Onyx Storm Ending Explained

Last updated:

February 8, 2025

Written by: Cory

Be honest, how many times did you read Chapter Sixty-Six? Me? About five times already. I read it fast, I read it slooooooow, and even painfully slow, like I’m learning to read all over again. All in the hopes that I will truly understand what the hell happened.

Because let me tell you, we all expected a somewhat joyful ending, right? Like Fourth Wing, when Violet did wake up from her poison-induced coma, and she did remember everything, and we all found out that Brennan is alive. Cliffhanger, yes, but joyful and fun. We were pumped. Now, we’re left confused.

The ending of Onyx Storm feels like the beginning of one of those hangover movies from Vegas. Marriage, dead dragons, hysteria, and secrets. My head hurts. But it’s also reeling.

Let’s go find out exactly what happened and pay attention to all the details. Needless to say, if you haven’t finished Onyx Storm, you do not belong here! Please, major spoilers ahead. Like, I’m telling you how the book ended type of spoilers. Read the book, come back, and then we can talk together.

How does Onyx Storm end – What We Know So Far

Violet wakes up in Aretia, in front of Riorson House, with Brennan racing down the steps towards her. It’s night; we know as much—3 a.m., to be precise. And there are sounds of celebration, which, I assume, are from winning the Battle of Draithus?

The whole thing immediately turns sour the moment Andarna tells her through their bond: “I will not let them burn you.” Alright, so Andarna is back and clearly still bonded to Violet—or bonded again. Either way, Andarna is back, and we’re happy about it.

And then it goes downhill from here: There are four riders and their dragons killed, as well as three elders. They were murdered in the valley. There are five riders missing (four now that Violet is back).

Then Weilsen says, “I bet the other three are already dead.” I assume he’s talking about the missing riders and not the other three elders, right? We have four missing riders, assuming Xaden is one of them, and the theory is that he killed the other three riders.

Dragon Eggs and Theories

There are six missing eggs, which leads me to believe two potential theories here. Theory number one is that these eggs are being taken to Unnbriel, since the Queen said she wants dragon eggs—two of each—in exchange for her army. Theory number two is that either all or some of these eggs belong to Sgaeyl and Tairn and were “saved” from the valley, given this whole mess that’s unfolding. A theory from the comments below is that the eggs have been taken for safe-keeping. Going back to Unnbriel, my understanding is that there is no magic there, so taking dragons to that island would be redundant though, no? The dragons are in pain when there is no magic. Why take hatchlings somewhere with no magic?

Violet reaches for Tairn, but the bond is still there. It’s foggy because Tairn is asleep, but it’s there. Andarna explains that Tairn needs a cycle of rest to recover. To recover from what? Did he kill the elders? My theory here is that he had to sever his bond with Sgaeyl so that Violet is no longer connected to Xaden. That seems like something a massive dragon like Tairn would need a cycle of rest for.

Missing Riders and Clues

Going back to the missing riders, we know Garrick is missing, but Imogen is not. She was on the battlefield and clearly was not among the missing. Even more interesting, Imogen seems to not know what the hell is going on. She’s asking Brennan where Garrick Tavis is. Is she just playing along?

What did Violet ask Imogen to do?

Imogen erased Violet’s memory when asked to do so, at the very end of Onyx Storm. So now, I now wonder how her signet works. Can Imogen see what she’s erasing? Because that will come in very handy in the next book, once we find out what the hell actually happened in those twelve hours. She seems very composed when she points out Violet’s finger, then stares at the ground. She feels… guilty.

The only logical explanation for Violet asking Imogen to wipe up her memory is to keep the people she loves safe. She will likely be interrogated and this way, there is no information to be obtained, not even when they will use memory readers on her. Furthermore, Andarna did say, “I will not let them burn you”. Riders are only burned when they commit high treason or break the Codex.

While the reason is not explicitly revealed, but there are a few possibilities:

To protect information from memory readers (like Dain) and venin.
To forget something traumatic—perhaps her marriage to a now-fully-venin Xaden.
To keep Xaden’s plan a secret—she might have agreed to his plan and wanted to ensure no one could extract it from her mind.

Where is Xaden at the end of Onyx Storm?

Xaden and Violet split up during the battle of Draithus. Xaden’s venin sage, Berwyn, summons him to a canyon outside the city, where Sgaeyl is wounded and trapped under a net. In a desperate bid to protect his loved ones—just as he did at the end of Iron Flame—Xaden channels power from the earth, fully embracing the venin transformation. His final act of resistance unleashes a massive shadow surge described as “devouring the field in the fury of an onyx storm.” – Hey, we finally get to know what the book title is all about.

The shadow surge annihilates wyvern, kills several venin, and incapacitates both Berwyn and another venin—Xaden’s so-called “brother.” Xaden then leaves with Sgaeyl, after convincing her to help him enact an unknown plan.

Where is Violet at the end of Onyx Storm?

Violet is locked in battle with Theophanie, a venin maven who resembles her mother in terms of power (storm wielder), General Lilith Sorrengail. Theophanie has Tairn pinned under a net, just like Sgaeyl. When Xaden’s shadow surge sweeps through the battlefield, it knocks Theophanie to the ground, giving Violet the chance to stab her with a marble dagger. Theophanie desiccates, and Violet burns herself out in the process, losing consciousness.

She later wakes up at Riorson House with Imogen. She finds a wedding ring—an heirloom from the Riorson family—on her finger and an official document in her pocket confirming her legal, binding marriage to Xaden, officiated by the high priestess of Dunne’s temple. On the back, Xaden has scrawled a message:
“Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.”
Violet is missing 12 hours of memory and turns to Imogen, who can erase memories. Imogen cryptically replies, “What you asked me to.” The book ends on this note, as explained above).

The Marriage Bombshell and Xaden’s note

The note says “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.” Violet reaches for the bond, and it’s not there. She cannot be interrogated, right? There is nothing she can say. There is no information that can be held against her. Both Xaden and Imogen made sure of that.

The most straightforward interpretation is that “It’s yours” refers to Tyrrendor, as Xaden was the de facto Duke of the province. Now that they are legally married, Violet may have inherited leadership.

And remember what Xaden always said to Violet, “I will never use you to protect Tyrrendor but will use Tyrrendor to protect you.”

This means that the marriage was done because title ouptowers rank. Now that he’s gone, Violet is the Duchess; thus she is protected by Tyrrendor.

Want a little hope? I have it for you. The broken compass she received? That will help her find the way to Xaden. And there is more…

“I can wield from anything that casts a shadow, but no one knows the strongest threads are always my own. If you can sort through them, feel their difference, you’ll be able to track where I am in the darkness.”

“You have to learn the difference for both our sakes.” The bond surrounds me in the same instant that he wraps his arms around me from behind, and a stronger shadow—his—tilts my chin toward my shoulder and up. “Only you.”

[…]

“Because you’re the only one capable of killing me.” – But to kill someone, you first need to find them. And after all, Violence will be the death of him. And love, will probably be his revival.

My theory? Violet will have to learn how to discern between shadows to find Xaden. I also think that she will need to find Xaden’s soul one way or another and for that, I think she will have to visit Malek, given that all souls are commended to Malek. He collects them.

Like in any beautiful story, I still hope that Violet will strike a deal with the Gods. While she was touched by Dunne and perhaps even Loial, she is an Amarali, is she not? The ruling Goddess over all. Maybe she can strike a deal with Amari, where once she kill Xaden, Malek will allow him to walk still… But for now, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s find him first.

And I guess now it’s time to celebrate a little, right? Xaden married Violet! Like, the irony that a Sorrengail is the Duchess of Tyrrendor is not lost on me. It’s really quite beautiful and rightful.

Based on the paper that carries the seal of Dunne, it seems to me that you do need a priestess to be able to marry in Navarre. And so, Xaden married Violet at the temple of Dunne, the one outside of Aretia.

Before leaving, Xaden lets Sgaeyl into his mind, and they debate whether Violet and Tairn will go along with his plan. Sgaeyl hesitates, saying, “Even if she agrees, no one will—” but Xaden counters, “Someone owes me a favor.” – I think this is related to the high priestess from Dunne temple.

Breaking Bonds and a Sad Possibility

I think the catatonic moment is when Violet reaches for Xaden and the bond is not there anymore. This reiterates the fact that Xaden and Violet’s bond was always a result of their mated dragons having a bond. If the bond is not there anymore… either Andarna managed to find a way to sever it with her magic, or Tairn and Sgaeyl have found a way to break their bond to protect each other and Violet from Xaden.

Remember “Bonds are merely magical ties. You are irid. You are magic. Bend it, shape it, break it as you see fit.”

When Violet wakes up, she can’t feel Tairn clearly, and Andarna cryptically says, “He needs a cycle of rest to recover.” This suggests the bond between Tairn and Sgaeyl (which linked their riders, Violet and Xaden) was severed.

It feels very sad and very scary. Because this now opens up to the possibility of one of the dragons being able to die without the other following… and if either Sgaeyl or Tairn dies, I will protest!

Of course, as Violet herself says, maybe he’s too far for the bond to feel it. But given how ruthless Rebecca Yarros is, I somehow doubt this is the outcome here. I think we ought to be very afraid.

Speaking of bonds, do you remember in Chapter 10 that Theo asked Violet who bonded her first: Tairn or Andarna? Why? Why would a venin ask about her bonds with the Irid?

Where are the missing eggs?

At the end of the book, six dragon eggs are missing from the hatching grounds. Earlier in Onyx Storm, the Queen of Unnbriel proposed an alliance, demanding “12 eggs—two of each breed” in exchange for her military support.

Only six eggs are missing, so this raises questions: Why is the number six mentioned repeatedly in this book? Were they stolen for Unnbriel, or is there another faction involved?

There are six original dragons, six provinces of Navarre, six letters in the lock, six types of dragons, six crates of daggers stole and six people in Quest Squad. There’s more. There are six hundred years for Andarna to be born and six major Gods. And of course, six eggs missing.

Xaden was planning to propose…

A few things I would like to point out here:
The Blade of Aretia was in Navarre for six hundred years. But when Violet went to Xaden’s room, the blade was resting in a glass box from Zehyllna, already missing a single stone from the top. Xaden, while not long gone yet, had already planned to propose to Violet. He’d introduced her as a consort. Plus, when Violet talked to him about it, he said:

“And consort?” I whisper. “We aren’t married.”
He fucking smirks. “I’ve noticed. But ‘girlfriend’ is missing that permanent tone. […]”
I roll my eyes. “It is not the time for this.” Jokes have to wait.
“When would be?” The next look he gives me is a hundred percent serious.

Yeah, our man Xaden was already planning on proposing to her properly. I think the marriage was a last-minute plan to save Tyrrendor.

Now Let’s Go Back a Few Chapters

We need to revisit a couple of chapters to understand who might have turned venin, why Xaden disappeared, and what actually happened between Tairn and Sgaeyl.

In Chapter Sixty, we learn something rather… interesting from Theophanie.

Violet says, “Magic requires balance, right?”
“It’s the oldest rule there is.” Theophanie walks out from behind the carcass of a wyvern. “But once a century or so, we get a chance to skew the scales in our favor, and I will prove myself to him this time.”

To him. To whom? Malek? Another maven?

There is one exception to the rule of balance, according to Theophanie, and that exception is Violet. Does this mean Violet is the one who skews the scale? Theophanie specifically referred to Lilith Sorrengail as her answer—her counterpart. Lilith was the most powerful storm wielder out there, much like the dark storm wielder Theophanie. Lynx is the answer to dark Xaden with his new shadow-wielding ability. So maybe Violet isn’t the answer to anyone? This would explain why the dark wielders want her so badly. She could tip the balance completely, should she turn.

More on Bodhi and Venin Theories

“My signet is always the balance,” Bodhi argues.
“Your signet must only work on our magic, not theirs. Now go! You promised Xaden!”

This initially reinforces a potential theory that Bodhi turned venin. His signet only works on white magic, but should he turn venin, he could be the balance Xaden needs. He might also counter dark wielders’ signets now. But did he? Bodhi was seen with Cuir fighting. He made his choice. While collectively we think it was Bodhi or Garrick who turned, I think we are very wrong! I think Rebecca Yarros managed to fool us 🙂 oh she’s so so smart that woman!

The Fight Between Theo and Violet

During the fight between Theophanie and Violet, we also learn a lot. Theophanie was dedicated to Dunne and also served as a priestess on the island. She says something that gets me thinking: “Why serve a god when you can be one?”

This ties back to my theory that the gods are really among us.

When Andarna appears on the field, Theo doesn’t try to kill her. Instead, she looks up at her with wonder.

“Irid,” Theophanie whispers with reverence.

Well, that’s weird. They all seem to want to kill dragons, but somehow… not irids? Also, right after Violet kills Theo, we hear Andarna through her bond with Violet. She’s back!

Back to Chapter Fifty-Five

I think Chapter Fifty-Five unpacks more of what Asher Sorrengail told us: “First love is irreplaceable.” This idea is confirmed by Halden:

“Anyone who’s ever dated a rider knows their first priority—their first love—is their dragon.”

Interestingly, while Xaden would do anything to protect Violet, it turns out he did the unimaginable to protect his first priority, his first love: Sgaeyl.

The Bond Between Dark Wielders and Their Initiates

We also confirm that there are bonds between dark wielders and their initiates.

“The bond between Berwyn and me is the kind that should never exist, and now that my Sage has another sibling he can use against me… I’m screwed.” Wait… WAIT! What do you mean “another sibling”? To borrow Rebecca Yarros’s vivid phrasing, anxiety coils in my chest like a snake poised to strike. Something about this doesn’t sit right.

Siblings and sons? It feels anyway like venin become this dark, twisted family. Ewww.

“Panchek reaches for the net over his dragon. ‘I’m the only one who can give you access to your son.’”

This refers to Jack. Panchek has been selling information to the venin in exchange for power. Also, he refers to Jack as Berwyn’s “son.” But I don’t think he means it literally. I think it’s in the dark bonding form. Gross.

And Xaden now has a new brother—the rider who turned. The last person he thought would turn.

Who turned venin?

I woke up in the middle of the night because I couldn’t sleep. Who turned venin? Bodhi or Garrick. What if it was neither? Let’s back up a bit. Who knew about Xaden being venin? Garrick, Bodhi, Violet and Imogen…and Brennan.

Later one, Ridoc found out and the crew and eventually Mira. I have the full theory explaining who turned so please read it. I’m still really torn between Bodhi and Brennan.

Please note that Xaden makes a distraction between the word sibling and the word brother. Berwyn now has “another sibling” he can use against me? Yeah, that Brennan. Another one of Violet’s siblings. Violet was used against Xaden. Now they are using another sibling against him.

Of course, the other very logical possibility is that Bodhi turned venin. Rebecca Yarros did say in her Q&A that we need to pay attention to who is missing at the end. Who is missing? Bodhi seems to be one of them. Rhi has seen Bodhi with Xaden last heading towards the walls. The author also said that whoever turned, did it because they felt they are inadequate. If you check my theory above and read some of the passages about Bodhi, you will very quickly realize that Bodhi has been feeling left out for a while. He’s been “the spare”. Thus making it very compelling that it was Bodhi who turned venin at the end.

So why did Xaden hurry the hell to marry Violet? Because being a Duchess outranks every riders. And also because there is no more spare to look after Tyrrendor.

“and title overpowers rank every day”

“Obviously you’re a fucking duke,” Halden snaps. “Lewellen made sure of it, didn’t he? The second most powerful title in the godsdamned kingdom goes to a Riorson of all bloodlines.”

Xaden made sure Violet is untouchable! And per his own words, he used Tyrrendor to keep her safe and NOT the other way around.

Imogen and Rhi’s point of view

There are two things I would like to discuss here. Imogen’s point of view states at some point: “Beyond the three felled dragons, four more lie wounded along the walls to the west beside innumerable gryphons. Their bleeding riders do their best to tend to them, and I look away from what’s likely a fatal wound on a severed tail on a large brown.“

In the comments below, someone said the fatal wound would be on Ridoc’s brown. But I don’t think so. It could be Garrick’s, although he does go and take Imogen away and uses his signet. Could he have turned venin before his brown suffered a fatal wound? I don’t think so. Because later he says “We have to go, or they’ll drain us, too.” And remember what Theo said? You cannot drain venin or something that has been drained already (e.g like the stones from Tecarus’ palace or wyvern as we know from where Violet jumped on top of one to survive).

—-

I do think Ridoc is alive because when we move to Rhi’s point of view we read the following:

“What in Malek’s name is he doing?” I shout as Ridoc claps the pommel with one hand and extends the other toward gray scales. Is hetrying to get himself crushed? He can’t be seriously—

He is.

The wyvern shrieks, and a paler shade of gray spreads along its scales, emanating from Ridoc’s hand. The beast tenses, then ceases to beat its wings…and falls directly toward us.[…]I turn in the seat to watch the wyvern impact the rocky terrain. Holy shit, I think it cracked in half.“

Do you remember how Ridoc was using his amazing signet to freeze water inside things? Yup, I think he just managed to do that with the wyvern. Froze “the liquid” inside the wyvern, and the beast became brittle. Oh and btw, I had to read this paragraph over and over because at first, I thought that it was Ridoc who turned and sucked the life out of venin. But then I remembered, much like above, that venin cannot drain wyvern.

Oh and Rebecca Yarros did sort of let out a little spoiler during her Q&A that suggests Ridoc will still be alive for the whole series.

Another important thing to recognize from Rhi’s point of view is how Bodhi and Xaden are basically last seen together.

What is Violet’s second signet?

Violet is a dream walker, making her a form of inntinnsic like Xaden. While it initially seems unimpressive, Xaden hints that she might be able to manipulate dreams—just like Berwyn, his venin sage. This ties in so beautifully with my initial theory on her second signet where I said that she will be able to enter people’s dreams and seriously alter things about their reality.

The Dragon Death Scene

Check this out:

“Berwyn stabs deep between the dragon’s scales, and it desiccates, green draining from its scales and shrinking in on itself to a husk.”

At first, I thought this was Cuir. In fact, I was certain it was Cuir because Cuir is green. But when you dig deeper, you realize that Panchek’s dragon is also green. I think this was done to confuse us and ensure we can’t guess who actually turned.

And another crazy point. Why would this guy kill a dragon? Don’t venin want to control dragons? Like how Varish did it? Or how Jack controlled Baide for so long until he needed her? Not to mention, strange that he knew exactly what’s needed to replace the power lost from dragon. I stand by my theory that Berwyn is somehow Naolin. It’s not unusual for characters to change names anyway…as seen by no other but Brennan.

The Onyx Storm and Xaden’s Sacrifice

Xaden becomes the Onyx Storm we were all so afraid of to save Sgaeyl. I don’t know why, but there’s something truly beautiful about it. But I don’t think it was just to save Sgaeyl—I think it was to save Tairn should Sgaeyl fall. Ultimately, this act protects Violet because, as far as Xaden knows, she’s only connected to one dragon at this point, making her vulnerable.

The next conversation is incredibly intimate and gave me goosebumps.

Xaden lowers his shields and allows Sgaeyl in. Sgaeyl is surprised to see what I can only assume is his plan. I do think it’s about breaking bonds but also marrying Violet.

“You saw what happened. It is the only way.”

I think this is about the new brother turning and Xaden indeed making Violet his wife.

“And you think she’ll help?”
“She’ll help.” It comes out with a hell of a lot more certainty than I feel. “She promised.”

“Even if she agrees, no one will—”
“Someone owes me a favor.”

The High Priestess at the Dunne temple. They were saved by them, and they owe Xaden a favor. I think the favor was marrying him and Violet.

“We will ask,” Sgaeyl finally says, flexing her claws in the rocky soil. “And her decision will determine our fate.”

For this to make sense, we need to go back to Chapter 6 to find out what Violet actually promised Xaden.

The chapter ends with a major bombshell: Xaden tells Violet he’s the Duke of Tyrrendor. Now, please read this text over and over:

“The only solution I can think of is you. You’ll be the first to sense when I lose the rest of what makes me…me. […] Swear you’ll sound the alarm if I go too far, that you’ll keep it safe, even if it’s from me.”

What does Xaden mean by “it”? I think that was probably the biggest Easter Egg in the book. And right now, it has two meanings: Tyrrendor and his soul.

Did they find a cure for Xaden?

No. An irid dragon tells Violet, “The soul is not kept by the earth as dark wielders steal its magic. The power exchange kills the soul one piece at a time, and death has no cure.” However, given that Violet has encountered multiple “dead” characters in the series, there may still be hope. My guess? Malek…

Who dies in Onyx Storm?

Theophanie (killed by Violet)
Quinn (Imogen’s friend)
Trager (Cat’s new boyfriend)
Several minor characters
Mira survives, despite getting her throat cut
Tairn is alive and resting
Broccoli the cat is confirmed to be alive by Rebecca Yarros at one of her Q&A

When does Book 4 in the Empyrean Series comes out

Rebecca Yarros said she needs to rest and we need to respect that. Given how fast we got the first three books, my guess is that we need to wait at least a minimum of 12 months for the next one.

I have a theory that she released Fourth Wing in May, just before Conscription day which is July fifteenth. Iron Flame was released in November which puts us roughly just before December 21st, the main event: The attack of Basgiath. Onyx Storm was released in January, continuing just after December 21st. Onyx Storm events take us all the way to May, so it’s a logical guess that we can expect Book 4 sometimes around May 2026, if we’re lucky.

This is my take on the ending of Onyx Storm, but I would love to know your thoughts. Did I miss any major details? Do you think Xaden and Violet’s marriage was more about love or strategy—or both?

Share your theories below. Let’s unpack this chaos together! And please don’t forget to check my Onyx Storm Read Along and Onyx Storm Theories.

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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.

229 responses to “Onyx Storm Ending Explained”

Mirja
January 25, 2025 at 10:27 am
I’ m quite sure that the marriage is both love and strategy. The first hint of an intention to marry Violet is in chapter six. Xaden said that Violet is able to be a duchess. After that there are so many hints to a potential marriage. I loved the one while dinner in hedotis most. Xaden wants a contract of marriage for lifetime with Violet. He prepares himself in every kind to a lost of control. He is working on contracts and he wants to enjoy eyery good day or moment he has left with Violet as well. Sadly I suppose that the bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn is cut. This is causes by the necessity to leave for Xaden and Sgaeyl. There is only one fact I liked concerned to this. Xaden decided to save Sgaeyl. To channel from Sgaeyl means to channel from the for us still known good part of magic. Compared to Jack who killed Bairde his own dragon Xaden was’nt able to cut the bond to Sgaeyl. He has still two bonds to Violet through marriage and love. All he has done with the bad magic was for good purpose. He saved the lifes of so many people with this including Violets to give her the possibility to kill Theophanie.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 26, 2025 at 1:34 am
  That’s exactly right!
  I love that he saved Sgaeyl. It was the whole thing of “first love” right? He loves both Sgaeyl and Violet so so much. He is not beyond redemption!
  Reply
Ann
January 26, 2025 at 3:59 am
What if it’s Liam that turned? Yes, Garrick said he has to find some way to help. Yes, Bodhi was on all fours retching, which is uncharacteristic for someone whose seen plenty of death and violence. Yes, Liam is dead…..but he was there when Violet was fighting for her life in Iron Flame, why couldn’t he be there as Xaden fights for his? “Watching him struggle for the last 5 months.” And Liam was fostered with Xaden, he calls him brother. Xaden also calls Garrick brother in previous books, but distinguishes him as more of a neighbor kid than Liam. I only recall, haven’t researched, Xaden calling Bodhi cousin. It would make a great plot twist. Oh and Liam is still being mentioned. Like Nolan, Asher and Lilith. They’re integral to the story.
Violet being the Tyrrish leader makes her harder to kill without war. The Navarriens, the Poromish and the Tyrrish know Sorrengails saved the wards. They know she’s the best chance of winning and she’s got the title per the accords. Plus the protection of her siblings and the connections she has at the college. There’s more advantages to her ruling than just Bodhi turning. Xaden was planning this for 5 months. Violet was always a part of the plan.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 2:31 am
  Pftiuuu….this kinda blew my mind.
  But then, didn’t Liam die in Xaden’s arms? Then Liam “came back” in Violet’s torture chamber. I think Rebecca Yarros secretly hates us haha but not enough to twist with us this badly. Or who knows?
  My money’s still on Bodhi. Garrick makes perfect sense two. Because the truth is, they are the ones who saw him struggle for the past 5 months. Ridoc is another option but maybe he hadn’t be around for this long?
  I know what you mean about being mentioned still though, which makes it really hard. When do you feel Liam would have turned tho?
  Hmm…I really do like your theory but it would just make me really sad.
  Reply
  1. Kristin
    February 5, 2025 at 11:05 pm
    Loved your analysis. Cory!
    In reply to Ann-Rebecca stated in a Q&A that Liam is dead. She said there was no other way to develop his character because he was already perfect. I believed her.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 6, 2025 at 12:42 am
      I believe her too. It’s sad but it was NOT Liam.
      Reply
2. Lauren
  January 29, 2025 at 6:46 am
  I came to the same conclusion— I think Liam is the “brother” who turned Venin. Yes, Liam died, BUT when Xaden is talking about the Venin he sees, he says, “He’s a problem. Not because he’s more lethal. Not even because he’s supposed to be dead.” With the word ‘dead’ in italics. Possibly meaning ‘dead’ like Brennan was ‘dead’. Xaden made clear multiple times that Liam is the brother he never had. A side comment, in the chapter of Liam’s death, does anyone really confirm that Liam is dead? They were in a rush to leave, is it possible that Liam and his dragon were so severely injured they were on the brink of death? Also, Liam’s second signet was Ice Wielding. In Onyx Storm, we learn that Ridoc, who is also an ice wielder, can change the fluidics inside people, even stopping hearts. Could Liam have used his signet to stop Deigh’s heart out of preservation until he could save him? Xaden and Violet left Resson and did not burn Liam’s body (that I can remember). What if the Maven reached Liam before he could really die?
  On another note, the Maven could possibly be Naolin. No one has specifically said he “died”, Tairn doesn’t say it and Brennan only says that Naolin saving him “cost him everything”. I think he turned Venin and is the Maven. Tairn also mentions that generals recognize generals, and points out that Berwyn is the general. Tairn would have recognized Berwyn especially if he was Naolin turned Venin. Is this also why Theophanie is trying to get Violet while Berwyn is aiming for Xaden? Does Berwyn know that he can’t truly touch Violet since she’s protected by Tairn?
  Lastly, I think Colonel Aetos is going to be one of the leaders missing and is going to have also been helping the Venin.
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 30, 2025 at 12:13 am
    But the one who walks forward toward Panchek’s cowering, traitorous ass, putting himself
    between Sgaeyl and me… He’s a problem.
    Not because he’s more lethal. Not even because he’s supposed to be dead.
    But because I. Can’t. Kill. Him. I could no more raise a blade to his throat than I could Violet.
    I think he’s talking about Berwyn here, no? Explaining that he’s magically bonded to him and he was supposed to be dead because he killed in in Iron Flame. And yet he’s not dead.
    But I am not dismissing your idea that it’s Liam btw.
    Xaden was not there when they burnt Liam’s body. Bodhi and Garrick saw to it that it’s done as Xaden stayed with Violet.
    Colonel Ass Aetos is def in the venin league. Ugh, vomit!
    Reply
3. C
  January 29, 2025 at 7:17 am
  It’s Brennan who turned. ‘Another sibling’ and recall that Slone did not leave a mark on him when saving Mira. Vi thought it was Slone better better but what if the transfer didn’t work? The power came from the ground beneath him.
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 29, 2025 at 11:51 am
    I am with you. I think it’s my most unhinged theory and some love it, others sent me an angry email that it’s not Brennan! It cannot be.
    Oh so we’re thinking Brennan changed before?
    Reply
    1. Carol-Ann
      January 29, 2025 at 11:24 pm
      Yes, I think he changed before. I also think there might be more to the fact that Violent’s father said only trust Myra. Perhaps he knew Brennan would be a weakness?
      Reply
      1. Cory
        January 30, 2025 at 12:19 am
        RY is so so clever. In the letter, Asher does say “If I now walk alongside Malek with your brother, then guard this
        manuscript carefully” -> Trust only Mira. Because Brennan is not alive. But I also think we need to read between the lines. Trust ONLY Mira 🙂
    2. Missy
      February 7, 2025 at 4:33 am
      The only reason I don’t think Brennan is because Xaden says that he watched me struggle for 5 months, why would he choose this. Brennan has not watched or known about Xaden for 5 months. That’s why I think Garrick or Bodhi.
      Reply
      1. Cory
        February 7, 2025 at 11:55 pm
        I mean there is a very good chance it’s still Bodhi. But then the word sibling has me thinking of Aaric now
  2. Lauren
    February 3, 2025 at 9:22 pm
    This was my initial thought too. Although I only finished reading an hour ago and my brain is still trying to process it all.
    Reply
  3. Carly
    February 4, 2025 at 7:44 pm
    Oooh I like this! I think that was a big nugget we were given when Vi noticed Sloane didn’t leave a mark on Brennan when saving Mira. And I didn’t know what it meant at the time or even at the end of the book. But now I believe the theory Brennan turned Venin could be true.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 5, 2025 at 7:54 am
      <3 we should make t-shits. Brennan for venin
      Reply
  4. Tat
    February 5, 2025 at 11:50 pm
    He knew how to treat that poison wound too.
    No one questioned his ability to treat venin poison
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 6, 2025 at 12:41 am
      !!!!! This!
      Reply
  5. Kristen
    February 8, 2025 at 7:24 am
    Also how they describe Jack gaining color in his face when Violet gave Jack the alloy in the interrogation room to “feed” is the same way they describe Brennan and Sloan is allegedly siphoning power through Dain! I have been flipping back and forth between Brennan & Garrick but after the 2nd re-read, I’m leaning more toward Brennan!
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 8, 2025 at 8:31 am
      Also leaning towards Brennan. I just…can’t shake this off
      Reply
Dee
January 26, 2025 at 12:17 pm
I like the theories on the dragon eggs, although I’m not sure about them belonging to Tairn/Sgaeyl, but my first thought was also that Xaden or someone will be taking the eggs to that isle of Dunne worshipers.Then I thought of a third option: There are six eggs missing and there are 6 dragon types on the Continent (we are repeatedly told Irids are the 7th kind). So what if 1 of each dragon type egg was taken. Considering the fact that they lost 4 dragons in 1 night / 1 battle + the fact that since day 1 in Basgiath we are told how each year less and less dragons bond… What if those 6 eggs were taken to “safety” to ensure the survival of the Empyrean? In a similar vain of Andarna being left on the Continent as a criterion, the eggs could have been hidden (for example, on the super remote super secret access by invite only hideout of the Irids, that Andarna knows how to reach).
As for the marriage of Xaden and Violet… while I am absolutely thrilled and it was clear as day that they would have married eventually what with all the heavy-handed marriage talk all throughout Onyx Storm, I’m not sure it’s a good thing for Violet. Basically she’s officially and legally tying herself to Xaden and therefore becomes a target. If Xaden is to be punished for treason or whatever (lbr at that point the king is looking for the flimsiest excuse to take him out), if they can’t find him, they will punish her. After all during Fen’s rebellion, they did punish the actual participants in the rebellion AND their spouses. I can’t imagine a scenario where Xaden would purposefully put Violet in the crosshairs of an enemy. And he does still love her, we were explicitly told that the only thing that he is desperately holding onto is his love for her.
Lastly, about Imogen, I’m pretty sure in Iron Flame maybe while breaking into the royal vault or in Onyx Storm when she wiped Jack’s memory, she only took out a specific timeframe. For Jack, it was their conversation or something. So if she cannot see what she is taking, how can she ensure she is only wiping that specific portion out? Violet asking Imogen to wipe her memory makes sense because whatever Xaden is doing, Violet will be involved and this way she cannot be incriminated by someone with a signet like Dain’s, she can’t reveal anything if tortured either.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 2:49 am
  Hi Dee. First of all, shivers. UGH. I do not like where this is going, “eggs for safety”. I think that sounds horrible. I get it though…
  I’m doing a re-read but I’m trying to figure out if Unnbriel has magic on it. Because if it doesn’t…the eggs are not there! On a different island around the irids? That would make sense seeing as they are magic.
  Again, I can’t help but agree with you that Violet is now a giant target. It makes me really sad because I do think book 4 is going to DARK. With an awful cliffhanger for us all.
  And finally you are absolutely right about Imogen. She must be able to see what she removes. Which means, Imogen just because our most important source of information for Book 4!
  Reply
  1. Nik
    January 31, 2025 at 5:16 pm
    If we go with the theory that Garrick dropped them off, it doesn’t hold, because his walking power was totally drained during battle. He says to Immogen that he only has enough power get to Aretia but not enough to get back. However, if he used that last walk to bring the eggs to the island it could explain why he is missing. Since there is no magic there he would not be able to recharge and come home. I guess we will have to wait and see!
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 1, 2025 at 6:08 am
      I don’t want to wait 🙁
      Reply
2. Sarah
  January 28, 2025 at 1:27 am
  To piggyback off your “for safety” theory, we’ve seen multiple times that the Irids have been present without being detected. So what if andarna and others returned, and the 6 eggs, one of each, were taken by the irids back to their hatching grounds for safety. Like the opposite of what was done to andarna.
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 28, 2025 at 1:30 am
    I LOVE this theory Sarah.
    Especially because that would open up the possibility that Garrick was the one who turned venin, seeing as he was already nearing burnout and there was a brown with a serious injury…
    If the Irids took the eggs, then Garrick wouldn’t have been needed for such a massive expedition.
    Reply
    1. Sarah
      January 28, 2025 at 2:07 am
      I’m 40/60 on Garrick vs Bodhi, but leaning more towards Bodhi turning because of how much emphasis Xaden put on him needing an heir. After typing this out, I’m almost certain that Bodhi pushed back so hard on the heir thing because he PLANNED on turning to protect Xaden and be the balance. Ouch.
      Also there is a comment regarding irids *being* magic, which means they neither pull magic from the air nor the ground. They ARE magic. So I think Sloan will siphon magic back into the earth with the help of andarna to heal what was drained, which will restore the pieces of the soul that were fractured to take it, or something. But I’m positive that the irids are the key to healing the land and restoring peace.
      Reply
      1. Cory
        January 28, 2025 at 2:18 am
        I’m so so glad you are with me on this, because I’ve been going crazy with Bodhi acting like a teen about it. He’s the balance. I want to understand why though.
        Do you agree that it’s because he wanted to use his signet on venin? And without being one, he couldn’t have?
        They ARE magic! Which explains why Violet could still talk to Tairn and Andarna. Andarna was keeping the bond going.
        Sloane is life, right?
        So we have the following: Violet is love ( Xaden calls her that in the book). Sloane is Life (Dain told her that). Andarna is magic.
        The pieces are coming together 😀
  2. Sara
    February 9, 2025 at 3:48 pm
    I had this same thought as well. The Irid’s also have the motivation to raise up a new generation of dragons peacefully and one of each allows them to do that amongst their own. No telling how many came back with Andarna during the battle to put that plan in to effect.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 10, 2025 at 1:58 am
      I think I am the only person on the internet that doesn’t like the irids very much…
      Reply
3. Zach
  January 30, 2025 at 2:01 pm
  GREAT recap and very helpful. Lots on insight.
  I don’t think you touched on it but my money is on Brennen being the new “brother”. Why? The short line /observation that violet makes about Dain and Brennen after Brennen stabilized Mira. She notices that Brennen, nor does Dain, have a mark from the transfer. After Sloane gets done transferring the power from Dain to Brennen, there is a quick comment about there not being a mark on Dain’s wrist nor Brennen’s neck from the power transfer… any thoughts on this small detail?? Or did I miss the mark here
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 30, 2025 at 11:55 pm
    Hi Zach, I have a whole theory about it: https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-who-turned-venin-at-the-end/
    I explain in detail why I think it was Brennan 😀
    You didn’t miss the mark. Check this out:
    She stares at the gray handprint that scars his forearm. “I don’t want to
    do that. Become that.” […]I slip Aaric’s package into my flight jacket pocket and watch as Brennan
    walks away. Weird. There’s no mark at the back of his neck like he carries on his palm. There hadn’t been one on Dain’s wrist, either.
    Reply
  2. Warrenette Parthemore
    January 31, 2025 at 2:50 am
    This kept coming back in my mind as well. But Theo also said that neither Brendon nor Bohdi was the brother “he” wanted.
    Reply
4. Liz
  January 31, 2025 at 1:45 am
  Ok, so I agree with the theory of the six eggs belonging to the six dragon dens. But, what if the Irids took them to ensure that they are “raised properly”?
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 31, 2025 at 1:58 am
    It’s possible they were taken for safekeeping!
    Reply
Mari
January 26, 2025 at 2:38 pm
So grateful for this thread. I also ended Onyx Storm really confused. And I do plan on rereading it. It makes sense to me that it would be Bodhi that’s turned, which puts the plan to marry Violet on the fast track. Also, Xaden has not completely severed his love for Violet. In Chapter 65 “I love you. Violet’s voice cracks the cold, and a silken thread of warmth wedges itself in the opening before it seals shut, locking it in place.” What if Xaden is the “inside man” that can bring down the venin?
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 2:53 am
  Hi Mari, I think all of us are a little confused by the ending and we’re trying to make sense of it. I’m also doing a sloooow re-read to find Easter Eggs (and maybe the dragon eggs too).
  You are absolutely right, Xaden is not 100% gone. There is a small thread of love left there towards Violet. I think they will dream walk together and she will reinforce that love for him before he’s too far gone.
  Reply
2. Mary Dixon
  January 29, 2025 at 3:59 am
  I love the theories!! I’m holding out that it isn’t Garrick or Bhodi though as far as turning Benin. I had to re-read a few times, and I’m not certain, but here’s my theory: when xaden first goes down to talk to Jack, he calls him brother and says welcome to our fucked up family. I think the “sibling” is in quotations because it is pancheck and he can’t kill him for the same reason he can’t kill Berwyn.
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 29, 2025 at 4:03 am
    Did you check this one? https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-who-turned-venin-at-the-end/
    I’m super certain it was Brennan!
    Reply
3. KeasaReanie
  February 3, 2025 at 11:16 pm
  What if Xaden’s soul is in the ring “locking it in place”??
  Reply
  1. Cory
    February 4, 2025 at 2:20 am
    My thought is that his soul is with Malek
    Reply
emily
January 26, 2025 at 6:35 pm
This was so helpful! I thought Zehyllna’s gifts, like the broken compass or the glass box, were going to end up being “lucky” to have at some point. I loved the Irids’ view towards humans and their hopes that we would evolve past violence (yes please!). So given that perspective, I was surprised that Xaden and Violet didn’t figure out a way to set violence aside to save the day. That the resolution (even as an act of love) was the use of overwhelming force to defeat the bad guys. I also think it was Bodhi who turned and that he did it out of love, just like Xaden, to tip the magical scales in their favor when he learned that Violet was not the balance of Theophanie. I’m thinking he may also have a second signet that has not yet been revealed. Super hopeful for a fourth book, healing for Xaden, healing of generational trauma, and an ending where love gets to win without the use of force
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 3:05 am
  Hi Emily, I think the following about the gifts: the broken compass is not broken at all. But will show Violet the way to Loial. I am uncertain about the glass box…for now.
  I think it will be LOVE that will save Xaden, and potentially venin too. Although I think Andarna is ironically the weapon.
  Why do you think Bodhi turned out of love. Out of love for Xaden or for Violet?
  Ah, for Bodhi having the second signet: yes, I think he “doesn’t have a second signet, just like Xaden”. That was our hint 🙂 he’s an inntinnsic, just like Xaden.
  Reply
Tina
January 26, 2025 at 8:40 pm
I agree with all these theories…Bodhi turned. Xaden definitely didn’t marry Violet just for strategy…he was planning it the whole time. I can’t believe Sgaeyl was open to breaking her bond with Tairn, and I was a little disappointed that Xaden seemed to abandon his Violet or die mentality. Also, anyone think that Violet is pregnant? And Naolin (Tairn’s first bonded) is the Sage? I saw these theories on instagram. Thoughts?
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 3:08 am
  I see why this is sad, but maybe look at it this way:
  Xaden turned more to save Sgaeyl, which in turned saved Tairn and Violet.
  It’s ironic that he’s turning for love, when love is the one thing that can keep him under control and even cure him.
  I’m not so keen on that theory to be honest with you (Violet being pregnant). Mainly because they are so young…
  I don’t think Naolin is the Sage but I think he might still be alive as venin somewhere indeed!
  Reply
  1. Jen
    January 28, 2025 at 11:48 pm
    How could Naolin be alive if Tairn rebonded to Violet?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:33 am
      I think Tairn broke his bond to Naolin. I think that’s why he “almost die” losing his previous rider. I don’t think it’s because Naolin died.
      Reply
      1. Sara
        February 9, 2025 at 3:55 pm
        I thought of this but the books literally open with “a rider without a dragon is dead”. Wouldn’t Naolin have died from Tairn severing their bond?
      2. Cory
        February 10, 2025 at 1:57 am
        Not if he turned venin first! Jack was venin when Baide died
Kolt88
January 26, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Can I just say this completely helped me put all the lines together I was so confused.
I wonder if Violet asked for Imogen to erase her memory because of “debrief”. That maybe she can’t “know” what’s happing to either
A. Keep them all safe in the plan.
B. Keep herself sane.
C. And obviously some unknown stuff that Yarrow’s loves to sprinkle in with some absolute bombshell flare.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 3:10 am
  You are so welcome. I will add to it again because I just thought of new things.
  I think she asked Imogen to keep everyone safe. They can use memory readers on her and there’s nothing to read. There is no memory there, right? So she did it knowing just how important this is.
  She’s also the only one to be able to figure out what happened before, so naturally, she wanted her memory erased.
  C-> def! It was the best way for RY to make us cry at the end of the book 😀
  Reply
  1. Jen
    January 28, 2025 at 11:52 pm
    Okay, so I’m following all of this but if Imogen can see what she’s erasing then wouldn’t she be a target for Dain to read (if needed) ?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:32 am
      Correct. So that’s exactly what I’m wondering…can she see? Or not at all? Because then, how does it work with Imogen? She just erases the last…x hours and that’s it?
      Reply
Cara Wood
January 26, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Call me crazy but … are venin ACTUALLY evil? Like it seems some shitty people have turned and THEY’RE bad. But maybe there could be some nice venin? Like maybe Xaden will be a nice venin?
Idk that’s probably wishful thinking.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 3:13 am
  No, no, Cara, you’re not crazy at all. I see it the same way. In the real world, venin are morally grey—some view them as evil, while others see a different side. Xaden’s turn was driven by love, and I wonder how many other venin turned for similar reasons, trying to save the ones they care about. Of course, there are definitely some who are purely awful (like Jack Barlowe), but I feel this brilliant author is reflecting our real-world complexity. Bad people aren’t always born bad—some are corrupted by circumstances beyond their control. Others may have endured trauma or lacked love, which shaped them into what they became.
  Still, the more magic they steal, the more of their soul they lose. I don’t think Xaden will ever become a “good” venin, but I believe he’ll cling to that last thread of love to keep himself grounded. Even as he turned, he still protected Violet, planned against his own Sage, and felt horrified by the Sage killing a dragon. That glimpse of remorse for his “new brother” shows there’s still something human in him.
  Reply
Angela
January 27, 2025 at 12:43 am
I’m wondering if the memory loss is part of a plan Violet made up with Andarna and Imogen. In the prologue, Violet and Andarna are discussing her options if Xaden were to ever completely turn. It was very vague and they kept making comments about following every possible path, breaking the laws and keeping secrets. Its in the last sentence of the prologue that Violet states she needs someone that will prioritize Xaden’s interests and to get Imogen. Something tells me Andarna and Violet did something and in order to protect everyone they needed Imogen to wipe Violet’s memory.
I recently read a theory that the dragons once channeled their powers from the sky but these days they only channel from the land (similar to venin). This is why when they go to to lands that don’t have magic, the dragons and other riders do not have magic. The Irids are able to still channel from the sky which is why Andarna, Tairn and Violet are all still intact in their communication on the islands. Also explains why Violet may have been able to potentially use her signet in the temple on the islands to defeat their queen. Now I’m wondering if its not the sky but the gods that they are channeling from.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 3:18 am
  Every possible path—I think that’s actually a hint for us regarding what the priestess told Violet, that her path is still not defined.
  In the prologue, they grabbed Imogen to wipe Barlowe’s memory of Xaden visiting and turning venin so he couldn’t tell anyone about it. Pretty much the same was done at the ending, so Violet couldn’t be interrogated about the mission before. There are 12 hours missing from the book, and we will need to figure out what actually happened—and what was so crazy that she needed her memory wiped. Not to mention Andarna saying, “I will not let them burn you.” She’s a traitor. Only traitors or those who break the codex are burned.
  I like the theory that the Irids can channel from the sky, while the rest of the dragons only channel from the ground. I will dig deeper to see if I can find something in the books that could reflect this. It would make sense that they can communicate because of Andarna being able to channel. It’s strange that she’s the only one, right?
  Reply
  1. Angela
    January 27, 2025 at 7:55 am
    Exactly! Ever since I found this theory I decided I wanted to go back from the beginning to fourth wing to do a reread and find more clues. It perfectly fits with the Fables of the Barren with the brother channeling from the sky to defeat his sibling. I’m beginning to think the origin fables might be key.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 28, 2025 at 1:11 am
      I am doing that! I am going to start publishing chapters with Easter Eggs because I think it will be a lot of fun.
      Reply
      1. Jen
        January 28, 2025 at 11:56 pm
        Also, there has to be more to the lightning wielded (“not by Violet”) when they were at the isle without magic. Clearly she still has powers there
      2. Cory
        January 29, 2025 at 12:09 am
        Oh, which was the island? I am doing a re-read and so far I have found that she can do lightening where there is magic. But she still has power via Andarna on the others.
  2. Lauren
    January 28, 2025 at 3:15 pm
    Violet DID break the codex by marrying Xaden. Cadets are not allowed to get married; this was mentioned in either FW or IF – I think even at Violet’s parapet walk with the guy before her. It’s also referenced in the excerpt before ch. 66 – “While cadets are strongly encouraged not to form romantic attachments while studying at the quadrant, lieutenants are permitted to marry whomever they choose upon graduation. Article five, section seven The Dragon Rider’s Codex”
    Is that too easy to be the answer though?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:14 am
      But if they say “lieutenants are permitted to marry whomever they choose upon graduation” -> doesn’t that include cadets? Whomever they want. So maybe cadets cannot marry other cadets.
      “Plus, I’ve heard that riders are allowed to marry sooner than the other quadrants,” Dylan adds.
      “True. Right after graduation.” If we survive. “I think it has something to do with wanting to continue bloodlines.” Most successful riders are legacies.
      And then in Onyx Storm:
      […]Melgren will probably escort you both to a temple of your choosing the second you’re commissioned.”
      […]
      “If the general even waits that long.” Rhi lifts her brows. “Riorson’s already graduated.” -> this implies that he can marry her whenever he wants.
      Reply
  3. monduelle
    February 1, 2025 at 7:32 pm
    I only wonder why Andarna wouldn’t communicate with Sgaeyl at this point as well. This little fact made me think that maybe the three of them could communicate thanks to Violet rather than thanks to Andarna.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 3, 2025 at 12:19 am
      The irid male said ““Bonds are merely magical ties. You are irid. You are
      magic. Bend it, shape it, break it as you see fit.”
      I think this means that as long as bonds tied to the magical dragon exist, so Andarna, magic exists. But Andarna is not connected to Sgaeyl. And chances are she doesn’t know how it works yet. She’s a teen dragon with no experience on what works?
      Reply
Drea
January 27, 2025 at 5:07 am
Yes to all of the above theories! I saw a comment that mentioned Naolin as the Sage. I don’t think Naolin is the Sage, but I absolutely think he’s the other son/brother that Berwyn has. It’s this comment that made me think it’s Naolin by Xaden in Chap. 65: “I‘d kill him if I could… I wonder how many initiates feel the same about their Sage? At least one that I know of.”
Who else has RY mentioned in the books so far, that would have had a reason to turn to save someone they love and a reason to want the Sage dead? Because Naolin was likely romantically involved with Brennan, he makes the most sense and would feel exactly as Xaden does.
I also think Brennan knows that Naolin turned, and it’s part of why he was so willing to try to heal Xaden. If he can heal Xaden, he could have healed Naolin too. He’s also important to Tairn. Xayden would care about him and want to save him for Violet/Tairn, which also might explain Sgaeyl’s willingness to help with Xayden’s plan?
I also definitely think that Bodhi turned. Xaden said it was the last person he’d have expected. I don’t think Xaden would care as much/be as shocked if it were Garrick; not when Bodhi is his Brother.
I also think Garrick is still wherever the eggs are and wherever the ceremony was held. I think Tairn both agreed to break off the bond with Sgaeyl and flew Violet back after. Garrick was too exhausted to walk any more than he already had during the battle, and if he’d regained enough to get them all to wherever they hid the eggs, there’s no way he made the return trip without resting.
I think Ridoc is dead . There was a downed large brown dragon (Aotrom maybe?) mentioned during Chap 63 with a likely fatal tail wound. I think RY mentions that on purpose.
I don’t think Violet is pregnant yet, but think that’s coming in the next book!
Reply
1. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 5:44 am
  Exactly. At least one that I know of. And did you catch at the end? He said “another sibling he can use against me”. I don’t think the other was Jack.
  And yes yes yes! Brennan and Naolin were an item. Oh and there was a mark on Brennan’s neck. From Naolin, when he imbued him with magic.
  I do think Bodhi is the one who turned.
  WAIT. Drea. What the actual. I don’t think Ridoc is dead. Check this out:
  We have the following: From Imogen point of view: and I look away from what’s likely a fatal wound on a severed tail on a large brown.
  But from Rhi’s point of view? “What in Malek’s name is he doing?” I shout as Ridoc claps the pommel with one hand and extends the other toward gray scales. Is he
  trying to get himself crushed? He can’t be seriously—
  He is.
  The wyvern shrieks, and a paler shade of gray spreads along its scales, emanating from Ridoc’s hand.
  Reply
  1. Drea
    January 27, 2025 at 7:44 pm
    I caught that too re: Ridoc! But the Rhi chapter is before what Imogen observed… I am very much hoping that I’m wrong.
    I don’t know why RY would include the detail of Imogen seeing a downed brown dragon if it weren’t important though… maybe Aotrom is just really injured? Or maybe it’s another character with a brown dragon that I’m just not thinking of… hmmmm…
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 28, 2025 at 12:23 am
      The only other brown is Garrick’s, right? In order to not die…Garrick could have turned. Ultimately, there is still the debate between the two of them: Garrick of Bodhi.
      Ultimately, I wonder if it was there to confuse us and ensure we can’t figure it out 😀
      Reply
      1. Lauren
        January 28, 2025 at 3:18 pm
        I read somewhere that RY said someone [important] dies in book 4. Could this be the prelude to Ridoc’s death? I hope not!! I gained SO much respect and love for his character on his trip to the islands with Violet.
      2. Cory
        January 29, 2025 at 12:16 am
        Well, that’s the issue, isn’t it?
        We love Garrick, Imogen, Ridoc and Rhi. We like Sawyer and Jesinia a lot. We kinda love Sloane and Dain now too.
        It’s hard. But then again, we didn’t LOVE Quinn and we all cried like babies when she died. So I think whoever RY picks, we will be devastated for days…
2. Cory
  January 27, 2025 at 5:45 am
  Oh also to add: I just wrote a theory on why I don’t think Vi is pregnant. But I could maybe be persuaded to change my mind?
  Reply
  1. Paul
    January 27, 2025 at 8:41 pm
    I’m interested! I debated if the author would take it there but a future baby would help with the “love” directive and could be a further extension of Xaden’s soul. Also… they had intercourse on an island without magic, likely allow such an event to occur being he was turning. I just doubt the author would snag a stereotypical plot line.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 28, 2025 at 1:02 am
      I feel the same way. https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-could-violet-be-pregnant/
      But what I’d say, is go and read the comments on the article. So many excellent points that she could actually be pregnant. I will add them in the main article, I just haven’t had the chance yet.
      Reply
  2. Mary Dixon
    January 29, 2025 at 4:09 am
    What if Dain turned Venin, remember when he told Sloan he had more magic than he should?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:01 pm
      So I get that. I do. But something tells me it’s not Dain. I don’t know why, or how, but my heart tells me he’s just very powerful.
      Not sure why. I also don’t get why Sloane said “someone like you”. Was it just a dig? Was it that he’s an ass? That he’s a traitor?
      Apparently, we “don’t trust Aetos” enough with all the info, that;s what Xaden said right? But he’s the one who knows about the other people’s signets.
      Reply
3. Angela
  January 27, 2025 at 8:43 am
  I agree with the theory that Naolin may still be alive and is venin too. Makes sense why he left a mark on Brennan similarly to Jack did to Dain but Sloane doesn’t leave a mark on either Dain or Brennan. It also explains why Tairn refuses to “speak of the one that came before”. Initially it seems like a sensitive subject but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s because Tairn is hurt that Naolin became venin but also doesn’t want to betray his former rider.
  Reply
  1. Cory
    January 28, 2025 at 1:19 am
    I think so! Tairn is very sensitive about it. And doesn’t want to discuss severing the bonds.
    Which got me thinking: could it be that Sgaeyl severed the bond too now? And Xaden is completely alone?
    Reply
Kelly
January 27, 2025 at 8:24 am
Ridoc was working on freezing water in things- the orange. There was a large brown with a fatal wound and Garrick and Ridoc both have browns. Dragons are their first love and the reason Xaden pulled from the earth in the end. Xaden would be more upset if it was Garrick. Ridoc turning venin WOULD surprise Xaden because of how Ridoc reacted when he found out about Xaden.
But the marriage could also mean it’s Bodhi, because they had to protected Tyrrendor. But I’d think Xaden would react in a way more upset manner if it was Bodhi.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 1:18 am
  The only reason I don’t think it was Ridoc is because Xaden specifically says that this person saw him struggling for the last five months. Based on the timeline, though, Ridoc only found out when they were on the island, and they were on the islands for less than five months. That makes the timing feel off for it to be him.
  Did you see one of the comments? Someone said that Xaden makes a distinction between “brother” and “sibling”. Could it be that a female rider changed before?
  Reply
Georgia
January 27, 2025 at 8:46 am
Let’s not forget Sloane. I think she can siphon the Venin and cure them. There was a comment about no grey mark on either Dain or Brennan. She gives life! I think this is a big “Easter egg”
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 1:20 am
  YES! I’m covering it in the read along, it just takes me a while to get to that chapter. Sloane will restore the barrens too, together with the agrarians. I have a theory on the site about and I feel like this reiterates it now!
  Reply
Ben
January 27, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Isn’t there a chance it’s Ridoc who is venin? We see an ice wielder is killed earlier and it’s an interesting tid bit in the last battle, for balance would the other side need another?. We don’t know what he’s doing in between when he kills the dragon (did he channel to do so? It’s a lot of power and it turns gray…) He was with vi and x the whole book, RY sucks us in deeper so we like him more and he knew the pain it caused x and vi. It seems like he would do anything to protect anyone? IDK. Thoughts?
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:13 am
  When I read the part where Ridoc touches the wyvern and it turns a lighter grey, my first thought was, “Oh, Ridoc must be the one who’s turned.” But then I remembered that you can’t drain a wyvern, so it made more sense that he was just using his signet. Xaden mentions that his new brother has been watching him struggle for the past five months. However, Ridoc has only been around since they were on the islands. Xaden has also been counting the days since he last channeled, which was around 76 days after Deveralli—not five months. This makes me think it’s more likely to be either Ridoc or Garrick.
  Reply
  1. Lauren
    January 28, 2025 at 3:53 pm
    Also! Rhi notes that it cracked(?) when it hit the ground. I think Ridoc definitely froze it.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:17 am
      IT went all brittle and awesome. He’s becoming an instant badass!
      Reply
Lisa
January 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm
I think Imogen also wiped her own memory of those 12 hours so she cant ‘spill the beans’ when she is questioned, keeping those 12 hours secret/safe
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:14 am
  Well that would be pretty terrible. Andarna would know. Tairn would know. Someone knows.
  Reply
  1. monduelle
    February 1, 2025 at 7:41 pm
    Shouldn’t Aaric should know as well?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 3, 2025 at 12:18 am
      I think he’s a precog. He can foresee certain events but I don’t think he can see all future. Maybe in like 20 years and with a lot of honing that signet of his. But he’s still a first year with a new signet which makes me think, just a bunch of future visions.
      Reply
Sarah
January 27, 2025 at 2:53 pm
So the opening to the last chapter talks about who is allowed to marry. Maybe the statement about burning is breaking the rules (more likely a traitor thing). But seriously, she is still a second year.
So we know who the traitor is, but my guess is no one else will know and they will assume X killed the dragon/ Panchek. It’s crazy how this was such a throw in plot point but to me is HUGE. Has he always been a traitor? If not when did he turn?
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:20 am
  I think Pancheck was always the traitor. He said he wants Lilith’s job and eventually Melgren. Everyone said it’s not possible because of Melgren’s signet, right?
  My money’s on Aetos being in the same category as Panchek. We have plenty of eveidence that he’s also been selling info.
  Reply
Mia
January 27, 2025 at 7:47 pm
I just finished Onyx Storm, and if Iron Flame left me in a numb state of shock, then Onyx Storm had me on the verge of tears.
This was the first time I felt regret for reading a book—it’s just so heartbreaking that Xaden is always the one to make the greatest sacrifices… just like now.
I’m really glad for your post; most of your points are totally spot-on!
I have a VERY IMPORTANT part that felt odd in this book: when Sloane says that Dain has TOO MUCH power, that he shouldn’t have that much. Did you also notice how detailed the description of his skin condition was? The gray handprint that Barlow left on him? Why do you think they emphasized that Dain is too strong?
One thing’s for sure: Xaden is not lost. I truly believe it matters that he turned to the wrong source for the right reasons. There has to be a solution for him to return to the light side, even with a “mutilated” soul—or, in other words, a soul damaged by his experiences.
I’m also afraid that Bodhi might have turned into a venin, but I don’t think he’s the solution here. Although we did read a long scene where he and his dragon were attacked, so it would make sense. But since Xaden doesn’t react emotionally to the appearance of his “new brother,” I think it must be about something else.
Panchek’s betrayal completely caught me off guard, and honestly, I don’t even feel sorry about the death of his dragon. He should’ve seen what he was becoming, right? After all, nothing can be hidden from dragons. How could he stay loyal to a traitor? Why didn’t he save the dragons? I hope the other venins make his life miserable, and he never becomes a high-ranking member.
Xaden and Violet’s marriage surprised me, but it was expected. I also noticed that Xaden was preparing to propose, especially since he knew he didn’t have much time left “as a rider.” So it was both an emotional and—most importantly—a strategic decision. Their marriage protects Violet with the rank she gains, ensuring she isn’t executed or imprisoned quickly—especially with Imogen erasing her memories. I’m glad you mentioned this was to destroy evidence—I didn’t understand why Imogen did it at first.
I think Aaric will play a much bigger role in the next two books. His seal power shocked me—it was such a great twist, a true Rebecca Yarros move.
By the way, I loved the part about discovering the new seal powers, although Violet’s second seal wasn’t a surprise to me—but her power was. I have a theory that Violet WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER venin Xaden’s dreams. After all, he has already been venin, and Xaden dreamed even under those circumstances. Violet can move in dreams without being detected, so she might be able to gather information about—or even from—Xaden that way.
I really hope Xaden will be able to provide inside information about the venins now that he’ll live among them, and that their power will be brought down from within.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:39 am
  Hi Mia, welcome to the crazy house because we’re all tipping over.
  I LOVE Xaden. Me…and well, millions of other readers. He’s the perfect book boyfriend, I swear.
  As for Dain, yes, I have that part underlined “Her eyes flare, and she swallows. “Someone like you shouldn’t have this much power.””
  Then he says something else ““Pull from the excess you feel in me, and push to the deficit in him. You’re not a weapon of destruction.”
  I am so confused by that. Why is there excess of power in Dain? Why did Sloane say someone like you? Is Dain…bad? Is he a legacy rider and that’s why there is excess power? I have so many questions about it.
  I think Xaden’s cure is LOVE. Who does he call love in the book? Violet. Violet is the cure. Although for transparency, there is talk that Violet might be pregnant. So maybe her having his child will also help him anchor?
  Ok, so you are team Bodhi? We have team Bodhi and team Garrick for Xaden’s new sibling 🙂 I am, right now, team Bodhi. Who do you think turned?
  Panchek betrayal was very expected to me. Him and Aetos. I was certain of it!!! I’m glad I was right but also sad that leadership is so damn corrupted. Much like real life, I’d say 🙂
  I wonder if it was the same thing as Varrish. Varrish controlled Solas, right? Maybe power corrupts dragons just as much?
  What is your stance on Violet being pregnant? Do you think it’s possible? I didn’t but the fans on the site are seriously convincing me otherwise.
  Aaric is amazing. I love him in the whole book. He’s calm and collected and cool as a cucumber. The way he comments, the way he speaks, the way he reveals that he speaks modern languages. He’s incredible. He’s one of the top characters for me which scares me because I don’t want RY to go kill him.
  Oh def! Xaden and Violet will be able to communicate this way so she can find him or bring him home…or just exchange information. I love a dream walker.
  This is so fun isn’t it? I know we probably need to wait an eternity for the next book… but I’m grateful they exist.
  Reply
  1. Mia
    January 28, 2025 at 7:19 am
    Hello Cory,
    I don’t think Violet is pregnant. A child would be a huge strain on her body, especially with the immense power she wields. She’d become vulnerable in a prolonged fight, have a new weakness, and definitely wouldn’t be able to use her magic the same way as before. She wouldn’t even be able to hide her condition. So no, I don’t think two logical and battle-hardened characters like Violet and Xaden would take that risk. In the first book, it was mentioned that they both take medication to prevent pregnancy, and I don’t believe they would stop that during a war. They haven’t been away from their posts for months where they’d lose access to the medication, so to me, this theory feels baseless.
    I like Bodhi, but I don’t think he became a venin. Sure, he doesn’t want to take control of the province, but he wouldn’t abandon Violet, who is everything to Xaden. If anything, I’d suspect Garrick since we saw he was on the verge of burnout. But honestly, I don’t think anyone from Xaden’s “inner circle” would turn. I have no idea who it could be, though. I’ll have to reread the book in English and see if I notice anything new. I read it in my native language, and there are usually differences between editions. Unfortunately, the EN version is still not available in our market—this book is just too high in demand.
    As for DAIN, he is full of secrets. I can’t shake the feeling that Yaros wouldn’t mention he has TOO MUCH power unless it was significant. His dragon alone doesn’t justify this level of strength, so I’m curious where it comes from. If he’d had a shared battle scene with Violet, I’d almost suspect he’s starting to turn into a venin, although that wouldn’t fit with his rule-following personality.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 28, 2025 at 7:28 am
      Dear Mia,
      I’m so grateful there is another soul out there that agrees. I think a lot of the fans and readers had me convinced but something still tells me that she’s not pregnant. I don’t love the idea and I really wouldn’t want for that to happen.
      Garrick was on the verge of burnout, so he is a logical choice. But I do think Bodhi is the balance and his magic doesn’t work on venin. That’s my only concern.
      Sloane really said it “someone like you should not have so much power”. And why does he have…excess power? Also Dain seems to be the one that always sees people’s second signets: Imogen’s signet, Garrick’s signet. He’s dangerous.
      Reply
      1. Karen K Van Cleave
        January 29, 2025 at 7:37 pm
        Maybe Sloane was feeling Brennan’s power and not Dain’s. She’s young and still very new to her signet. Maybe she got it mixed up. I am all for your theory with Brennan. He was my first thought when I was reading the chapter. it never occurred to me that it would be Bodhi or Garrick. I just don’t feel like it was his inner circle like that! None of them craved power. I think Brennan has been venim all along! I think he was turned when Naolin saved him somehow. They said venim could be hiding amongst them.
      2. Cory
        January 30, 2025 at 12:22 am
        Brennan did have amber eyes all this time, no? As we learn from the onyx gold flecks gone permanently amber?
        Also, we have no idea how Brennan figured it out that Xaden is venin. He said he’d been trying to mend him but how did he find out?
        Did Xaden trust him with his info? I doubt it.
        Did Brennan “sense” him? Now that’s likely.
        But do the dragons not sense him at all? Surely Tairn would know a little more, no? We all know that Sgaeyl doesn’t like him. Can she sense something dark?
        Why is Dain so powerful? ARGH so many questions….
      3. monduelle
        February 1, 2025 at 7:54 pm
        I think Dain could have some power given from his father (with whichever reasoning coming from daddy Aetos). Just like when Berwyn told Pancheck you asked for power and I delivered. Thankfully Dain’s power was used to save Mira.
        And I am not worried about Garrick – he’s balance to venin’s distance wielder plus I guess his signet is one of the 6 strongest (like the first 6 had) which need to reunite to defeat venin.
        What breaks my heart is having second shadow wielder in the play 💔
      4. Cory
        February 3, 2025 at 12:16 am
        That’s a cool theory actually. But I’m certain Daddy Aetos is venin. Do we think venin can “imbue” excess power into people? That would be insane.
        I’m not worried about Lynx. I think Xaden will kill him in no time. Lynx is silly. He broke his nose and fell into mud. He’s not strong or dangerous at all. I think he’s, unfortunately, going to be one that falls very fast.
Mia
January 27, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Two more things:
Xaden mentions to Violet that he was able to change his dream. He wanted to keep channeling from the ground in his dream, but Violet convinced him to raise his arms—just like what happened in the battle. Xaden also talks about how Violet can enter anyone’s dreams—and as we know, even the Venin sleep, since Xaden himself was one and still dreamed. If this ability remains with higher-ranking Venin, could Violet manipulate their future behavior or plans—as long as she remains undetected?
The gifts from the island are bound to play a role too: if the broken compass works like the one in Pirates of the Caribbean and leads to what your heart desires, then Violet might be able to find her way to Xaden—whether he wants it or not.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:42 am
  I agree with you on both points. I think Violet’s signet is not boring at all. It is passive, yes, but she can interfere. Xaden didn’t realize she’s in his dreams. The venin, did, though.
  So she needs to really hone that signet.
  As for the compass. I have a theory with two options: either take her to the island of loial or take her to Xaden indeed. Where do you think he’s hiding? I think maybe Bay of Malek?
  Reply
  1. monduelle
    February 1, 2025 at 7:58 pm
    And Berwyn was shocked by Vi’s knife in the dream – only she used it to wake herself up. I am sure this was something though!
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 3, 2025 at 12:14 am
      I wonder is Berwyn is also a dream walker btw? How does he access those dreams?
      Reply
Kikki
January 27, 2025 at 8:16 pm
The last part with xaden. I think everyone is missing the fact he drained and killed the venin and their wyvern. The only one he cannot kill is his Sage. And I think he will use his power to kill the venin and use his love for violet to keep on mission with his saegyls help and possibly garrick and his chosen squad.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:45 am
  Hi Kikki! I’ve been going over that as well, and it’s such an intriguing detail. I’m curious if, in previous moments when Xaden killed venin, he ever relied solely on his shadows or if he always paired them with his daggers (I’m going through the previous books to check). If it turns out that he’s only ever used the combination, it could hint at something deeper about the nature of his power.
  Violet’s comment about him having the kind of power that can destroy worlds feels so significant here. It makes you wonder what the true extent of his abilities might be. And the fact that he can’t kill his Sage? That absolutely feels like a nasty dark bond.
  Reply
Katie
January 27, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Okay, so rereading Xaden’s perspective right now – he states “now that my sage has another ‘sibling’ he can use against me” then states “my new brother and the unconscious dragon laying next to him”
The fact that he differentiates between sibling and brother makes me think that it is a female that turned first.
I also can’t shake the feeling that violets dad somehow survived.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 1:01 am
  Hi Katie, oh interesting. That’s a very good point, actually. So who could be the woman that turned???
  Ufff I also thought that Asher is still alive. But Rebecca Yarros did confirm he is dead dead. Unless he’s a God himself 🙂 Like Malek.
  Reply
Havebookswilltravel
January 27, 2025 at 9:10 pm
I thought Ridoc froze the water in the dragon’s body, not drained it? He froze the inside of the orange and he’s an ice wielder.
I thought Garrick would be the new venin but you might be convincing me about Bodhi. I’m still leaning toward Garrick, though. In Imogen’s POV she and her dragon argue a little about how she still has never told Garrick how she feels. I’m wondering if love will be the thing that saves them both. Isn’t Dunne the goddess of love? And Theo said that the Dunne temple was the one thing that could take her power.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 1:05 am
  You are right, I’m going to correct this. He froze them, hence becoming brittle.
  Garrick makes sense because there was a brown with a fatal injury. Garrick’s dragon is brown. I wonder if he turned to save himself?
  Bodhi turning makes sense because his magic doesn’t work on venin so he’s pretty damn pointless at this stage. But as venin, maybe his magic could work against venin too now.
  I’m uncertain. We have the fans divided into two: team Bodhi and team Garrick haha.
  Dunne is the Goddess of War. Loial is for love <3
  Reply
  1. Jen
    January 29, 2025 at 12:09 am
    Okay, and and what about Xaden receiving the note about earning a favor Dunne early on when he was avoiding discussing his succession plans to Violet, how will that come into play? 🙂
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:29 am
      Do you happen to remember the chapter for it?
      Reply
ACatNamedToast
January 28, 2025 at 3:50 am
Hey all! First time commenter here, I binge read the FW & IF in a matter of a week because I was so excited for OS to come out. To my surprise OS came out on my birthday!! I read it and let me just say my jaw was on the floor more than once. I rushed to the internet to research what others thought of the book because I needed more, and I stumbled across this site, and I have been here refreshing since!
I want to start by adding my input on Tairn and Sgaeyl – I am in denial about thinking Sgaeyl willingly broke her mating bond to Tairn when they literally have been mated for at least 2 decades. That is heartbreaking and I just don’t want to accept it. I do agree that it would be best for Xaden and Violet, but I don’t necessarily think it is best for the dragons.
At the end of the book whenever Weilsen is entered have we met him before? or is he new new?
I am over here counting the days for the next one, until then I am excited to read everyone’s theories!
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 4:08 am
  I think it’s devastating. I wonder if maybe Andarna helped do it…and she will be able to restore it again? Or maybe she broke the bond with Xaden only?
  We never learned about a Weilsen before. He’s a new character!
  Also, welcome welcome!!!
  Reply
Melissa Edman
January 28, 2025 at 5:20 am
Love all these theories and I super appreciate the clarity on the ending. Can we talk about Aaric for a sec…? Precog, obvs… But could he maybe be a balance for Melgren? Could Melgren be venin?
Also, I think all the rebellion relic riders gave second signets, we just haven’t been told all of them yet.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 5:46 am
  It’s very possible, right?
  I’ve been saying this for ages but nobody likes me for it haha. “I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if General Melgren
  ripped a mask off one day and revealed he was a terrifying venin. That man has always given me the creeps.”
  🙂 I think RY spelled it out for us.
  Reply
  1. ACatNamedToast
    January 28, 2025 at 7:28 pm
    I agree I think Melgreen could’ve very well been venin this whole time! I am so overly attached to Aaric I hope nothing bad happens to that precious little baby 😂
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:26 am
      Is he your Riorson? Because I’m also low key in love with Aaric haha
      Reply
  2. Heather
    January 30, 2025 at 11:36 pm
    Hi Cory,
    I also have a theory that Aaric had is signet back in Iron Flame but didn’t tell anyone. He never expressed concern about his signet not manifesting yet, even though Rhi was concerned for him—but I think this was because he had already manifested and didn’t tell anyone. He has always kept things to himself and secret and I think his signet is one of those things, especially with it being something so unique and important. Then we see him keep other things secret—his identity, languages, knowledge, his signet, and who knows what else.
    Also what if it is not just precognition but both past and future—precognition and recognition? This would explain how he knew Xaden killed his brother, Alic—which really perplexed Xaden how Aaric would have found out. Also I feel this was a sign of it being from Aaric’s signet because Aaric is usually so controlled and calm, but when faced with Xaden in that moment he is very emotional and upset—even reaching for the hilt of his sword (Iron Flame, Chapter 32).
    In Onyx Storm he does say, “I prefer keeping my mouth shut until I understand the rules of whatever game is aiming for my throat. Helps me judge the character and acumen of my opponent.” After one of the triumphant, Nairi remarks, “You’re rather quiet for someone who seems to know so much.”
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 31, 2025 at 1:36 am
      Hi Heather, so there is a lot more to the prince, isn’t it?
      The only concern is that Aaric had only just got Molvic and a few pages later (when the dragons probably didn’t even start to chanel yet?) Aaric accuses Xaden of this.
      Could Molvic have said something? Surely he didn’t start to channel and develop a signet in just a few days?
      I also think, and this is going to be weird, but maybe he is the answer to Dain? Dain is our retrog. Aaric is our precog.
      Unless, Aaric is the answer to Melgren (a theory I’m working on) to explain that Melgren might have always been venin weirdly enough. Violet have been saying that for ages!
      Reply
      1. Heather
        January 31, 2025 at 4:24 am
        I think his power is the answer to someone on the venin side we don’t know yet. Because it has always seemed that someone on the venin side has precognition, they seem to know movement more than even just having insider tips at times when things are fast or spontaneous. Especially in Iron Flame when Jack seemed to be expecting Violet, in the ward stone chamber and says she is right on time.
        Yes, on the Melgren part—I totally think Melgren could be venin, or a venin supporter, promised power for helping them all this time.
        I also think there is more behind Markham. I feel a scribe maybe pulling more of the stings and I found it very curious that was Markam said to be questioning Jack in Onyx Storm, chapter 12. Maybe he was the “one who watched” the Resson battle and reported back.
      2. Cory
        January 31, 2025 at 7:19 am
        THERE. Don’t you think Berwyn is a precog somehow? He seems to know what is going on in December. He seems to know that Xaden will turn for love.
        And exactly, there are so so many moments when it feels like the venin just know when things are going to happen. When the wards are going to fall. When the Aretia wards are going to fall too. Draithus. They are always a step ahead.
        I’m just not sure (searching for evidence right now) if Aaric is the answer to Melgren, or the answer to the Sage. Or neither…and there is someone else there.
Judy
January 28, 2025 at 11:35 am
Hi, love this compilation of theories. I think the new “brother” is Dain. Read page 479 when sloane draws from him:
”
-Sloane: She stares at the gray handprint that scars his forearm, “I don’t want to do that. Become that.”
– Someone like shouldn’t have this much power.”
– Dain: “But you are not going to kill me, no matter how badly you want to. Now do it.
I am pretty convinced it is him because he is the one you least expect it from, the most law abiding leader.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:03 pm
  I think the new brother is Brennan!!! https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-who-turned-venin-at-the-end/
  Reply
2. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 12:04 pm
  I’m not saying btw that Dain is not somehow a baddie here. But I am not so sure he’s the new brother? He didn’t know about Xaden and didn’t watch Xaden for the past 5 months, suffer and stumble.
  Reply
  1. Mandi
    January 28, 2025 at 8:35 pm
    I was thinking Dain as well because it is legit the last person I would think to change. He was such a rule follower originally.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 12:47 am
      I agree, but then again, Dain didn’t see Xaden struggle, right? He didn’t know.
      Reply
      1. agustina politti
        February 6, 2025 at 6:21 pm
        I think it’s Bodhi and that’s why Xaden married Violet. Because now Bodhi, who has the next in line, is not also a venim.
Julia
January 28, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Hello from Brazil! I love your website!
I’m thinking, Violet broke the codex by marrying Xaden – a venin – once she is not gratuated. Do you think this might me the reason they want to punish Violet?
That one is crazy… but I was thinking maybe Imogen erased 12h of Violet’s memory but also erased the love Violet felt for Xaden so she can move on and stop trying to safe Xaden.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 28, 2025 at 11:55 pm
  Hi Julia, welcome welcome!
  Hmm…I’m not sure if cadets are not allowed to marry. So far I haven’t found any info on that in the books.
  I think the reason why she might be punished is because of what her and Xaden (and others) did…stolen dragon eggs, some dead elders? That tells me that they did some crazy stuff before Xaden disappeared. And our job in Book 4 is to uncover all of that 😀 and it must be some crazy bad stuff seeing as she might be seen as a traitor.
  As for the dead elders? Probably the dragons of traitors and venin informants?
  Reply
Mirja Berner
January 28, 2025 at 3:56 pm
I want to add something to the theory with the dragon eggs. If the eggs were brought to one of the islands, I don´t think Garrick would be able to bring theme there. Without magic he can not use his signet to do that. Even if he turned venin, what I not suppose, he would need magic to do that. So he only could drain people on the isles to do that. I can not imagine him so spooky. We got to know him much better in OS, more than in FW and IF. And although he was exhausted, when he saved Imogen I think he didn´t turned. I see him as psychological stable person. For Bodhi I´m not so sure. Garrick is nearly almost strong, he has humor and I think he is loyal. We know he already supported Xaden in FW to protect Violet. We see him a little bit clumsy when it comes to the chocolate cake, when he get poisoned. I think RY will work on a love story between him an Imogen in the next books. If he had turned venin that would not be so realistic.
And to think about another subject, who would be able to steal the eggs cause he/she or them are so reckless to do that and would be able to kill the dragons? Whe should have a look to the scenes in Deverelli and Unnbriel to figure this more out. I think we knew that Xaden, Dain und Violet won´t do that when we consider their reactions during the conversation with Narelle in the book shop.
Reply
1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:58 am
  But wait…wait. what if he took them to the isles of Irids? There is magic there!
  I agree btw, Garrick did not turn. I see him as the rock. He’s stable. He will remain stable. In Garrick we trust 🙂
  There are several reasons to steal the eggs:
  – for trade
  – for protection (to keep them safe, with the Irids)
  I’m doing a re-read for the read along chapters and I’m close to when they go to the isles. I things there is a looot of detail in there we need to explore!
  Reply
  1. Mirja
    January 29, 2025 at 6:27 am
    The question is how the signet distance wielding exactly works. Does Garrick need some ground to make steps between? How much magic does he need for which distance? What about going over the sea/ ocean? So many questions to get some answers…
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 11:54 am
      I have no idea. But every single moment Xaden asks “are you up for a walk” I’m DEAD! I’m like, I see what you did there…
      But I think he just literally needs to..walk. Like a step and boom!
      Reply
Jessica S
January 28, 2025 at 4:57 pm
OMG this thread was BEYYONNND helpful! I’ve been re-reading the last 10 or so chapters to really get a grasp but THIS helped me so much!! Thank you!
Reply
1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:18 am
  You are most welcome <3
  Reply
Leslie
January 28, 2025 at 5:50 pm
I want to reread the part when Aarick pulls Linx from the doorway. I can’t remember what chapter though. Can you help?
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1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:25 am
  Chapter 46
  Aaric tilts his head, then pauses just before the door, bringing the squad to an awkward stop.
  “What are you do—” Lynx starts.
  Aaric throws his arm across Lynx’s chest and drags him back, bumping into Sawyer just before the door bursts open and the Duke of Calldyr flies through
  Reply
Montsé
January 28, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Hi! First time commenting here, thank you so much for all the theories. I agree with most of them but I cannot see Brennan being the brother.
I can’t take out of my head that maybe Vi could be pregnant??????? 🤯🤯🤯🤯 bringing also a heir to Tyrrendor.
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1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:42 am
  Welcome <3
  That’s totally ok, not everyone agrees with all theories, and that’s the fun of these discussions. We exchange ideas and we’re having fun.
  Uffff, so many people tell me about Violet being pregnant. I don’t deny the possibility but I don’t love the idea 😀
  Reply
  1. Joan
    February 3, 2025 at 5:33 am
    I sincerely hope RY has more imagination that to make Violet pregnant. Such a mundane plot trick. But then, I’m not crazy about books that are cliffhangers, it’s has the scent of a marketing tool.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 8, 2025 at 12:28 am
      GREAT news! She confirmed that she is not pregnant. Thank the Gods!!!
      Reply
Hallie Hawk
January 28, 2025 at 11:53 pm
When Solane is channeling power from Dain to Brennan to save Mira why is it pointed out that there isn’t a hand print left behind? Did Brennan turn then?
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1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:31 am
  I think it’s because, if you remember Aetos has a print on his hand for when Jack drained some of his magic.
  Also, Brennan has a similar one on his palm. Assuming (as per one of my theories) that Naolin “stole” magic from somewhere, potentially the earth, and GAVE it to Brennan, by holding his hand when Brennan was dying.
  But Sloane is not venin, she is life. When she takes or gives magic, she does not leave marks.
  Reply
  1. Amanda
    January 29, 2025 at 1:38 am
    This is what I was going to say. Maybe Sloan didn’t actually drain any power from Dain and Brennan used all of his power to cure Mira thus making him venin. Which was the reason for the comment about no hand print?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 29, 2025 at 2:31 am
      I think it was to differentiate between what venin (or siphon turned venin) do when they drain and what a siphon does when she “drains”. The mark was to show that Naolin touched him before. I know it in my heart!
      Reply
2. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 12:31 am
  I think Brennan turned at the very end. Not sure why.
  Reply
Claire
January 29, 2025 at 1:35 am
It’s Ridoc! He turned. The entire chapter from Rhi’s POV was to show Ridoc’s so powerful. In Imogen’s POV his brown dragon is the tail with the fatal wound. Only a handful of people knew about Xaden, including Ridoc. He had a great arc this book that was totally setting him up for this.
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1. Cory
  January 29, 2025 at 2:30 am
  Hi Claire, I can see why. The brown was injured, hence Ridoc’s Aotrom might have been the one.
  Ridoc was also team Violet. He either did it to survive, or he did it to keep an eye on Xaden.
  But I’m not convinced by it. I am certain it was Brennan.
  Reply
Kelsie
January 29, 2025 at 2:50 pm
This thread is great! I needed it! Lol!
I’ve read through a lot of the comments – but don’t see anyone talking about Andarna. Like – why is she back? So soon. By my rough calculations – it’s been, what, maybe a couple of weeks since she left. We expected her to be gone ‘years’ as Leothan says “It may take a few years….By then you will have learned enough…” So why is she back so soon? And speaking to Violet, because when she broke the bond in ch.53 she lost the ability to speak to Vi. Is she now speaking to Vi similar to how Leothan does or is the bond back? How did she get to the isle of the Irids and back so fast? It took the riders days to get there during their explorations and Andarna wasn’t strong enough to make the journey. Honestly there could be any number of explanations – but I think that whatever it is is going to be somehow pivotal to turning the tide against the Venin. We think Andarna lost her ability to slow time – but maybe she perfected it with the Irids.
Also noted that they hung all of their hope on a cure with the Irids, but didn’t ask at the other isles along the way….
My first instinct was that Brennan turned venin. There’s something about Brennan that is sus and we still haven’t heard his story for the time he was perceived “dead.” Also – the emotion that is conveyed in Xaden’s comment…annoyance. I think if it had been Garrick or Bodhi he would have been angry/hurt/sad. Also – Brennan has watched “[Xaden] stumble and fall over the last FIVE MONTHS.” Ridoc hasn’t known for 5 months and hasn’t really witnessed Xaden’s “struggle,” though I do admit it would make for a good story line. Could be Aaric…though we didn’t really get the gist that he knew about Xaden.
Also – and this just nags on me….so before the attack in Athebyne in FW everyone thinks venin are just folklore and not real – but all it takes to turn venin is to just touch the ground and draw magic? You can’t tell me that no rider (or any person) hasn’t turned in the however many years the leadership has been hiding their existence. Instant execution, sure, but how are you managing witnesses of the act when the earth turns grey under their touch? Jack turned back before venin were known to be real after all……
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1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 12:56 am
  Welcome welcome.
  Andarna remains such a mystery to us.
  – I have no idea if she’s back as bonded or just speaking to Violet. Interesting, right? Indeed, she is back so soon. That threw me off. I wonder is she didn’t like her family. Or if she found what was needed.
  – I never thought she lost her gift of time. I am certain somehow she still has it. She is magic! All around.
  – YES! Brennan turned venin. I’m so certain of it too. Another sibling, right? And the siblings have always been the Sorrengails 🙂 The fables are for them. I just wonder if Violet will be able to kill her own brother. AND Xaden.
  – I don’t think it was Aaric. Nor Ridoc. I know it in my heart it’s not them. We need Aaric to be the royal, eventually.
  – I think there is magic all around them in Navarre because of the Vale. Jack himself said that they can just draw magic undetected. We know there is a lot of excess magic everywhere, that powers even the mage lights. Chances are, they do it like that. Or they eat a little alloy every now and then.
  My question is how the hell can they keep their red eyes in check?
  Reply
Kate
January 29, 2025 at 6:37 pm
I might have misread this, but was it Brennan who was missing a mark on his neck? Something that Violet noticed. Is that a clue about who turned venin?
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1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 12:46 am
  I think it was a way to say that Sloane can channel magic around without leaving the same marks as venin? I’m trying to figure that out myself. It’s a bit confusing.
  “and watch as Brennan walks away. Weird. There’s no mark at the back of his neck like he carries on his palm. There hadn’t been one on Dain’s wrist, either.”
  Reply
Heather
January 29, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Hi,
Another theory on the Isles and the eggs. I agree that the number of eggs taken, six, is very important—as in the six dragon dens (since Aretia didn’t have any more of the 7th dragon den eggs other than Andarna). Big question—Why do the Isles not have magic? And they want dragons and the dragons do best in locations of magic, otherwise they are in pain…So, I think the Isles are preparing for possibly having magic for the first time—but I think again. I think they lost magic when all the dragons left from the Isles (not counting the Irid who are hiding somewhere and do not interact or bond with humans).
Remember the dragon eggs themselves are—or have—magic. Since even the shells are said to still have some magic remaining in them, to create the alloy needed to create the wards and to kill Venin. Also when the first dragon hatched in Aretia when they returned, it made the hatching grounds active again, and a wave of magic released and everyone felt it when the first dragon hatched there. So I have a theory that by taking the eggs to the Isles, will bring magic back to the Isles—making a new hatching ground and a new Empyrean of dragons for that location. (Since the dragons identify the Aretia dragons as one rule, the Vale as another, then the Isles would have their own).
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1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 1:20 am
  I like your train of thought.
  I have this theory that dragons somehow also “stole” magic from the ground. But they are not turning. They are also the ones who can channel power to humans being the gate keepers. Jack said that right?
  We also have that paragraphs “It was never our continent. From the very beginning, it was theirs,
  and we were simply allowed to live here.”
  I think that refers to the Gods and not the dragons. Irids are magic and they are the only ones that can channel from the sky directly. If there is no magic in the ground, the dragons cannot use it or channel it. It is interesting to believe that many islands belong to different Gods. I would imagine that Gods are somehow magic, right?
  Another theory is that feathertails are all magic until they are not? As you said yourself, hatching grounds. Having them on the isles would either restore magic or bring magic back.
  It could be that all Gods used to live on the continent, until they decided to leave all magic and mess behind as well?
  Reply
  1. Heather
    January 30, 2025 at 3:02 am
    Yes, that quotation about the continent never being ours from the beginning is curious. Presumably the “ours” is humans and the “theirs” could be the dragons, the gods, the venin? The odd thing to me is if the gods left the continent for the isles then why isn’t there magic on all the isles? One of them had some magic—but not enough for the riders to use their signets. Maybe the isle for the goddess of love would have had magic? But it is curious, is it only the closer to where the Irids are that has magic?
    There was another thing Tairn said in Fourth Wing, I will see if I can find it, where he told Violet the dragons needed humans for their opposable thumbs and to make the runes and such. That dragons and humans have just been using each other for centuries. Also Xaden mentioned in Onyx Storm that the dragons sought out the marked ones within the same family line to have stronger signets, or two signets, for a more powerful army. Who is the army to fight? The venin presumably, but we also know all the dragons in the Basgiath Empyrean didn’t agree, so could it also be to fight other dragons?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 30, 2025 at 9:00 am
      I’m super certain it belonged to the Gods. Amaralys right?
      I’m now thinking, the dragons have eggs which are magic. And the Vale changes the way magic operates. So the question is, by taking eggs somewhere, could there be some magic? Enough for a dragon to not be in pain?
      Also, why are dragons in pain when removed from magic? Humans are not in pain when removed from magic. They just are…if anything uncomfortable and vulnerable. Does this mean that dragons channeled from the wrong sources somehow?
      You are right about the dragons. It feels like they needed humans not just against venin, but against Gods…
      Reply
Heather
January 29, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Also… I think Sgaeyl and Tairn as still bonded, I think Xaden and Sgaeyl are just too far away right now.
Maybe they are escorting the eggs, if they were taken for good reasons, or hunting whomever took the eggs if they were taken for evil reasons. I expect the eggs would need to be carried by dragon, wyvern, or possibly multiple gryphons.
P.S. Also the fact that Sgaeyl still let Xaden ride her and stay bonded to her at the end of the book, means that Sgaeyl does not think Xaden is too far gone. <3
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1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 12:25 am
  I LOVE this comment, Heather! It’s giving me a nice sense of hope.
  I do hope that Sgaeyl and Tairn are still bonded. <3 I would love nothing more…I wonder if Andarna did something though?
  Reply
  1. Heather
    January 30, 2025 at 2:55 am
    Hi Cory,
    Yes, I wonder if Andarna did something with her special magic at the end as well. Because Sgaeyl says, “We will ask and her decision will determine our fate.” Sgaeyl and Xaden had just been talking about Violet, but the she in that sentence could also be Andarna. Xaden has a plan obviously that he showed Sgaeyl and he also said Berwyn has something he needs, so Xaden is still working towards helping Violet (or he thinks he is) and Sgaeyl agrees, as does Tairn, Andarna, and Imogen—at minimum—for all to go down as it did. Probably Garrick and maybe Aaric helping as well, but book 4 will tell us. Aaric was definitely helping Violet but we don’t know if he was also secretly helping Xaden in any way.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 30, 2025 at 8:57 am
      So do you think the “we will ask” is for Andarna? And not Violet?
      Do you have any theories on what does Berwyn have? That Xaden needs?
      Reply
Heather
January 30, 2025 at 3:17 am
Correction, the quotation from Tairn was in Iron Flame, chapter 3:
“This First Six riders were desperate to save their people when they approached the dens over six hundred years ago. Those dragons formed the first Empyrean and bonded humans only to protect their hatching grounds from venin, who were the bigger threat. We don’t exactly have opposable thumbs for weaving wards or runes. Neither species has ever been entirely truthful, both using the other for their own reasons and nothing more.” —Tairn speaking to Violet
Another thing that stands out in what Tairn said is that venin were the “bigger threat” at the time, not the only threat… of course humans are a threat, but maybe the gods too?
Reply
1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 9:02 am
  I am 100% with you. The bigger threat feels like a hint towards venin or Gods.
  Does this mean that the Irids are the right type of magic? And if that’s the case, why so many colors of dragons? By channeling from the ground, could it be that they became one solid color only?
  This opens up the question to sooo much.
  Reply
  1. Heather
    January 30, 2025 at 10:24 pm
    Violet and Aaric need to get back into the King’s archive room at Bassgiath, there was a book specifically called out in there called: A History of the Island Wars. Seems needed since it was actually called out and now that we have seen the isles may explain why they have no magic and large cross bolts to fight flying opponents.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      January 30, 2025 at 11:32 pm
      So many books there. I wonder if they will strike a deal, Violet and the King, to be able to access his secret archives.
      Even books hints about royals wearing black, do you remember?
      Reply
Kate C
January 30, 2025 at 10:40 am
Can we resurface the theory of Violet’s Dad being venin? Discuss him traveling to all of these islands doing research? The whole thing with the Grandma, distance, and secrets? Dedication to Dunne? I think these may be the threads we need to pull on more. Thoughts?
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1. Cory
  January 30, 2025 at 11:43 pm
  Are we still thinking that we was venin? I think Lilith was. And he went on a quest to find a cure for her and not for himself.
  But then again, Lilith was the answer to Theo right? The dedication to Dunne, I think, was Asher’s way to add extra protection to his daughter against Theo.
  I think all of them (the siblings) were given roles to play to protect themselves against Theo and the venin.
  Reply
Missevilempire
January 31, 2025 at 1:42 am
I want to respond to the question whether it is Bodhi or Garrick that changes in the end. In Iron Flame Ch. 11 inscription of a letter Xaden sent Violet he says “After Liam, Bodhi was and still is the closest thing I have to a brother, perpetually tagging along a step behind”.
Now… you can read into that many ways but you can assume Xaden views him as a brother and Bodhi will follow Xaden always/forever/in perpetuity.
However the way Xaden refers to his new brother shows very little familiarity or love?
“ “skim past the one who now thinks himself my brother, then destroy the six blocking the entrance to this canyon.”
So…idk?! Lol
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1. Cory
  January 31, 2025 at 1:59 am
  YES! It feels cold. Xaden is very angry with this new dude. Which to me, explains why it’s def Brennan! https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-who-turned-venin-at-the-end/
  Reply
Stacey
January 31, 2025 at 4:13 am
Late night thinking…stay with me and just keep an open mind….lol
What if the second signet that Violet gets from bonding Andarna changes to what she needs? She stated a few times that signets are manifested by the need of the rider, the dragons say they don’t give them their signets, they just give them the access to the power to manifest it. Right? I may be paraphrasing… But what if Andarna, being an Irid, can manipulate (change) power/magic, and that also gives Violet the signet of being able to wield whatever it is she needs in those moments?
I believe Andarna was the reason Violet could still talk to Tairn and her when they were on Unnbriel, and other Isles where there was no magic. And then that’s why she could wield the lightning strike during the triple battle she was in with Dain and Xaden (even though she didn’t believe it was her). Andarna gives Violet access to different signets because Andarna can change as well, like a chameleon….
I don’t know if that made any sense or not lol just a late night thought after thinking way too hard about parts of these books. I may be interpreting things incorrectly, not sure. I need to do a re-read of all the books again.
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1. Cory
  February 1, 2025 at 6:01 am
  Hi Stacey,
  I don’t think it’s a crazy theory actually. Andarna never confirmed that Violet’s second signet is actually dream-walker. Violet has been known to have an interesting intuition, and also she continues to slow time down here and there. At least it appears so from when you read the book at parts.
  Dream waking makes her a type of inntinnsic. Dangerous one at that. But the irid did make a comment that she’d gifted Violet a lot more!
  ““And you”—the male lowers his gaze to Andarna—“our very hope, have handed this human something far more dangerous to wield, haven’t you?”
  And you are right, Andarna is magic, she was the reason why Violet could still communicate with her and Tairn.
  Reply
  1. monduelle
    February 1, 2025 at 8:31 pm
    Why do you guys think Andarna wouldn’t communicate with Sgaeyl at that point as well?
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 3, 2025 at 12:13 am
      I think, because they are not bonded!
      Reply
2. Mel
  February 3, 2025 at 9:36 pm
  Stacey, I think you’re correct. I don’t remember in which book, but doesn’t Andarna say something to V similar to “it’s not like I decide how you use my power”? At the time, I took it to mean that V could manifest any signet she needs at a particular moment.
  Reply
Tony
January 31, 2025 at 6:33 am
What if V gets a 3rd signet now that andarna has bonded again? Or maybe just reinstated the bond strengthening her dream walker signet to be used while awake, like meditative state
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1. Cory
  January 31, 2025 at 7:00 am
  I do think she has a third signet weirdly enough. And that’s because of the sarcastic prophesy made by Jesinia.
  Reply
Lindsay
January 31, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Ok so nobody has mentioned this which is making me feel crazy. Like did I miss something? Help!
One of theophanie’s final statements sounds like she is talking about a way to reverse being Venin. When Violet confronts her asking if she yearns for temple, and theophanie says:
“Do you? Or are you immune, having only been touched but not dedicated? Do you know the pain of never being allowed to return, of knowing that it would sever the very thing that’s kept me untouchable all these years?”
To me it sounds like she revealed that if she returned to the temple then she would be cut off from her power or no longer be venin. Thoughts?!
Reply
1. Cory
  February 1, 2025 at 7:40 am
  You’re definitely not crazy for picking up on this! In fact, Onyx Storm heavily hints that there might be a way to reverse being Venin, and Theophanie’s words are a huge clue.
  Her statement—“Do you? Or are you immune, having only been touched but not dedicated? Do you know the pain of never being allowed to return, of knowing that it would sever the very thing that’s kept me untouchable all these years?”—suggests that going back to the temple could sever the connection to Venin magic.
  Let’s break this down:
  “Touched but not dedicated” – This is Violet. But not Theo. Theo was dedicated.
  “Never being allowed to return” – This implies that Theophanie wants to return but can’t. Something about being Venin makes her unable to enter the temple. Makes sense.
  “It would sever the very thing that’s kept me untouchable” – This is the biggest clue. Whatever power she’s tied to (Venin magic) would be cut off if she returned to the temple. She would become human again.
  This could mean one of two things:
  The gods’ presence in the temple counteracts Venin magic, meaning a Venin who chooses to return would lose their dark power.
  There’s some kind of bargain or binding that keeps Venin from returning to the temples, possibly a divine rule that prevents them from being redeemed unless they make a willing choice to sever their connection.
  If this theory holds, it means there is a way to reverse being Venin—but it requires the person to choose to give up their power and return to the gods. It’s also interesting in the context of Xaden and his soul—could returning to the temple (or something equivalent) be part of the solution to restoring him? The only question is…was he ever touched by any God?
  Reply
Alissa
January 31, 2025 at 8:42 pm
I’m wondering if Aaric could be venin because of the siblings notes above. Or one of the other royals.
Reply
1. Cory
  February 1, 2025 at 6:14 am
  I’m certain Aaric is not venin. He’s what we need for the Kingdom.
  Reply
  1. Tracy Meldrum
    February 3, 2025 at 7:13 am
    I think his father, the king is venin
    Aaric left because his father and brothers were doing nothing and he needed to do something.
    The King and General Melgren and General Aetos are all in cahoots lol
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 5, 2025 at 8:04 am
      I agree. The king and Melgren are both icky!
      Reply
Dani
January 31, 2025 at 8:49 pm
In Chapter 64, Violet sees the letter from the high priestess that says “I will pray to Her that she need not use it to avoid reacquainting herself with the other who curries her favor. Her path is still not set.”
I think this shows that she is in favor, or was touched or whatever, by Dunne AND MALEK. She will have to use it just to “avoid meeting the other one” who favors her? It has to be Malek and avoiding meeting her death. This could be a great thing for her…if she is in favor with Malek, she could make a deal to get Xaden back or something (still not fully sure how that all works). Her path is still not set, so she could choose Malek’s favor. Not sure if that would make her death or something though.
Reply
1. Cory
  February 1, 2025 at 6:17 am
  OMG, yes yes! I think Violet chose Malek a long time ago. She talks to Malek always. Malek listens to her.
  Check this out too. Working on a theory about Malek and found this amazing paragraph
  “I still see us among your potential paths, should you decide to
  take it. Dunne will accept you. It is not too late to choose Her.”
  I raise my eyebrows at the woman. “I choose him.” Whether she’s
  talking about Xaden or Tairn, my answer is the same.
  Zuzle here has a theory that we will need to find Xaden’s soul. Who collects souls? Malek…Violet will just have to pick it from there 🙂 and my guess is that she will have to carry it in the empty box from Zihnal. And to find Malek? Use the compass.
  Reply
Amanda
February 1, 2025 at 3:38 am
So I don’t know if anyone has addresses this as I gave up reading through all the comments!!!… But the “It” she promised to keep safe is probably Tyrrendor right? Or possibly the sword of Tyrrendor. But I think it’s most likely Tyrrendor as he was freaking out about how he couldn’t turn down being the Duke of Tyrrendor without creating suspicion. And how he was trying to find a way out of it. Then he says,”The only solution I can think of is you.” He may have been planning for a situation where she would take over from the moment he got it. I just don’t know why he bothered pestering Bodhi about being the next in line and pulling him out of classes to attend meetings. Maybe it was a diversion? Maybe he secretly still hopes he can come back to her deep down? Who knows.
Reply
1. Cory
  February 1, 2025 at 7:24 am
  The IT is def Tyrrendor.
  I think he married her to use Tyrrendor to protect her rather than use Violet to protect Tyrrendor. He said that himself
  Reply
  1. Amanda
    February 5, 2025 at 8:08 pm
    That is genius! That makes sense for protecting her in more than one way. After I posted this it has seriously been eating at me why he forced Bodhi to attend meetings rather than be in classes. Any theories on that? The only thing I can think of is that he wanted Bodhi to be her right hand man. But there has to be more significance than that. RY doesn’t write anything without a purpose.
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 8, 2025 at 12:13 am
      RY doesn’t write anything without purpose. You are right. I do think it was to take over from him/be Violet’s right hand! Btw, really great attention to details!
      Reply
Giedre
February 1, 2025 at 8:50 pm
Hi all! So many comments, might not have gone through all to see if anyone else raised the same opinion/insight/wonder on the ending of Onyx Storm.
The one thing that struck me about the note Xaden left Violet. He states to do not look for him, it’s yours. Well, through first 2 books it’s clear Violet does the opposite that Xaden says/asks of her. He told her not to fall for for him, she did, not to endanger her life just for a talk, she did, etc… So maybe it’s the same, he knows he left her in a situation that is unbearable, so leaves a note that would not mean a direct meaning, especially with the memory wipe. Also! “It’s yours” can mean so much, not just the title for Violet to step in, but perhaps what he left for safe keeping in the ring. Or overall his piece of soul that is kept safe, when on the battle ground she does say – I love you, and how it’s written that it almost looks like that one piece splits apart. Whoever turned, Xaden made sure Violet will take rain as she should, even if it’s Bhodi who also turned, so the throne is safe with Violet. I think he planned every possible outcome for love and to protect her as his home. Also knowing he is the only one to figure out the outcome, solution. He never did anything out of impulse, only carefully planned moves.
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1. Cory
  February 3, 2025 at 12:12 am
  I completely agree—Xaden is scheming, and he has been for a while. Violet is going to have to spend time figuring out what happened to her memory, piecing together the truth before she inevitably goes looking for him. And that is a massive problem because the venin want her.
  But beyond that, Xaden absolutely expects to turn. When you read Onyx Storm carefully, it’s clear that he has been preparing for this possibility. The way he acts, the way he speaks—it’s as if he knows there is no cure. He’s setting Violet up to succeed, and when the time comes, he expects her to kill him or the person he will become. That’s the real tragedy here—he’s not fighting for himself; he’s fighting for her and for the bigger picture.
  I love your interpretation of his note, especially the phrase “It’s yours.” It could mean so many things—not just a literal title or responsibility, but something deeper, maybe even tied to his soul. He has always played the long game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he orchestrated every possible outcome to ensure Violet’s survival, even at the cost of himself. The memory wipe? It only buys time, and once Violet pieces things together, she won’t stop until she finds him. And when she does… well, that’s when things get really dangerous.
  Reply
Brooke
February 1, 2025 at 10:27 pm
I’m not totally buying the idea that the compass helps her find Xaden. Do I think there is a significance to the compass (also the glass box Xaden was gifted), yes. But not that significant.
I think more likely her dream walking will help her find Xaden. This signet has to manifest in a big way for the way the irid’s acted about her power.
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1. Cory
  February 2, 2025 at 1:12 am
  I’m changing my mind a little about the compass. I think it’s to find Malek perhaps..
  And the glass box is to hold Xaden’s soul in it.
  The dream walking will be able to talk to him and see where he is (roughly) but then she will need to “feel” his shadows to really find him.
  Reply
  1. Tracy Meldrum
    February 3, 2025 at 7:03 am
    This is an incredible theory!
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 8, 2025 at 12:24 am
      Thank you, kindly! Let’s hope it turns out to be true for Book 4!
      Reply
Mary
February 2, 2025 at 5:06 pm
No one knows about Imogen’s memory erasure signet do they? I thought they’d kept it on the downlow, so if that’s the case Dain or any other inntinnsic wouldn’t know to go to her. So they should all be safe right? Or am I completely wrong?
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1. Cory
  February 2, 2025 at 11:41 pm
  I think they do! She has a classified patch!
  Reply
  1. Mary
    February 3, 2025 at 12:13 am
    Well there goes that theory, lol 😉
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 3, 2025 at 12:58 am
      But I do wonder how her signet works, tho? Like…does she know what Violet did? Because then she can be interrogated, right?
      Reply
      1. Mary
        February 3, 2025 at 2:54 am
        I know. That would put Imogen in direct danger from memory readers and maybe other Inntinnsics? But also knowing how close their squad is, they will all be in danger at some point won’t they? They will probably put them in something similar like they did during their last interrogation, and though no one talked they were beat and tortured.
      2. Cory
        February 8, 2025 at 12:30 am
        But yeah, I mean it could be related to Bodhi too. I interpreted as Xaden.
Mary
February 3, 2025 at 3:04 am
Also, I meant to ask, who is the “He” in the last missive Violet received from Xaden in the end after she found out they were married: “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now. He’s gone.”
Could he be telling her that Bodhi is missing?
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:29 am
  No no.
  It’s like this “Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.”
  And then Violet says he’s gone.
  Reply
Joyce
February 3, 2025 at 3:49 am
Given that we know there’s a balance for all signets between riders and venin, and that Aaric has precognition now, could that mean Melgren is or will become venin? Which could be disastrous given Codagh’s power but also remember that Tairn references Codagh’s size to a wyvern and says it would be his best kill to date. Could this foreshadow that Tairn would need to fell Codagh and that he can?
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:28 am
  It’s very possible, right? Which is why I really don’t think it was Aaric that turned venin at the end of the book.
  I do think btw that Tairn and Codagh will have to have a major fight. And it won’t be pretty!
  Reply
Tracy Meldrum
February 3, 2025 at 6:58 am
Hi!
Have we discussed that churam was not discussed in book 2 or 3? It was discussed in book 1 to block the dragons during their first kiss.
It was then again used in the potion that blocked their access to their dragons during their lesson. The sweet smell is familiar to Violet. She just needed more time to place what it was….. Churam!
It blocks magic….so therefore it must be apart of the cure for Xaden.
I also think the green tipped poison daggers are some sort of churam, and think the green tipped dagger will revert a venin to become human again 🙂 two different ideas…
Andarna is back but Xaden is gone…. I think in book 4, Violet will find Xaden in their dreams before he comes back into her life.
When Sloane used her signet in book 3 she was afraid. But, no one turned black it said. ….did that happen to Violets mom in book 1? That confused me.
If so, i suspect violets mom was venin. That she pulled some of the magic. Just like every other professor it seems.
If violets mom did have a black spot on her skin, then Sloane would be able to detect venin as well by using her powers on them.
I think the king is Venin too.
Lots to consider. I’m excited for book 4!
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:27 am
  Wait wait https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/iron-flame-theory-the-elixir-developed-by-the-leadership-is-not-new/
  I have some thoughts on this too.
  I think venin use it yes yes yes!
  And this would explain how Sages and Mavens could be so undetected, right? I think it’s how Varrish was undetected. And I think he brought this crap with him to make riders weak!
  But also, to have an excuse to use it. It’s there, in the college, he can just access it anytime.
  I also have one about Violet’s mom. Wait wait. Here => https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/iron-flame-theory-lilith-sorrengail-was-venin/
  But I’m a little concerned about it. Lilith was the answer to Theo. So it’s not possible that she was venin, then, right?
  Reply
Tasha
February 4, 2025 at 1:02 am
No one is mentioning that venin ride wyvern, and riders ride dragons. Wouldn’t Xaden have to sever his bond with Sgaeyl? Where do the wyvern come from?
I’m looking forward to learning more about Sloane and Aaric. Despite all the questions this book left us with, I’m excited for the rest of the series!
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1. Cory
  February 4, 2025 at 2:19 am
  Interesting right? Theo did say that she would allow Violet to keep her dragons!
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Amber Ward
February 4, 2025 at 6:10 pm
I don’t think you’re right about it being Brennan who turned. I get where you’re coming from because I thought the same thing until I saw an interview with Rebecca. She was asked a question in regards to this and she said to pay attention to who is missing at the end. So therefore, it couldn’t be Brennan bc he isn’t accounted for.
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1. Cory
  February 5, 2025 at 7:56 am
  Hmmm. I wonder if she meant who is missing for the last few chapters. And they cannot be accounted for?
  Because well..everyone is missing. Imogen is not missing. We don’t know anything about well…anyone.
  The comment about “another sibling” I still feel it in my bones that it’s related to Brennan and his amber eyes.
  Reply
CindyK
February 5, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Hello, just joining this thread…and this series. I’m wishing I knew that the series wasn’t complete before starting it, this wait is going to be torturous! I appreciate all of the insight and agree with nearly everything you have presented.
Along with another commenter, I immediately recognized Theo and Violet’s final conversation about returning to the temple as an important key to what’s to come.
Are there any theories as to why Violet has been hearing X’s thoughts even though they weren’t sent down the bond? At the time I assumed it was her second signet manifesting, but it doesn’t apply to dream-walking. There are a few times in IF that X is speaking in first person, in italics, without quotes…and Violet hears his thoughts. The most significant one is during the “throne scene” of chapter 48 in IF. All of their shared thoughts through the bond are in quotes and he’s speaking TO Violet. In these, he’s speaking ABOUT Violet. Thoughts?
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:15 am
  I still remember when I picked up Fourth Wing because damn Amazon kept nagging me to buy it. It was love at first line!!!
  Waaait, I thought that was him pushing down the bond “his POV” so she can tell just what he’s thinking and how hot he is for her. Do you read it differently?
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izzy
February 5, 2025 at 10:55 pm
If Xaden dies..I swear I’m going to cry
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1. Cory
  February 6, 2025 at 12:42 am
  I don’t want Xaden to die. I will cry too. But my no1 is Tairn. Tairn needs to be protected at all costs.
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LitPgirl
February 6, 2025 at 2:24 am
I won’t let them burn you…because she’s inntinnsic. She probably had to reveal it to someone for the sake of plan, then Imogen wiped her memory as she was waking up after she used her power making her very disoriented.
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:11 am
  Oh, could be. I still think it’s treason! I think they killed the elder dragons somehow :O
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Amelie
February 6, 2025 at 9:18 am
What i noticed in the book and no one talks about, is how when Brennan started healing Mira after she got her throat cut, that Brennan almost burned out, until Sloane ‘suddenly’ came along, and helped Brennan heal through Dain. It works out good for Mira, but afterwards Violet thinks it’s weird that Brennan and Dain didn’t have any marks of Sloane’s signet on Dain’s wrist or Brennan’s neck. Anyone know what happened here?? I’m so confused!
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1. Cory
  February 8, 2025 at 12:05 am
  Hi Amelie, I think Sloane came because Aaric sent her.
  “Aaric told me you’d need this—”
  So Sloane is there because Aaric sent her. Aaric is a precog, he was that Sloane will be needed there.
  As for the marks, we are still trying to understand them fully. I think the point is that a siphon doesn’t leave marks, whereas a venin does. We need to learn the difference. Also we need to learn that at some point, Brennan’s mark is from venin. At least this is how I see it!
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Kuro
February 6, 2025 at 8:49 pm
FINALLY i’ve got to the comment here field xD
What DEFINETLY got my attention on the first place:
At the beginning of every chapter there are some quotes… messages etc… that where in the first books slightly foreshadowing the events of taht chapter… but in OS… this time only the few LAST quotes messages etc where spoiling…/foreshadowing….
And Andarna: In my opinion she never broke the bond herself: Bc Grandpappy did this whistle thing after Andarna quoted like “I don’t know how (almost crying) ” And Grandpappy KNEW Vi would survive the breaking bc he KNEW Tairn would keep her alive bc HE KNEW how important Vi was to Andarna and vice versa.
And also i think Andarna was actually gone a few years… but Grandpappy stopped time to send her back. “exactly when she was needed most” : to carry Vi back or somewhere we dunno bc 12h are missing but she was there to protect those who she loved when Vi couldn’t anymore…. AND JUST hwen iam writing this…. IS ANDARNAS WING CURED????? LIKE IS SHE ABLE TO FINALLY CARRY VI (or maybe Jesinia xD I DEFINETLY want her to become the first scribe with a dragon xd ) And maybe she also now got this whistle ability to speak to ALL she wishes… (but i still think dragons where able to speak to whoever they wanted but maybe it wasn’t just a rule but more like a rune/magic to prevent this? ) and the Irids where like F it…. we don’t care….
OMG i am so sorry for my crazy jumping thougts but I needed to write them while they where still warm xD
yours Kuro
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1. Cory
  February 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm
  hahahahahaha “grandpappy” hahahahaha
  Kuro, your theory about her being gone for years is a lot of fun actually! But why would grandpappy allow her to go back?
  OOOOHHH, so we have two options right?
  Either Garrick “walked” her to the gravel in front of Aretia, or Andarna indeed carried her? It’s also possible that Tairn did and then he fell asleep but who the hell knows at this point?
  I’m one of the very few people who has no love towards Jesinia. She is one of my least fav characters and damn it, RY did announce that she will survive to the end. Jesinia and broccoli are def 100% safe. Ufffff.
  BTW, the irids are d*cks are they not? Like…they are not good dragons.
  Reply
  1. Kuro
    February 8, 2025 at 9:17 am
    The Irids are…. Dunno.. They WANT to be good… but are TO peacefull… like… wrongly peacefully… yk what I mean? They want peace but are NOT willing to DO something FOR it except hiding and be like… nah it will be going it s way either way (except Andarna). And why did Grandpappy (I got that name from a Reddit post and its way easier than his real name xD) allow her to go back…. well he said it… he said like if u want to return to ur Human u can bond her everytime back (But I think the Bond wasn’t actually gone just heavily surpressed bc of him… thats also why Vi was able to dreamwalk while Andarna was gone) And I am hyped for more theories bc i’ll gonna listen to the 3 books over and over again to … search for some clues we MIGHT have missed…. bc RY does implement some details that we might miss… but are VERY important… and one thing…. I was always wondering why RY is so …. obsessed with smells… like Xadens smells like this… something smells like that… I know I’ve read ur Smell theorie but…. maybe MAYBE does Vi not only have got one signet… not two…. BUT MANY? like… shes actually able to bond every dragon? Like… remember my comment about NO dragon (okay except Solas but… Nah He doesn’t count xD ) was ever like to kill Vi… NOT EVEN Baide like … We know now she had Jack back (ish) at that this time but she COULD have killed Vi just because… … revenge…. and don’t forget how she spoke to several Dragons directly without any consequence…. like CODAGH???? EXCUSE me? even TAIRN was nervous (but I think he knew somehow that she would be alright.. bc… HOW qould she be able to block him that hard that Tairn could not get in? Like… ???? HOW powerfull is Vi in reality? like… If we compare her powers to the second book… she did like almost burn out MANY times and like… SHE DID NOT…
    Reply
    1. Cory
      February 8, 2025 at 10:40 pm
      I don’t feel like the irids are good guys. There is something about them, I don’t know…
      I have some cool things for you.
      1. I gathered data from a few Q&As with RY. https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/qa-with-rebecca-yarros-answering-our-onyx-storm-questions/
      She says some fun stuff in there. Also, some clues to follow for who turned. Did you decide who it was for you?
      I feel like RY is trying to cause a decoy here. I still feel like it was Brennan.
      The smells theory? I think it’s because she can tell when someone is venin. At NO point she said that Xaden smells good. She literally did not ONCE in Onyx Storm. Difficult.
      Also what is up with Dain and him being so powerful? Someone like Dain? What was that comment?
      As for how powerful Vi is…apparently we’ve seen about 10% of her new signet. and there is only one person alive who can train her. Something tells me it’s not Xaden.
      Reply
      1. Kuro
        February 9, 2025 at 8:30 pm
        Maybe her signet is NOT only dreamwalking… but its like lightning for the storm … a PART of it… think about it…. there where no dream walkers… shadow signets NO LIGHTNING signets for like what… several 100 years? and now there like… ah… btw heres another shadow wielder… and about Dain… when Sloane said this…. i was like… UHM EXCUSE ME WHAT…. and she DEFINETLY meant Dain…. bc of his like… ah its alright just take the spare power of me…. like WTF HE KNOWS… WHAT is he hiding…. (maybe i wasn’t THAT wrong about my theorie that hes actually something else than just a “I touch ur face and get ur memories” Guy….
      2. Cory
        February 10, 2025 at 3:48 am
        Dain is hiding quite a lot I have no doubt.
        Rebecca Yarros did say that she doesn’t like over powering her protagonists because then it’s too easy. So I do think she’s a dream walker. And the venin Berwyn is too 🙂
Merry
February 9, 2025 at 1:26 am
I think the “she” is Andarna. Sgaeyl agrees to ask Andarna to sever the bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn since they learn Irids can create and sever bonds. They do this to protect Violet and Tairn after Xaden turns fully venin. That’s why Tairn is recovering. Either the bond being severed by Andarna physically and/or emotionally drained him.
Aaric and Sloane had something to do with the missing dragon eggs.
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Cynthea
February 10, 2025 at 2:36 am
I may be alone here, but when Andarna said she would let them burn her, my first thought was the dragons. Is it possible they may have betrayed the Empyrean and collected the six eggs to put with an Irid egg to make a new Empyrean of seven dragons? And possibly create a new ward? Maybe for the Isles since there was a war there before and they did sense some magic already there?
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1. Cory
  February 10, 2025 at 3:47 am
  Everything is possible and I think we haven’t read the ending over and over enough time to find all the clues, right?
  Also…which elders?! Something tells me Tairn didn’t just kill Codagh!
  Reply
Cynthea
February 10, 2025 at 2:40 am
*wouldn’t let them burn Violet
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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. 🐉
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