Iron Flame's ending sets many pieces in motion for the story's next chapter while also showcasing new characters, such as Sloane Mairi and Aaric Greycastle. These characters, due to their recent introductions, may outshine a few of the established side characters audiences have come to love due to the story's current progression. Despite this, there are a few characters who should still be featured in Onyx Storm as their rich stories can continue to add so much to The Empyrean Series.

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10 Brennan Sorrengail

Brennan's Connection To His Sisters Could Be Explored More

Brennan Sorrengail's supposed death as well as his role in the Assembly should be further explored in Onyx Storm, as both can affect many aspects of the narrative. Brennan's survival of the Battle of Aretia was a largely unexplored point in Iron Flame. His story instead focused on his reunion with his sisters and his new role in Aretia. The truth of Brennan's "death" could create a significant impact on Onyx Storm with Naolin's return, forcing Brennan to choose between his family and the man who saved his life.

Brennan's role in Aretia's Assembly could also add to his arc, as it can allow him to connect with Violet more. Brennan's decisions towards the end of Iron Flame caused friction between him and Violet. Though he does inevitably agree with her logic and arrives to help, the book does little to explore those new dynamics. Having his decisions begin to mirror Violet's instincts in Onyx Storm can showcase his growing faith in her and in himself, a faith that was shaken after his "death". That faith can allow the two to truly mend fences, strengthening the Sorrengail siblings' bond.

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9 Mira Sorrengail

Onyx Storm Can Showcase Mira's Grief

Mira's grief over the loss of her mother could not only strengthen her connection to her siblings but also showcase her vulnerability, a side of her that audiences have not witnessed yet. Mira's reputation as a fearsome rider and tactician is showcased throughout The Empyrean Series, such as her rescuing of Xaden and rallying of Aretia's troops during a venin attack in Iron Flame. Though that strength clearly remains, the death of her mother has shattered some of it, as Mira was nowhere to be found after the Battle of Basigath.

Mira's disappearance could allow Violet and Brennan to find her in her grief, giving audiences an insight into her mental state. Mira has had to be the strong one for Violet ever since Brennan's "death", so allowing her a moment to be vulnerable with her family would enrich the character. This moment could also tell audiences more about Mira and Lilith's relationship and allow Violet to step up to help her sister. As a result, audiences can witness their strengthening bond, with Mira truly seeing Violet as an equal rather than her little sister who still needs coddling.

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8 Imogen Cardulo

Imogen's Friendship With Violet Should Play A Role In Onyx Storm

Though she began as a minor antagonist, Imogen's growing friendship with Violet would not only give her someone to lean on as she races to cure Xaden, but also showcase more of Imogen's fierce loyalty and worldview. Imogen became a source of comfort for Violet in Iron Flame, albeit of the more tough love variety. Her dedication to helping Violet grow as a fighter and rider strengthened their bond even as Imogen's character continued to maintain her tougher traits.

Imogen's continued of Violet can not only make sure Violet does not spiral as she searches for a cure for Xaden, but also reveal some of her own fears. Though Imogen seems to care little about their relationship, as seen in one comedic scene in Iron Flame, Imogen does care for Xaden deeply. Seeing his condition can allow her to open up to Violet while still being that pillar of . Not only would audiences get to see more of Imogen's inner self, but their bond could highlight the mending break between the marked ones and other riders.

7 Quinn

Quinn's Signet Could Impact Onyx Storm's Conflict

Though audiences see little of her in the first two books of The Empyrean Series, Quinn's signet could create a few tense moments in Onyx Storm as the group tries to gather more information. Fouth Wing, the protagonists using it for distraction and scouting purposes as they break into Lilith's office. This not only reveals Quinn's power of astral projection but also her willingness to collaborate, which could impact the main plot of the third book.

Quinn's signet could, after proper encouragement from the others, be used to spy on the leaders of Navarre and even the venin without either group being the wiser. Quinn's growth in power could allow the audience to learn important information alongside the characters as well as showcase more of who Quinn is. Through her few scenes, Quinn's bubbly nature and loyalty have shined. With her signet, she could be given a larger arc as she grows more powerful, strengthening her connection to her friends as more is revealed about their shared enemies.

6 Ridoc Gamlyn

Ridoc's Humor Could Offset Onyx Storm's Tone

Ridoc's humor and strength could allow for some variety in Onyx Storm's tone, providing the characters and audiences with more moments of levity. Ridoc's humor was apparent throughout both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, his constant jokes and quick remarks allowing the characters to bond further. Since the next installments of The Empyrean Series will see the characters in many terrible positions, that humor could provide a lighter tone in strategic moments. That levity could then give the narrative some space to breathe and remind the characters of why they fight.

Ridoc's humor is not his only strong suit. Featuring him further in Onyx Storm would also highlight his strength and battle prowess, which audiences have progressively seen more of as the series has gone on. Ridoc's fighting skills have been instrumental in major moments, including his ice wall against Baide in Iron Flame. Seeing his skill grow while retaining his humor would not only break the basic conventions of a comic relief character but also showcase Ridoc's inner strength as he continues to fight for his friends.

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5 Sawyer Henrick

Sawyer Should Get More To Do In The Empyrean Series

Sawyer's role in Onyx Storm should not only give him more individual moments outside The Iron Squad but also dig deeper into his character. Sawyer spends much of his time as the straight man to Ridoc, with his personality being the most subdued of The Iron Squad. That being said, the few glimpses audiences have seen of his character are compelling, especially as he must hang onto those virtues in the face of further hardship.

Sawyer's characterization, while minimal, showcases a loyal friend and devoted rider. Sawyer continuously gets back up and soldiers on no matter the circumstances. This not only allowed him to become a rider but could also grow his character in Onyx Storm. Sawyer losing his leg could showcase that perseverance but temper it with melancholy, allowing the rest of The Iron Squad to lift him up the same way he did for them in the previous books. With that , Sawyer can grow more as a character, giving audiences further insight into him as his role in The Empyrean Series expands.

4 Rhiannon Matthias

Rhiannon's Battle Prowess and Friendships Could Be Strengthened In Onyx Storm

Rhiannon's abilities as a rider as well as her steadfast devotion to her friends needs to be featured in Onyx Storm. Rhiannon's loyalty to Violet has been in place since Fourth Wing, with that loyalty extending to the rest of The Iron Squad as the story progresses. Rhiannon's continued devotion to them should be featured as that could help Violet as she plunges further into the unknown, reminding her that she is not alone. Not only that, but it can also highlight Rhiannon's battle capabilities as she grows even more competent in order to help her friends.

Rhiannon saving Violet in Iron Flame from a venin was already a strong demonstration of her battle prowess. Coupling that with further examples of her leadership would make each fight scene in Onyx Storm even more dynamic. Rhiannon's might and clear devotion to the cause could inspire others to keep going in both real and simulated battles, furthering her arc. It can also highlight more of Rhiannon's enduring spirit, a trait she shares with Violet and one the two can amplify in each other as the story gets darker.

3 Bodhi Durran

Onyx Storm Could Highlight More Of Bodhi's Leadership Skills

Bodhi could, in Onyx Storm, step up more as a leader among not only the marked ones but the riders as a whole as Xaden continues to battle his new venin nature. Bodhi's skills as a leader got some attention in Iron Flame after he became a Section Leader. He was able to assist in his other tasks, such as training the cadets, but his true skills were highlighted as he helped Violet survive her second year. In many ways, he emulated Xaden, something he may need to continue to do in Onyx Storm.

Xaden's leadership skills, despite still being strong, could be hampered by his new status. As a result, Bodhi may need to take on more responsibility within Aretia. Bodhi's new responsibilities could then allow him to grow as a leader and character, as audiences have seen little of him. His kindness toward Violet and steadfast faith in his cousin would shine through as he makes sure the cadets and elder leaders are occupied. Bodhi's help would then allow the two to focus on and find solutions to the revelations from the previous book, Bodhi's character growing organically all the while.

2 Garrick Tavis

Garrick's Friendship With Xaden Could Grow His Character In Onyx Storm

Despite his small role in the previous installments of The Empyrean Series, Garrick's friendship with Xaden could not only act as an anchor for him but expand on Garrick's character. Garrick's few humorous moments with Xaden in Fourth Wing showcase the two's close bond, but that bond gets little time in Iron Flame. With Xaden having become a venin, that bond could assist in keeping him grounded, showcasing how Xaden has more people in his corner.

Through his efforts to help Xaden, more of Garrick's character can be revealed to audiences. Due to his humor, Garrick could be similar to Ridoc, using jokes to remind Xaden to keep fighting. His battle prowess could also assist his friend, as he can make sure Xaden does not fall further using his brute strength. Lastly, more of their shared history can come to light, giving a new perspective on the marked ones' fates. That history could expand on the group as unity becomes a bigger possibility, giving both Garrick and Xaden more reasons to fight.

1 Jack Barlowe

The Empyrean Series Could Further Jack's Villian Arc

Jack Barlowe's Iron Flame reveal allows him to be a fascinating secondary antagonist in the rest of The Empyrean Series, as his desire for revenge and power makes him almost invulnerable plot-wise. Barlowe's status as a venin is showcased horrifyingly in Iron Flame, as he cheerfully takes over Baide's mind and destroys the wards. Though he is captured, he clearly takes delight in Xaden's desperation at the end of the second book, making him an easy-to-hate villain. His capture, however, also gives audiences both a great source of information and dread.

As a venin, Barlowe could give more insights into how they work. Though he would probably only reveal anything as a way to mock Xaden and fill him with hopelessness, Violet could still use whatever he decides to share. This could lead to the protagonists gaining an advantage due to Barlowe's cockiness. Conversely, Barlowe could cause more destruction through false information and even fully breaking out of Basigath. These possibilities would make each scene all the more tense and give readers of The Empyrean Series even more reasons to read on.

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