For the Bound Hero Battle inHeroes, seeAlm & Celica.

Alm and Celica (Japanese:アルムとセリカArum and Cellica) is the prologue ofFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. In this prologue, the retired generalMycen takes up arms to defend his wards from corruptZofian knights. This prologue did not exist in the originalGaiden.

Plot

Main article:Alm and Celica/Script

In a flash-forward toFlostym 402 V.C.,Alm has impaledCelica on his sword, much to his horror.

In Avistym 394 V.C., Alm lives inRam Village with his friendsFaye,Gray,Kliff,Tobin, and Celica, and his grandfatherMycen. Tobin discovers that a Zofian knight is near Ram, and he sets out to meet him along with Faye, Gray, and Kliff.

Meanwhile, Alm is playing with Celica in the forest. The two discover they have similar birthmarks on their hands. Suddenly, they hear Faye screaming and discover her captured by the Zofian soldiers. Their leader,Slayde, demands the children lead him to their village so he can be pampered. As he threatens to behead them all if they do not comply, Alm and Celica arrive to save them. Slayde notices Celica and realizes he can earn a fine reward for bringing her to his commanderDesaix. An enraged Alm punches Slayde, who orders the children killed. As their doom seems certain, Mycen arrives to rescue the children. Slayde recognizes Mycen and prepares to exact revenge on him for a previous incident. Mycen and the children retreat to a nearby cemetery, where they drive Slayde off. As he retreats, Slayde identifies Celica as a princess who refuses to die.

As Alm celebrates their victory, Celica and Mycen explain that Celica must flee Ram Village for her own safety. Mycen refuses to answer Alm's questions, and Celica gives him a good-luck charm. Mycen plans to call in a favor from anold friend, but cannot permanently leave Ram himself. As they depart, Alm arrives, and the two children vow to reunite one day.

Exploration sections

Flower Patch

Alm simply needs to follow Celica to complete this segment.

Map data

Character data

Characters
New units
Alm Boy HP 18 Inventory Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Celica Girl HP 15 Inventory Golden Dagger Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Gray Boy HP 17 Inventory Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Tobin Boy HP 16 Inventory Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Kliff Boy HP 16 Inventory Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Faye Girl HP 14 Inventory Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Mycen Gold Knight HP 47 Inventory Lance Level 5 Automatically from turn 1
Available characters
None

Enemy data

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Atk Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Slayde Paladin 1 1 28 10 4 7 0 7 5 8 -- Lance • Starts on agrave. • Will not act until turn 3, or until fought. Zofian Army Soldier 1 2 26 7 1 2 0 4 0 4 -- Lance -- Zofian Army Cavalier 1 2 24 6 3 3 0 3 2 7 -- Lance • The left one begins moving unprovoked on turn 2. • The right one will not act until turn 2.

Boss data

Main article:Slayde

Paladin Level 1

Stats Max HP 28 Luck 0 Attack 10 Defense 7 Skill 4 Resistance 5 Speed 7 Movement 8

Item Skills -- Lance Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Strategy

This is the tutorial level forFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and is easy to complete as long as you follow Mycen's instructions and do not do anything absurd. Contrary to every other map in the franchise, no one can gain experience in this chapter. Sending 6 prepubescent children to fight Zofia's finest ends exactly as it would be expectable. Due to these facts, the only way the player will have an actual chance of winning is to send Mycen to kill everyone. Move Alm out of harm's way and have Mycen go straight for Slayde. On the enemy's turn, they should all commence futile attacks against Mycen, who will easily wipe them out. On turn 2, if Slayde is still standing, move Mycen back so that Slayde must attack from a plain. On his phase, he will pursue Mycen and get himself killed.

An achievement called Blitzkrieg requires the player to complete the entire game in 500 turns or less, so these strategies will keep track of the recommended turn count. Note that the final turn count comes in at 343, leaving plenty of room for both error and improvement as long as non-essential battles are kept to a minimum.

Map Turn Count: 2
Game Turn Count: 2

Trivia

• This is the only battle inFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia where Alm's or Celica's defeat will not cause a game over.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

• 
  Alm andCelica inspect theirbrands.
• 
  Mycen blocksSlayde's blow.
• 
  Celica leaves Ram.
• 
  Screenshot of Alm and Celica in the flower field.
• 
  Screenshot of the battle betweenMycen with the village kids andSlayde.