Setleth

"Then allow me to renew my pledge. From this day forward, I will always be at your side. Through good or ill fortune. Through the greatest of joys and the worst of woes. No matter how daunting the task, I will be there."

- Seteth to Byleth

Setleth is the non-binary ship between Seteth and Byleth Eisner from the Fire Emblem fandom.

Part I: White Clouds
Seteth first meets Byleth when he joins Rhea - Archbishop of the Church of Seiros - in greeting them and their father Jeralt to Garreg Mach Monastery. But if Byleth shows reluctance in revealing their name, Seteth scolds them for being rude to the archbishop. Regardless, the discussion ends before Rhea makes the decision to make Byleth a professor at the monastery's Officer's Academy. Speaking privately with the archbishop, Seteth objects to the idea as there's nothing known about Byleth and they could be a danger. Rhea, however, stands firm with her choice and Seteth has no choice but to trust her on it. Still weary of Byleth, Seteth continues his duties as Rhea's advisor - part of which is assigning Byleth and their class missions outside the Monastery for the Church. Despite this, he does admit in confidence to his little sister Flayn about his worry for them. During one particular month, when Rhea is being seemingly targeted for an assassination plot during the annual Goddess's Rite of Rebirth, Seteth hints to Flayn that Byleth would be better off patrolling a coffin - which Flayn tells them directly, to his dismay. It does, however, lead to Byleth's class in stopping the Western Church's attempted theft within the Holy Mausoleum and the recovery of its greatest treasure: the Sword of the Creator. Standing by Rhea, Seteth is shocked to find that she's letting Byleth keep the Sword as he still doesn't know anything about them and fears they could become someone like the ancient King of Liberation Nemesis. As before, Rhea affirms her decision and Seteth can only warn Byleth not to break the archbishop's trust in them. Things continue until two months later, when Seteth discovers that Flayn had gone missing and is frantic in wanting to locate her given rumors of a "Death Knight" cropping up. Assuaging Seteth's fears, Rhea orders Byleth's class to locate Flayn within the monastery. They manage to find her within an underground chamber beneath the monastery and save her. Speaking privately to Byleth, Seteth expresses his gratitude for them rescuing Flayn to the point of saying he's indebted to them. The two discuss why Flayn was taken - that she has special blood within her - before Seteth says he has to leave and take their sister into hiding again. Joining the discussion, however, Flayn objects to the idea and instead suggests joining Byleth's class as they'd be able to protect her constantly. Hearing this, Seteth admits to Byleth that his position had forced him to scrutinize everything they did but the whole ordeal has made him see the professor as a trusted ally - before entrusting Flayn to them. The two continue their normal duties after this. Sometime after Byleth and their class deal with an incident in Remire Village, they end up being pulled into an argument between Seteth and Flayn. Seteth explains to Byleth that he's leading a force to Rhodos Coast to stop the Western Church from sacking a monument to Saint Cichol and claiming the artifacts within. Flayn wants to go with her brother but Seteth refuses as it'll be dangerous - prompting her to ask for Byleth's help as they can protect her. Agreeing to it, Byleth and their class accompany Seteth to the Coast and manage to defeat the Western Church forces there. Following the battle, Seteth thanks Byleth for the help before revealing he's taking the artifacts from the monument - Cichol's Spear of Assal and Saint Cethlenn's Caduceus Staff - and entrusting them to Byleth. Afterwards, he admits to Byleth that Rhodos Coast holds sentimental value since, in addition to Cichol's monument, it's also where his late wife is buried. Immediately after Seteth reveals that, Byleth overhears Flayn paying respect to her mother at a grave - prompting them to ask about the coincidence. Feeling they've earned the right to know, Seteth reveals to Byleth in confidence that Flayn is actually his daughter and the two are hiding their true bond due to the blood they share. With the reveal, Byleth bears witness to father and daughter reminiscing about their lost loved one. Tragedy would soon strike when Byleth witnesses their father killed and later gets revenge on the killers, the events of which cause them and Sothis - a mysterious entity inhabiting their dreams - to merge. Sometime afterwards, Seteth finds Jeralt's journal and reads it, where he learns that Rhea did something to a newborn Byleth that caused Jeralt to fake their deaths and flee Garreg Mach. Seteth confronts Rhea about this and the fact of Byleth's sudden change in appearance, but Rhea refuses to clearly answer - instead, she decides to bring Byleth to the Holy Tomb for a "revelation". This revelation doesn't come to pass as what Rhea was trying to do seemingly fails and the Tomb is attacked by Edelgard von Hresvelg - one of the Officer's Academy's house leaders who'd been secretly plotting against the Church. Byleth and their class manage to drive her away, but Seteth later informs them that Edelgard has become Emperor of the Adrestian Empire and declared war on the Church. Two weeks later, Seteth and Byleth join Rhea in discussing what Edelgard is wanting to do by warring against the Church when news arrives that an Imperial army will attack Garreg Mach by month's end. With this news, Rhea entrusts her duties to Byleth should something happen during the upcoming battle - which confuses Seteth as he demands once again that Rhea tell him what Byleth is. Rhea finally reveals to Seteth that Byleth was made as a vessel for the eventual return of Fódlan's creator goddess. Seteth impresses upon her how questionable her actions involving Byleth, but admits its done and vows to help Byleth in their duties. Edelgard's army soon arrives and both Byleth and Seteth join together in defending the Monastery. The fight eventually goes south and Seteth is forced to join the defenders in retreat thanks to Byleth and Rhea both going missing - allowing Garreg Mach to fall.

Part II: Silver Snow
Five years after the Battle of Garreg Mach, Byleth reappears and goes to the Monastery. It's in the cathedral after their encounter with Edelgard in the Goddess Tower that Seteth reunites with them. When Seteth questions where Byleth has been all this time, they explain that they've been sleeping all that time. Seteth, in turn explains that Rhea also disappeared during the battle and the Knights of Seiros have been searching for her ever since and have been waiting to gather strength so they can defeat the Empire. At that, Seteth reminds Byleth that Rhea had asked them to lead but they show hesitation at the idea of why they need to do it and why they have to fight Edelgard. The discussion is interrupted when word arrives that thieves are looting the monastery - which the two stop with help from Byleth's ex-Black Eagles students, who previously promised to return on that day. With the thieves taken care of, Seteth is now convinced that Byleth is the one to lead them to victory and they finally accept that. Seteth quickly gets Byleth up to speed on the dire status of both the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and Leicester Alliance - Adrestia's rival nations - and reveal their return to Flayn in the Holy Mausoleum. Byleth and Seteth soon gather their two groups discuss the next steps. The discussion ends with the decision of making Garreg Mach their base of operations and to focus on getting supplies and new allies for the war. By the end of the month, Seteth is presenting to the newly-united army the banner they will fight under - one adorned with Byleth's Crest of Flames. Following the ceremony, Seteth joins a conversation between Byleth and Flayn about Edelgard's motivations, revealing to them that she wants to tear down Fódlan's old institutions and start anew regardless of who she hurts in the process. The discussion ends when news arrives that an Imperial army has arrived to try and take the monastery. Seteth and Byleth manage to lead their forces and stop the attack. Following the attack, Byleth and Seteth spend the next months getting allies for the battle against Adrestia and manage to get both the Kingdom's and Alliance's leaders on their side. Unfortunately, they both soon learn that their armies were decimated in a battle against Edelgard's forces at Grondor Field. Seteth promises to Byleth and Flayn that their people will heal when Fódlan is finally united. In the meantime, he notes that Edelgard's forces took a severe blow and suggests the time to defeat her is now. With that, Byleth and Seteth lead their forces into capturing Fort Mercurius near Grondor Field - only to lose it to a weapon that Seteth remembers from legend. Falling back, Byleth proposes to Seteth a new strategy: make it appear they've given up by returning to Garreg Mach only to send small forces to divert the Empire's attention so they can infiltrate the capital of Enbarr. Seteth is unsure of the plan's success, but sees that Byleth believes it'll work and decides to trust them. The plan works and Seteth and Byleth begin preparing to invade Enbarr. During this, the two learn about rumors that Rhea is being held within the city somewhere, motivating them even more. The two soon lead the attack on Enbarr and manage to claim the city. With the city secure, their forces break into the palace and the two manage to confront Edelgard in her throne room - ultimately ending with Byleth striking Edelgard down. With the palace secure, Seteth attempts to start looking for Rhea but is interrupted when Flayn delivers a message for Byleth given to her by an Imperial general. Reading the letter, written by Edelgard's retainer Hubert, the three learn where Rhea is being kept as well as the location of Shambhala - the hideout of "those who slither in the dark", a group that Edelgard was working with that hates the Goddess and her children. The letter note the group are who destroyed Fort Mercurius and Flayn realizes they're the group who kidnapped her for her blood. Putting those together, Seteth quickly realizes who "those who slither" are and tells Byleth they have to destroy them quickly or Fódlan is doomed. Finding Rhea, Seteth demands she tell Byleth the whole truth about "those who slither", which she does - including that they also helped Nemesis' rebellion against the goddess. With the information in hand, Byleth and Seteth - accompanied by Rhea - lead their army to Shambala and manage to defeat "those who slither's" leader Thales. Thales responds by attempting to kill them by destroying Shambhala, but Seteth and Byleth manage to escape with their army - at the expanse of Rhea getting severely injured. Returning to Garreg Mach, Byleth and Seteth observe Rhea as she recovers from the experience. While doing so, Seteth reveals to Byleth that he, Rhea, and Flayn are all among the children of the goddess and had been protecting Fódlan for a long time before noting the possibility that Byleth will need to lead Fódlan if Rhea dies. Seeing the conflict within Byleth, Seteth suggests they take time to think about it. By month's end, Seteth is joined Rhea and Flayn in hearing Byleth's answer. This is interrupted when Rhea suddenly goes berserk, turns into a dragon, and flies off. After hearing that some of the priests and knights are also turning, Seteth realizes what's happening and - regretfully - tells Byleth they have to kill Rhea. The two soon find Rhea and manage to stop her without needing to kill her. With that, Byleth takes their position as leader of a unified Fódlan while Seteth helps in restoring the church.

C - A Support Conversations
One day, Seteth approaches Byleth to learn more about them. He points out how unusual it is for Rhea to have appointed them as a professor so quickly and notes their enigmatic qualities could be a threat to Rhea and the Church. The questioning somewhat stalls when Byleth shows they're unsure about Jeralt being their father, how long they've been a mercenary, and even their age. Realizing he's getting nowhere, Seteth decides to leave Byleth alone for now. However, he makes it clear that Byleth should not do anything to break Rhea's trust in them. Following Byleth's merging with Sothis, Seteth approaches them with numerous apologies about how suspicious he was of them before admitting they're extraordinary. He's surprised to find Byleth unsure about their newfound power but quickly rationalizes that they still don't really know who they are. Seteth decides to ask Byleth if they want to learn more about themselves and if they're ready to face any potential consequences of learning. After Byleth gives their answer, Seteth notes that he'll continue to put his faith in them just as Rhea has and that he'll help bring them to the truth. Five years later, during the war, Seteth approaches Byleth again about finding the truth about them. He reveals that, just before the battle of Garreg Mach, Rhea revealed to him that she not only know who Byleth is - but she's the reason they exist. However, fearing what only knowing part of the truth could do to Byleth, Seteth decides to hold off on revealing more until after they find Rhea. He does at least reveal that the three of them are like family, and that fact ensures that he'll remain loyal to Byleth. When Byleth notes that there has been betrayal within families, Seteth finally admits that he's found them indispensable and asks to follow down whatever path they follow when the war ends.

S-Support and Paired Ending (F!Byleth only)
Following the end of the war, Byleth ascends to a new position - either the first queen of the United Kingdom of Fódlan in Silver Snow/Verdant Wind or the new archbishop of the Church of Seiros in Azure Moon. Regardless, Seteth joins her and guide them. One day in the Goddess Tower following the end of the war, Seteth notices Byleth looking tired and claiming to need rest, but Seteth notes her position doesn't allow her get any. After Byleth remarks how harsh Seteth's words were, he points out that he sometimes has to be harsh but tells her that he's just as burdened as her and he'll follow her wherever she goes - which he uses as a lead in to propose to her. Byleth is shocked by the turn, prompting Seteth to make it clear that he's proposing because he loves her and not because of a sense of duty or continuing their bloodline. Byleth ultimately accepts the proposal and Seteth is happy that will be together, but suggests waiting until Fódlan is stable to make the marriage public. Following the proposal, Byleth and Seteth continued working to restore Fódlan. The combination of Seteth's strictness and Byleth's magnanimity helps them win over their subjects and keep things running smoothly. Eventually, when Fódlan had been fully healed from the war, the two publicly announces their marriage to the shock and joy of everyone - with everyone feeling blessed by the union.

Part II: Crimson Flower
Should Byleth decide to join Edelgard in opposing the Church of Seiros during the fight in the Holy Tomb, they join the newly-formed Black Eagles Strike Force in attacking Garrge Mach to capture it for the Empire. This causes Byleth to face Seteth as one of the commanders of Garreg Mach's first line of defense. Facing off, Seteth is furious at Byleth's betrayal of Rhea and brands them a traitor. Seteth is ultimately forced to retreat along with Rhea and the Knights of Seiros to Faerghus' capital of Fhirdiad as Edelgard captures the monastery - at the expense of Byleth going missing. Byleth reappears five years later and helps Edelgard defeat and capture the Leicester Alliance. Following that, the Knights of Seiros launch an attack to retake Garreg Mach. Part of this is an expionary force led by Seteth to sneak in while the Empire is busy with the main force. At the Monastery's outskirts, Seteth confides in Flayn about how angered he is about Byleth betraying Rhea and the impact it had on the Archbishop. When Flayn reminds her father that Byleth rescued her from the "Death Knight" all those years ago, Seteth admits that he's still indebted to them and muses that they've changed as much as Rhea has. Byleth soon arrives with the Black Eagles Strike Force and clash with Seteth's forces, where he ends up killed under most conditions. However, if Byleth engages him, he'll admit to them that he can't follow them but also feels unable to stand with Rhea's current path. He promises that if he survives the battle, then he and Flayn will go into hiding and stay out of Byleth's way. Seteth follows through with this if Byleth manages to defeat him and Flayn is still alive.

Fanon
Setleth is a popular ship for the Fire Emblem fandom. A big part of this popularity is Seteth's growth from being constantly suspicious of Byleth to declaring them one of his greatest allies. The ship is primarily rivalled on Byleth's side by their ships with the house leaders. On that note, another factor to the popularity of this ship is that Seteth essentially acts the "house leader" for the Silver Snow route, and is the one Byleth interacts with the most in that route - giving more opportunity to see them interact. A popular theme for fanworks of this ship is Byleth joining Seteth in parenting Flayn. On AO3, this ship has significant support by having tagged entries in the 900's range. This makes it the 10th most-written ship for Three Houses. It's Seteth's most written ship. It's also Byleth's fourth-most written ship behind their ships with the house leaders.

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