Onyx Storm Theory: How to get Xaden’s soul back

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Written by: Cory

Onyx Storm Theory: How to get Xaden's soul back

While reading Onyx Storm again (I know, third time already), I started thinking of all the possible ways we can get Xaden’s soul back. I already mentioned in my previous theory that I think Violet will have to differentiate between Xaden’s shadows to get to him, but how can we possibly get his soul back?

At the end of Onyx Storm, we know that Xaden sacrificed all but one thread of his soul to save Violet and Sgaeyl. We’ve also been discussing that Violet might need to “kill the other guy he becomes.” He said it himself:

“You should be.” Xaden pushes off the tree and walks toward us. “And I’m making sure Violet’s capable of killing me when the time comes. If it’s between her and me, I choose her. Kill the other guy I become.”

For a while, I’ve been thinking about the whole kill one part of Xaden to save the other idea. But we all know why this seems familiar and why we wouldn’t want it again. Yes, I’m talking about the HP series, and I somehow think our incredibly smart author will come up with something new for us.

We speculate together that love is all we need, right? That would make sense. Violet loves him, and every time there is a problem with Xaden (the dark one—ha!), it’s Violet who brings him back. In fact, just as he was about to lose all parts of his soul, she screams, I love you, and he holds on to that last thread.

Remember, he didn’t marry Violet to protect Tyrrendor; he did what he promised her—he used Tyrrendor to protect her. Title over rank in Navarre, always. This means he still loves her.

While it makes sense that love will be used to restore his soul, we first need to get the soul back to him.

Who collects souls? Malek.

My heart only beats as long as yours does, and when you die, I’ll meet Malek at your side.

Yup, I think these two actually need to meet the god and barter an exchange to be able to get Xaden’s soul back. Something tells me that maybe Violet will use the broken compass to head to Malek. Or maybe she will use it to find Xaden first.

His gaze jumps to mine like a compass pulled north. (I think this is the quote we needed.)

But that empty glass box—“an empty glass box the size of his foot, with pewter hinges and edges”—from Zihnal? I think that might be used to store pieces of a soul.

We have far too little right now to go by, and I’m sure I will update this theory a million times as I find more useful paragraphs.

What do you think? Will we have to meet Malek to be able to collect Xaden’s soul? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Share that Venin and Wyvern are real!


37 responses to “Onyx Storm Theory: How to get Xaden’s soul back”

  1. Hi Cory, I think that Zinhals gifts will be useful, too. We have visited the isles in OS, one main isle Loial is left, the smaller isles and they could go north. What if the goods live in the north? There was a few hints to the north and this could show us something for future books. Additional it would be great to learn more about the nature of venin. Jack told some things to Violet and I think we can watch Xaden and what is left of him. I noticed that the fact which kind of Emoticons venin have or not is important. And I have still hope for Xaden as long he has a conscience and clearly still loves Violet.

    1. I am talking to another fan and theorist about every dragon belonging to a God somehow. I can’t stop thinking about where the dragons come from, their colors and how the species are. In relation to Gods.
      And loial…do we think maybe all the irids live on loial isle?

  2. I mean gods not goods in the north

  3. I´M ON BOARD WITH YOU!

  4. I’m with you on all of this.
    I also think Ridoc is going to come into play somehow. Like he froze his soul, or he freezes the sage, or something. I don’t know, but I feel like him using his signet successfully on the wyrven, shown in Rhiannon’s chapter at the end means something.
    I also think that Aaric is one of the missing riders because he flew off before the battle, maybe to get the eggs and take them wherever he saw they needed to be.
    Which leaves 2 missing riders.
    I like the Brennan theory, I also still think it could be Bodhi because he realized he can’t counter their signet but I agree the timing doesn’t make sense because Imogen’s chapter places Garrick and Bodhi with her and it appears to take place at the same time as Xaden’s chapter.
    I’m off to do more research!
    I have a super wild theory that I would love to discuss with an expert!

    1. Ugh! Ridoc just became a badass, right? From the cute, not-a-care-in-the-world type of guy, to I will literally freeze the liquid inside of you and you will crack type of guy!
      I feel like Ridoc really values Violet’s life. And I don’t quite get…why? Is it just deep friendship? Does he like her?
      Agreed! Aaric is missing, Garrick is missing. Bodhi is missing? Who is the fourth?

      I want to hear your wild theory!!! Just a little note, I am away with work today so I might not be able to reply within the next 12-12 hours 😀

      1. Madalyn Gray Maddaluno Avatar
        Madalyn Gray Maddaluno

        Xaden is missing too. they know that the shadows were him but he isn’t there and therefore is missing,

      2. I think Ridoc, Rhiannon, Sawyer and Violet form a special group who were able to make it through these 3 books and became closer because of it. The bonds they formed have been tested again and again, it’s a deep trust and friendship. Just hecause you have a male and female character, doesn’t mean there had to be romantic love involved between them.

        1. Absolutely. No romantic interest there is needed. BUT, I do not know why, I feel like Ridoc is hiding something. So I love him to bits, don’t get me wrong. But there’s something about him…

  5. I’d love to hear more about why you think the glass box might be used to keep pieces of Xaden’s soul.
    I think there’s more to the gifts from Zihnal, but need to reread more to solidify my theories about them!

    1. I don’t know why. Probably because it was empty and gifted to him specifically on the island of luck. Something tells me that it’s a box that can store magical items or his very soul. The God is chaos, and that was the first of my thoughts.
      Having said all that…the rusty bucket?

  6. Oh my god these theories are so good! Yeah I think the gifts from Zihnal will play a huge role too. Especially the compass but the idea with the glass Box ist really interesting! I didn’t think of that as a possibiltiy but it is a really good idea. I honestly hope that they won’t go to meet Malek. I don’t know but personally I really don’t want this series to turn too much into the God direction. I liked the variety it brought into Onyx Storm but I don’t want it to be too much in the Focus. I too think Ridoc will play a huge role but I’m not shure If it’s in relation to physically freezing Xadens Soul or something. But in battle with the Venin it’s a good idea. Like if lightning can kill them freezing them should do some damage too right? I honestly don’t think they will Take Garrik away- RIGHT? I really, really hope so for Imogen. I have a feeling that maybe Violets father will play a role again. I mean we already discovered in Onyx Storm that her father wasn’t excactly the saint we thoughts him to be. So
    maybe he is alive or even Venin? Or with the Irids? What do you think? Btw I’m really sorry for my English. It’s not my first language and I still make many mistakes. But I hope you know what I mean

    1. Am I weird for really wanting them to meet with Malek? I just think he’s going to be amazing. I love the thought of this God!
      OMG, you clever girl! YES! Ridoc freezing them enough for Violet to kill them, that’s pretty brilliant!

      Asher will def play a bigger role in Book 4. Because I think she was touched by another God: Malek 😀

      Asher is dead dead. RY confirmed this a lot of the times. Please don’t apologize, your english is excellent!
      I think the irids are not such great dragons, not sure why? They give me a weird feeling.

      1. I agree with your thoughts on the irids! I’m doing a re-read and taking notes right now, and noticed that the 7th dragon (the irids) aren’t represented in the hall where the the huge statues of the 6 others are in Basgiath, and that there were originally only 6 riders – all of which leads me to believe that they have never partnered with the humans to fight the evils of the world. Why? Which side are they on, and why are they pacifists?

        1. EXACTLY. It feels like they just “helped” and left in haste. Unless, the dragons, are somewhat evil, broke ties with the gods and lost their magic, being forced to draw from the ground. Whereas the irids kept on the Gods’ good side hence still being “magic”?

          1. Ooohhh that’s interesting!! My question with that idea then is, why would Tairn refer to Xaden as “the dark one” in a seemingly negative connotation? And is that part of why Tairn refuses to speak of Naolin, and by him drawing power from the same source as the dragons, he has found one of the many secrets that the dragons keep? It does say several times (sorry I don’t have my books with me, otherwise I would have a quote) that the dragons choose what to share with humans, and that they have secrets… Oh my goodness, there are just so many questions that we have to wait so long to get the answers for!

          2. Ask all the questions! Sometimes even writing them down helps.
            But, I do feel like Tairn refers to him that way out of spite towards his ex rider.

  7. I think the glass box will “restore” whatever is put in it. The last we see, the dagger with the missing emerald was put in it by Xaden (yes, I think that emerald is in Vi’s ring). I think the dagger will be restored and Vi will wonder what else might be restored….perhaps the broken compass or Xaden’s soul.

    1. I hope it’s for Xaden’s soul. I love the idea of mending!

      1. Was the emerald used for Violet’s ring taken from the dagger before or after Xaden put the dagger in the box from Zihnal? I know it’s a tiny detail and might be nothing… but if the box has some kind of magic power to it–to restore something, to imbue or make an object magical, hold pieces of a soul–then maybe Violet’s emerald ring has some as yet unknown power she’ll use in the coming books.

        1. It’s possible. We know nothing about those gifts. Nothing at all. But yes, the stone was from that very dagger!

    2. That theory also remind me HP since a ring was one of the horrocruxes…
      For me book 4 will be focus on leasing what happend on those missing hours, which plan Xaden had (that based on Sgayle comment, Tairn should agree with) and some Vi magic of put all together. Slowly bringing Xaden back through their dreams, hope those are full of Xaden’s sarcastics comments and their “unique” 😉 connection.

  8. “May their souls be commended to Malek” implies there’s an alternative

    1. So we’re thinking the souls, when not commended, might be somewhere else?

  9. Just a thought but what if the compass points to what she needs to find or desires the most and whether she wants to find Xaden or maybe his soul she thinks it’s leading her to him but really to malek? I’m on board with all your ideas and love the idea of her meeting the god! Also, I saw some people talking about the whole Imogen looking at the sky and Xaden thing and they are looking at different times (most likely) because when Xaden does he sees the wyvern falling and Imogen sees them in the sky but makes no note on them falling ( I think this is correct, I’ll go back and check at some point so sorry if this is wrong! )

  10. Can’t quite explain why but after finishing Onyx Storm, I am feeling optimistic about what’s to come in the next two books. The clues that have been woven through so far seem to indicate continuity for Xaden and Violet. Plus, like she did with Mira, Rebecca Yarros is the writer and this is all pulled from her imagination — she can make up whatever death-defying, odds-be-damned stunt she pleases.

    You likely ⚡️ hit your target with your “Love Is All We Need” theory — RY did say pay close attention to the epigraphs, especially in the last 100 pages or so.
    https://www.empyreanriders.com/articles/onyx-storm-theory-love-is-all-we-need-well-at-least-what-xaden-needs/
    “While most deities allow temple attendants to choose their timeline of service, only two require a lifetime of dedication: Dunne and Loial. For both war and love change souls irrevocably.” – Major Rorilee’s Guide to Appeasing the Gods, Second Edition (Epigraph for Chapter 48).

    It is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that Xaden is gone forever. Violet + Xaden have been a central part and keystone of the storyline from book one. I’m pretty sure she and her publishing people want to make $$$, keep the Amazon Prime deal, and not utterly devastate millions Empyrean series fans. Well, I am going to be a brat and Google “Is Xaden alive” with the next two book releases because I am not going to read them if he isn’t. I’d rather have an Empyrean world with Xaden still in it lingering in my head.

  11. Along with your theories and many of the thoughtful theories from commenters (thanks y’all), I am liking this “unhinged theory pulled from biology” that hints at how Xaden lasted for 73+ days after withdrawing power stored in the alloy in her conduit:
    https://www.reddit.com/r/fourthwing/comments/1i8nrch/book_4_theory_onyx_storm_spoilers/

    I think Violet accidentally cured Jack in Onyx Storm.

    Stay with me this is a bit unhinged.

    In biology, if you grow too many crops in one place (take too much out of the earth) the soil loses the ability to grow and crops die due to the loss of nitrates. BUT LIGHTNING, is able to fix nitrates into the ground and keep it healthy.

    Violet has been feeding Jack her lightning in strips of alloy. What if her lightning is putting magic back into the ground and that’s why it’s so difficult for her to only take what she needs.

    The combination of the metal and the alloy is going to heal him. They want him dead and they don’t want him back because he’s useful. Theophany said he’s a liability or something like that.

    What’s more, when Xaden drains violets alloy he says he feels good afterwards and sleeps and manages not to channel from the earth again until the end of the book.

    Also, there’s something about the isles. Venin have been there, Violet says so. They’re drained of colour, but there is life there unlike the barrens, so the ground can heal.

    Finally, if this is true, it explains why the fire weilder in the pit channelled from the earth. Violet has essentially imbued the land there and the magic will be strongest.

    EDIT- Also we get a description of him at the end. No mention of red eyes or veins.

    1. I do have to tell you, slightly unhinged yes, but I quite like it. I see a lot of potential in your theory.
      So magic likes all things in balance. They take from earth, she gives them from the sky. Balance restored.

      Not to mention that I do think VIOLET is the cure. I think there’ve been subtle hint that she is the cure. She is violence, but also love.

      “Your father made sure you’d know everything you needed or where to find it,” implies a deep, deliberate preparation for Violet’s future. Her father’s research into feathertails and herbal antidotes, combined with her training and knowledge, positions Violet uniquely to wield this knowledge effectively. Lilith’s words could be hinting that Violet herself is the culmination of that research—whether through her unique genetics, training, or inherent power.

  12. I have a feeling that it may have to do with the last Isles kingdoms, Loysam the Island of Loial the god/goddess of love (right?). We know that name/naming is important in this empyrean series works of Mrs Yarros’ (like how the name of the dragon is the scottish gaelic form of the rider’s signet or are connected to something about them in a way). The (presumeably) first venin: Gen. Daramor comes from the romance/latin language family= “dar amor”, which in spanish/portuguese/italian means “give/for love” . If we connect it with your other theories & that some venin (especially Xaden) will turn because of love/protecting their loved ones (also alluded by the sage/berwyn in the battle of basgiath). MAYBE (i think or i hope, well i fantasize actually) that because the reason of turning Venin is love and not hate/greed for power, etc. Loial will have a way to save them and the people of Loysam will know something to do. All that they need is…love.

    1. YES. We have a running theory for this as well. While most deities allow temple attendants to choose their timeline of
      service, only two require a lifetime of dedication: Dunne and Loial. For
      both war and love change souls irrevocably.

  13. I dont know how this is going to work but i wonder if RY has already told us the cure… Bodhi.
    There are three things that make me think this
    1. Bodhi’s dragon is called Cuir… read aloud this sounds a whole lot like cure.
    2. Bodhi’s name meaning… “In Buddhism, bodhi is the awakening that ends the cycle of rebirth and leads to nirvana, or spiritual release”
    3. Bodhi’s Signet… ““My signet is always the balance,” . We know that he can counter signets but we’ve seen very little of how else this manifests. But i feel RY is being pretty explicit here that Bodhi’s signet is not countering signets but bringing balance to magic.

    I dont know how this ties in to getting Xaden’s soul back. Interested to hear thoughts?

    1. JEEZ this is so good.
      Cuir = cure. In Gaelic it means to place/to put but I wonder if that was to mislead us.
      I honestly do not know how this ties in with the rest of the soul but may I just say “chef’s kiss”. VERY cool theory!!!
      If Bodhi is the balance, clearly Bodhi is not the one who turned then!

  14. Also regarding saving Xaden, I think Sloan will be key for that based on the reference to Dain’s wrist after she helps them save Mira

    1. Im with you on this! Sloan is important!

  15. Is there something in the line in chapter 64 where Theo says “Do you know the pain of never being allowed to return, of knowing that it would sever the very thing that’s kept me untouchable all these years?”

    Does that mean it would sever her being venin? Like being dedicated to the gods would save someone from being venin? I’m curious what the underlining meaning here is!

    1. That was my interpretation too. But it’s really hard to say. It would be a great way. Dedicate to one God…save the soul 😛

    2. To me, this was the AH-HA moment in the book. Along with the line regarding dedicating your soul to the gods of love and war.

      I think dedication to either of those gods will be the way we get back the souls of venin

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Hello! This site is dedicated to the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve made this place to explore the rich world of Empyrean, full of characters, theories, and places. Each post is carefully researched and updated with the newest details from the series. This site is also a great spot for discussing theories about the Empyrean Series. 🐉
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