Many characters are likely to die inOnyx Storm, andthe biggest death theory about thenextFourth Wingsequelmakes so much sense that it must come true. Judging by its title, cover, and blurb — along withIron Flame’s shocking ending— it seems inevitable thatOnyx Stormwill feature a shift in tonewhen it debuts in January 2025. The war against the venin is officially underway, Xaden is a venin, and Violet has lost yet another loved one.The Empyrean Seriesis only going to get darker, and more casualties are bound to happen.
Onyx Storm’s blurb even states that “not everyone can survive” (viaInstagram), so readers can anticipate more emotional departures in the thirdEmpyrean Seriesbook. It’s hard to say who might perish in the upcomingFourth Wingsequel, butone popular theory suggests that Dain Aetos will be a casualty. Dain is a divisive character in Rebecca Yarros' romantasy series, but his death would have a major impact on Violet. And looking at his and Violet’s character arcs, it makes a lot of sense for Dain to die duringOnyx Storm.
The Theory That Dain Will Die In Onyx Storm Makes Too Much Sense To Not Come True
There Isn’t Much Left For Dain To Do In Future Fourth Wing Books
Dain is a perfect candidate to die inOnyx Storm,as he’s a big enough character that his death will have an emotional impact on Violet — but he isn’t so important that he has plot armor. In fact, you could argue thatDain has already done almost everything he needs to inThe Empyrean Series’main story. He unwittingly uses his powers to get Xaden and the Marked Ones to Athebyne, where they’re attacked by venin. He also attempts to make up for this betrayal by saving Violet inIron Flame.
10 Onyx Storm Theories I Hope The Next Fourth Wing Book Confirms
There are so many theories about what could happen next in The Empyrean Series, but I hope Onyx Storm confirms these predictions when it debuts.
Dain’s power has been used for good and evil, andfollowing similar beats in laterEmpyrean Seriesbooks would feel repetitive. It’s possible Dain’s signet could be used for the war effort somehow, but this might not be important enough to drag out his arc. There are only two major things Dain still needs to do in futureFourth Wingbooks, and they could easily happen inOnyx Storm.First, he needs to confront his father about lying to and using him inFourth Wing.He also needs to earn Violet’s forgiveness to end his redemption arc.
Dain’s Redemption Story In The Empyrean Series Is Almost Over (& Onyx Storm Can Finish It)
Dain Still Needs To Prove Himself To Violet
The biggest reason readers believe Dain will die inOnyx Stormis because his redemption arc is already nearly over. Dain is unlikable throughoutFourth Wing,and his betrayal at the end of the book leaves readers as angry with him as Violet is.The Empyrean Seriescould have dragged out his redemption story, but instead,Yarros has Dain join the right side of the war as early asIron Flame.Dain is already aware that he’s wrong and trying to do better, which raises questions about what’s left for his arc.
Violet hasn’t fully forgiven Dain, so he’ll still need to prove himself to her before he’s written off.
Violet hasn’t fully forgiven Dain, so he’ll still need to prove himself to her before he’s written off. That can happen duringOnyx Storm,though, asthere’s little need for Dain’s redemption to last three more books. And Violet’s hesitance to forgive Dain could directly tie into his death. Perhaps his final act of redemption will be to die saving Violet or even Xaden. This would heighten the emotional impact of his death, assuming this popular theory does come true. And Dain dying makes sense symbolically as well, as he represents Violet’s former life.
Dain’s Death In Onyx Storm Could Have A Deeper Symbolic Meaning For Violet’s Arc
Her Childhood Friend Represents Her Old Life In Fourth Wing
Dain is representative of Violet’s old life inThe Empyrean Series,as the two of them grew up together and were taught the same lies about Navarre. Dain and Violet seem to be on the same page whenFourth Wingbegins, but Dain can’t see his childhood friend as anything but that. His doubts about Violet push her away, and when Violet learns more about Navarre, Dain is left behind. He symbolizes the old world and set of beliefs that Violet abandons inFourth Wing,and he also represents her innocence in a way.
Onyx Stormdebuts on June 11, 2025.
This is whyDain’s death happening inOnyx Stormmakes sense for Violet’s story as well as his own.Onyx Stormis shaping up to be a turning point, with the narrative getting darker and more dangerous as the war against the venin escalates. Killing off Violet’s ties to her old life — and what’s left of her childhood — is a great way to convey that things will never go back to what they were. That’s why the theory that Dain will die inOnyx Stormis so sound, though we’ll have to wait until January to see if it comes true.
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.
