Every Gift Received On Zehyllna In Onyx Storm & What It Could Mean For The Next Two Empyrean Books
Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Zehyllna is one of the most interesting isles that Violet and her friends visit in Onyx Storm, particularly because of the cryptic gifts they receive while they're there. Upon their arrival on Zehyllna, Violet and the rest of the "Quest Squad" play a game, during which the locals offer them gifts from Fourth Wing's god of luck, Zihnal. These offerings range from dangerous to downright bizarre, but it's likely that Rebecca Yarros includes them for a reason. They may hold clues about the characters and their journeys in the next Empyrean Series book.
And with Onyx Storm's ending raising so many questions about what's next for our favorite Fourth Wing characters, it's nice to know we can speculate about where they're headed. The clues Yarros drops during Violet's trip to Zehyllna are intentionally confusing, but they've sparked many theories and predictions after Onyx Storm. Some of them offer insight into what the rest of Violet's squad might be up to when The Empyrean Series continues in book 4.
11 A Painted Bottle Of Wine - Mira Sorrengail
The Wine Could Be Used During Negotiations Or Represent The Barrens
Mira Sorrengail is the first person to receive a gift from Zihnal, and she's given a painted bottle of wine — one of the better offerings from the god of luck. She quips that she's "going to f***ing need this," and there's a chance her words are truer than she knows. It's not clear what Mira could do with the wine, but poison is one thing that comes to mind. Brennan and Violet are both said to be better with poisons, but perhaps she'll need to utilize this weapon in future Empyrean Seriesbooks. She might not even realize she's doing so.
Alternatively, it's possible Mira could need the wine to broker peace, as relations between The Empyrean Series' various kingdoms are so tense. And while Onyx Storm doesn't reveal what's painted on the bottle, perhaps that will prove relevant later.
While this is a jump, a trip to The Barrens does seem inevitable in a future Fourth Wing sequel — and Mira's a competent person to lead such an expedition.
A YouTube theory from Sandra's Library also suggests Mira's painted bottle could be connected to The Barrens, which are described as "painted in crimson" when Violet looks at Brennan's map in Iron Flame chapter 2. While this is a jump, a trip to The Barrens does seem inevitable in a future Fourth Wing sequel — and Mira's a competent person to lead such an expedition. The positioning of the person handing the bottle to Mira places them in a similar direction to where The Barrens is on Onyx Storm's map, too, so it's possible this is foreshadowing.
10 Two Orange Tunics - Maren
They Could Represent Maren's Brothers Or An Area On Brennan's Map
Maren receives two orange tunics during the game on Zehyllna, and this could be a reference to Maren's twin brothers. Maren's parents perish during Onyx Storm, but the boys survive the venin attack on their home — and her gift from Zihnal may connect back to them. After all, The Empyrean Series emphasizes how important they are to her, and Violet even enters one of Maren's dreams about her family, suggesting a greater significance. The tunics themselves might be symbols rather than something she'll use, but the meaning behind their color remains to be seen.
The Empyrean Series has sent its characters on a number of covert missions, but orange doesn't seem like the right color for such a thing.
Of course, the tunics could be given a more literal use, with one Reddit theory suggesting Maren or the twins could use them as some sort of disguise. The Empyrean Series has sent its characters on a number of covert missions, but orange doesn't seem like the right color for such a thing.
Sandra's Library makes a connection here as well, noting another line from Iron Flame chapter 2's map scene: "The orange flags are awfully close to Zolya, the second most populous city in Braevick, and where Cliffsbane, their flier academy, is located." Given that Maren is a flier, it's possible she'll need to return to Cliffsbane or even venture to Zolya in future Empyrean Series books. The orange tunics could be allusions to these flags, foreshadowing her path later on.
9 A Slap Across The Face - Dain Aetos
Dain Might Need Another Wake-Up Call In Book 4
Dain's gift from Zihnal is pretty hilarious, as he pulls a card with a hand on it — then finds himself being slapped across the face. The god of luck likely wants to humble Dain, but it's hard to say if this is for past, present, or future transgressions. Given Dain's mistakes at the end of Fourth Wing, the slap might be a means of punishing him for his betrayal. However, this gift raises concerns about whether Dain is still in need of a slap.
Dain is on the path to redemption in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, but the god of luck still deems him worthy of such an offering.
Dain is on the path to redemption in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, but the god of luck still deems him worthy of such an offering. And several theories suggest that Dain could still be using his ability, potentially without even needing to touch the other person (via TikTok). As the most powerful signets in Fourth Wing evolve over time, this is a possibility. It would hurt Dain's redemption arc, so it's not clear how likely it is. But it does make sense, especially as the slap comes just after Dain holds his hand out to one of Zehyllna's locals.
Perhaps Dain will face another wake-up call in the next Empyrean Series book, with the slap representing him being forced to acknowledge something. Dain is one of the more sheltered characters in The Empyrean Series, and he has been forced to question and reevaluate everything he knows. There might be something more to uncover though, and Dain could have additional biases to address.
8 A Rusted Steel Bucket - Garrick Tavis
It's Probably Connected To His Distance-Wielding Signet
Garrick's rusted steel bucket is one of the most perplexing gifts received on Zehyllna, as it initially seems pretty useless. However, it's still likely to serve a purpose later on, even if it's one of the more difficult items to crack. Onyx Storm reveals that Garrick has a second signet as a distance-wielder, and the bucket could be connected to that power. One Reddit theory suggests it could even amplify or work alongside his signet, allowing him to transport objects across long distances using the bucket.
This could offer an explanation for what happened to the dragon eggs at the end of Onyx Storm, and it could also prove a handy item to have in the next book — assuming Garrick isn't Berwyn's new venin initiate. Of course, the bucket could also hint at Garrick becoming venin by the end of Onyx Storm. As Sandra's Library notes, Garrick is essentially "acting as a bucket" during the final battle, moving things and people from place to place. His bucket is empty during Imogen's POV chapter, which could result in him channeling from the ground.
7 A Fractured Hand Mirror - Aaric
This Could Be Related To Aaric's Identity Or Precog Signet
Aaric's fractured hand mirror stands out among Zihnal's gifts, and there's a strong chance this item is symbolic of Aaric's split identity. Iron Flame reveals that Aaric is Prince Cam Tauri, the youngest son of Navarre's King Tauri. Cam doesn't approve of his family's approach to ruling Navarre, and he runs away to the Riders Quadrant because of it. He changes his name in Iron Flame, and he repeatedly rejects the possibility of him sitting on the throne.
The fractured mirror — which, as Yarros notes, makes Aaric bleed — could represent the need for him to for him to merge both of his identities.
Despite this, there's reason to believe that Aaric will be the one who leads Navarre after the events of The Empyrean Series. And the fractured mirror — which, as Yarros highlights, makes Aaric bleed — could represent the need for him to for him to merge both of his identities. One Redditor notes that it could also symbolize Aaric breaking the status quo of his family and Navarre byforging a new identity instead.
Alternatively, Onyx Storm could be teasing a bleaker fate for Aaric, as he claims he'll probably die fighting the war against the venin. Given the revelation that he's a precog, it's possible he has already seen this outcome. The broken mirror and blood could be a glimpse at his own future, confirming his prediction with a cracked reflection and blood. It could also represent the potential dangers of a signet like his, though he's used it for good thus far.
6 An Empty Glass Box - Xaden Riorson
This Object Could Be Connected To Xaden Losing His Soul
The empty glass box Xaden receives on Zehyllna has been a hot topic of discussion on the heels of Onyx Storm, and there are several convincing theories about what the strange object could mean. After Onyx Storm's ending, one of the most popular suggests that the box could hold what's left of Xaden's soul. However, it's not clear how Xaden would discover this or learn how to put his soul inside of it. The box could also be a hint about him losing his soul at the end of Onyx Storm, showing him the empty shell that he'll become.
It's interesting that Violet notices the pewter edges of the glass box, and that could give it a different meaning entirely.
It's interesting that Violet notices the pewter edges of the glass box, and that could give it a different meaning entirely. One Reddit theory posits that Xaden's box could be a conduit, as the one Violet receives from Felix is made of glass and an alloy. With the box having the same properties, perhaps Zihnal is giving Xaden a means of controlling his power, even as he goes deeper into his venin transformation. It could go further, giving him a way to resist or undo his venin turn in a future book.
5 The "Broken" Compass - Violet Sorrengail
The Gift Will Likely Lead Her Back To Xaden
The seemingly broken compass Violet receives on Zehyllna seems certain to come up again in the next Empyrean Series book, and it might just lead Violet back to Xaden. Xaden leaves Violet behind at the end of Onyx Storm, and he doesn't want to be found — but Violet's compass might be capable of pointing her in his direction. She assumes it's broken when she receives it, as the item doesn't point north. However, some readers believe the compass will lead her towards her heart's desire — her personal true north, if you will.
Violet describes Xaden this way during Onyx Storm chapter 46, too, stating: ""Xaden walks through the door, and my heart stops. His gaze jumps to mine like a compass pulled north." This fuels the notion that Violet will use her compass to get back to Xaden. However, it's also worth noting the compass' description. Given that the compass and the chain it's on are both black, it could be connected to all venin, not just Xaden. Or perhaps it will lead her towards shadows or shadow wielders, which would be more specific but serve the same purpose.
The notion that the compass is meant for Violet's dream-walking is also an intriguing one, and it reveals how she'll learn to direct her second signet.
The notion that the compass is meant for Violet's dream-walking is also an intriguing one, and it reveals how she'll learn to direct her second signet. This might be why she's told to use the gift "wisely," since dream-walking is a dangerous ability that must be wielded responsibly.
4 A Kiss On Each Cheek - Ridoc Gamlyn
Ridoc Appears To Be Blessed By Zihnal
Ridoc receives a kiss on each cheek from Zihnal, and this adds fuel to the Onyx Storm theory that Ridoc is blessed by the god of luck. There are numerous times in The Empyrean Series where Ridoc survives extremely close calls, and Zihnal watching over him would explain his seemingly endless string of luck. Ridoc does appear to believe in and honor Zihnal, and his insistence on accompanying Violet on her quest — because "bad things happen" when they're not together — suggests he might be aware of his blessings from Fourth Wing's god.
With that in mind, Zihnal's kiss might be the mildest of Onyx Storm's gifts, driving home the god's appreciation for and connection to Ridoc. Of course, there are also a few mentions of Ridoc's love life throughout the book, so this could also foreshadow him meeting someone in the next Empyrean book. There's not much else to go on with Ridoc's gift, so we'll have to wait for Onyx Storm's sequel to learn more.
3 A Gold Necklace With A Dangling Ruby - Catriona Cordella
Cat Could Become Queen Of Poromiel In The Next Empyrean Book
Cat's gift from Zihnal is a necklace with a large ruby, and this is an offering befitting royalty. And considering that the group learns of Queen Maraya's death upon returning from their mission, Cat is one step closer to sitting on Poromiel's throne. Perhaps she will by the end of the series. She could also have some sort of connection to the Duchess of Morraine. As Sandra's Library points out, the duchess wears rubies frequently, so Cat's future could be connected to Morraine somehow.
Although Cat is no longer attending Cliffsbane, this gift could indicate that she's mastered her skills or that she soon will.
A Reddit theory also notes that gems are gifted to fliers who graduate from Cliffsbane, something we learn in Iron Flame. Although Cat is no longer attending Cliffsbane, this gift could indicate that she's mastered her skills or that she soon will. Perhaps it even foreshadows her graduating from Basgiath, despite the differences between the fliers and riders.
2 Broccoli The Kitten - Drake Cordella
Broccoli Could Be Key To The War Effort
Broccoli has become a fan-favorite character from Onyx Storm, but Drake receiving the orange kitten as a gift from Zihnal is incredibly perplexing. Sadly, we don't see much more of Broccoli after the group's mission, so more clues are needed to determine the kitten's role in the story. One Reddit theory suggests that the cat will be able to sense the presence of venin, which would be handy in the next Empyrean book. He could also be symbolic of the need for fliers and riders to come together, too, as he brings Mira and Drake closer briefly.
