In Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm, long-standing mysteries surrounding the venin and their intentions regarding protagonists Violet and Xaden are compellingly resolved. A particularly striking revelation is the venin’s potential to cultivate their own signet abilities. This installment of the Empyrean Series elaborates on how signet abilities—both among Basgiath riders and the venin—function in opposition to each other. This suggests that many of the signet abilities exhibited by riders directly counter those wielded by venin possessing similar powers.
Yarros meticulously illustrates this concept throughout the text. For instance, the character Lynx, a first-year rider alongside Violet, showcases Xaden’s shadow-wielding signet. This act surfaces the duality of power as Xaden grapples with his transformation into a venin. The narrative conveys a deeper understanding of the moral implications of magic within Onyx Storm, illustrating how Lynx’s shadow power serves as a counterweight to Xaden’s abilities during his descent into darkness. This dynamic enriches the complex relationship between venin and rider while inviting readers to ponder the range of other signet abilities teased by Yarros.
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Storm Wielder
The Silver-Haired Venin, Theophanie
Early in Onyx Storm’s plot, we meet Theophanie, a silver-haired venin with a powerful signet ability. Initially thought to mirror Violet’s lightning powers, it later comes to light that Theophanie commands storms, similar to Violet’s mother, General Sorrengail. As a storm wielder, she can manipulate the weather to conjure significant and deadly tornadoes—an ability Violet’s mother was unable to achieve, highlighting the immense power of venin magic.
This difference is exacerbated by the idea that the venin, having absorbed energy from the earth, could possess more potent signet abilities compared to Basgiath riders. Furthermore, when Theophanie first appears in the dungeons, Violet witnesses her abruptly vanish, sparking theories that she might also be a distance wielder, akin to Garrick. However, with Theophanie’s fate now sealed, her full range of powers may remain a mystery.
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Dream Walker
Xaden’s Venin Sage, Berwyn
Yarros unveils in Onyx Storm that Berwyn, the venin sage Xaden struggled with at the conclusion of Iron Flame, continues to haunt Xaden, invading his dreams. Initially thought to be Violet’s nightmares, this phenomenon reveals Violet’s unexpected connection to Xaden’s subconscious through her second signet ability. Dream walking allows individuals to enter and influence another’s dreams, revealing a perilous intrinsic skill.
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that both Berwyn and Violet have navigated Xaden’s dreamscape, with Berwyn exerting greater control over the dreams than Xaden. This suggests the potential for Berwyn to shift his focus to Violet’s dreams in future installments, potentially leading to compelling interactions within Xaden’s mind.
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Fire Wielder
Hinted At in Fourth Wing
While the existence of fire-wielding venin has not been officially confirmed by Yarros, hints from the conclusion of Fourth Wing indicate its plausibility. In a vivid battle scene in Resson, Violet describes a venin raising a staff to launch blue flames at her allies. Although a staff appears contradictory to the direct expression of signet magic, it may serve similarly to Violet’s own conduit, enhancing her ability to channel and direct her powers.
“The dark wielder pivots, whipping to face us with an unnatural speed even I can’t match, and swings his staff in our direction. Fire erupts, barreling toward us in a deadly stream.”
—Onyx Storm, Chapter Sixty-Three
The concept of fire-wielding as a common signet power in Basgiath has taken on new meaning with the insights from Onyx Storm. As riding signets often manifest to counter venin powers, it’s plausible that fire could be a prevalent ability among venin. Imogen and Dain’s encounter with another venin wielding flames affirms this notion.
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Earth Wielder
The Venin Creates a Rock Slide in Resson
As the plot of Onyx Storm progresses, it is revealed that Imogen, besides her ability to erase memories, also wields earth magic. She transforms a metal shield into a stone one capable of defending against fiery attacks from venin in Draithus. Yarros’ introduction of earth-wielding sets a foundation for exploring deeper aspects of its capabilities. However, this may not be the first indication of this power within the series.
References in Fourth Wing illustrate a dark wielder who conjures a rockslide during a battle in Resson, initially interpreted as a mark of destruction. Yet, with the new understanding of earth-wielding as a signet ability, it stands to reason that such scenes could hint at the powers yet to be fully unveiled. Onyx Storm deftly paves the way for spectacular signet displays from the venin in forthcoming chapters.