A glimmer of optimism shines in the newly released Cosmoof onyx storm excerpt. In contrast to the darker ending of Iron FlameXaden’s eyes, devoid of any red tint, suggest a hopeful change. This subtle detail highlights the subtle nature of venina’s condition, highlighting that this is not a simple black and white transformation.
The detail about Xaden’s eyes was a relief to readers after the Iron Flame ending and was one of several revelations in the new onyx storm excerpt. Throughout the series, red eye color has been a major giveaway for characters tainted by venine influence, and its absence in Xaden is a major development. onyx storm will be released in January 2025and the hints that author Rebecca Yarros is giving about what will happen next onyx storm a preview inspired a new influx of fan theories.
Xaden’s eyes are his classic gold-flecked onyx in the new excerpt
Violet is relieved that Xaden doesn’t have red eyes
Yarros provided a snapshot of onyx storm to Cosmoin which Fourth Wing’The venina has infiltrated the Scribe’s quadrant. Here’s the mention of Xaden’s eyes in the onyx storm excerpt:
“Gold-flecked onyx eyes meet mine, and my breathing only steadies when I realize he is unharmed and there is not a single trace of red near his iris. He may technically be an initiate, but he’s nothing like the venin we just fought.
– through Cosmopolitan
Violet’s relief upon seeing Xaden’s eyes indicates the significance of this detail. The reddish eyes of initiates, a visual marker of feeding, are absent in Xaden’s gaze. This implies a strong willpower, suggesting that he resisted the temptation to succumb to his poisonous nature.
To contextualize this, readers need to remember the epigraph to a book on venin placed in chapter 48 of Iron Flame:
“Defeating a shadowbringer begins with knowing their rank in age and experience. Initiates have reddish rings in their eyes that come and go depending on how often they drain.
Xaden is currently an initiate. He is not yet an Asim – the type of venina Asim is a constant and fluctuating degree of redness. Another detail of Iron Flame – what There is no cure for venina, just control – suggests that the further development of the venin state is determined by willpower and endurance. All of this has profound implications for how Xaden’s story will unfold – as well as revealing more about onyx stormthe potential story.
Venin’s ranking system reflects the corruption of power in the fourth ward
Yarros seems to believe in the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely
Rebecca Yarros Empyrean the series delves into the complex themes of power and agency. While characters like Jack, who actively seek power and control, embody venina’s corrupting influence, Xaden’s journey offers a more nuanced perspective. The series suggests that the venin condition is not an automatic descent into evil; rather, it is the individual’s choices that ultimately determine his or her destiny. Jack becomes evil because he was already evil. In Fourth Wing, he tries to throw people over the ledge and leads a manhunt for Andarna.
Being an Initiate does not automatically make a venin evil – it is your later choices that determine future offspring…
Yarros’ message in the series seems to revolve around power and agency. Being an Initiate does not automatically make a venin evil – it is their later choices that determine future descent, as it is the nature of venin to seek power. This has its roots in Empyrean knowledge with the Three brothers fable. Control is the continuous refrain – in fact, the word “control” It is used twice in this excerpt only. Firstly, Fourth Wing’Violet’s control over her own power is addressed by Tairn. Second, Violet refuses to control Xaden. The plight of readers’ favorite Shadowbearer in onyx storm It is likely that it will be controlled.
Source: Cosmopolitan