One important storyline from Fourth Wing needs more attention, and this minor Onyx Stormcharacter could be the key to exploring it in book 4. While updates on book 4 of The Empyrean Series continue to be scarce, that has not stopped audiences, myself included, from speculating on what that story will entail, especially considering Onyx Storm's ending. That speculation has only grown alongside the series' character lineup, the third book introducing a host of new characters who complicate the already complex plot even further. 1kiz

After being sidelined in Onyx Storm, these Fourth Wing characters need to get more page time when book 4 of The Empyrean Seriesarrives. Onyx Storm was able to amplify the stakes of Violet and Xaden's story, setting The Empyrean Series' two main characters on a new and dangerous path as Xaden's venin condition worsened and time to find the venin cure ticked down. However, even though the book expanded on other storylines, it left a bit unanswered about the fates of several characters after Onyx Storm — and left a few others feeling directionless.

If the next book after Onyx Stormrevealed that the worst character of the novel is a venin, it would be devastating to me since it would rob us of one emotional moment I have been waiting for since Fourth Wing. Onyx Storm revealed quite a bit about the venin threat, highlighting the intricate power structure and capabilities of Navarre's enemies through characters like Theophanie. However, even though Onyx Storm explored the venin's powers, the more shocking revelation was just how deeply the venin had penetrated the apparent safety of the wards.

Onyx Storm's ending was full of plot revelations and set up the future of the Empyrean Series in a major way — including the fact that Violet was made Duchess of Aretia, Xaden has ed the venin, and in what was arguably the most shocking twist of all, the two characters were revealed to be married. Violet and Xaden's romance is easily one of the biggest reasons for the series' continued success, but their relationship comes with a few handicaps.

The ending of Onyx Stormset up a showdown between two characters in the next Fourth Wing book that no one, myself included, was expecting, but is still quite exciting. Onyx Storm's ending left several questions for readers to theorize over as the wait for book 4 of The Empyrean Series continues, but it was not the only section to set up major possibilities for the future.The third installment had various moments that could shift the balance of the narrative and placed characters with both major and minor roles in fascinating positions to facilitate those changes.

The ending of Onyx Stormdelivers a devastating twist for fans of Violet and Xaden's relationship, but this means The Empyrean Series can finally restore the best part of Fourth Wing's romance. While there are many things to love about The Empyrean Series — from its ruthless setting to its snarky dragons — the romance is a huge draw for many readers. The "shadow daddy" trope is still thriving in romantasy spaces, making Xaden a swoon-worthy love interest. And while his romance with Violet can be toxic at times, it delivers on many elements fans of the subgenre enjoy.

Onyx Stormfinally reveals Violet's second signet from Andarna, and it turns out she's been using it all along — though one theory posits that her new power isn't what she believes it is. When Violet and Xaden talk about their nightmares towards the end of Onyx Storm, they come to the conclusion that Violet has been entering Xaden's dreams since Iron Flame. Xaden tells Violet that she's a dreamwalker — a type of Inntinnsic in Fourth Wing's fantasy world — but one Empyrean Series theory suggests her abilities go beyond this assumption.

There is a character who has to be a venin after Onyx Stormrevealed the perfect counter signet to their power, which would set up a major new conflict for the series. While there have been many Onyx Storm venin theories that have cropped up ever since the book's publication, few really dig into how deep within Navarre the venin have gotten to, even now that Navarre is no longer ignoring the threat. The focus, rather, has been on other aspects of the venin, which makes sense considering who is currently or who could be turned.

Andarna's sudden return in Onyx Stormmakes a lot more sense if a certain theory is right. Onyx Storm both created and debunked many a Fourth Wing theory, with the third installment giving us more of the world's lore by exploring the Isle Kingdoms while shrouding various other details in mystery. However, Andarna's arc was one of the most fascinating and baffling in my mind, especially since her choices and story beats towards the end of the book broke from some aspects of her character.

There were plenty of theories going into Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm — many of which considered what Violet's second signet could be, or what would happen after Xaden turned venin — but one of the most prominent and unanimously agreed upon was the idea that Naolin, Tairn's previous rider, was the Venin Sage. Naolin's character is one that has been continuously referred to, but given very little backstory or attention thus far, so it's no wonder theories suggested he'd pop up later in the Empyrean Series' novels.