OneFourth Wingtheory about the venin Sage is incredibly convincing , butI still hopeOnyx Stormdebunks it and proves me wrong . The stakes ofThe Empyrean Seriesare in high spirits than ever head intoOnyx Storm , andthe nextFourth Wingsequelpromises to reply some of our biggest questions about the venin and their motives . The venin Sage who seems so concerned in Violet will likely be expanded on , and there are manyOnyx Stormtheoriesabout whom the scoundrel could be . know that Xaden and Jack are now venin , it ’s possible the Sage also has a surprising identity .

The venin Sage first makes an appearance at the closing ofFourth Wing , butIron Flameexpands on the character a bit more . That said , the Sage ’s identity , intentions for Violet , and greater role inThe Empyrean Seriesremain cover in mysteryahead ofOnyx Storm . With so much more to acquire about the character , Onyx Stormhas the opportunity to switch a truly shocking twist our elbow room . And one theory about the venin Sage makes a heap of sentience , but I ’m hoping it does n’t materialise for multiple reasons .

What’s Been Revealed About The Venin Sage So Far

He’s Interested In Violet’s Powers & Incredibly Powerful

Fourth WingandIron Flamekeep the venin Sage a mysterious character , but the books do reveal clues about the scoundrel that could kick in to a greater reveal later on . Fourth Wingsees him entering the battlefield wielding a grandiloquent staff , and he immediately showcases enormous strength upon his arrival . He circumvent attacks from Sgaeyl and Garrick and is the only one to take the air away from the confrontation at Resson . The distaff venin that Violet fights suggest he ’s interested in her lightning - wield signet , andIron Flameconfirms her ominous news .

Onyx Storm ’s release is only a few calendar week off , and Yarros ' Empyrean Series has many diminished details that may be authoritative to the next Fourth Wing book .

Violet ’s interaction with the distaff wielder also reveals that the Sage is a teacher of sorts , a shuddery prospect think his own lethal abilities . While the other venin do n’t seem to be at the same level of index as the Sage , they ’re clearly memorize from and school with him . Violet ’s encounter with another dark wielder inIron Flameconfirms that the venin Sage who wants Violet ’s power is n’t the only instructor , either , as the venin responds to Violet ’s question about him by ask , " Which Sage ? "

The covers of Onyx Storm and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros with a fiery background

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

During his nightmare interaction with Violet , he reveals that he ’s interested in her joining him and turn venin — and he even commands his follower not to kill her .

The venin Sage also set out appear to Violet in her dreams in book two , andIron Flame ’s endingreveals he ’s doing the same to Xaden . It ’s not clear how he ’s capable of this . However , during his nightmare interactions with Violet , he let on that he ’s interested in her joining him and turn venin — and he even commands his followers not to obliterate her . Violet notes multiple prison term that he seems disappoint by her refusal , advise he has high hope for her cooperation . If nothing else , this intimate a deeper connection between the two character .

Onyx Storm must answer these burn questions on its worldbuilding and role that were left from the first two books of The Empyrean Series .

Fourth Wing and Iron Flame hardcovers surrounded by flames

Image by Milica Djordjevic

The Sage also differentiate Violet he ’s " waited centuries " for someone with her power , suggesting he ’s old . That would explain his monumental strength , which he showcases again duringIron Flame ’s final conflict . He ’s even able-bodied to overtake Xaden and push him to twist into a venin , another issue he seems eerily invest in . He severalize Xaden that he ’s a general , not a salvia , raising question about where he fall in the enemy ’s hierarchy . But irrespective of his rank , I’m win over his on-key personal identity is important — and one hypothesis suggests he could be a fiber we know of .

Naolin, Tairn’s Previous Rider, Is The Venin Sage - Theory Explained

Saving Brennan Could Have Turned Naolin

There are numerous possibilities for whom the venin Sage could be , from Violet ’s founder to General Daramor . However , one convincingFourth Wingtheory suggest that he could be Tairn ’s former rider , Naolin . While this does n’t add up with his " century " comment , it makes a surprising amount of sense otherwise . For one , there ’s no account given for why the venin Sage is able to get inside Violet ’s and Xaden ’s heads throughoutIron Flame . Having a connection to Tairn might grant him the power to utilize the genial bond paper that Violet and Xaden share .

Whatever their kinship , it ’s obvious that Naolin draw upon a great batch of power to keep Brennan alive .

Additionally , we know that Naolin supposedly conk while salve Brennan Sorrengail during the Tyrrish Rebellion . The fact that Brennan is believed to be dead throughoutFourth Wing — and has a mysterious runic letter on his hand — suggests thatNaolin may have pass so far as to resurrect him . They were clearly close-fitting , and some referee even theorize they were lovers . Whatever their human relationship , it ’s obvious that Naolin draw upon a great mass of power to keep Brennan live . And Brennan notably says that it " be him everything , " but not that it kill him .

Onyx Storm book cover on dark cloudy background

Rebecca Yarros ’ latest Onyx Storm break micturate one theory about Mira Sorrengail seem much more probable – and that ’s a huge relief for Fourth Wing fan .

What Naolin Being The Venin Sage Would Mean

This Would Have Huge Implications For Onyx Storm

I ’m not totally positive that Naolin is the venin Sage inThe Empyrean Series , but there is substantial evidence for this possibility . And Naolin being theFourth Wingvillain would have Brobdingnagian implications forOnyx Storm , commence with Brennan ’s character electric discharge . There are theories that Brennan Sorrengail could be a traitor , and that annihilating twist is more likely if this Naolin possibility is confirmed . But even if Brennan is n’t helping the Sage , the revelation that the villain is Naolin will have a Brobdingnagian impact on him . shoot down the Sage could also mean removing Brennan ’s leash to the living world .

There is one huge Xaden secret that Onyx Storm must solve even though it has nothing to do with his Modern status as a venin or his struggles with it .

If Naolin is the venin salvia , it also means that Xaden ’s bond with Sgaeyl could be permanently destroyed at some point inOnxy Stormor its sequels . Naolin ’s fate paints a ikon of what will become of type like Jack Barlowe and Xaden if they give into the shadow . Given that Tairn is capable to tie with Violet , it ’s safe to assume Naolin ’s connection to Tairn is pretty much gone . This happen to Xaden and Sgaeyl is unthinkable , but Yarros is known for tragical twists . As oneRedditornotes , this could also set the stage for Xaden ’s dragon to die , even if he does n’t .

Cropped cover of Onyx Storm: image of a dragon silhouette against a bright sun

Why I Hope Naolin Isn’t The Venin Sage In Onyx Storm

The Empyrean Series Has Had Enough Death Fakeouts

While Naolin being the venin Sage is credible , I really hopeOnyx Stormdoesn’t confirm thisFourth Wingtheory — and not just because of all the annihilative implications that would accompany it . ThisNaolin hypothesis would also repeata plait thatThe Empyrean Serieshas already done doubly before : a death fakeout . Brennan ’s demise is assumed for all ofFourth Wing , then upended during the last moments of the account book . Jack Barlowe also supposedly die inFourth Wing , butIron Flameundoes that satisfying moment .

Onyx Stormdebuts on January 21 , 2025 .

Needless to say , Onyx Stormfeaturing another Brobdingnagian death fakeout would feel a bit repetitious , even if Naolin is nevertechnicallyconfirmed to be stagnant . This would weaken the decisiveness of death in a series that ’s been dependable at limn the beastly and permanent consequences of warfare . It would also just be indescribably devastating , makingOnyx Storman even bleaker add-on toThe Empyrean Series .

Fan art of Violet saving Andarna and being protected by Tairn during the Threshing in Fourth Wing

Art by @Rosiethorns88

Source : Reddit

Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battle one-time 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 test , leading to intense confrontation and unexpected revelations in a public of flying dragon and magic​.

The covers of Onyx Storm and Iron Flame with a fiery red and stormy purple background

The covers of Fourth Wing, Onyx Storm, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros in front of a purple, white, and gold background

Onyx Storm and Fourrth Wing book covers against a red geometric background

Onyx Storm Book Cover

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​.

Fourth Wing

Onyx Storm