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“Hmph, you'll find an earth dragon like me harder to tame than Gharnef, brat. Come and face me. I'll tear the ground asunder and send you straight down to hell!”
—Medeus, when the League stormed Dolhr Keep in Chapter 24 of Shadow Dragon

Medeus, known as the Shadow Dragon, is the primary antagonist in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, the final boss (but not the main antagonist) of Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem and their remakes, as well as the Shin Megami Tensei crossover, Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE.

He was once a prince of the Earth Dragon royal family and later the founder and Emperor of the Dolhr Empire. He was involved in all three major wars in Archanea, and was even the ultimate threat behind each one: the War of Liberation, the War of Shadows, and the War of Heroes.

While he holds the title of "Shadow Dragon", he was only truly a Dark Dragon when he was revived by Gharnef for a second time during the War of Heroes.

Profile[]

Background[]

Medeus was the prince of the Earth Dragon royal family and lived during the Golden Age of the Dragons. However, when the decline of dragonkind began to occur, where birth rates failed and the dragons slowly began to suffer degeneration, the Divine Dragon elders proposed that dragons take on human forms as Manaketes.

While the rest of the Earth Dragons, along with many dragons, pridefully rejected the notion of becoming humans, whom many dragons viewed as insects unfit to rule in their stead, Medeus was the only one that chose to take on a Manakete form, thus being spared from degenerating into madness. The degeneration of the Earth Dragons caused a great war between them and Naga's Divine Dragon tribe, resulting in the Earth Dragons being sealed away underneath the Dragon's Table. As the last remaining Earth Dragon that had not succumbed to degeneration, Naga entrusted Medeus to guard the seal.

As Medeus guarded the seal for centuries, he would be forced to watch as his fellow Manaketes were persecuted by humans, causing the former prince to slowly grow to detest mankind.

Centuries after the founding of the Holy Kingdom of Archanea, over a millennium after the Earth Dragons were sealed away, Medeus' hatred had reached its zenith, and he founded the Dolhr Empire after uniting all the Manaketes barring Divine Dragons, the empire openly hostile towards humans who didn't accept Manaketes as their masters.

Three years later, Medeus wages war on Archanea, which was known as the War of Liberation, in retaliation for how Manaketes were treated by humans. The war had Dolhr launch an attack on the Archanean capital, which fell under Dolhr's might. However, despite Medeus' attempt to wipe out the royal family, one member, princess Artemis, would escape and sought refuge in Altea, where she would meet Anri. Despite that, the victory over Archanea resulted in Medeus soon conquering the rest of the continent and ruling over the land for five years.

Anri wields the Falchion

Medeus battles Anri.

Eventually, a rebellion rose that was led by Duke Cartas (who had been given the Fire Emblem by Artemis to ensure he would win), and General Ordwin of Archanea. As Dolhr's forces were pushed back, Medeus decided to enter the fray himself, and easily turned the tides as he crushed Cartas' army. As all hope seemed to be lost, Anri joined the battle, wielding Falchion, which was forged by Naga's fang to give humans the ability to fight dragons. After a ferocious battle, Medeus was slain by Anri, and the Dolhr Empire had fallen.

The War of Shadows[]

Despite having been killed by Anri, due to Earth Dragons possessing a substantial amount of life force, Medeus had not truly died, and was soon resurrected by Gharnef, a vengeful sorcerer who intended to use Dolhr and its allies to conquer the world, then betray Medeus and kill him using the Imhullu spell and Falchion. However, due to the resurrection being incomplete, Medeus was incapable of utilizing his full powers outside the castle.

After reviving the Dolhr Empire, Medeus made use of Gharnef's schemes to acquire human nations as allies, being Grust, Gra, and Macedon. With the power of his Empire, along with his allies, and through Gra betraying Altea, Medeus had Cornelius killed and conquered Archanea once more.

MedeusGivesOrders

Medeus orders Bulzark to retrieve Nyna.

However, once again, Medeus' attempt to exterminate the Archanean royal family failed once more, as princess Nyna entered the custody and protection of Camus of Grust when he occupied the capital. Despite trying to get Camus to surrender Nyna to be personally imprisoned by Medeus himself, the knight showed no fear towards Medeus and continued to refuse. Eventually, Medeus' patience ran dry, and he ordered Bulzark, a Fire Dragon Manakete, to bring a battalion and forcibly bring Nyna to him, even permitting for Camus to be killed if he should resist. Camus, however, proved to be far more trouble, as he and his men from the Sable Order annihilated the entire battalion and Bulzark himself. This forced Medeus to personally enter and confront Camus, who was by himself at that point while Nyna and his men escaped.

Fallen earth dragon

Medeus after being slain by Marth.

While Medeus praised Camus for his skill and forcing Medeus' hand, likening him to Anri even, Medeus had Camus captured, where the knight would go through torture and humiliation as an example for defying the Earth Dragon. Camus' actions, though, allowed Nyna to eventually meet Marth, who would form and lead the Archanean League and carry the Fire Emblem, and lead an assault against the Dolhr Empire. Eventually being cornered in his palace in the Dolhr Keep, Medeus confronted Anri's descendant and unleashed his full powers, but just like before, he was slain once more, ending his reign of terror for the second time.

The War of Heroes[]

Unfortunately for the world, Medeus' second defeat would not last for long, as a mere three years later, Gharnef's spirit, which had been released from the Darksphere, had formulated another plan to restore Medeus to life.

Through Gharnef's schemes and manipulating Hardin's broken heart with the Darksphere, Gharnef had gathered four maidens with pure hearts: Lena, Maria, Elice, and Nyna. Through their life force, Medeus was revived in the depths of the Dragon's Table, now having morphed into his most powerful form: a true Dark Dragon. Along with that, due to over six centuries of absence from the completed Binding Shield, the seal holding the Earth Dragons began to break, allowing Medeus to take command of the ones that began to emerge.

However, due to the efforts of Marth and his allies, the Altean army had managed to gather the five Gemstones and completed the Fire Emblem once again as the Binding Shield after defeating Hardin. Thus, Marth and his army entered the Dragon's Table to put an end to Medeus, with Falchion in hand.

Entering their final battle, Medeus sent wave after wave of dragons of every kind, including Earth Dragons, though the Binding Shield banished the Earth Dragons once again. Medeus had the four maidens, now hypnotized, surround him as he was preparing to fully revive by sacrificing them.

Thankfully, the efforts of Julian, Minerva, Merric, and Sirius managed to free the four maidens from their hypnosis, and freed them from Medeus' clutches, thus giving Marth the opening he needed to confront Medeus without worry.

Despite the newfound power, Medeus was slain once more. As he perished, Medeus questioned how he could have been defeated again, and wondered if it was the power of the Binding Shield. With his last ounce of strength, Medeus warned the humans that this light they had was only a moment's respite, and that should the Binding Shield be lost again through humanity's evil, Medeus swore that he would arise from the depths of hell.

While Medeus claimed that he would return again, Gotoh's words seemed to indicate that this time Medeus was truly killed and would no longer be able to revive.

Personality[]

Not much is known about Medeus before he was overcome with his hatred for humanity. However, he was known to be more reasonable than the other Earth Dragons, choosing to become a Manakete to avoid degeneration, while the rest of his kind succumbed to it. He was also apparently considered trustworthy enough by Naga to be entrusted to watch over the seal over his fellow Earth Dragons.

However, after centuries of being forced to watch his fellow Manaketes be persecuted by humans, Medeus grew to utterly despise humanity, leading him to lead a conquest against them. He even believes that his cruelty towards humans is justified, as they had done the same to the Manaketes.

Despite this, he did allow humans to serve him and allowed those that had their uses to live. He also isn't completely above giving praise to humans, as he did so to Camus when he annihilated Medeus' battalion and Bulzark, even comparing him to Anri. However, even Camus was forced to endure hardships and humiliation as an example for defying Medeus.

Medeus is known for (repeatedly) claiming that he can always return as long as there is evil in humans' hearts. This is similar to what fellow Earth Dragon Loptous claimed in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War.

In-Game[]

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light[]

Boss Stats[]

Starting Class
Manakete
LevelHPStrSklSpdLckDefResWlvMov
20451010100120166
WeaponStarting Items
DragonstoneEarthstone

Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem[]

Boss Stats[]

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon[]

Boss Stats[]

Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem[]

Boss Stats[]

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE[]

Boss Stats[]

Starting ClassWardrobe Stats
TMS Dragon icon Shadow DragonAttack: 222, Armor 68
LevelHPEPStrMagSklSpdLckDefRes
61?????????
GIR Sword IconGIR Lance IconGIR Axe IconGIR Bow IconGIR Fire IconGIR Ice IconGIR Electricity IconGIR Force IconGIR Light IconGIR Dark Icon
--------DrainWeak----NullNull
SkillsItems
CommandSessionPassive--
GIR Sword Icon Tail

GIR Fire Icon Hellfire
TMS Beast icon Giant Fang
GIR Fire Icon Flame Nebula

GIR Support Icon Dark Breath
----

Starting ClassWardrobe Stats
TMS Dragon icon Shadow DragonAttack: 222, Armor 70
LevelHPEPStrMagSklSpdLckDefRes
63?????????
GIR Sword IconGIR Lance IconGIR Axe IconGIR Bow IconGIR Fire IconGIR Ice IconGIR Electricity IconGIR Force IconGIR Light IconGIR Dark Icon
WeakWeak--WeakNullWeakWeakWeakNullNull
SkillsItems
CommandSessionPassive--
GIR Sword Icon Tail

GIR Dark Icon Energy Drain
TMS Beast iconGiant Fang
GIR Support Icon Dark Breath
GIR Almighty Icon Dies Irae

GIR Passive Icon Limitless
----

Fire Emblem Heroes[]

Earth-Dragon King
King of the Earth Dragons, previously defeated by the hero Anri. Resurrected by Gharnef, he seeks domination. Appears in Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.

Base Stats[]

Rarity: ✯✯✯✯✯

Medeus Heroes spriteTitle
Earth-Dragon King
Group
Heroes Infantry Infantry
LevelHPAtkSpdDefRes
1
40
17/18/19
36/40/43
10/11/12
40/44/47
2/3/4
15/18/21
11/12/13
35/38/41
9/10/11
39/43/46
SkillsWeapon
FEH skill offense Shadow Breath
FEH skill special Chilling Wind
FEH Colorless Breath Breath

Skills[]

TypeNamePrerequisiteDefaultUnlocked
FEH skill offenseFire Breath---
Fire Breath+---
Flametongue---
Shadow Breath-FEH Star Rarity 5-
FEH skill specialChilling Wind---
GlaciesChilling Wind--
AFEH Def Res Ideal 1 Def Res Ideal 1--
FEH Def Res Ideal 2 Def Res Ideal 2FEH Def Res Ideal 1 Def Res Ideal 1-
FEH Def Res Ideal 3 Def Res Ideal 3FEH Def Res Ideal 2 Def Res Ideal 2-
FEH Def Res Ideal 4 Def Res Ideal 4FEH Def Res Ideal 3 Def Res Ideal 3FEH Star Rarity 5
BFEH Assured Rebirth Assured Rebirth-FEH Star Rarity 5
CFEH Canto Control 1 Canto Control 1--
FEH Canto Control 2 Canto Control 2FEH Canto Control 1 Canto Control 1-
FEH Canto Control 3 Canto Control 3FEH Canto Control 2 Canto Control 2-

Overall[]

Secret Book (Artwork)
Subjective: The following part of this article is based upon the editor's personal experiences and opinions, and therefore may not be applicable for all readers.
Base Set[]
Counters[]
Skill Inheritance[]

Meet Some of the Heroes[]

Earth-Dragon King Medeus
Medeus earth-dragon king pop01 Medeus is the king of the mighty Earth Dragons. He supported the path chosen by Naga, ruler of the Divine Dragons, and chose to live among humans as a manakete.
Medeus earth-dragon king pop02 In order to protect mankind, Naga sealed away the Earth Dragons, who had been driven berserk by madness. and tasked Medeus with guarding the Dragon Altar, where they slumbered. Medeus watched over the world from atop the Dragon Altar, witnessing as the once powerless humans grew in strength and began to exact harm upon the manaketes, who wished only to live in peace.
Medeus earth-dragon king pop03 Enraged by this betrayal, Medeus established the Dolhr Empire, under which he subjugated mankind. However, the human folk resisted his oppression, and eventually he was defeated by the hero Anri.
Medeus earth-dragon king pop04 A hundred years have passed since then, and a revived Medeus is now attempting to subjugate mankind once more. What will become of his world? I'm worried about what comes next!
Closely Associated Characters
Gharnef A student of Gotoh, the White Sage. Hatched a scheme to revive the Shadow Dragon, Medeus, and rule the world.
Naga Ruler of the Divine Dragons. Takes on a variety of appearances in the presence of humans, and is said to have saved the world from despair. She seals away the corrupted Earth Dragons, and entrusts guardianship of the seal to Medeus.
Marth Prince of Altea and inheritor of the Hero Anri's blade, as well as the duty it represents. Great-grandson of Marcelus. He fights to put an end to the ambitions of the revived Medeus.

Quotes[]

Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light[]

“Rebels that dare disturb my repose…be consumed by the flames of hell!”
—Medeus' battle quote
“Me? Defeated? By humans... Mere humans... Take this to heart, Altean prince, inheritor of the light... One day... I will rise anew... Never forget... As long as there is light...the darkness can never be extinguished!”
—Medeus' death quote

Mystery of the Emblem[]

“I have awoken from my slumber. Rebels! You will suffer a fiery death by the flames of Hell.”
—Medeus' battle quote in Book 1
“I... HAVE RESURRECTED... STUPID HUMANS... I WILL KILL YOU ALL...”
—Medeus' battle quote in Book 2
“Urgh... I could be... Defeated by humans... But the heart, Altea's prince, protected by the light... There will be one day... When peoples' hearts only have evil inside them, and that is when my manifestations will appear. The heart... As long as there is light, darkness will never fade away...”
—Medeus' defeat quote in Book 1
“GWA...! WHY... WHY HAVE I BEEN DEFEATED... SO EASILY...... IS THIS... THE POWER... OF NAGA'S... Binding Shield...? BUT...HUMANS, DON'T FORGET... AS LONG AS GREED LIVES ON IN YOUR HEARTS... YOU WILL LOSE THE SHIELD AND I WILL RISE FROM THE EARTH ONCE AGAIN... REMEMBER...TH...IS”
—Medeus' death quote in Book 2

Shadow Dragon[]

“Foolish humans! You dare disturb me while I slumber? Oh, how you will regret it as you die slowly...painfully...writhing in the fires of the inferno!”
—Medeus's battle quote
“Hmm? So... I am not the only dragon revived. I had heard you perished the last time. No matter; you've recovered even less of your power than me. This time, you have no chance!”
—Medeus' battle quote against Nagi
“Nngh... Defeated again... by humans! Know this, Altean prince... That light which surrounds you is only a temporary respite. So long as the darkness in your hearts continues to sustain me... I cannot be... destroyed...... Rrraaahhh!!!”
—Medeus' death quote

New Mystery of the Emblem[]

“I HAVE... REVIVED... FOOLISH HUMANS... I WILL LEAVE... NONE ALIVE...”
—Medeus' battle quote
“DO YOU PLAN TO... DEFY ME ONCE MORE... DESCENDANT OF ANRI...?”
—Medeus' battle quote against Marth
“A MERE HUMAN SUCH AS YOURSELF... WISHES TO CHALLENGE ME...? HOW FOOLISH...”
—Medeus' battle quote against Kris
“GWAH...! WHY......? WHY... HAVE I... BEEN DEFEATED... SO EASILY...? IS THIS... THE POWER... ...OF NAGA'S... Binding Shield...? KNOW THIS, HUMANS... THIS LIGHT IS ONLY A BRIEF RESPITE... SO LONG AS EVIL LURKS WITHIN THE HEARTS OF MAN... SHOULD THIS ACCURSED SHIELD BE LOST, WE SHALL RISE FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL... DO NOT... EVER FORGET...”
—Medeus' death quote

Engage[]

“How? How was I defeated so easily?”
—Medeus' defeat quote

Heroes[]

Medeus/Heroes Quotes

Non-Canon Appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

Spirit Info[]

No. Name Image Type Class Slots Effect
635 Medeus Medeus artwork Support ★★☆☆ (Advanced) 1 Lava-Floor Resist
Spirit Battle
Spirit Enemy Fighter(s) Type Power / Class Stage Rules Conditions Music
Medeus artwork
No. 635
Medeus
•Ridley Attack 3,600 / ★★☆☆ (Advanced) Castle Siege (Magma Cavern) •Giant •The enemy is giant after a little while
•Stamina battle
"Lords-Showdown"

Fire Emblem 0 (Cipher)[]

Medeus is illustrated in the trading card game with the following cards:

Choose Your Legends Placement History[]

Trivia[]

  • Medeus is sometimes referred to as the Earth Dragon King, such as in Chapter 1 of New Mystery of the Emblem. Assuming this isn't referring to his position as ruler of Dolhr, it's possible Medeus has been crowned in lieu of the absence of any other candidates.
  • Medeus in Mystery of the Emblem is one of the three final bosses whose defeat does not result in an instant victory, as the player still has to seize the throne afterwards. The others are Veld and Julius.
  • Medeus made his first appearance in Fire Emblem Heroes as a cameo during the Star and Savior Lost Lore event before his debut as a playable character.

Gallery[]

See main article: Medeus/Gallery.
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