in Fire Emblem: Three Houses: A Comprehensive Guide
Rhea’s story in Fire Emblem: Three Houses is complex and deeply intertwined with the history of Fodlan, making her fate drastically different depending on the chosen route. She serves as the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros and a central figure in the conflict, her actions and motivations often shrouded in secrecy. Ultimately, her destiny ranges from a peaceful retirement to a tragic death, reflecting the consequences of the player’s choices and the unfolding narrative.
Understanding Rhea’s Role
Rhea isn’t a simple character to understand. She is the last surviving descendant of Sothis, the progenitor god, and has lived for over a thousand years, tirelessly working to resurrect her mother. This goal drives many of her actions, including her control over the Church of Seiros and her role in the creation of Byleth. Her actions are often perceived differently depending on the player’s perspective, leading to debates on whether she’s a hero, a villain, or something in between.
The Four Paths and Rhea’s Fate
Each of the four main storylines in Fire Emblem: Three Houses—Crimson Flower, Azure Moon, Verdant Wind, and Silver Snow—presents a unique outcome for Rhea. Here’s a detailed look at what happens to her in each:
Crimson Flower: The Path of Edelgard
In the Crimson Flower route, where the player sides with Edelgard and the Adrestian Empire, Rhea is portrayed as a major antagonist. She is eventually confronted and defeated alongside the Church’s forces. This route depicts Rhea’s fall from grace, showing her as a dragon enraged and blinded by her ideals. After a desperate final stand, she is ultimately killed, signaling the end of the Church’s control and the beginning of a new era for Fodlan under Edelgard’s rule. This is arguably her most brutal ending.
Azure Moon: The Path of Dimitri
Choosing to side with Dimitri and the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus in the Azure Moon route offers the most optimistic outcome for Rhea. Although initially resistant to Dimitri’s methods, she eventually recognizes his strength and accepts his leadership. After the war against the Empire concludes, Rhea steps down as Archbishop and retires to Zanado, the sacred homeland of the Nabateans. This allows her to find peace after centuries of conflict and potentially even reconnect with Sothis through Byleth, especially if Byleth has achieved an S-support with Sothis. This is the only route where Rhea survives.
Verdant Wind: The Path of Claude
On the Verdant Wind route, where the player aligns with Claude and the Leicester Alliance, Rhea’s fate is less definitive but generally tragic. While not as antagonistic as in the Crimson Flower route, she is ultimately defeated in her dragon form during the battle at Garreg Mach Monastery. Critically wounded, she later dies, entrusting the future of Fodlan to Claude and Byleth. She is seen as a tragic figure, clinging to the past and unable to adapt to the changing times. Similar to the Crimson Flower route, Rhea is defeated and dies.
Silver Snow: The Path of the Church
The Silver Snow route is unique because the player continues to support the Church of Seiros without a house leader. This route directly confronts Rhea’s actions and secrets. After she transforms into a dragon, driven to desperation, she is ultimately defeated. However, in her final moments, she regains clarity and mistakes Byleth for Sothis, finding solace in what she perceives as her mother’s presence before passing away. The player can marry Rhea on this route by achieving an S-support before the final battle. This creates a bittersweet ending for Byleth, as they must witness Rhea’s death but also share a deep connection with her. In all, Rhea is defeated and dies.
The Crest of Flames and Byleth’s Birth
Central to Rhea’s motivations is her attempt to resurrect Sothis, her mother. In order to do this, Rhea transplants the Crest Stone of Sothis into the stillborn Byleth. She implants it in Byleth shortly after his birth, as is described in the article. Jeralt, Byleth’s father and Rhea’s former captain, is deeply disturbed by this and believes Rhea has done something unnatural to his child. He flees the monastery, taking Byleth with him and becoming a mercenary. This act is a pivotal moment in the narrative, as it highlights Rhea’s desperation and willingness to manipulate events to achieve her goals.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Rhea
Here are some frequently asked questions about Rhea to provide further clarity and detail regarding her character and fate:
1. Does Rhea survive the Silver Snow route?
No, Rhea does not survive the Silver Snow route. Although the player sides with the Church of Seiros, she is eventually defeated in her dragon form and dies shortly after, mistaking Byleth for Sothis in her final moments.
2. Can you marry Rhea in Fire Emblem: Three Houses?
Yes, you can marry Rhea, but only on the Silver Snow route. To do this, you must achieve an S-support with her before the final battle.
3. What did Rhea do to Byleth as a baby?
Rhea implanted the Crest Stone of Sothis into Byleth shortly after his birth, essentially giving him the power of the progenitor god. This act is the reason for Byleth’s unique abilities and their connection to Sothis.
4. Does Rhea survive the Golden Deer route (Verdant Wind)?
No, Rhea does not survive the Golden Deer route. She is defeated in her dragon form during the battle at Garreg Mach Monastery and dies from her injuries.
5. Is Rhea evil in Fire Emblem: Three Houses?
Rhea’s morality is complex and depends on the player’s perspective. While her actions are often driven by a desire to resurrect Sothis and protect the Church, they can also be seen as manipulative and controlling. She operates in a gray area, making her a morally ambiguous character. You can explore the Games Learning Society to learn more about character morality in video games at GamesLearningSociety.org.
6. Why did Rhea turn into a dragon?
Rhea transforms into a dragon when she loses control, often due to extreme stress or anger. This is a manifestation of her Nabatean heritage and the power of her blood.
7. Does Rhea survive in Azure Moon?
Yes, Rhea survives in the Azure Moon route. After the war, she steps down as Archbishop and retires to Zanado, seeking peace and seclusion.
8. Why did Edelgard keep Rhea alive (in the DLC)?
In the DLC, it is revealed that Edelgard keeps Rhea alive after capturing her in order to use her as a weapon against the Agarthans after the war concludes.
9. Is Rhea related to Byleth?
Rhea is not Byleth’s biological mother or directly related by blood. However, she has a unique connection to Byleth through Sothis, as she implanted the Crest Stone of Sothis into Byleth, essentially giving him the power of the progenitor god.
10. What happens to Rhea if you side with Edelgard?
If you side with Edelgard on the Crimson Flower route, Rhea is portrayed as a major antagonist, ultimately being defeated and killed after a climactic battle.
11. What happens to Rhea in the Silver Snow route if you don’t marry her?
Even if you don’t marry her on the Silver Snow route, Rhea’s fate remains the same. She is defeated in her dragon form and dies, mistaking Byleth for Sothis in her final moments.
12. What is the Crest of Flames, and what is its significance to Rhea?
The Crest of Flames is the crest that originally belonged to Sothis. It is a powerful crest, and it is what gives Byleth their power. Rhea desires to resurrect Sothis, and she believes that the Crest of Flames is the key to doing so.
13. Why does Jeralt leave the Church of Seiros?
Jeralt leaves the Church of Seiros after witnessing Rhea’s actions towards Byleth. He is deeply disturbed by her tampering with his child, and he fears for Byleth’s safety.
14. Does Rhea’s sanity decline during the game?
Rhea’s mental state deteriorates throughout the game, particularly in routes where she is opposed. Her desperation to resurrect Sothis and protect the Church of Seiros drives her to increasingly erratic behavior, sometimes leading to her losing control and transforming into a dragon.
15. What is Zanado, and why is it significant to Rhea?
Zanado is the homeland of the Nabateans, the ancient dragon-like beings to which Rhea belongs. It is a sacred place, shrouded in mystery and protected from the outside world. In the Azure Moon route, Rhea retires to Zanado, seeking peace and a return to her roots.