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Invisible Ties

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
This article is about Chapter 23 of Fire Emblem Awakening. For the premonition in Awakening, see Invisible Ties (premonition). For the History Mode map in Warriors, see Invisible Ties (Warriors). For the Tempest Trials map in Heroes, see Tempest Trials/Additional data (page 1) § Invisible Ties.
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Invisible Ties

Cm fe13 23.png

Location

The Dragon's Table

New units

Basilio, Flavia

Boss(es)

Validar

Previous chapter(s)

An Ill Presage

Next chapter(s)

Awakening

Destiny is your master, one way or the other!
— Validar, if attacked by someone other than Chrom or Robin in his first battle

Invisible Ties (Japanese: 運命か、絆か Fate, or Bonds) is the twenty-third chapter in Fire Emblem Awakening. A battle long prophesized is finally taking place in this chapter, as Validar is making his last stand. This time, instead of Chrom and Robin being the only combatants, they have brought the Shepherds with them—except Chrom and Robin have been separated from the Shepherds by a barrier. What happens late within and after the prophesized events just may affect the fate of the whole world.

Plot

Main article: Invisible Ties/Script

As the Shepherds approach the Dragon's Table, Robin makes a request of Chrom: if Validar should take control, he is to cut Robin down. Chrom reluctantly agrees, but asks Robin in turn to resist Validar at any cost. The Shepherds then enter the Dragon's Table and confront Validar. Validar explains that, with the Fire Emblem, he can perform the Awakening to raise Grima and only needs a suitable vessel; he explains that Robin is that vessel, bred by generations of Grimleal to house Grima's soul, but Robin's mother took the baby one night after Grima's soul was implanted—Validar interprets Robin's return as a sign of destiny, but Robin and Chrom resolve to fight that destiny, and a battle begins.

As the battle starts, Validar casts up a barrier separating himself, Robin and Chrom from the Shepherds and the Grimleal, and a battle begins in two areas. As Validar is defeated, he attacks Chrom, but Robin takes the blast. When Chrom picks Robin off the ground, Robin becomes possessed by Validar's influence and stabs Chrom in the stomach with thunder magic. Validar gets up and gloats to Lucina and Robin about the power of destiny. At that time, Basilio arrives; he explains that he took Lucina's warning and feigned death when fighting Walhart, and further reveals that Robin had planned everything out when Flavia gave Chrom Gules. Validar then notices Chrom standing up, who explains that Robin weakened the blow before striking him. The battle against Validar resumes, and both Basilio and Flavia take the field.

Once Validar is dead, the Shepherds begin to celebrate altering their destinies. They are interrupted, however, by the hierophant, who appears and reveals their true identity: Robin from the same timeline as Lucina, where they killed Chrom and became Grima. They explain that Robin's vivid dreams and headaches are memories, ones which Robin received due to them sharing Grima's heart, and states that they tried to unite with Robin immediately, but Robin was not strong enough to contain Grima's power and lost all memory up to that moment. The hierophant than receives the sacrifice and becomes Grima as the Shepherds flee the collapsing Demon's Table. Once they reach the exterior, Grima roars, confirming his revival. Seeing Grima fully arisen, Chrom laments that, without the Fire Emblem, he cannot perform the Awakening; Robin reveals that they stole the Fire Emblem back from Validar, and Chrom resolves to perform the ritual on Mount Prism, the site where the first exalt underwent the rite.

Summary

Robin and Basilio turn the tables on Validar with a brilliant deception. The "hiero-phant" reveals [himself/herself] to be Robin's future self.

Chapter data

Normal Hard Lunatic

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Rout the enemy Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Chrom or Robin dies 2–15+2 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 26+12
Cm fe13 23.png
Map dimensions:
25 columns by 25 rows

Character data

Characters
New units
Basilio
Small portrait basilio fe13.png
Warrior
HP
56/62/67+5
Inventory
Silver Axe
Hammer
Silver Bow
Level
10
Automatically after the first defeat of Validar
Flavia
Small portrait flavia fe13.png
Hero
HP
48/53/58
Inventory
Silver Sword
Short Axe
Level
10
Automatically after the first defeat of Validar
Required characters
Chrom l ​Robin f ​
Available characters
Lissa ​Frederick ​Sully ​Virion ​Stahl ​Vaike ​Miriel ​Sumia ​Kellam ​Lon'qu ​Ricken ​Maribelle ​Panne ​Gaius ​Cordelia ​Gregor ​Nowi ​Libra ​Tharja ​Olivia ​Cherche ​Henry ​Lucina ​Say'ri ​

Note: The returning characters list does not include any characters recruitable in paralogues, as the player may not have taken on any available paralogue chapters yet. The list also does not include any bonus units, as they are recruitable at the player's discretion.

Item data

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is 3ds01 arcfire.png Arcfire Dropped by enemy Sorcerer
Is 3ds01 wyrmslayer.png Wyrmslayer Dropped by enemy Hero
Is 3ds01 silver bow.png Silver Bow Dropped by enemy Assassin
Is 3ds01 silver sword.png Silver Sword Dropped by enemy Assassin
Is 3ds01 silver lance.png Silver Lance Dropped by enemy General
Is 3ds01 talisman.png Talisman Dropped by Validar in his second appearance
Is 3ds01 silver axe.png Silver Axe Dropped by enemy Berserker (reinforcement)

Shop data

After clearing this chapter, the shop at this location will become available.

Armory contents

Normal stock Possible merchant items

Item Price
Is 3ds01 physic.png Physic 1,800
Is 3ds01 recover.png Recover 1,950
Is 3ds01 dragonstone+.png Dragonstone+ 3,780
Is 3ds01 beaststone+.png Beaststone+ 3,220
Is 3ds01 elixir.png Elixir 900

Event tiles

Enemy data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

Normal Hard Lunatic(+)

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer validar enemy.gif Validar
(First battle)
Sorcerer 5 1 39 5 21 15 13 12 15 12 - Grima's Truth
Defeat destroys the barrier.
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 3 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Ruin
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
• The western two immediately begin moving unprovoked.
• The eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 2 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Silver Lance
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 assassin enemy.gif Grimleal Assassin 12 1 45 22 0 29 27 13 12~13 5~6 6 Silver Sword Silver Bow
Avoid +10 Vantage Movement +1
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 hero enemy.gif Grimleal Hero 12 2 49 21~22 1 26 22~23 17 17 9~10 6 Silver Sword
HP +5 Zeal Patience
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
• The western one immediately begins moving unprovoked.
• The eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Ma 3ds01 berserker enemy.gif Grimleal Berserker 12 4 60 31 0 14 23 12 12~13 5~6 6 Silver Axe
Gamble Wrath
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
• The western two immediately begin moving unprovoked.
• The center one begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
• The eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 1 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 ArcfireThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Silver Axe
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 hero enemy.gif Grimleal Hero 12 1 49 21~22 1 26 22~23 17 17 9~10 6 WyrmslayerThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
HP +5 Zeal Patience
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 berserker enemy.gif Grimleal Berserker 12 1 60 31 0 14 23 12 12~13 5~6 6 Tomahawk
Gamble Wrath
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma 3ds01 hero enemy.gif Grimleal Hero 12 2 49 21~22 1 26 22~23 17 17 9~10 6 Silver Axe
HP +5 Zeal Patience
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
• The western one immediately begins moving unprovoked.
• The eastern one begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Ma 3ds01 assassin enemy.gif Grimleal Assassin 12 1 45 22 0 29 27 13 12~13 5~6 6 Silver BowThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. Silver Sword
Avoid +10 Vantage Movement +1
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 1 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Arcthunder
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
Ma 3ds01 assassin enemy.gif Grimleal Assassin 12 1 45 22 0 29 27 13 12~13 5~6 6 Killing Edge Killer Bow
Avoid +10 Vantage Movement +1
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Spear
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
Ma 3ds01 assassin enemy.gif Grimleal Assassin 12 1 45 22 0 29 27 13 12~13 5~6 6 Silver SwordThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat. Silver Bow
Avoid +10 Vantage Movement +1
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 2.
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 1 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Arcwind
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Silver LanceThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
Begins moving unprovoked on turn 3.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer validar enemy.gif Validar
(Second battle)
Sorcerer 18 1 55 6 30 22 20 18 23 21 - Grima's Truth TalismanThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Anathema
--
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Silver Lance
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 1 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Arcfire
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 hero enemy.gif Grimleal Hero 12 1 49 21~22 1 26 22~23 17 17 9~10 6 Silver Axe
HP +5 Zeal Patience
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 2 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Ruin
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 berserker enemy.gif Grimleal Berserker 12 1 60 31 0 14 23 12 12~13 5~6 6 Silver AxeThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Gamble Wrath
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 hero enemy.gif Grimleal Hero 12 1 49 21~22 1 26 22~23 17 17 9~10 6 Silver Sword
HP +5 Zeal Patience
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 berserker enemy.gif Grimleal Berserker 12 1 60 31 0 14 23 12 12~13 5~6 6 Tomahawk
Gamble Wrath
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Spear
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 assassin enemy.gif Grimleal Assassin 12 1 45 22 0 29 27 13 12~13 5~6 6 Silver Sword Silver Bow
Avoid +10 Vantage Movement +1
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Grimleal Sorcerer 12 1 50 2 19 13 13 12 17 17~18 6 Arcthunder
Hex Anathema
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--
Ma 3ds01 general enemy.gif Grimleal General 12 1 58 27 0 18~19 11~12 16 25~26 10 5 Tomahawk
Defense +2 Indoor Fighter Rally Defense
Can have 0–1 skill(s) at random
--

Reinforcements

Boss data

Main article: Validar

First battle Second battle (Normal) Second battle (Hard) Second battle (Lunatic)

Small portrait validar fe13.png
Ma 3ds01 sorcerer validar enemy.gif Sorcerer
Level 5
Movement -
Stats
Max HP 39 Speed 13
Strength 5 Luck 12
Magic 21 Defense 15
Skill 15 Resistance 12
Inventory Skills
Grima's Truth --
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances -- Axes --
Bows -- Tomes B/A Staves --

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.

This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


Trivia

  • This is the only chapter in Awakening that includes the preparations phase with more than one forced deployment, forcing Robin to be deployed in addition to Chrom.
    • It is also the only non-skirmish situation in the vanilla Awakening game that includes the battle preparations phase that does not have exactly one fixed deployment, and one of only four maps overall with that quality (the other three being the maps that comprise the Golden Pack DLC package).
  • This chapter is one of few chapters in the game where the preparations theme does not play during that phase of setup. In this case, the music from the preceding cutscene continues onto the battle preparations screen.
  • This chapter is the only one in Awakening that repeats an earlier cutscene without alteration; in this case, "Fated Clash II" from the Premonition, which originally played after Validar was defeated in that chapter, plays again upon Validar's first defeat in this chapter. (The final chapter also repeats an earlier cutscene, but applies a few alterations.)
  • Lucina somehow reaches where Validar is situated in his first battle after his first defeat despite the barrier still being in place at the time and Lucina, if deployed, was on the other side of the barrier at the time Validar was first defeated. (Basilio also arrives in this area, but is shown to arrive from the direction opposite where Lucina did and may have been behind the barrier the whole time.)
  • Mire is capable of attacking through the barrier in the first battle. Doing so from the south side of the barrier is the only way to get Validar to state his neutral boss quote in his first battle.
  • This chapter's map was featured in Dark Clouds over Awakening, a Tempest Trials event in Fire Emblem Heroes.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Invisible Ties

--

Japanese

運命か、絆か

Fate, or Bonds

Spanish

Lazos invisibles

Invisible ties

French

Liens et destinée

Bonds and fate

German

Unsichtbare Bande

Invisible Ties

Italian

Legami invisibili

Invisible ties

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


← An Ill Presage • Invisible Ties • Awakening →
Fire Emblem Awakening
Playable characters AnnaAversaBasilioBradyChercheChromCordeliaCynthiaDonnelEmmerynFlaviaFrederickGaiusGangrelGeromeGregorHenryInigoKellamKjelleLaurentLibraLissaLon'quLucinaMaribelleMirielMorganNahNoireNowiOliviaOwainPannePriamRickenRobinSay'riSeveraStahlSullySumiaTharjaTikiVaikeVirionWalhartYarneYen'fay
Non-playable characters HollandMaidenNagaOld HubbaPhila
Bosses AlgolAnguillaArdriAversaBovisCampariCanisCassiusCervantesChalardDalenDaltonDracoEquusExcellusEzraFarberGallusGangrelGarrickGeckoGrimaGyralIgnatiusJamilLepusMarthMorristanMusMustafaNelsonNombryOrtonOvisPherosPorcusPriamRaimiRisen ChiefRoddickRugerSimiaTigrisValidarVastoVictorVincentWalhartXalbadorYen'fayZanth
Background characters First exaltKe'riMarth
DLC characters AlmCatriaCelicaEirikaEldiganElinciaEphraimEstIkeKatarinaLeifLynPrince MarthMicaiahPallaRoySeliph
SpotPass characters Shadow Dragon CaedaGharnefLindeMerricMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPrince MarthTiki
Gaiden AlmBoeyCelicaClairCliveDeenLuthierMycenNomahValbar
Mystery of the Emblem AthenaCatriaEtzelHardinHoraceKatarinaKing MarthLegionMaliceNorne
Genealogy of the Holy War G1 ArdenArvisAyraDeirdreEthlynJamkeLewynQuanRaquesisSigurd
Genealogy of the Holy War G2 AltenaAresArthurCedFeeJuliaJuliusLarceiSeliphUlster
Thracia 776 DagdarEyvelFinnLeifMareetaNannaOlwenRaydrikSaiasSalem
Binding Blade CeciliaLilinaLughPercevalRaighRoyShannaSophiaWoltZephiel
Fire Emblem EliwoodFlorinaHectorJaffarKarelLynMatthewNergalNinoSerra
Sacred Stones AmeliaEirikaEphraimInnesL'ArachelLuteLyonMarisaMoulderSeth
Path of Radiance AshnardElinciaGeoffreyIkeLuciaMiaMistSorenTitaniaZihark
Radiant Dawn Black KnightBromEdwardLeonardoMicaiahNepheneeSanakiSephiranSigrunSothe
Others CamusIshtarLinusLloydNarcianOliverPetrineSelenaTravantUrsula
Regalia and personal weapons AmatsuArmadsBalmungBook of NagaDouble BowExcaliburFalchion (Exalted FalchionParallel Falchion) • ForsetiGáe BolgGoddess StaffGoetiaGradivusGrima's TruthGungnirHauteclereHelswathMercuriusMissiletainnMjölnirMystletainnNidhoggNoble RapierParthiaRagnellRapierSol KattiTyrfingValflameWolf BergYewfelle
Chapters Main story Pm: Invisible Ties • P: The Verge of History • 1: Unwelcome Change • 2: Shepherds • 3: Warrior Realm • 4: Two Falchions • 5: The Exalt and the King • 6: Foreseer • 7: Incursion • 8: The Grimleal • 9: Emmeryn • 10: Renewal • 11: Mad King Gangrel • 12: The Seacomers • 13: Of Sacred Blood • 14: Flames on the Blue • 15: Smoldering Resistance • 16: Naga's Voice • 17: Inexorable Death • 18: Sibling Blades • 19: The Conqueror • 20: The Sword or the Knee • 21: Five Gemstones • 22: An Ill Presage • 23: Invisible Ties • 24: Awakening • 25: To Slay a GodE: Grima
Paralogues 1: Sickle to Sword • 2: The Secret Seller • 3: A Strangled Peace • 4: Anna the Merchant • 5: Scion of Legend • 6: A Man for Flowers • 7: Noble Lineage • 8: A Duel Disgraced • 9: Wings of Justice • 10: Ambivalence • 11: Twin Wyverns • 12: Disowned by Time • 13: Rival Bands • 14: Shadow in the Sands • 15: A Shot from the Dark • 16: Daughter to Dragons • 17: The Threat of Silence • 18: The Dead King's Lament • 19: Irreconcilable Paths • 20: A Hard Miracle • 21: Ghost of a Blade • 22: The Wellspring of Truth • 23: The Radiant Hero
Xenologues Champions of Yore 1Champions of Yore 2Champions of Yore 3The Golden GaffeEXPonential GrowthInfinite RegaliaLost Bloodlines 1Lost Bloodlines 2Lost Bloodlines 3Smash Brethren 1Smash Brethren 2Smash Brethren 3Rogues & Redeemers 1Rogues & Redeemers 2Rogues & Redeemers 3Death's EmbraceFive-Anna FirefightRoster RescueHarvest ScrambleSummer ScrambleHot-Spring ScrambleThe Future Past 1The Future Past 2The Future Past 3Apotheosis
Locations YlisseFerox (Arena Ferox) • Outrealm Gate (Outrealms) • Plegia (Dragon's Table) • YlisseValmChon'sinRosanneValm
Groups, objects, and concepts AwakeningEinherjarFire EmblemGrimleal (Deadlords) • RisenShepherds
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Ancient LettersBirthdayDouble DuelDownloadable contentName chartNintendo Dream comics • Other games (GaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarShadow DragonNew Mystery of the Emblem) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Unit Gallery (Soundtrack) • SpotPassStreetPassTimelineWorld map