Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.AfterOnyx Storm’s twisty ending, I’m convinced that two characters were working together for the entireFourth Wingsequel, and this could explain some of the final chapters' biggest mysteries.Onyx Stormconcludeswith Aretia thrown into chaos on the heels of the book’s ending battle. And it’s not just the fight causing the commotion. While several dragon riders are missing or dead when Violet returns to Aretia — likelyincluding Xaden’s new venin brother— there are also slain dragons, killed riders, and missing dragon eggs, all of which are being pinned on Xaden.
Thanks toImogen wiping Violet’s memories, she has no recollection of what happened after she defeated thesilver-haired venin, Theophanie. So, Violet doesn’t know whether Xaden is responsible for the atrocities at Aretia’s hatching grounds or whereOnyx Storm’s missing dragon eggsare. She also doesn’t recall getting married to Xaden, though the ring on her finger and marriage certificate prove she did. It’s clear Xaden has a plan that Violet is no longer privy to. ButI think anotherEmpyreancharacter knows exactly what Xaden’s up to.
Xaden’s Second Signet Means He Probably Knew About Aaric’s Precog Power Before Violet
His Inntinnsic Abilities Seem To Be Evolving In Onyx Storm
One theory aboutOnyx Storm’s ending posits that Xaden and Aaric are working togetherwithout telling anyone (viaReddit), and this hinges on them knowing each other’s secrets. WhileXaden’s second signetinitially just allows him to read people’s intentions, Violet wonders if his inntinnsic abilities are evolving inOnyx Storm.He seems capable of reading actual thoughts, and this would clue him into the fact that Aaric’s signet manifested. While Violet doesn’t learn that Aaric is a precog until her fight with Theophanie, Xaden may realize it sooner.
After Onyx Storm, I’m Convinced These Two Characters Will Die By The End Of The Empyrean Series
There are two characters who have to die in future Empyrean Series books, as Onyx Storm is setting the stage to replace them with a better leader.
This would allow Xaden to glean knowledge about the future from Aaric, which could be why he accepts that he’ll eventually turn venin fully. It could also be how Xaden is able to formulate a plan at the end ofOnyx Storm,despite being wrapped up in a massive battle and dealing with his transformation into an Asim. Whatever he shows Sgaeyl when he opens his mind is convincing enough to get her on board with his plan. Perhaps it’s the fact that he knows what needs to happen, asAaric may have given him a general idea of how things would play out.
Just As He Knew The Outcome Of Violet’s Fight, He Likely Saw This
Whether Xaden knows about Aaric’s precog signet or not,it seems certain that Aaric foresees Xaden turning venin. He might not realize that Xaden turns immediately afterIron Flame’s ending. However, he would see him becoming an Asim, since his signet manifests beforeOnyx Storm’s big battle. And assuming Aaric’s precog ability manifests earlier in the book, he likely would have a chance to warn Xaden about this future. That would give them a chance to talk, which could lead to them using Aaric’s power to formulate a plan.
There’s a chance he also knows what will become of Xaden — and even what path he must take to stop the venin.
We don’t have the full picture of how Aaric’s signet works yet, so it’s unclear how far into the future he can see. But given that he foresees the outcome of Violet’s confrontation with Theophanie, there’s a chance he also knows what will become of Xaden — and even what path he must take to stop the venin. If this proves true,Xaden is likely acting on that knowledge. Aaric wouldn’t keep it to himself, something he proves when he gives Violet the weapon she needs to win. Perhaps he does the same for Xaden, explaining their “complicated” loyalty to one another.
Aaric & Xaden Working Together Could Explain Some Of Onyx Storm’s Biggest Mysteries
Aaric’s Signet Could Be Responsible For The Dragon Eggs, Xaden’s Plan, & His Expectations
Aaric and Xaden secretly working together would explain some of thebiggest mysteries fromOnyx Storm’s ending, starting with the missing dragon eggs. The eggs are likely stolen to give to Unnbriel, as the Isle Kingdom will only agree to an alliance in exchange for dragons. While Navarre and even the rebels would never agree to this, it’s the only way to secure more support in the war to come. And one of the people on Violet’s mission likely realizes this and acts accordingly. It could be Xaden, Aaric, or even both of them.
5 Fourth Wing Characters I’m Totally Convinced Are Venin After Reading Onyx Storm
There are several Fourth Wing characters I heavily suspect could be venin after the events of Yarros' third book in the series, Onyx Storm.
Aaric may already know that Unnbriel is a necessary ally to win the war, which would explain why he or Xaden would be willing to commit such a treasonous act — one they’d unlikely agree to otherwise. Xaden marrying Violet could also be the result of Aaric’s precognition, since Xaden comes up with his plan incredibly quickly at the end of the book. And it’s difficult to see Violet agreeing to it, unless she realizes it’s the only way to beat the venin. Perhaps she even gets reassurances that she’ll see Xaden again after the war is won.
Xaden seems strangely at peace with that fate towards the end ofOnyx Storm,even though he and Violet spend much of the book fighting it.
Additionally,Xaden makes preparations as though fully turning venin is inevitable. While this could be attributed to pessimism, he might simply know what fate awaits him. And Xaden seems strangely at peace with that fate towards the end ofOnyx Storm,even though he and Violet spend much of the book fighting it. Perhaps this acceptance is the natural conclusion of his emotional journey, but it’s possible he learns something that puts his mind at ease. If Aaric predicts that Xaden’s transformation will help them win the war, it would explain his attitude change.
Aaric Could Be The Key To Violet Finding Xaden In The Next Empyrean Series Book
His Signet Could Show Him When Violet & Xaden Will Meet Again
If Aaric sees the role that Xaden will play in the war against the venin, he might know where Xaden disappears to at the end ofOnyx Storm.This means he could be the key to reuniting Violet and Xadeninthe nextEmpyrean Seriesbook. In fact, he might even know when and howFourth Wing’s main couple will meet again. Although many readers believeViolet’s broken compass will guide her back to XadenafterOnyx Storm,Aaric’s precognition is another possibility.
There is currently no release timeline for the fourthEmpyrean Seriesbook, but Rebecca Yarros has stated she’ll write a contemporary romance before the sequel.
Of course, Aaric knowing the future could create tensions between him and Violet in the interim. As he knows what needs to happen and when, he might wait until the time is right before revealing Xaden’s whereabouts. Even so, it’s one wayOnyx Storm’s sequel can bring the series' leads back together. And it would be a clever use of one of themost powerful signets inThe Empyrean Series, allowing Aaric to step into a much greater role.
