History NightmareFuel / FireEmblemEngage

** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, '''''EVERYONE''''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, almost all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that even Sombron, arguably the most vile villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', did not accomplish this feat (though . What's more, it's never clarified just how this happened. As normal as these Corrupted appear, there are signs they are beginning to mentally degrade, foreshadowed by Alternate Alfred suddenly declaring how happy they are that their Alear came back to life, despite having been explicitly told shortly before the one in front of him is from another world.

** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, it seems as if '''EVERYONE''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, almost all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that even Sombron, arguably the most vile villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', did not accomplish this feat (though . What's more, it's never clarified just how this happened. As normal as these Corrupted appear, there are signs they are beginning to mentally degrade, foreshadowed by Alternate Alfred suddenly declaring how happy they are that their Alear came back to life, despite having been explicitly told shortly before the one in front of him is from another world.

** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, it seems as if '''EVERYONE''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, almost all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that even Sombron, arguably the worst villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', did not accomplish this feat. What's more, it's never clarified just how this happened. As normal as these Corrupted appear, there are signs they are beginning to mentally degrade, foreshadowed by Alternate Alfred suddenly declaring how happy they are that their Alear came back to life, despite having been explicitly told shortly before the one in front of him is from another world.

** The royals are all '''re'''-summoned in Xenologue 6 (which is something Veyle and even the ''Emblem-powered'' Sombron of Alear's Elyos can't do), and their reactions to it are mixed. Fogado is emboldened by [[DeathIsCheap knowing he's died twice before]] while Celine is thrilled at being able to cut loose without anything holding her back, Ivy is [[AndThenWhat empty from seeing her plans come into fruition]], Timerra and Alcryst [[BrainwashedAndCrazy think Fell Nil will let them back to their Kingdoms if they win]], and Alfred is ''thrilled'' to see people [[UnwantedRevival who can kill him and send him back to the afterlife again]]. Diamant and Hortensia, meanwhile, are [[{{Pun}} mortified]] [[EverybodyDiesEnding that no one can or will make things right]]...

* In Chapter 20, it's mentioned that when a Fell Dragon summons an Emblem, they're unable to speak and have no free will. This adds a lot of FridgeHorror to your earlier encounters with Corrupted Emblems. [[AndIMustScream Imagine how things must feel from their perspective.]] However, Leif mentions in some of his bond conversations that when Emblems aren't summoned properly they're in a sleeplike state, softening the blow in a way.
* Rather remote, but a unique [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=YeItUfug-QU Game Over screen]] plays should you get one during the final chapter. Alear wakes up to the sight of Sombron's manakete form, who wastes no time in telling you that everyone else is dead. We then turn to Veyle, once again BrainwashedAndCrazy, showing off Alear's Emblem Ring on her finger. Alear then notices their reflection behind Veyle: They've been summoned as a Dark Emblem. Cue EvilLaugh from Sombron.

** The royals are all '''re'''-summoned in Xenologue 6 (which is something Veyle and even the ''Emblem-powered'' Sombron of Alear's Elyos can't do), and their reactions to it are mixed. Fogado is emboldened by [[DeathIsCheap knowing he's died twice before]] while Celine is thrilled at being able to cut loose without anything holding her back, Ivy is [[AndThenWhat empty from seeing her plans come into fruition]], Timerra and Alcryst [[BrainwashedAndCrazy think Fell Nil will let them back to their Kingdoms if they win]], and Alfred is ''thrilled'' to see people [[UnwantedRevival who can kill him and send him back to the afterlife again]].

** The royals are all '''re'''-summoned in Xenologue 6 (which is something Veyle and even the ''Emblem-powered'' Sombron of Alear's Elyos can't do), and their reactions to it are mixed. Fogado is emboldened by [[DeathIsCheap knowing he's died twice before]], Ivy is [[AndThenWhat empty from seeing her plans come into fruition]], Timerra and Alcryst [[BrainwashedAndCrazy think Fell Nil will let them back to their Kingdoms if they win]], and Alfred is ''thrilled'' to see people [[UnwantedRevival who can kill him and send him back to the afterlife again]].

** The Fogado of this world is unnerving as while he has the same smile, he does various cruel acts and unlike any other Royal, he's aware of his nature as a ''Corrupted'' and [[FullyEmbracedFiend has embraced it]], saying it enabled him to indulge his impulses without annoying things like remorse. He's only upset about his sister dying only because he wanted to kill her himself. Though what is particularly horrifying is his reaction to seeing the main timeline version of himself: he gets the idea to try to KillAndReplace him as to go about terrorizing a whole other world.

* The [[MirrorUniverse Alternate Elyos]] the Fell Xenologue DLC takes place in is one giant CrapsackWorld, for lack of better words. Despite Sombron having been defeated twice, the four nations are at each other's throats since the Alternate Alear was the sole glue holding everyone together. Without them, they quickly devolved to fighting amongst themselves. Worse still is what the most recent war has shaped the royal siblings of this world, who have not only lost their parents, but even their trusted friends and retainers. The Alternate Céline wants to go to war with Brodia, who in this world is a peaceful nation whereas Firene is vengeful and in the midst of a lack of resources, and Alternate Ivy is TheCaligula who wants to revive Sombron and killed almost all of her siblings, even offering Hyacinth as a sacrifice for Sombron's resurrection. It's equal parts horrifying and tear-jerking to realize this might be what the player's Elyos will become if they fail.
** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, it seems as if '''EVERYONE''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, almost all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that even Sombron, arguably the worst villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', did not accomplish this feat. What's more, it's never clarified just how this happened.

** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, it seems as if '''EVERYONE''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, almost all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that not even Sombron, arguably the worst villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', could never have accomplished such a feat by his lonesome.

Even though ''Engage'' may look on the surface to be one of the more light-hearted ''Fire Emblem'' games, beneath that light-heartedness lies a lot of darkness.

** The Fogado of this world is unnerving as while he has the same smile, he does various cruel acts and unlike any other Royal, he's aware of his nature as a ''Corrupted'' and has embraced it, saying it enabled him to indulge his impulses without annoying things like remorse. He's only upset about his sister dying only because he wanted to kill her himself. Though what is particularly horrifying is his reaction to seeing the main timeline version of himself: he gets the idea to try to KillAndReplace him as to go about terrorizing a whole other world.

** The Fogado of this world is unnerving as while he has the same smile, he does various cruel acts and unlike any other Royal, he's aware of his nature as a ''Corrupted'' and has embraced it, saying it enabled him to indulge his impulses without annoying things like remorse. He's only upset about his sister dying only because he wanted to kill her himself. Though what is particularly horrifying is his reaction to seeing the main timeline version of himself: he gets the idea to try to KillAndReplace him as to go about terrorizing a whole another world.

** Somehow, the state of the Alternate Elyos just gets even worse. In Xenologue 4, Nel reveals that the royals you've fought up to this point? They were all ''Corrupted''. Not just them, but the soldiers under their command, and possibly even the ''civilian townsfolk'' making up the towns and villages on the continent. With the exception of the Fell Dragon twins, the Four Winds, and Alear, it seems as if '''EVERYONE''' in the Alternate Elyos is dead. The idea that a whole continent now consists of zombies, all of whom having no idea they are actually dead, is guaranteed to put shivers down your spine, especially when you realize that not even Sombron, arguably the worst villain in the history of ''Fire Emblem'', could never have accomplished such a feat by his lonesome.

* The [[MirrorUniverse Alternate Elyos]] the Fell Xenologue DLC takes place in is one giant CrapsackWorld, for lack of better words. Despite Sombron having been defeated twice, the four nations are at each other's throats since the Alternate Alear was the sole glue holding everyone together. Without them, they quickly devolved to fighting amongst themselves. Worse still is what the most recent war has shaped the royal siblings of this world, who have not only lost their parents, but even their trusted friends and retainers. The Alternate Celine wants to go to war with Brodia, who in this world is a peaceful nation whereas Firene is vengeful and in the midst of a lack of resources, and Alternate Ivy is TheCaligula who wants to revive Sombron and killed almost all of her siblings, even offering Hyacinth as a sacrifice for Sombron's resurrection. Its equal parts horrifying and tear-jerking to realize this might be what the player's Elyos will become if they fail.

* Based off the trailer for the Wave 4 Expansion Pass DLC, Elyos' AlternateTimeline is somehow far worse than in the main game. In this timeline, the four nations are locked in a cold war over the Emblem Bracelets, and the royals are more cold and vicious (Alfred, a NiceGuy all around, approves of an invasion, Celine's willingness to destroy any who threaten Firene is ramped up to eleven, and Alcryst treats Diamant like total garbage). And the whole reason this even happened in the first place is that the Divine Dragons of this timeline ''have all died out'' after Sombron was sealed.
** Hearing the alternate Alcryst trash talk Diamant is particularly shocking, considering how the normal Alcryst adores his brother.
--->'''Alternate Alcryst:''' Must I do ''EVERYTHING'' for you, my pathetic excuse of a brother?!
* Meeting the alternate versions of the royals in the Fell Xenologues is deeply unsettling. It's made even worse by the reveal that [[CameBackWrong they're all Corrupted.]]
** Céline is a cold and callous girl who stubbornly demands Alfred to invade Brodia, ignoring the suffering of others purely for her own people's gain.
** Alcryst is a smug asshole who looks down on his less confident brother Diamant, and claims that Brodia would be better off if he was the king instead.
** Ivy is a tyrannical, hedonistic witch who actively spearheads the attempt to resurrect Sombron, even murdering her own father as a sacrifice when he tries to oppose her plans.
** Fogado is a FauxAffablyEvil, AxCrazy maniac akin to characters such as ''Valter'' from previous games who sees his status a Corrupted as an opportunity to indulge in murdering whoever he wants without remorse, even declaring his intention to KillAndReplace his mainline counterpart.

** Ivy is a tyrannical, hedonistic witch who actively spearheads the attempt to resurrect Sombron, even murdering her own father as a sacrifice when he tries to oppose her plans.