Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.Onyx Stormconcludes with Violet and Xaden separated, and Xaden insists that Violet shouldn’t look for him — but the book may have already revealed howthe nextEmpyrean Seriessequelwill bring them back together.Onyx Storm’s endingsets up a bleak path forward for both of its leads, as Xaden’s transformation poises him to spend the follow-up novel among the venin. And given their sudden marriage, the fate of Tyrrendor will likely fall on Violet’s shoulders in the nextFourth Wingbook. That’s not to mention the devastating impact Xaden’s absence is certain to have on her.
There’s little doubt that Violetwilleventually look for Xaden inOnyx Storm,whether it’s because he’s needed in the fight against the venin or because she refuses to give up on him. As their dragons' mating bond can only bridge shorter distances — and there aretheories that Tairn and Sgaeyl broke their mating bond— she’ll likely have a hard time finding him.Violet’s second signetcould help in that endeavor. However,Onyx Stormoffers another clue about how she could track down Xaden: using the compassshe receives on Zehyllna.
Onyx Storm’s Zehyllna Gifts Likely Have Far More Meaning Than The Book Lets On
Trager’s Death Serves A Purpose, So Zihnal’s Other Gifts Might Too
When Violet and her friends arrive on Zehyllna, the isle ofFourth Wing’s god of luck, they draw cards and are given a series of gifts by the locals. These offerings span the gamut from seemingly useless objects to an arrow through the chest. Trager dies from the latter, and hisdeath inOnyx Storminitially seems like a pointless consequence of their mission. However, there may be more to it. After all, Violet and the others discover the irids close to where they spread Trager’s ashes. If he hadn’t died, they might not have foundFourth Wing’s seventh breed of dragon.
All The Gods In Fourth Wing & How Religion Works In The Empyrean Series
The world of Fourth Wing is rich with mythology, featuring a pantheon of six gods who wield significant influence over the lives of its inhabitants.
And with Theophanie’s demise seemingly confirming that the gods inThe Empyrean Seriesare real — and capable of interfering with other beings — it’s possible that Zihnal also plays a significant role inOnyx Storm.If the gifts presented to Violet and her friends are truly from the god of luck, they’ll likely serve a greater purpose in futureEmpyrean Seriessequels.That means that the compass Violet receives may come up again, despite her assuming that it’s broken and useless. It might even lead her to Xaden inOnyx Storm’s sequel.
The Broken Compass Violet Receives In Onyx Storm May Be The Key To Finding Xaden
Theories Suggest It Could Be Used To Find Venin Or What Violet Needs Most
Violet receives “a black compass on a dark chain” during the game they play on Zehyllna, but she dismisses the object after noting that “the needle doesn’t point anywhere near north.” Her assumption that the compass is broken makes sense, but it’s possible it’s not an ordinary piece of equipment. Considering how the man who hands Violet the compass sizes her up, it’s probably safe to assume the object does more than indicate direction. And with its dark coloring, it’s possible it even points to the venin.
10 Theories & Predictions For The Next Fourth Wing Book After Reading Onyx Storm
After Onyx Storm’s cliffhanger ending, readers have begun to put together many convincing theories as to what will happen next in the Empyrean Series.
That’s one theory about how Violet’s compass could lead her to Xaden, thoughOnyx Stormdoesn’t give us enough clues about where it’s pointing when she receives it. If it could be used to locate the venin, it should have locked in on Xaden on Zehyllna, but there’s no indication that’s the case. Alternatively, oneRedditorsuggests that Violet’s compass could be used to locate the person or thing she needs most, perhaps setting it up to lead her to her heart’s desire. This seems more in line withThe Empyrean Series’themes.
Rebecca Yarros' language throughoutOnyx Stormalso supports the idea that Violet’s compass is connected to Xaden.
Rebecca Yarros' language throughoutOnyx Stormalso supports the idea that Violet’s compass is connected to Xaden, as she uses concepts of direction and true north to describe their bond in the sequel. In Chapter 46, Yarros writes the following from Violet’s perspective: “Xaden walks through the door, and my heart stops. His gaze jumps to mine like a compass pulled north.” And this isn’t the only time Violet and Xaden refer to each other as their “north.” These passages likely aren’t coincidental, andthey could set up Violet’s reunion with Xaden.
Could Violet’s Compass Be Connected To Her Dream Walking?
The Compass Could Guide Her When Using Her Second Signet
Another possible explanation for Violet’s compass is that it can only be used when dream walking, a power she isn’t aware she possesses when she receives Zihnal’s gift. Violet’s second signet isn’t explored in much depth inOnyx Storm,so there are a lot of lingering questions about how her power works. She’ll have to navigate it herself in the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook, and it’s possible the compass could help her in this endeavor. Considering that dream walking is another way she could communicate with Xaden, it could still be used to lead her to him.
Rebecca Yarros hasn’t given a release timeline for the nextEmpyrean Seriesbook, but she confirmed she’s taking a break afterOnyx Storm.
However the compass works, it seems certain to have a deeper meaning in futureEmpyrean Seriesbooks. Yarros spends too much time on Zihnal’s gifts to ignore them completely. And with Violet poised to be searching for someone in the next installment, the compass makes a lot of sense. All that’s left is to reveal how it works inOnyx Storm’s sequel.
