Summary
Fan theories have been swirling aboutOnyx Storm, the next book in the Empyrean Series, and I have my own theory about Violet’s second signet I want to put out there. Rumors have abounded about what the next book will hold, though we can guess a few. We already knowOnyx Stormwill be about Xaden wrestling with his venin natureand how it impacts his relationship with Violet and everyone else. We can also guesswe’ll learn a lot more about Andarna and her powers, since she’s a puzzle yet to be pieced together.
But one of the biggest mysteries yet to be answered is what, exactly, is Violet’s second signet power. Author Rebecca Yarros has teased in multiple interviews that she’s already planted the seeds and that a discerning reader can figure it out. Theories have ranged fromViolet’s second signet being able to speak to the dead, to her seeing the future. Me, however,I have a completely different theory about Violet’s powers inOnyx Storm,and I hope it’s true, simply for how fun it could potentially be.
Looks Like Onyx Storm’s Cover Just Confirmed Our Theories About It
Onyx Storm’s cover has finally been revealed, and I’m feeling even more confident in our theories about the upcoming Fourth Wing sequel.
Everything About Violet’s Bond With Andarna Is Constantly Changing
The Nature Of Their Bond Has Never Been Stable
Even more than Violet,Fourth Wing’s dragonAndarna has been an enormous mystery. As the first dragon of her kind in hundreds of years, Andarna, as a previously unknown seventh breed of dragon, is so rare that her kind wasn’t even mentioned in known mythology. The dragons knew about the seventh breed, but even they knew it hadn’t happened in ages, and humans didn’t know about them at all. Andarna’s personality is also unique among dragons;she’s the only dragon youngling to choose to bond with a rider instead of waiting until she was grown.
As such, Violet’s bond with Andarna has been ever-shifting. It was impossible for Violet to know what Andarna was when Andarna herself possibly didn’t even know at first. Even the time-slowing power Violet channels through Andarna isn’t permanent. As it was explained to Violet, that power was only granted to her as Andarna hadn’t matured yet, thus, she was able to give her power to Violet without Violet’s second signet manifesting. Now that Andarna is out of the Dreamless Sleep, Violet’s second power will manifest, but it’s not clear in what way. It’s all very mysterious and, if I’m being honest, a little weird – not in a bad way,but in a way that’s clearly setting up Violet’s secondary manifestation to be a big deal.
Violet’s Second Signet Being Able To Morph Would Fit Andarna’s Nature
But It Would Also Fit Violet’s Chameleon Nature
This is why I’m proposing the wild theory thatViolet’s second signet inOnyx Stormwon’t be one signet at all, but many. What if – hear me out, here –Violet’s second signet is that she can shift her signet when she needs it?Though the nature of powers of a rider are more about them than their dragon, the dragon still does have a part to play. With Andarna being able to change her scales, and her bond with Violet being so strong, it stands to reason that Violet’s second signet might mimic that. After all, Andarna chose Violet because she felt a kinship with her.
Violet being able to shift her powers just like Andarna would certainly fit Andarna’s nature. It would also fit Violet’s, I think. Violet has shown a surprising chameleon nature throughout the series. First, she’s proven there’s far more than meets the eye with her. But she’s also shown that she’s prone to thinking outside the box,and changing the rules of engagement when it suits her.Being able to do the same with her second signet would be right in line with her character arc so far.
It Would Be A Convenient Way To Explain Violet’s Plot Armor
It’s The One Weak Point Of The Empyrean Series
Violet being able to change her powers makes a certain amount of sense from a narrative standpoint. For starters,it would explain why her second signet hasn’t manifested yet– at least not openly – and why the mystery surrounding it has been murky. Perhaps she’s been manifesting it in small ways this whole time but just hasn’t realized it because the nature of her signet has been shifting, making her and others unable to recognize it for what it is.
Violet having subconsciously morphed her powers would also explain why she’s still alive when, if we’re being honest, she has no business still being in the land of the living. One of the few issues I have with the Empyrean Series is thatViolet has plot armor so thick that it’s sometimes hard to believe.But ifOnyx Stormreveals that Violet has been able to subconsciously shift her powers to suit her needs at times of extreme duress, it would go a long way toward explaining why she’s still alive beyond thedeus ex machinaof it all. I realize that power-shifting is almost certainly not Violet’s second signet, but it would be really cool if it were.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
