“Were my heart my master, I would do exactly as you say. But what sort of knight abandons his kingdom-his king!-now, when they need him the most?” —Camus
Camus (カミュ, literally Kamyu) (later known under the aliases Zeke (ジーク) and Sirius (シリウス, Sirius)) is the leader of the Sable Knights of Grust. His liege decided to ally with Doluna and, despite his sense of honor and integrity, he obeyed his country and fought against Marth. He is said to be the most able warrior alive.
When Grust forged an alliance with Doluna, he did not protest, unlike General Lorenz. When Nyna was sent into the Sable Order's custody, and when Doluna ordered for her execution, Camus took her to Aurelis so that Hardin could protect her. When Akaneia was looted, one of the Three Regalia, Gradivus, was given to Camus. Unfortunately, for incurring the wrath of Medeus by helping Nyna escape, he was put on a short leash. When Nyna explained all these events to Marth, he knew Nyna wished for Camus to be spared, but even when Marth and Nyna asked him together to join the Akanean League, he denied the request and fought Marth's army, where he was seemingly killed.
Gaiden
In reality, he survived, lost most of his memories, and ended up in the continent of Barensia, where he washed ashore and was found by Teeta, a Rigelian saint who he would later fall in love with. In a years time, "Zeke", the name given to him by King Rudolf, forged a common trust with the King and rose to become a high ranking general in the Rigel army. He opposed the war with Sofia, which led to Teeta being captured in order to force him to fight. When he learns that Teeta is safe and after he notices a mark on Alm's right arm, one that belonged to the person who would save Rigel, according to Rudolf, he joins Alm's army. After the war Zeke lived a happy life with Teeta and recovered his memories, although he did not tell her this.
Monshō no Nazo
He would return to Akaneia as the masked knight Sirius the following year, when he heard of Hardin's ascension to throne and fall to madness, and of his appointment of the corrupt General Lang to rule over the occupied Grust. He first appeared to Ogma when the latter was protecting the Grustian royal children Yumina and Yubello from Medon's Vikings, and is asked to join the Altean army fighting Lang. While he notes that he is not promising anything, he joins the army once the Vikings are defeated. Later on, due to his true identity, he was able to snap Nyna out of her mind control from Medeus despite denying to her that he is Camus. She protests, but he states that she is tired and should return to Marth's side, followed by an apology which she overhears. After the war he vanished, claiming to Nyna that he was returning to his country and that someone was waiting for him there.
Aliases
“.....! Empress... I think you’re mistaken. I am Sirius, a soldier of the allied army. I don’t know anybody called Camus...” —Sirius to Nyna
According to Gaiden's official timeline, Zeke shows up on Barensia the same year as Camus's "death" and leaves the same year as Sirius's "introduction", as well as his only memory when arriving in Barensia was that he was wounded in battle. As for Sirius, although he outright denies being Camus to Nyna, he does reveal his true identity, though only to Belf after being pressured to do so.
Sirius is a prepromoted unit, which can hamper his usage due to prepromoted units known for having low bases/growths, but while Sirius's bases are indeed low, his growths rival or are even better than other cavaliers / paladins. However, he comes earlier in the game and should be kept out of battles as he can commit experience stealing. However, he is useful later in the game with his high weapon ranks and will usually end up with considerable HP and Strength and will have a lot of Skill and Defense for a Paladin. Keep in mind that he is needed for the Final Chapter to recruit Nyna.
In Ankoku Ryu ti Hikari no Tsurugi, there was a strong Paladin late in the game who was honorable and kind and seemed to hold no ill towards Marth's army, but fought out of loyalty to his country. Since then, there has been a enemy general who holds no ill will towars the player's army, and may even have loved ones or friends in that army, but continues to fight due to loyalty to his or her nation or lord.
List of Camuses
There are others who are considered Camuses, but this is the generally agreed upon list.
Murdock - A character and archetype who starts out that Murdocks are usually a General (or similar type of unit or military rank) who hold a certain amount of respect for and from several players units and NPCs, but die in the story nevertheless and may even hold some amount of ill will towards the player.
After the war he vanished without speaking a word...
Trivia
Camus, alongside the Whitewings, has made the most appearances in the Akaneia Series, appearing more then even Marth, Shiida, Nyna and Hardin.
Before being encountered on the battlefield Marth can encounter Camus in a village during Chapter 14, Land of Sorrow. He gives Marth the ThoronTome which he instructs Marth to give to Boah. In the event recap of Shadow Dragon this scene is named "Mysterious Knight".
His age is given as 26 or above in the novel by Takayashiki Hideo.
Etymology
Camus is a Basque surname. In folklore, Camus was a Scandinavian general who fought the Scots at the Battle of Barry. The name Camus derives from 'Camuston', the location of the Camus Cross.
Sirius, also known as the wolf, refers to the constellation of the same name. It comes from the Greek word Seirios ("scorcher").
Zeke is the short form of the name Ezekiel ("God will strengthen"), a prophet from the Bible. In Katakana, Zeke (ジーク) can also been translated as "Sieg", which means victory.
Camus explaining to Nyna that he must part with her(possibly forever) so she can reach safety under the protection with Hardin
Camus is punished severely for his betrayal against Doluna. Being subjected to torture for months before finally being spared when near death as his skills are useful to them
Camus as he appears in the Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi manga.
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (Hirosi Yamaguti novel) - Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (Shinozaki Sunami novel) - Fire Emblem: Illusion Kingdom
Fledgling Warriors: The Astral Temple - Band of Bandages - Wretches and Riches Undaunted Heroes: Wealth Before Health - The Inner Sanctum - Lords of the Grave Lost Altars: Altar of the Destrier, Altar of the Titan, Altar of the Skylord, Altar of the Sorceress, Altar of the Faerie, Altar of the Ogre, Altar of the Marksman, Altar of the Savant, Altar of the King, Altar of the Queen Rise of the Deliverance: Battle of Zofia Harbor - Outpost Rescue - Flight from the Ruins - Siege of Zofia Castle Cipher Companions: Cipher Legends I, Cipher Legends II
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (Takayashiki Hideo novel) - Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (Shinozaki Sunami novel) - Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem Game Book