Empyrean Riders

The first ever and largest Empyrean Series fan website. Everything about the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros.

Iron Flame Theory: Violet can predict the future

Last updated:

Written by: Cory

sketch of Violet Sorrengail

Coming here with another crazy (but cool) theory about Violet’s second signet. Yes, we have a whole thread dedicated to discussing it, but I’m currently reading Iton Flame again trying to catch some Easter eggs and I think I might have found one. A really, really big one!

Stay with me and let’s go on an adventure guessing Violet’s new ability.

I’m going to jump straight into the chapter. We’re talking about the beginning of Chapter 22, when Violet has a horrible nightmare about venin and Tairn.

“Faster. I have to run faster. Fear holds my throat shut as a tidal wave of death chases me across the sunburned field to where Tairn waits, his back turned.[…] Gold flickers near the tip of his wing.
Gods, no. Andarna. She’s here. She shouldn’t be here.”

First of all, we already discussed the nightmares between Violet and Xaden. I do have this feeling that some are shared, some are…predicted…
In this particular nightmare, I feel it’s definitely Violet’s dream. It would make no sense for it to be Xaden’s given that we’re seeing Tairn and we want to protect him at all cost.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Pay close attention and read this sentence again:

“[…]where Tairn waits, his back turned.[…] Gold flickers near the tip of his wing.
Gods, no. Andarna. She’s here. She shouldn’t be here.”

Alright, did you read it? Gold…why gold? By Chapter 22, Violet has seen Andarna being black. Andarna is no longer gold. Why would she dream of Andarna as a gold dragon? It makes no sense.

Unless…Violet is predicting the future somehow. And the gold little dragon she’s seeing around Tairn? Yeah, that’s Tairn’s dragon. Do you remember how I explained that Tairn and Sgaeyl had hatchlings? And how Codagh said there are two new black dragons in the den? They are Tairn’s hatchlings.

And remember, every hatchling is gold until they become adolescents. And only the head of the den (in this Codagh) can tell the color of these dragons. Which can only lead to us believing that Tairn and Sgaeyl have had hatchlings.

And Violet? She is seeing this in her dreams. Tairn with one of his hatchlings, a small golden dragon around him, being attacked by venin. I’m starting to believe that Violet has seen it all. She can somehow predict the future.

It’s information she needs to stay grounded. It’s epic because she could overtake the likes of Melgren. She would be way more powerful, way more important. She’s not quite an inntinnsic, but she can get access to the most important type of information: the future. The way it can happen, so she can be prepared.

I know this is a long shot. But what are we thinking? Far-fetched? Or are you with me on this one?

Read more theories

Notify me of Empyrean Riders’ Club News, fresh content, art and quizzes.

, ,
Share that Venin and Wyvern are real!

This page contains affiliate links.

Posted by:

Cory

Hello! I’m Cory, a devoted superfan of the Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and the Empyrean Series. My passion for these epic tales has led me to read and reread the books, each time uncovering new layers of information. I’ve created this site to share my insights and discoveries with fellow fans and anyone interested in exploring the rich world of Empyrean.

34 responses to “Iron Flame Theory: Violet can predict the future”

  1. Shae Avatar
    Shae

    Corey,

    I am completely with you on this one. I am still on the fence about thinking she may be a “type” of inntinnsic. Chapter 64 “Was that my voice or Brennan’s?” hit me differently this last time I read it. This and she is looking for information old, current, and future.

    However, in several chapters throughout Iron Flame, Violet notes the a shiver down her spine or hairs rising on the back of her neck in anticipation of an event. This would include the final battle to come. Jack also gives us a “clue” in Fourth Wing during their first battle briefing. (as we have learn Yarros doesn’t throw these tidbits in for no reason).

    I also think that she wields the “weapon” that killed the venin in the great war, be it precognition or pure power (or the combination therein). I still refuse to call her a lightening wielder. As explained in Chapter 40: “You wield pure power that takes the form of lightening because that’s what you are most comfortable shaping it as.” This implies she could shape it as whatever she wants. But as you pointed out, precognition would make her infinitely more powerful and important than even Melgren. Combined, she is the weapon.

    I love this line of thought!

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      And I love yours! I do think she might be a type of inntinnsic, I agree. But who is to say that predicting the future is not, in fact, a type of inntinnsic. Similar to Melgren but infinitely more powerful as you said.

      Reply
  2. RJ Avatar
    RJ

    Hi, I wanna start with telling you I really love all your posts and they help me soo much to cure my FW and IF hangover! Actually, I’ve also been busy trawling reddit und subreddits on the series and have come across a very interesting theory that I cannot unsee now that I’ve read about it: Violet may have/ get THREE “signets”? well, we know about her lightening-power, of course. Then, there’s the potential “time-stopping/-slowing”-thing, but maybe that’s GIFTED from Andarna, so it’s technicially not a “real signet” but a gift she got (because we know, Andarda lost it now that she’s older). And then, there’s the third (second) signet that RY said has already manifested in IF (whatever this will be, I’m strongly leaning towards anything with gravity). I’m not 100% sure you somehow mentioned this on your page, but I feel like I have to post this! (I hope my English is good enough to get my thoughts across, as it’s not my first language). Lots of love for your page!!

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      Thank you so much RJ. I put a lot of love into this and to be appreciated it means the world to me!
      Your English is perfect, thank you! <3
      And yes, we did talk about it in one of the articles that she basically has two signets and the time stopping/slowing gift. It’s a pretty cool idea and one I can totally get behind!

      Reply
  3. Kuro Avatar
    Kuro

    At this point something … bugs me… (and tbh I don’t know where to put this xD)
    its not your theory but more like the second power of Xaden and that Tairn didn’t knew in the second book….
    BUT heres the thing… when Xaden and Vi went to Talk to Andarna and Tairn (after the first stopping time thing after the assassination attempt from Owen and crew )
    Tairn says this to Xaden:

    “Do not dare to try and read me, human, or you’ll regret it.”

    LIKE WTF …

    So… why is THIS then in Book 2…

    >>Tairn growls low in his throat and lowers his head at Sgaeyl as a rush of something bitter and sick floods our bond. Betrayal. I slam my shields up, blocking him out before I’m lost to his emotions, already struggling with mine.
    He didn’t know.”<<

    Like… in Book 1 it seems like HE KNOWS but then in Book 2 he acts betrayed? UHM… Halp?

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      YES! Kuro, you are so right. It bugs me so much. Like, Tairn should have figured it out. He’s a black dragon, there is no such thing as outsmarting a black dragon. There are instances where I feel Tairn (and I love him to bits) is just arrogant for his own sake but almost like an old man in his mentality. He’s acting like he knows best when he is being “played” in certain scenarios. There is another thing that really bugs me. Like, when Imogen took Violet on the mat and tried to stab her. That was a blow stab at the ribs, as we learned later in the book. Like, they were in the same squad already no?

      So Kuro, my friend, I was just as confused about that. Also, they are mates, do they keep secrets from each other? Like…in all this time, Tairn couldn’t read Xaden? Even through their 4 way connection? Seems so fishy. Or an oversight.

      P.S. love your comment name “Kuro”, black in Japanese <3

      Reply
      1. Kuro Avatar
        Kuro

        Tairn…. how old is he compared to human years? Like … u know like dogs when we count like in 7 year steps … We know that he is like… about 100 years old but we ALSO know that Andarna is with her 2 years alread a teenager… (she shoud be not a teenager already buut … yk.. circumstances ) But another thing I LOVE about Tairn is… he would NOT dare to burn anyone Vi knows EVEN if they are … too close… staring and stuff… he WOULD warn… but … I think he would not do more…

        I listened to book 2 today again… (5th time? dunno xD) and when Tairn stood up against Solas there was actually another runner… BUT this one… didn’t got killed… EVEN tairn could have snuffed at him like…” ah runner… be gone… and Solas… shut up …” but he didn’t … he ignored the runner (maybe for Vi’s sake?) and just growled at Solas.

        PS. Thx xD Its actually the name of my OC and I use this name everywhere.

        Reply
        1. Cory Avatar
          Cory

          So I checked in the books, Tairn is 100 which makes him the equivalent of a middle-aged person in human terms. That’s what I read.
          I don’t think Tairn kills people for fun. He likes to intimidate but he never kills others. He always says he doesn’t partake in parlour tricks.
          But honestly…I’m a little confused by his knowledge and how little he wants to share with Vi (for now!).

          Reply
          1. Kuro Avatar
            Kuro

            I think he is… concerned? That too much knowledge may kill Vi…. He adores her (not always showing) and wants to keep her save (maybe from the dragon imperion) but i think he has to jump over his shadow…. come to think about it…. he WASN’Ton the list for the Threshing BUT he bonded with Vi anyways… and kept her on her back even when she fell.. and yes he is arrogant but also cute in situations (like the saddle xD) >>“I hear it’s all the fashion,” Tairn brags.<< He cares so much about her… and come to think about it… HOW did he know about the assassination attempt in her room? I mean… she was sleeping… dreaming one of her nicer dreams… and suddenly Tairn barges in and wakes her up… Don't get me wrong the wakeup call is okay… bc of their bond… but… how did he know? Is there something we did miss? or… something…. else? Also some details are… so subtle… but.. some feel that they are there for a reason…. that we will…. get to know later…. like u said in ur smell theorie… this little details that are yet.. like cofusing… why are they here… nthey don't are necessary but THEY ARE IN THE BOOKS… Either Yarros likes details so much… OR they have got a reason to be there

          2. Cory Avatar
            Cory

            I wonder if that was Andarna? What if Andarna signalled? I mean she sees the future that one is clear. Could she see it close enough? vivid enough?
            Was it that Tairn could feel something? Was it that maybe the dragons collectively turned against their riders and told Tairn? To save Vi which many dragon KNOW that she’s super special (ehm Goddess, ehm)?
            You are right, details are very subtle. Which gives me an idea. I think I’m going to make a little reading group here so we can follow chapters one by one together and discuss!

      2. Sherrie Avatar
        Sherrie

        One issue with this theory, while the gold dragon may indicate this is a precognition, it also has to be considered that if the Venin is sending out cognitive attacks on both Violet and Xaden, the Venin will think Andarna is still gold. Since that is what Jack, Varrish, and Aetos think, and possibly what they glimpsed of her at Resson before the last one was killed. So when pulling the scenes together, they would be bringing in those personalised features of the nightmare, without any current developments to include Andarna having black scales or being bigger.

        But

        Page 337 First section of part 2 Iron Flame
        “and the longest night is yet to pass”

        Page 466
        “I’ll end up killing her before solstice”

        Whether its the Venin putting the thoughts in her head, precognition, or just coincidence, Violet had a thought already forming for months before Melgren told her Samara would be overrun on Solstice, and before she put all the pieces together.

        There is definitely something there, not sure what it is though.

        Reply
        1. Cory Avatar
          Cory

          “There is definitely something there, not sure what it is though.” -> I FEEL the same way. I feel like we’re soooo close to figuring it out but not close enough at the same time. I see your point with Andarna being gold because those thoughts might have been planted. Why is it so hard?

          Reply
    2. Sherrie Avatar
      Sherrie

      @ Cory, also something that doesn’t add up FWIF

      FW page 318
      “Don’t touch the mage lights or she’ll know,” I warn them. “You have to make your own.” I flick my wrist, twisting my power into a bright blue flame and letting it drift over me. It’s one of the things I’m actually good at.

      IF page 498
      “needless to say, there are no mage lights in here.”… And I’ve never been that good at producing them. Anything I wield with lesser magic is going to be swallowed up in this darkness. ….”because I don’t think you want me wielding in here.”

      She has become scared of herself, but then focused on control of her signet instead of reaching for Tairn’s or Andarna’s power to wield lesser magic, she used the conduit to spark a flame to the torch.

      Reply
      1. Cory Avatar
        Cory

        Huh…that’s such a good find Sherrie. I never realized this. Going back to read it. It’s very very good!
        Do you reckon this was done on purpose?

        Reply
  4. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    This is along the lines of what I’m thinking. She’s claircognizant. She knows things. She is always the one to put the pieces together – in Cordyn, the final battle at Basgiath etc. In Iron Flame she is learning to trust herself again because everything she knew was turned on its head which may explain why her conscious mind doesn’t connect to the fact that her second signet has already manifested. I think this could also help her heal/solve the venin amongst them situation too. I also wonder if this knowing – which is like seeing the future – is not set in stone. It’s more like she sees one possible outcome and can feel which path has the strongest outcome. It’s why her squad just goes along with her whenever she switches tacks.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      She always puts things together and you’ve got to wonder right, is that her power or is she just super smart? I do think she is seeing the future somehow, or just has the power to know what will happen, like premonitions through dreams.

      Reply
  5. Alie Avatar
    Alie

    I’m right there with you, and if she can see outcomes that include the children with relics she will be way more powerful than melgrin.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      I cannot wait for our girl Violet to become even more AWESOME

      Reply
  6. zuza Avatar
    zuza

    I think that violet second signet won’t be predicting future but being able to talk and see people who aren’t longer alive. while she was being tortured by varrish she saw liam. She tried to convince herself that was only hallucination and that she was seeing him because she was exhausted. What if she did it unkowingly and this is her second signet? Andarna herself said she knew she would have mind of a scribe and heart of a rider. The signet is a combination of a dragon and a rider because violet was raised as a scribe and is always trying to find the answer it may be the right signet for her and the fact andarna is unique adds certainty to this theory and that is why such a signet has not been before. share your oppinion about that. ( sorry for mistakes english isn’t my native language)

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      Thank you for this! There is every possibility that this is the case. Although Rebecca Yarros herself did say that Liam was a hallucination. There is a chance that she’s trying to lead us on 😀 I think she saw Liam because he was sent as a kindness from Malek himself.
      But being able to communicate with those who came before and died, would be an incredibly powerful signet, because we would get all the answers we’d need.

      Reply
  7. Zuzale Avatar
    Zuzale

    The dream about venin m- its the chapter 22, while Andarna is still sleeping, isnt she? So, maybe Vi can predict future, but I dont think its her second signet.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      It would pretty awesome tho.

      Reply
  8. CynthiaB Avatar
    CynthiaB

    I think Violet’s second signet is some form of intinnsic. What no one brought up but is stuck in my mind is this: the first time her signet accidentally manifested was when she had her first kiss with Xaden. In the thrown room, another very spicy/passionate event, she reads Xadens thoughts completely. Maybe this was the accidental manifestation of the second signet.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      Xaden pushed that through her mind tho. As he did before. So she can see just how much he wants her

      Reply
  9. Sole Avatar
    Sole

    2nd signet: Type of intinnsic – like Melgren she can see the outcome but not just battles. She can foresee decisions, plans, thoughts/ intentions, etc. And add to that her pure power from Tairn, she can wield the options/change peoples mind. Not because they love her but because energy is used physically in the brain. I think she might have actually wielded not only Xaden into telling everyone the truth, but also her mom to check the wards and again to imbue the wardstone.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      I’m writing a whole theory about it and I think it will blow your mind. Please come back in like 60 minutes so I can put it live.
      I think I figured out her second signet!

      Reply
  10. Sherrie Avatar
    Sherrie

    Ok, after my 10th reread, I’m starting to come to believe this theory… PRECOGNITION here we go.

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      It just kinda makes sense tho, right?
      Right now, my fav theories for her signet are: precognition, she seems to GET everything seconds before they happen. Dream walker because I think it would be awesome. And finally, the most boring and most possible…control.
      I know many people say she is a truth sayer because they are more terrifying and yet they are kept alive. Also Violet always needs the truth.

      Reply
      1. Sherrie Avatar
        Sherrie

        I’m curious about the correlation between how the dragon’s presence looks in the wielder’s grounding space and the signet they produce.

        Tairn’s presence vs Andarna’s is:
        Iron Flame page 346
        “something… shimmers, curling around the Archives I keep in my head. “violet.” Her soft voice rattles me to my very core, and I grasp Xaden’s arm to stay upright. Relief, joy, wonder – it all weakens my knees and stings my eyes. For the first time in months, I feel whole. “Andarna.”

        Page 373 is where Felix tells Violet her signet is wielding PURE POWER, lightning only being the form she is most comfortable shaping it into.

        Page 428
        ” …open myself to Tairn’s power. It flows through me, filling my muscles, my veins, the very marrow of my bones until I am power and power is me. My skin starts to hum, then sizzle.”

        Iron Flame page 442
        “The blazing, molten stream of Tairn’s power that flows behind his giant door looks capable of consuming me, but the pearlescent flow of Andarna’s power just beyond the window feels…. approachable.”

        page 461
        context:
        Conduit is being used, power is seeping in from both dragons in this scene because for once, Andarna and Tairn are close by, and Andarna is awake.
        “With the next caress, pleasure and power crest through me, over me, in simultaneous waves that crash again and again. There’s no thunder, no strike, only the hum of energy in my hand that flares…. searing pleasure rips through me…. sharper than a knife…. ” Note that any time she is affected my Tairn’s excess power, she is describes being in pain.
        “Shimmering onyx wraps around my mind and everything intensifies” Xaden melds his mind with hers, sharing his truth.
        “I shatter, splintering into a million GLITTERING shards of bliss… Power AND LIGHT course through me WITHOUT BURNING… coming apart at the seams of what I think is me but might be him… he untangles from my mind and I mourn the loss…”

        Violet has always visualised Andarna’s power as light and described it in a way that comforts her. I can’t help but theorise that this puts the power in direct opposition to Xaden’s Shadows in both its representation of darkness, secrets and the fearful aura it envelops everyone in. so WHAT IF, Violet’s second signet is Light Wielding, and what if it has a secondary effect the same way Xaden’s Shadows have, and puts off a calming aura, encouraging people to gravitate toward her, generally like her, and put trust in her.

        We’ve never seen her actively try to wield it, outside Rune Tempering because she always goes for Tairn’s door. So moments of loss of control when in close proximity to both dragons is the only time we would really see more of a hint of it, outside less perceived auras which she could arguable be putting off even when Andarna is asleep and nearby. This signet would also be quite underwhelming, since it has no use in a battle and in comparison to her first signet, is not overly useful to her outside her preference to channel it for its stable nature when casting lesser magics.

        My current view this week for Violet’s Signets
        Pure Power
        Light Wielding

        <3

        Reply
        1. Cory Avatar
          Cory

          I really love where you are going with this.
          The only “con” I have is the following.

          Violet being LIGHTening is the counter for Xaden’s shadows. We’ve seen it when Xaden brings darkness and Violet can use just a little of her light to brithen things up.
          He commands the dark, she commands the skies.

          But if this is the case…Xaden’s second signet is inntinnsic right? And he needs to keep secrets and know everything.
          Violet? She needs to know every truth! Not just everything.
          He keeps secrets, she needs to know them all.

          Which would mean, to me at least, that her second signet is truth sayer. Not saying it’s a glam second signet but I think it would make sense.

          P.S. I’m sorry for the late reply. I’ve had some difficulties but over them and I’m back working on Empyrean 🙂

          Reply
  11. Sole Avatar
    Sole

    My skin starts to hum, then sizzle. She mentions her power humming couple of times.

    She mentions the hum for the wardstones once imbued. Could her energy be alloy? What powers the wars, why Mira was able to wield at Cordyn and since outside of Wards? Everyone tells her she is pure power. Also was told her energy takes lightning form cause that’s what she’s must comfortable with. She can imbue. Why the venin are so obsessed with her power and why they tell her she can command skies and doesn’t even know what to do with it.

    If this is true, there’s many repercussions about her power
    – can she create daggers without need of luminaries, etc?
    – can venin sense her location?
    – isn’t alloy found on earth? Wouldn’t this be the power source for venin? What they feed from when they reach?
    I can go on…

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      I think it’s because she is pure power. She wields pure power and I think that’s why the venin want her so badly.
      Hmmm….I think at the moment, she can just imbue. We don’t know more. But I love your theory about it.
      Oh, that would be awful, for venin to sense her location. But it would make a lot of sense…she is pure power after all.
      I would love for you to go on btw. But alloys was a mix of elements plus dragon egg shells.

      Reply
  12. Annika Avatar
    Annika

    Hi,

    I am currently re-reading Iron flame and I had the exact same thought about Violet’s signet.

    In chapter 13, when Sloane is sparring poorly and Imogen and Violet are discussing how to help Sloane, Violets slips that she is using Brannon’s book and Imogen is not asking any questions about the book. Violet comments on that fact and cannot believe that Imogen doen’t want to know more. Imogen replies:

    “No, I, unlike some people, don’t feel the need to know everything someone else deems private”.

    and some lines further down

    “”You suddenly develop Melgren’s signet over there”.

    Imogen is summarizing Violet’s very core motivation… the urge to know and uncover… hence the interest in the history and past and documentation (scriber’s heart) and all of that as previously discussed…but what would be the ultimate satisfaction of the “need to know everything”? Exactly “future telling”. 🙂

    And Melgren’s signet is a variation of telling the future. And although Imogen is saying this as a kind of joke… exactly this sentence about Melgren’s signet pushed the puzzle piece into place for me. It’s the combination of both quotes close together, that makes me think that Violet will be a future teller 🙂

    Reply
    1. Cory Avatar
      Cory

      OH, maybe that was THE sentence you know…”You suddenly develop Melgren’s signet over there”

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Hello! This site is dedicated to the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve made this place to explore the rich world of Empyrean, full of characters, theories, and places. Each post is carefully researched and updated with the newest details from the series. This site is also a great spot for discussing theories about the Empyrean Series. 🐉
Read More

Wiki

Latest Posts