I, much like many other book enthusiasts, am obsessed with the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I have read both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame twice in the last year and have came up with theories for the upcoming books, along with taking note from many other readers theories. So I have decided to put my thoughts on the page before Onyx Storm is released to see how many of my thoughts were accurate. I’ll probably make a new post after my Onyx Storm read with more up to date thoughts as well.
Please let me know if you agree or disagree with any of these as I would love to have more conversations surrounding this amazing series!
Disclaimer: I have seen many theories on Tiktok and Instagram over the last year. There is no way I can remember all the people who have talked about these theories. Most of these theories I have heard multiple creators discussing so I am unsure where the original thought may have came from.
Spoilers will be ahead so if you have not read both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame please do not continue on.
Other Empyrean Posts
Table of Contents
- Other Empyrean Posts
- My Personal Thoughts & Theories
- Regarding the Name “Onyx Storm” for the Third Book
- Chapter 2: Fourth Wing – Amber’s Irony
- Violet and Xaden: Mating Bond
- Tecarus Is Bad!
- Theories I Have Heard From Other Sources
- Brennan and Tairn – Naolin Betrayal
- A Sibling Betrayal
- Orange Dragon Theory
- Violets Second Signet
- Dragon Born – Mother of Dragons
- Violet Dated Aaric’s Older Brother Halden
- Things I Absolutely Don’t Want
- Conclusion
My Personal Thoughts & Theories
These are Theories I discovered on my own before anyone else’s thoughts came to light. I am not claiming that I am the only one who has had these revelations just that I hadn’t personally heard them before I thought them.
Regarding the Name “Onyx Storm” for the Third Book
I have a few different thoughts on this. Most people think “Onyx” is regarding Xaden’s Onyx eyes, as Rebecca mentions this so many times throughout the books, but I don’t fully agree.
- In Xaden’s Bonus chapter 16 he mentions that he can feel Tairns Onyx bond line. I think it is possible that “Onyx” is referring to Tairn and “Storm”, of course, is talking about Violet.
- When Mira shows up at Aretia, her and Violet go and find the Wyvren Corpses and notice that they have an Onyx Stone with an intricate rune carved on them. We learn that this is how these Wyvren were created and controlled.
Chapter 2: Fourth Wing – Amber’s Irony
This is just a fun thing that I noticed upon my re-read.
- At the End of Chapter two Violet literally has Jack Barlowe by the balls after he tried killing her on the Parapet. The redhead holding the Roll says –
“We don’t wait for trials around here. We just Execute.”
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing Pg. 28
- Well, as we learn later in the book, the red head is Amber, and how did Amber die? Oh that’s right, she helped first year cadets break into Violets room while Violet was sleeping so they could try and kill her! Xaden, with the help of Violets memories through Tairn, Gets her executed for not following the Codex. No trial, just execution!
- Amber literally foreshadowed her own death in the second chapter of this book!
Violet and Xaden: Mating Bond
This one is a bit out there but it ties into something I will discuss later from other creators theories that I have heard.
- We all know that Tairn and Sgaeyl have a mating bond which connects Tairn, Sgaeyl, Violet, and Xaden. However, Violet and Xaden both seem to be closely bonded. Xaden even saying that he has been hers since the first time he laid eyes on her.
- We have heard about dragons having a mating bond in the past but no one has ever said that those dragon’s riders get this close of a bond to one another. Meaning that maybe this has never happened before.
- Violet is having nightmares in Iron Flame about the Venin General, by the end of the book we realize the General was actually in Xadens dreams telling him he would turn for love. So somehow Violet was able to see his dreams. I think this is due to their own mating bond.
- Violet and Xaden can’t seem to be apart for very long, much how they describe Tairn and Sgaeyl can’t stay apart from one other either due to the longing and need for their mated pair. In the third bonus chapter we received in the paperback version of Fourth Wing (Xaden’s POV to chapter 27) we find out that he wasn’t dragged to Montserrat by Sgaeyl cause she needed to be near Tairn, it was actually because Xaden couldn’t stand to be far from Violet.
- To piggy back off that last thought these two are so horny it’s exhausting! They seem to get moody when they aren’t near one another and in good standing much like their dragons.
Tecarus Is Bad!
I feel like we all have bad vibes about this man, but upon my first read, I had a feeling that he had to be in cahoots with the Venin.
- The Venin literally skipped over Cordyn, where he resides.
- He just happens to have a ton of info compiled on the Venin? Sure he’s studying them but he knew an awful lot.
- He told Violet if she stayed with him he could promise Violet and her family’s safety. How can you promise that unless you have some kind of deal with the Venin?
- We know he collects rare and unique Items but we also know the Venin really want Violet alive. He could have just as easily traded her to them for a deal.
- If he is playing a bigger part in this I feel like Cat would have no idea. So this could give us a further point of contention with Cat later in the series where she has to decide whose side she’s truly on.
Theories I Have Heard From Other Sources
These are going to be my thoughts on theories I have heard floating around on the internet; I’ll add if I agree or disagree and why. Honestly, a lot of my theories clash with one another so I know not all of these are going to hit the mark but I’m excited to see what we as a fandom got correct and what may have gone completely over our heads.
Brennan and Tairn – Naolin Betrayal
- This one hurts to admit but I think Brennan and Tairn know a few more things than they are letting on, especially about Naolin. This theory is about how Naolin is actually alive because he turned Venin to save Brennan.
- Brennan and Naolin were beyond close. In fact, it was pretty heavily implied that they had romantic feelings for one another, and as our Venin dream General has said: “You will turn for love.” I think that is exactly what happened with Naolin. He saw Brennan, the love of his life, dying and was unable to save him with his current supply of power so he pulled from the earth.
- Tairn wasn’t really wanting to bond and they chalked that up to him still mourning the loss of his previous rider but honestly I think he was just feeling very betrayed.
- This is a theory that I think is highly likely and if it is the case and Violet finds out she is going to feel very hurt and blindsided by two people she truly loves and trusts.
- This brings me back to my first theory where Onyx Storm could be about Tairn and Violet and mainly focusing on their trust and overall bond. As we know Tairn hasn’t always been the most upfront with his information so it’s already a point of contention.
- What would be worse to Violet is her brother withholding information… and as we’ve seen in the last two books, she doesn’t seem to handle being left out very well. This leads us to a different theory regarding her siblings (Please see A Sibling Betrayal for more info)
A Sibling Betrayal
People are pointing out that the original riders were siblings; one who bonded a Dragon, one who bonded a Gryphon, and one who took from the earth. People think that it is no coincidence that their are three Sorrengail Siblings and are drawing parallels.
- People think that one of Violets siblings will betray her and end up working closely with the Venin, and possibly even turn Venin at some point.
- I don’t want to believe this theory but the next one (The Orange Dragon Theory) made me waver on this decision. I think if any of her siblings were to turn against her it would probably be Brennan. As mentioned above, people (myself included) think that Naolin and Brennan were in love, and if Naolin is alive and is truly Venin then maybe Brennan has darker intentions….
- What makes this one so hard to believe is the fact that Brennan has been alive trying to fight venin for the past 6 years! He does seem to be a bit of a stickler and not willing to spread his armies too thin to help innocent people but I think his intentions are for the best…
- Maybe he truly is just trying to find a cure! And maybe he takes a wrong step or two, causing him to do some not-so-great things, but I don’t want to think he is capable of destruction.
Orange Dragon Theory
This actually stems from a pretty sound logic that all dragon colors match their riders intentions or rankings. Black dragons bond powerful people and likely leaders: Violet and Tairn, Melgren and Codagh. Blue dragons bond the most tutheless: Xaden and Sgaeyl. (Fun fact: Sgaeyl is described as a navy blue dragon. To get “navy” you mix black and blue)
- Orange dragons are known to be unpredictable so the theory is that riders who have an orange dragon are likely to be bad people or have bad intentions.
- Jack Barlowe bonded an Orange dragon (Baide) and we all knew he had ill intentions and turned Venin while in the College.
- Varrish is Bonded to Solas and he clearly had ill intentions with his eyes set on Violet.
- So who else of note has an orange dragon?
- Amber
- Amber was a strict rule follower but ended up being executed by Dragon fire for breaking the Codex. While not one of the worst people, she made an unpredictable, bad choice that brought her to her death.
- Brennan
- As mentioned above there is a theory that one of the siblings betrays Violet. Brennan having an Orange Dragon makes things a bit suspicious. I don’t think he will be a bad guy but I think he will make some questionable choices and ultimately become dangerously unpredictable.
- Imogen
- This one breaks my heart. I only recently heard this part of the theory so I haven’t had time to find the exact moments for this in my re-reads… but supposedly Imogen has used her memory erasing signet a few times on Violet already. In a few chapters, Violet says she woke up not remembering why she’s so sore and thinks it is probably due to the workout Imogen had her working on the day before. If this is truly the case I hope its for the good of Aretia and the revolution, and not for some deeper, darker reason…
Violets Second Signet
I personally have no clue what her second signet is but I have heard many thoughts on the topic. It could honestly be anything, but I do believe it will be some kind of “mental” power.
Rebecca Yarros has said that there is one line in Iron Flame that confirms her second signet, which is probably the most frustrating news I have heard, seeing as how we don’t have any real answers until Onyx Storm is released.
- Truth Sayer
- Violet has a thirst for the truth, she has been demanding the truth from everyone, especially Xaden, all throughout both books. This has caused a lot of issues between her relationships which gives a lot of strength to this second signet theory.
- Compulsion
- This to me is the weakest possible theory as compulsion would be an insane signet for her to have. Violet would be extremely over-powered if this was the case.
- To back this theory up people quote Violet when she screamed “You Will Survive!” at the end of Iron Flame and then Xaden turned Venin so he could kill the Venin General.
- Dream Walker
- This is just a fun Second Signet that I was messing around with. I really don’t think this is the case for Violet but possible.
- Violet was having dreams about the Venin telling her that she would turn for love but at the end of Iron Flame we learn that the Venin was actually visiting Xaden. So how did Violet see these dreams? (This goes with my Mating Bond Theory above.)
- If it isn’t Violets second signet, it is possible this is a Venin Power and maybe the Venin was “Dream Walking” in both of their dreams. I am undecided on this but it feels important.
- Strategist
- Rebecca said that Violet’s second signet is kind of dull compared to some theories she has heard being tossed around. So I think this theory has a good leg to stand on.
- This theory is basically saying that Violet has a need for information. When she has deduced things in the past, like when she discovered Xaden could have a second signet, she felt her gravity shift. This can easily be explained by the fact that maybe she felt a bit blind-sided, but she still had a physical feeling that deduced this information. She seems to always have the answers as she grew up to be a scribe.
- I think her having a second signet that helps her deduce information quicker would fit her well. A Rider with a Scribe’s mind.
Dragon Born – Mother of Dragons
This theory is a bit out there but I’m not the only one who feels like it might be a possibility. I didn’t put this in as a possible second signet, as I am not sure it would classify as that since this power would have come before Threshing, even before she was born.
- Dragon Born
- This theory is basically stating that the cure Violet’s mother took when she was sick and pregnant with Violet was made with Dragon Egg shells and other Dragon related items, causing the discoloration of Violet’s hair and possibly even un-tapped power.
- Mother Of Dragons
- Basically Andarna states she waited 600 years to hatch; waiting for someone worthy of her power. It was as though it was a prophecy that needed to be fulfilled. Violet is a Rider with a Scribe’s mind who is the key to winning this war. Violet can talk to other dragons, Violet can do and say pretty much anything she would like and Tairn seems to allow it. Yes, he is still stern, but Violet almost always gets her way. So maybe she has the ability to bend the dragons’ will.
- What Would Each of These Even Mean?
- She was able to talk to Codah, who is the most powerful Dragon of the current times, and also a few other dragons throughout the two books; like the two green’s who could smell her dragon scale armor or Sawyer’s dragon when she was trying to save him in that last battle. This is crazy, as it is widely known that you are not supposed to speak to dragons whom you are not bonded too.
- Some people say she is able to do this because the dragons have respect for her and Tairn. But why is that the case with the two green’s before Threshing then?
- At the end of Iron Flame, when Xaden goes to pull power from the Earth, Sgaeyl shouts: “You cannot!. I chose you!”. In which Xaden in his mind says: “But Violet chose me, too.”
- A Dragon chooses their rider, and this line from Xaden saying that ‘Violet also picked him’ and he ‘chose her over Sgaeyl’, leans into the “Dragon Born” Theory. Maybe she has a bit of dragon in her as well; she chose to love him and be by his side which sparked their own mating bond to be put into place. This part I haven’t heard anyone else really discussing so I could be wildly off the mark, but I think it’s interesting to think about.
Violet Dated Aaric’s Older Brother Halden
This is a plot point many people have been talking about for Onyx Storm. We know Violet has had a few love interests in her past, or at least a few friends with benefits, but we never got any names.
So when Aaric and Violet where in the Kings Wards trying to find the journals, Xaden got a little jealous! People think it would be interesting to have Aaric’s older brother Halden show up in the Third book as a past love interest who she finds comfort in while Xaden is off being Venin. This would spark some jealousy in Xaden, which is only fair seeing how we already read about his rendezvous with Cat. Plus, jelaous Xaden sounds kinda hot…
- Why Halden?
- Well as we learned Violet grew up around Aaric and his family due to her mom being closely aligned with the king. SO, it only makes sense that she knows Halden. But how much older is he than her? That’s the only thing holding me back from her having a past relationship with him… and I don’t see her sparking anything new up with how close her and Xaden actually are, despite their arguments. I’m not sure if this will really come to fruition, but it could make things pretty interesting.
Things I Absolutely Don’t Want
- Dain to be a love interest (again).
- Let this just be a rekindling of a friendship. Nothing more, please!
- One of her dragons die.
- If Tairn or Andarna dies in any of the upcoming books I will be devastated. If they keep more secrets.. fine, whatever, we can recover from that.. but one of them dying? No!
- Losing someone in the Iron Squad!
- If either Rhi, Swayer or Ridoc die.. I will be destroyed! I feel like I’m asking for a lot here with how crazy things are getting, but I can’t take any more heartbreak…
- Xaden and Violet not being “end game”.
- From what I’ve heard, Rebecca says Violet and Xaden are end game.. but I can’t be sure about that until we reach the end of the book. Please don’t break my heart completely!
- Truth Sayer Second Signet
- This second signet theory just feels too obvious to me and so it would bum me out if this was the case.
- Violet’s dad being alive.
- This is a theory I didn’t discuss above because I haven’t looked into it enough to know the details… but from what I have heard: people are speculating that her dad turned Venin due to the heartbreak of loosing Brennan.
- If this is true I will be so upset. Violet has already dealt with so much with her family, and Brennan being alive was great, but the heartbreak of thinking he was dead for 6 years only to find out he was alive but never came for her is so sad… If her dad were to do this as well I am unsure I could forgive anyone in her family.
- I don’t think this theory has a lot of ground to stand on. Her dad tried teaching her and prepping her for this future. He knew what was out there and what was coming for them. I couldn’t imagine him dedicating so much time to the cause for him to turn against all this. The scribes literally rewrote history but yet he kept the only book that spoke of Venin so history couldn’t be completely erased. Ugh, I’m upset just thinking about it.
- Violet’s mom being a Venin.
- This theory was more prominent before Iron Flame came out but I still hear it circling around.
- People state that her mom was sick because she was Venin while she was pregnant with Violet. The evidence being the story of when she was a kid and her mom had red eyes from all the work and stress. That is a pretty easy way to turn that story around and make people think she isn’t Venin. But if she was Venin she would know the cure already cause she wasn’t Venin in these books as far as we can tell. So if she was cured, they wouldn’t have needed Nolan to “fix” Jack Barlowe.
- This theory just feels like a stretch to me now that she is dead… I guess we will see.
Conclusion
These books mean the absolute world to me. I have not stopped thinking about them since the moment I read them last November. I have made so many of my friends and family read these books so I could have people to discuss them with. I think this series has really brought a lot of people together, so I am so thankful they exist and that I gave them a chance.
Coming up with theories has been an absolute blast! These books leave a lot of room to theorize, and with three more books to go, all I can say is that I am terrified! Please, Rebecca, don’t break our hearts!
World of Bai 