Welcome back! Now that Onyx Storm has been out for over a week, it’s time for me to spend the next few days/weeks/months breaking down what happened in Onyx Storm and where do I think we go from here.
One thing I wanted to do but didn’t get to after Iron Flame came out was to collect all of in addition to my crackpot theories was to make a compendium of this wonderful community’s ideas on where do we go next.
In addition to theories of my own, I will highlight theories that I come across social media whether it’s TikTok, Reddit, reels or just a deep corner of my brain. I will attempt to back up any and all claims I have with quoted sources from the books, and in the case that I highlight a theory by someone from the community, I will credit the original creator and link back to the source so you can stay up to date to the discussion.
I created a new collection of The Empyrean Theories. All of my The Empyrean theories posts will be under this category — since this is the start of the series it’s the only post in there.
This post contains Onyx Storm spoilers, and will only focus on theories, not actual events that are in the book. You can checkout the Onyx Storm Ending in case you need a refresher.
All the pages referred in this post are from the Kindle Edition, so the while the chapters are accurate, the page numbers might be different in physical copies!
Now that the housekeeping items are out of the way let’s get started on our first post.
Who Are The Candidates for the New Venin?
I originally wanted to start with outlining what happened during Violet’s missing twelve hours but before we can breakdown what happened during that time, we have to establish who turned Venin alongside Xaden.
There is a lot of speculation whether it’s Bodhi or Garrick who became an initiate during Xaden’s chapters, as of today for me, it’s Bodhi until another theory makes me think otherwise.
I glance past Berwyn, past Sgaeyl and the venin, to my new brother and the unconscious dragon lying in the valley beyond the canyon, guarded by seven wyvern. How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months. How could he willingly walk the path I’ve fought like hell to leave?
Onyx Storm, Chapter 55, (p. 739)
Who do you think turned Venin?
Who do you think turned Venin?
Who Knows Xaden is a Venin?
Xaden’s Venin nature has been kept largely a secret aside from a few people.
- Violet has known Xaden is Venin since Chapter 65 of Iron Flame.
- Bodhi, Garrick and Imogen find out sometime between Chapter 66 of Iron Flame and Chapter 1 of Onyx Storm.
- Ridoc finds out when Irids call Xaden and abomination (assholes) and his eyes turn red
- Brennan finds out about it sometime right before Chapter 47 of Onyx Storm because when Violet arrives at Aretia he tells him he’s been working with Xaden to see if he can mend him
Did Imogen Turn Venin?
With this information above in mind we can eliminate a few people. It can’t be Imogen since Xaden would likely called her a sister not brother, and Imogen is with Violet when she returns.
Did Ridoc Turn Venin?
It can’t be Ridoc because not only he hasn’t known about it for the five months Xaden mentioned, Ridoc is also with Rhiannon during Chapter 61 which I believe is written to show us Ridoc is not the one who turned.
Did Brennan Turn Venin?
Brennan is suspicious for a variety of reasons, it could be him, since I already think Brennan is reanimated like a Wyvern (more on this in another post). But Xaden’s language of choosing makes me think the person who turned just did it now and they haven’t been Venin this entire time. It could just be that Xaden doesn’t have the full information here but I think Brennan has another arc coming with Naolin/rune in his hands so let’s exclude him.
That leaves Bodhi and Garrick.
Did Garrick Turn Venin?
Yes, Garrick could be the one who turned Venin.
“I can’t walk again. Even if I made it to Aretia, I’d never be strong enough to get back,” he calls over his shoulder. “So, I’d better find some fucking way to do something.”
Onyx Storm, Chapter 63 (p. 726)
Here it does sound like Garrick might have resorted to channeling to be able to walk again. While I think it could still be Garrick, I think he played another role with the stealing of the eggs. Not to mention Imogen just lost Quinn and although it would be even more dramatic for her character growth I think it might even be cruel for her to lose both Quinn and Garrick at the end of the book.
That’s not a very strong argument though and I understand, but I think the evidence for Garrick turning is a lot weaker than for Bodhi.
Did Bodhi Turn Venin?
Let’s get to Bodhi, whom I think turned Venin besides Xaden at the end of this book.
Bodhi spent this entire book angry, because Xaden benched him. Xaden regularly keeps him out of danger and combat because he’s the first in line to Tyrrendor’s throne.
“Because you’re first in line!” Xaden clasps the back of his cousin’s neck. “Neither of us have an heir. We’re all there is, Bodhi. I don’t have time to argue, and you will do as ordered. Our family just got Tyrrendor back, and we will not lose her because of your ego. Understood?”
Onyx Storm, Chapter 51 (p. 601)
“I’m not your backup plan.” Bodhi retreats two steps, then looks down the table at Brennan and me before glaring at Xaden. “You are the duke. I am the rider. That’s how it was always meant to be until our parents got themselves executed. I will stand by your side and be your right-fucking-hand for the rest of our lives, but if you want a member of our family to hold that seat”—he points to the throne—“you’d better hold your own shit together.” He walks out of the room without another word.
Onyx Storm, Chapter 55 (p. 652)
Bodhi repeatedly rejects his position as Tyrrendor’s heir. He straight up tells Xaden he has no interest in taking Tyrrendor’s throne, not to mention he intends to stay on Xaden’s side the rest of his life. In an interview Rebecca Yarros said “Bodhi will always do what Xaden does.”
In addition to Xaden constantly putting him in a metaphorical gilded cage throughout the book, Theophanie adds insult to injury and and taunts Bodhi.
The veins beside her eyes pulse and she appraises Bodhi, her pace completely unhurried as she strolls toward the head of the dead wyvern. “Tell me, do you not grow tired of being a less-powerful version of your cousin?”
Onyx Storm, Chapter 60 (p. 687)
Bodhi cannot counter Theophanie’s signet because he’s not strong enough.
“It’s working.” A smile tugs at Bodhi’s mouth.
“It’s not,” I whisper, all the hope leaving my body like water out of a bathtub drain. “You can’t counter her. You have to go. Now.” I palm the next blade. Maybe I can’t throw it, but I’m not going down defenseless, either. I can hold out until Tairn returns.
“There’s no lightning,” Bodhi argues, his knuckles whitening on the pommel of his sword.
Onyx Storm,Chapter 60, (p. 688)
Bodhi departs with Cuir. After Bodhi’s feelings of insecurity is demonstrated throughout the book and cemented during the fight with Theophanie.
Then during Imogen’s chapter it is confirmed that Cuir is injured.
There’s a hole in Cuir’s right wing, and the laceration on his chest is going to leave a scar, but I can’t tell at this angle if Bodhi is wounded.
Onyx Storm, Chapter 63 (p. 716)
It’s weird to include the information that another dragon is wounded unless it serves a purpose. Remember Xaden’s chapter:
I glance past Berwyn, past Sgaeyl and the venin, to my new brother and the unconscious dragon lying in the valley beyond the canyon, guarded by seven wyvern.
Onyx Storm Chapter 65, (p. 739)
Then we literally see Bodhi touching the ground likely channeling.
Bodhi is on his hands and knees across the town square, retching.
Onyx Storm, Chapter 63 (p. 726)
If we’re assuming Bodhi turned to become strong enough to fight Venin, in Violet’s fight with Theophanie she says,
“She’s killing the storm to make it harder for me to wield!”
Onyx Storm, Chapter 64 (p. 729)
While Theophanie might actually be doing this to stop Violet, it’s just as plausible that Bodhi, now empowered with the power he’s channeling from earth can now counter signets.
Not to mention Xaden accelerates his plans to marry Violet after seeing his new brother. If Bodhi turned that leaves Tyrrendor without a ruler, and Xaden’s been trying to protect Tyrrendor this entire book. If both Bodhi and Xaden are Venin, marrying Violet ensures Tyrrendor stays under the care of someone he trusts. The only person Xaden would trust besides Bodhi to rule Tyrrendor is Violet.
There you have it. I rest my case.
I’ve been a Bodhi stan from book one and the fact that he’s the most likely one to turn devastated me. I believe the evidence is stacked against him on this one. While I’m sure the rest of the community will have more evidence about who else might have turned, as of right now I’m pretty sure it’s Bodhi. And unfortunately, I don’t think it’s looking great for him considering we can’t save everyone. I am just heartbroken as you are, because in Violet’s words
“Sometimes I forget just how nearly perfect Bodhi is at everything,” I say to Xaden. No one thought of him during Battle Brief yesterday, and he should have been the first name that came to mind. Countering signets might not be the best offensive tool, but damn if it isn’t a hell of a defense.
“He’s my cousin,” Xaden replies, locking eyes with me. “Of course he’s exceptional.”
“Hmmm. Just like you, but without the arrogance.” I cock my head to the side. “Maybe I fell for the wrong—”
Onyx Storm, Chapter 45 (pp. 537-538)
My hope is that we can save everyone, especially Bodhi considering he’s been nothing but sweet and supportive this entire series. But I guess we’ll see when the next book comes out in two years!
Thank you for sticking with me while I broke this down. Do you think someone else has turned? Let me know in the comments!
Want more crackpot theories? Check out Are The Empyrean Dragons Using The Wrong Kind of Magic next!
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Until next time, fly safe!
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