There is this frightening theory going around online that suggests how dragons could be evil by channeling from the ground, the wrong source. If you are not familiar with it, I will give you the gist. The theory was created by one smart lady Emily.

Dragons channeling from the wrong source

In the Empyrean series, magic has consistently been portrayed as originating from the ground. This is why, when Violet and her squad visit the Isle Kingdoms in Onyx Storm—where no magic exists in the earth—they are unable to use their signets, and their communication with dragons is cut off. The dragons themselves suffer from the absence of magic, experiencing visible distress, as seen with Tairn and Sgaeyl.

However, a significant anomaly arises: Andarna remains unaffected by the lack of magic. Even more curiously, Violet is still able to communicate with Tairn and Andarna through their bond, making her the only rider capable of doing so under such conditions. Later, during her visit to Unnbriel, despite magic still being absent, she is inexplicably able to wield lightning in battle.

This has led to a groundbreaking theory: Irid dragons do not source magic from the ground—but from the sky.

The Case for Sky Magic

1. Violet’s Unique Abilities – She continues to use magic when others cannot. Her signet—lightning—functions even in magic-deprived zones.
2. Andarna’s Immunity – Unlike other dragons, Andarna does not suffer when magic from the ground is absent, further suggesting her power comes from an alternate source.
3. IridDragons’ Special Abilities – Andarna’s flame is capable of killing venin, just as Violet’s lightning does. This suggests sky-sourced power is lethal to venin, unlike the magic other dragons wield.
4. Venin’s Interest in Violet – The venin are desperate to capture Violet, and their wording hints at why: they refer to her ability to “command the sky to surrender all its power.” This suggests they seek sky-sourced magic because the ground’s magic is depleting.

The Fables of the Barren: A Clue in Plain Sight?

The Fables of the Barren, introduced in Fourth Wing, may have foreshadowed this all along. These ancient stories warned against using power from the ground instead of the sky. If this theory holds, then centuries ago, dragons may have originally drawn magic from the sky but later chose to rely on the earth’s magic—potentially the same path the venin took.

Implications of Sky Magic

• A Dark History – The shift from sky to ground magic might have hidden implications. Did the dragons betray their original magic source? Did the irid dragons leave because they refused to make this shift?
• The Future of Dragonkind – If dragons can return to sky magic, it could become a powerful weapon against the venin. Riders could enhance their signets, wielding stronger abilities capable of eradicating venin entirely.
• A Cure for Venin Corruption? – Magic from the ground corrupts humans, turning them into venin. If sky magic is a counterbalance, could it be used to reverse venin transformation? This could be a game-changer, potentially offering a way to save Xaden and others affected by venin influence.

Problems with the theory

Andarna’s flame is capable of killing venin, just as Violet’s lightning does.

That’s actually not true.

We are led (or misled) to believe that Andarna is the weapon we’ve been waiting for all these years. She’s the obvious answer but not the right one. While she could kill one venin with her fire, she couldn’t kill Theophanie.

“Two more venin, men wearing red robes, walk through the grass behind her, and Andarna leaps over Tairn’s tail, blasting a stream of fire Theophanie’s way. The scents of ash and sulfur fill the air, but when Andarna lands at the base of the steps to my right, Theophanie still stands untouched.
“Why?” Andarna shrieks.
“Marvelous,” Theophanie says with a smile. “Did that make you feel bet—”

So, Andarna can’t kill all venin—maybe some. Interesting.

Now, we know that Irids are magic. They can talk to humans where there is no magic and don’t mind speaking to those they aren’t bonded to. They can forge and break bonds as they see fit, according to Leothan.

But you know what I think?

They are not the good guys.

“Tairn snarls, and I reach down the bond, but there’s a stronger shield than his blocking us. Leothan.
It’s oddly similar to the effects of the serum they dosed us with during RSC. Every part of me rebels at the disconnect, but I owe it to Andarna to stay with her.”

Oddly similar to the effects of the serum. Hmmm…

Now, why would Irids have access to something like this? Or be able to create this type of magic?

And here’s the part I think we all missed, too focused on how special Andarna is. We all assumed Andarna gave Violet the most extraordinary power, right?

“And dragonkind has not learned their lesson, either. While you”—the male in the center’s gaze jumps to Aotrom—“gifted your human with ice”—he dares to shift his focus to Tairn—“you armed yours with lightning.”
“That’s not how signets work,” Ridoc argues.
“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?”

Naturally, we aren’t thinking about her dream-walking ability here. We immediately assume Violet was equipped with power from the sky given that she’s been able to wield, talk to her dragons still and feel magic in places deplated from magic. But that’s not the case.

Because Tairn? Tairn did NOT arm Violet with lightning.

Tairn gave Violet pure power. Violet wields pure power. She just prefers to wield it as lightning. But what she actually wields is far more terrifying—raw magic in its purest form.

Now, let’s go back to the conversation between Leothan and Andarna.

“Who bonded you first?” […]
“Humans should only be capable of bonding a single dragon, and yet you forged a second connection where there shouldn’t be one. Only an Irid can do that. Your instincts are excellent, but you need instruction. Break the connection and come with me.”

It all ties together, right?

Andarna is special. She is magic. She does so much more than we realize. Their kind is truly different.

But the one who gifted Violet the power of the sky?

That’s not Andarna.

That’s Tairn.

“Now tell me, which chose you first? The one who gifted you the power of the sky? Or the Irid?”

Now, let’s go back to Fourth Wing, before Violet even manifested a signet from Andarna:

“You could command the sky to surrender all its power, and I bet you don’t know what to do with it, do you […]”

Where Does This Leave Us?

For lack of a better term, I think Andarna is magic itself—a conduit, almost like a satellite. By bonding with Andarna, Violet can continue to access magic, communicate with Tairn, and wield power.

But make no mistake.

The lightning on Unnbriel? That came from Tairn.

Knowing that Irids are magic and potentially channeling from the sky or not channeling at all, they are simply a source of magic…Does this mean that all dragons once accessed magic this way?

I see three possible options:

• Irids are magic on their own. Thus they do not channel. But magic requires balance, right? So having unfettered access to magic from one’s birth till death? Seems…unbalanced.
• Irids channel from the sky. Just like Violet. Something venin and other dragons cannot do. And yet, Violet can via Tairn?!
• Irids maintained their connection to their God. And channel via their God somehow. Much like how humans channel via their dragons.

Could there have been a time when dragons were pure conduits of power, via sky or Gods but something shifted? The gods seem to be the only ones capable of killing the “unkillable”—like Theo.

Are dragons evil? Or are they simply angry that the gods abandoned them?

Did something happen that caused the continent to split into a large landmass and the smaller isles?

Why did the Irids leave? And why did they retain their magic? Are they still connected to some deity?

More questions than answers for now, but the moment I piece more of this together, I’ll update this theory.

Either way, I think Tairn might be far more special than we’ve ever realized.

And if you haven’t already, check out the other theory about Riorson House and how it was created to serve dragons. Given that the blacks’ hatching grounds were in Tyrrendor—home to the exceptionally large temple of Aretia—it’s possible that Tairn is connected to Amari, the Goddess of Gods, making him the most exceptional of them all.