Despite its considerable length, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave concludes with numerous unanswered questions, fueling speculation that planned DLC could address them. The game's ending, in particular, strongly suggests the return of Sothis, potentially in multiple capacities. Recent developer interviews revealed that four routes were cut during development, leaving open the possibility that these stories will be released as future downloadable content.
The Nature of Sothis
Sothis, a character introduced in the predecessor Fire Emblem: Three Houses, is known as the universe's most powerful and enigmatic figure. While her extraterrestrial origin from the "Blue Sea star" is established, the reasons for her departure and arrival on the planet, as well as her true nature, remain largely unknown. In Three Houses, Sothis exists without a physical body, residing within Byleth. Fortune's Weave, however, offers a glimpse into her past, depicting her in a state of slumber and as a formidable force capable of erasing entire civilizations. The game's post-credit scene appears to signal the beginning of her origin story.
Post-Credits Scene and Balor's Fate
Following the game's credits and unit retrospectives, a post-credits scene features Sothis conversing with Balor. Though visually absent, their dialogue implies Balor has returned to Sothis, his mother, and is pleading for forgiveness. Sothis, exhibiting maternal compassion, sentences him to "drown in Mother's love," which could be interpreted as Balor being under her control or his existence merging with hers. She then promises to tell him a bedtime story: her own tale, which began "a long, long time ago…" This interaction suggests Balor's complete annihilation was averted, and the game may be laying the groundwork for Sothis's narrative.
Glimpses into the Past
Theodora's chapter 7 in Part 1 of Fortune's Weave provides significant insight. It depicts a dream sequence where Balor and Dagda, in their dragon forms, battle in a ruined modern city. Balor defeats Dagda and is intercepted by Sothis in her humanoid form. However, his attacks strike an enormous creature, revealed to be Sothis's true form, dwarfing Balor and indicating her alien nature. This brief segment raises questions about why her sons were fighting, the fate of modern human civilization, and Balor's ambitions that provoked such a response from Sothis.
Sothis's Potential for a Physical Form
The game's third act, "The Salvation Arc," culminates in a battle against Balor in the underworld. Fortuna reveals that Balor's domain is intrinsically linked to his existence, and its destruction upon his defeat would lead to oblivion for all within it. To circumvent this, Balor creates a new pillar to sustain his dimension, transforming the underworld into a material place that can survive his soul's demise. This act allows the player characters to survive the final confrontation and suggests the possibility of creating a new, powerful vessel for a soul. Given Sothis's ability to inhabit or coexist with other beings, as seen with Fortuna and Byleth, it is plausible she could engineer a similar process to regain a physical form, potentially to confront Balor once more.
Future Prospects
While a post-Three Houses narrative chapter for Sothis might be less likely than a prequel, the events and implications within Fortune's Weave clearly establish that further stories about Sothis are intended. Whether through DLC or a future installment, the game has successfully set the stage for exploring more of the progenitor god's history and potential future.