WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Lucifer's Season 5B, streaming now on Netflix.
Lucifer has just resurrected Azrael's Blade -- The Flaming Sword -- in order to up the stakes in the Season 5 finale of the Netflix series. Episode 16, "A Chance at a Happy Ending" sees Lucifer prepare for battle against Michael -- his twin brother -- and as a means to strike down his nemesis archangel, Lucifer turns to the deadliest of divine weapons.
The Flaming Sword is rekindled in Episode 14 of Season 5B, "Nothing Lasts Forever," when Gabriel, acting as a double agent, claims two out of the three pieces of the blade from Lucifer's mother, Goddess. The retrieval of the sword is a well-earned payoff for fans who will remember the weapon's first appearance in Season 2. During that time, Uriel -- Lucifer's angelic sibling -- had brought The Flaming Sword to Earth in an attempt to kill Goddess, just before being vanquished by Lucifer. It was after this battle that the blade was hidden in another realm for safekeeping, and would not be seen again until the show's current season.
With Lucifer's plans for battle against Michael under way in the Season 5 finale, the history and significance of this sword reemerges. Dating back to the Garden of Eden, The Flaming Sword was wielded by the angel of death as the most powerful weapon in the universe. In order to protect such an object of desire, it was sanctioned by God that The Flaming Sword would be divided into three separate pieces: Azrael's Blade, The Medallion of Life and Amenadiel's necklace -- AKA The Key. Once all three parts are united, the sword reignites its holy flame.
What makes the blade so deadly is that it's capable of slicing through any spiritual realm and has the power to cut down any celestial being. According to the mythology of the series, when angels -- heavenly or fallen -- are killed by divine ammunition, they are otherwise sent to Heaven or Hell. If executed by The Flaming Sword, however, these beings would be eternally wiped out of existence. In these respects, the fiery blade has earned its reputation as the most feared weapon in all of creation.
Given the history of The Flaming Sword, the return of such a tool would suggest great heavenly warfare. This warfare comes to fruition with the announcement of God's retirement in Season 5, leading a new being to take his place. As Lucifer contemplates taking the throne of Heaven, his twin brother Michael also prepares to conquer as the new God -- boiling down to a clash between the two archangels. This feud brings a state of great peril to both Heaven and Hell, as Lucifer races to prevent Michael from reuniting all three pieces of the sword and asserting unstoppable power over the universe.
The value of The Flaming Sword goes well beyond its ability to obliterate, as proven once Michael kills Chloe -- Lucifer's partner -- in the Season 5 finale. Though murdered, Chloe is ultimately resurrected by the power of Lucifer's sacrifice and granted, by the power of the sword, an unlimited strength to defeat Michael.
The battle boils down to Chloe attempting to kill the archangel once and for all, but is prevented by a revived Lucifer who instead cuts off Michael's wings -- banishing him to Earth and stripping him of his power. The season closes with Lucifer's sacrifice granting him the role as the new God and a throne of angels bowing before him. The final shot of the episode sees Lucifer raising The Flaming Sword over his new legion, solidifying the weapon's holy significance.
Lucifer stars Tom Ellis as Lucifer Morningstar, Lauren German as Det. Chloe Decker, D.B. Woodside as Amenadiel, Rachael Harris as Dr. Linda Martin, Kevin Alejandro as Det. Dan Espinoza, Lesley-Ann Brandt as Mazikeen Smith and Aimee Garcia as Ella Lopez. Season 5B is now on Netflix.
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