Fourth Wing author Rebecca Yarros reveals a major clue about the Onyx Storm ending

Since the third installment of Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series, Onyx Storm, was released earlier this year, readers have been questioning many things, including: Who is Xaden's new venin brother?

As expected, there are plenty of theories circling the internet about this plot point. However, a recent Instagram post from the author may provide an answer to that question.

Yarros posted a photo of her laptop in front of a beach setting, with white boxes blocking out some of the text on her screen, but not all of it. The excerpt is a conversation between Garrick and another, likely Xaden, based on the dialogue, discussing having the option to make their own decisions thanks to their parents. At one point, the character who seems to be Xaden declares his choice is Violet.

Here is the full excerpt seen on Instagram:

“'I’m with you to the end, Brother. But someone has to say it,' Garrick’s face tightens. 'This plan risks everything our parents worked for,' he warns, already reaching for his flight jacket. 'Everything they died for.”' 

“'They died for us, for a world where we have the knowledge to make our own choices.' The shadows at my feet sharpen as I sheathe the second sword across my back. 'Violet’s my choice. I’m more than willing to die for her.'"

“‘Let’s go hunt some wyvern.’”

It's a short exchange, but one that has readers thinking it explains who his venin brother is. Because the conversation is between Garrick and—likely—Xaden, plus the use of the word "brother," fans believe it means that Garrick is the venin brother.

While it would make sense with everything presented in the series so far, it still isn't exactly an official confirmation, considering we are lacking the context on either side of the conversation.

In addition to possibly being a clue to Onyx Storm's ending, it may also be a bonus scene for the new edition of Iron Flame. Both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame are being released with dragon print sprayed edges to match Onyx Storm in a collection called Wings and Claws. Though the original print run of Fourth Wing did have a dragon print, the Wings and Claws edition will have a different variation.

When the holiday edition of Fourth Wing came out alongside the initial release of Iron Flame, it contained bonus chapters from Xaden's POV. Because the excerpt Yarros shared also seems to be from his perspective, there's a chance that it's going to be included in the next edition of Iron Flame, even if it still hints toward the end of Onyx Storm.

The comments of the post speculate that the excerpt is set during Violet's five-day interrogation in Iron Flame.

“GARRICK IS THE NEW BROTHER!!!!” one person commented, while another added, “Me hoping this is Xadens POV in IF when he rescues Violet 👀🔥🖤 But whatever it is, [I'm] so here for it 👏🏼👏🏼.”

“ARE WE GETTING THE INTERROGATION RESCUE: XADEN'S VERSION????” questioned another fan.

It will be quite the wait for readers to find out if their theories are correct. As of now, Yarros hasn't begun writing the fourth book of the series, and it doesn't have an anticipated release date. Though she teased at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in April that she knows the name of the project, she is writing a contemporary romance before she breaks out her plotting board for the next chapter of Violet's story.

In the meantime, for those wanting Fourth Wing content, there have been some updates on Amazon Prime Video's adaptation. Vernon Sanders, Prime Video’s Head of TV, shared in a recent interview that they are taking their time so they "get this one right." So, all fans can do is wait for more news on both fronts.

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