The next Onyx Storm's ending left Violet and Xaden in a largely tumultuous place seemingly by their own design, Imogen's final words in the novel hinting that Violet created a plan between the final battle and the book's last chapter. Even so, the two main characters of The Empyrean Series are set to face their worst battle yet without each other as new twists unfold.

Between the missing twelve hours and unanswered questions, it is no surprise, then, that various audiences have come up with theories on what the next Fourth Wing book could bring, such as which sidelined Fourth Wing characters could actually be getting a larger spotlight. Audiences agree, though, that things will be rough for Violet and Xaden due to their separation, even if it was planned. That being said, that separation could bring back a plotline that did not get as explored as many had hoped all the way back from the first book, albeit in a new way.

After Onyx Storm, The Next Fourth Wing Sequel Will Revive The Enemies-To-Lovers Dynamic

Violet & Xaden Will Have To Sell Their Loyalties To Their Opposing Sides

Now that they are forced onto opposite sides of the war, Violet and Xaden's relationship could slip back into their enemies-to-lovers dynamic in the next Fourth Wing book. The first two books in The Empyrean Series kept Violet and Xaden's relationship in choppy waters, the two's lack of communication skills with each other leading to a lot of misunderstandings. However, Onyx Storm set them into a calmer dynamic as they patched up some of those issues and worry over Xaden's venin state took central focus.

As a result, we got to see Violet and Xaden settle more firmly into their relationship, creating some sweet moments between Onyx Storm's intensity, such as Xaden's birthday scene. Yet since this is the third book in a five-book series, those moments to me were tinged with some concern for how they will develop in those last two books, as their romantic journey from Fourth Wing already seems complete. Fortunately, the book's ending answered that question succinctly through their separation and Xaden turning into an asim.

If that is not the case, they may be forced to act as if they hate each other regardless to execute their plan and keep their respective sides in the dark.

Forcing Violet and Xaden apart could, then, revive Fourth Wing's enemies-to-lovers arc in some form. Xaden's love for Violet is still there, but depending on how much he has to draw from the earth, it could get buried before Violet can find him, causing him to revert to his aloof ways. If that is not the case, they may be forced to act as if they hate each other regardless to execute their plan and keep their respective sides in the dark. Either way, their time apart can finally lead to an examination of one major fact about their relationship.

The 4th Empyrean Book Can Finally Acknowledge How Toxic Violet & Xaden Can Be

Violet Can See How Emotionally Dependent On Xaden She Has Become

The cover of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with the Iron Flame and Fourth Wing covers enlarged as the background
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

The next Fourth Wing book could finally acknowledge the remaining toxic elements within Violet and Xaden's relationship and let Violet begin to work on them independently, allowing their reunion to be much sweeter. As mentioned, some of the toxic traits in Violet and Xaden's relationship were acknowledged and even poked fun at in the previous books, but some were left unresolved due to the Xaden turning plotline. Their mutual dependence on each other for emotional stability is a major example of that remaining toxicity, which makes their separation all the more fortuitous for the story.

A custom image of Onyx Storm bracketed by a stack of books
Related
Onyx Storm Hilariously Acknowledged Fourth Wing's Most Frustrating Romance Trend & It's A Larger Genre Problem

Miscommunication is an annoying romantasy book trope hardly restricted to Rebecca Yarros' work - but she treated it with humor in Onyx Storm.

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By being away from Xaden, Violet can learn to lean on others more, allowing herself to show weakness and depend on others besides Xaden and herself. Violet started to learn this lesson in Onyx Storm, but the next book needs to showcase it coming full circle without Xaden there, forcing Violet to really embrace both her own strengths and the strengths and loyalties of those around her. Not only will that allow Violet to grow as a leader, but it will help her help Xaden once they reunite, even if it is after this Fourth Wing installment.

Fourth Wing Book Cover

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Fourth Wing (2023)
Publisher(s)
Red Tower Books
Publication Date
2023-04-05
ISBN#
9781649374042
Author(s)
Rebecca Yarros
Genre(s)
Fantasy, Romance