Lucina is a character from the Fire Emblem video game series. She first appeared in Fire Emblem Awakening for the Nintendo 3DS and has since become one of the most popular characters in the franchise. As the daughter of Chrom from the future, Lucina wields a distinctive sword when she travels back in time to prevent the resurrection of the Fell Dragon Grima.
The Parallel Falchion
Lucina’s signature weapon is called the Parallel Falchion. This ornate longsword bears a strong resemblance to the Falchion wielded by her father Chrom. However, while Chrom’s Falchion was forged from one of Naga’s fangs, Lucina’s Parallel Falchion was created in the future through unknown means.
Despite not being one of Naga’s original fangs, the Parallel Falchion retains the dragon-slaying power of the original Falchion. This allows Lucina to damage and seal away Grima during her quest to change the dark future she came from. The name “Parallel Falchion” signifies that while it is not the original Falchion, it is an equally powerful blade that runs parallel to the legendary sword.
Design and Attributes
The Parallel Falchion has a thin, tapered blade with a gold and blue hilt. The crossguard spreads out on each side in the shape of a dragon wing, representing Lucina’s connection to Naga and the divine dragon’s blessing over the blade. The pommel contains a glowing blue gemstone, likely referencing the Falchion’s original jewel.
As a Falchion-type weapon, the Parallel Falchion is particularly effective against dragon-type enemies like Grima. It deals bonus damage against such foes in the Fire Emblem games. The sword also has the power to seal away evil dragons rather than destroy them outright. This capability plays a key role in Lucina’s struggle against Grima.
Story Significance
The Parallel Falchion is deeply tied to Lucina’s history and motivations. As a survivor from the dark future where Grima has destroyed the world, she travels to the past timeline to alter events and prevent the Fell Dragon’s resurrection. The Parallel Falchion serves as a symbol of her quest and resolve.
Lucina begins wielding the Parallel Falchion at a young age out of necessity, as she fights against the Risen undead that have overrun her future. When she journeys into the past, her sword remains at her side as both a formidable weapon and reminder of the devastation Grima wrought in her own time. Throughout the game, Lucina’s Parallel Falchion reinforces her connection to Chrom and her tireless drive to save the world.
Comparisons to Other Swords
As a Falchion-type weapon, Lucina’s Parallel Falchion naturally draws comparisons to other legendary swords in Fire Emblem:
Chrom’s Falchion
Chrom’s Falchion was forged from one of Naga’s fangs at the end of the first Plegian war. The original Falchion displays the same dragon-slaying power against Grima. However, Chrom’s Falchion lacks the sealing power of Lucina’s Parallel Falchion. In the future timeline, Chrom failed to defeat Grima for good using his version of the Falchion.
Marth’s Falchion
Marth’s Falchion, also known as the Binding Blade, made its first appearance in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. It was created by Naga from one of her fangs. Marth used it to slay Medeus and other dragons across the Archanea games. Lucina’s Parallel Falchion matches Marth’s legendary blade in power and design.
The Sword of Seals
The Sword of Seals is the divine weapon wielded by Roy in Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade. Forged by humans rather than Naga, it mirrors Lucina’s Parallel Falchion as a powerful man-made sword modeled after the legendary weapons of old.
Ragnell and Alondite
These divine swords used by Ike, the Black Knight, and other Greil Mercenaries in the Tellius games also bear similarities to Lucina’s Parallel Falchion. Ragnell and Alondite possess great power and iconic wing-shaped crossguards, though they lack dragon-slaying abilities.
Conclusion
Lucina’s Parallel Falchion is a vitally important part of her character and role in Fire Emblem Awakening. This formidable longsword grants her the strength to challenge Grima and serves as a symbol of her heroic quest to save the future. With its ornate winged hilt and dragon-slaying power, the Parallel Falchion lives up to its billing as a weapon worthy of confronting the Fell Dragon.
Though forged outside of Naga’s power, Lucina’s divine blade stands alongside Chrom’s Falchion, Marth’s Binding Blade, Roy’s Sword of Seals and other legendary weapons in Fire Emblem history. The Parallel Falchion represents Lucina’s unbreakable conviction and plays a pivotal role in awakening’s epic story.