The Blade of the Sun: Symbol Analysis in A Dawn of Onyx

What Is the Blade of the Sun?

The Blade of the Sun is not a physical weapon but a metaphor for Arwen Valondale's innate power as the last full-blooded Fae. In the prophecy recited by King Lazarus Ravenwood in Chapter Thirty, the line states: “The final Fae of full-blood born at last, / Will find the Blade of the Sun inside her heart.” This makes clear that the blade resides within Arwen herself—an internal, radiant force rather than a forged sword. Throughout the novel, Arwen's healing abilities manifest as a warm, golden light that she can channel into others (see her healing of Mr. Doyle in Chapter One and the chimera in Chapter Twenty-One). This light is the precursor to the full realization of the Blade of the Sun.

Where the Symbol Recurs

The phrase “Blade of the Sun” appears directly only in the prophecy, but its essence recurs whenever Arwen taps into her Fae power. Key recurrences include:

Chapter One: Arwen secretly uses her healing light on patients at the infirmary. The light is described as “pure light” that seeps from her fingers “like juice from a lemon.” This early demonstration hints at the sunlike quality of her power.
Chapter Twenty-One: During her battle with the wolfbeast in the Shadow Woods, Arwen feels a “soft, yellow light” surrounding her, making her “taller, fiercer, more whole.” She draws on moonlight and the ether to heal the chimera, causing the ground to shine “bright like a sunrise.” This scene directly prefigures the prophecy’s imagery of light and the blade within her heart.
Chapter Thirty: The prophecy is spoken aloud, explicitly naming the Blade of the Sun as the instrument that will kill King Lazarus. At the same moment, Arwen unleashes a destructive wave of power after her mother’s death—a manifestation of her inner blade.
Chapter Thirty-One: Kane confirms to Arwen that she is the last full-blooded Fae who can use the Blade of the Sun to end his father. He admits he suspected her identity ever since she healed Barney (Chapter Three), connecting her healing light to the blade.

How Its Meaning Changes

The meaning of the Blade of the Sun evolves across the story:

Stage	Interpretation	Evidence
Before the prophecy	Arwen sees her power only as a secret healing gift, a source of guilt and fear. She hides it to protect herself and her family.	In Chapter One, she “allowed a flicker of pure light to seep from my fingers” while healing, always careful to conceal it.
During the wolfbeast fight	The light becomes a tool of survival and self-defense. Arwen discovers she can weaponize it, though she does not yet understand its origin.	In Chapter Twenty-One, the golden glow emboldens her: “The sword felt lighter … an extension of me. Of my rage.”
After the prophecy revelation	The Blade of the Sun is revealed as her destined weapon—both the means to kill Lazarus and the cause of her own foreseen death. It transforms from a hidden talent into a fateful burden.	In Chapter Thirty, Lazarus recites “each shall fall,” and Arwen realizes she is the “final Fae of full-blood” who must sacrifice herself.
Resolution (Chapter Thirty-One)	Arwen accepts her role despite knowing she will die. The blade symbolizes her agency and courage: she refuses Kane’s protection and chooses to fight.	Arwen says, “I resolve to fight anyway, knowing my own life will be forfeit.”

Character Connections

Arwen Valondale – The Blade of the Sun is literally inside her. Her entire arc is about discovering and embracing this power. It connects to her self-discovery and bravery and her journey from a frightened healer to a determined warrior.
King Kane Ravenwood – Kane knows of the prophecy from the start. He sent Dagan to train Arwen, hoping she would become strong enough to wield the blade against his father. However, he also develops genuine feelings for her and eventually tries to protect her, creating a conflict between his original mission and his love. This ties to themes of trust and betrayal.
King Lazarus Ravenwood – The antagonist who seeks to kill Arwen before she can use the Blade of the Sun. His fear of the prophecy drives the main conflict. His character embodies power and control.
Dagan – Arwen’s sword-fighting mentor. Though he does not know the full prophecy, he trains her physically, indirectly preparing her to channel her power into combat. His lessons help her “move like Dagan” during the wolfbeast fight.
Ryder and Leigh – Arwen’s siblings. After the prophecy is revealed, they confront her about being a true Fae. Their reactions represent familial healing and sacrifice, as they must accept her fate.

Thematic Resonance

The Blade of the Sun weaves together the novel’s central themes:

Light versus Darkness: The blade is literally a weapon of light (sun) meant to destroy a dark king. Arwen’s healing light is opposed to Lazarus’s cold, icy magic (he creates an “icy silver armor” and a “stake of solid ice”). This motif runs throughout the light versus darkness theme.
Healing and Sacrifice: The blade originates from Arwen’s healing power. Her ultimate sacrifice—knowing she will die—transforms healing into a violent, necessary act. The prophecy states “a sacrifice made to save both troubled lands,” linking the blade directly to this theme.
Power and Control: Lazarus tries to control fate by killing Arwen before she can use the blade. Kane tries to control the outcome by training her in secret. Arwen eventually seizes control of her own destiny, choosing to fight despite the cost.
Self-Discovery and Bravery: Arwen’s journey from ignorance of her own nature to acceptance of her role as the last Fae is mirrored by her growing control over the blade. She must be brave enough to wield it, even when it means her death.

Study Questions and Answers

What literal object is the Blade of the Sun, and where is it located according to the prophecy?
Answer: The Blade of the Sun is not a physical weapon but a metaphor for Arwen’s inner power. The prophecy states it will be found “inside her heart,” meaning it is her own magical essence as a full-blooded Fae.
How does Arwen first demonstrate the qualities of the Blade of the Sun before she knows the prophecy?
Answer: In Chapter Twenty-One, during her fight with the wolfbeast, Arwen’s surroundings glow with a “soft, yellow light” and she feels “taller, fiercer, more whole.” She heals the chimera by drawing light from the environment, showcasing the sunlike nature of her power.
Why does King Lazarus want to kill Arwen when he meets her on the beach in Chapter Thirty?
Answer: Lazarus knows the prophecy that the last full-blooded Fae (Arwen) will wield the Blade of the Sun to kill him. By killing her first, he hopes to prevent his own death. He also reveals that Kane was originally sent as an assassin to find her.
How does the theme of healing connect to the Blade of the Sun?
Answer: The blade originates from Arwen’s healing gift. Her ability to channel light into others to mend flesh is the same force that, when fully unleashed, becomes a weapon of destruction. The novel argues that healing and violence are two sides of the same power, and that true healing sometimes requires sacrifice—as seen when Arwen’s destructive wave kills enemy soldiers but costs her mother’s life and her own peace.