New Theories After Reading Onyx Storm | LIVE from Romantasy BookCon

Summary

Podcast Summary: Fantasy Fangirls – "New Theories After Reading Onyx Storm | LIVE from Romantasy BookCon"

Release Date: March 3, 2025

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fantasy Fangirls
• Hosts: Nicole and Lexi (sisters)
• Description: Two sisters, Nicole and Lexi, dive deep into beloved fantasy books – discussing lore, characters, insights, and theories of beloved stories. This episode focuses on "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros, featuring spoilers for the entire ACOTAR series. The format includes the Inner Circle Debrief (chapter summaries), Step Into The Cauldron (key insights, foreshadowing, and theories), and Sip Tea With The Suriel (in-depth exploration of a lore topic).

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1. Introduction and Welcome (00:00 - 04:03)

The episode begins with Nicole and Lexi welcoming listeners to the Fantasy Fangirls Podcast, highlighting their enthusiasm for dissecting fantasy lore and sharing theories.

• Lexi (00:10): “I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.”
• Nicole (00:13): “And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.”

They announce that this live episode from Romantasy BookCon will delve into three major theories from "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros. Despite a slight delay in releasing episode five due to Lexi falling ill, they are excited to share their prepared content.

• Nicole (00:25): “Now, you might be saying, wait, it's Monday. Where's the deep dive? Worry not, friends.”

They issue a strong spoiler warning for listeners unfamiliar with the book, emphasizing that the discussion will cover significant plot twists and character developments.

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2. Rapid Fire Discussion on Gifts (04:03 - 11:08)

The sisters engage in a rapid-fire segment analyzing the symbolic meanings behind various character gifts in "Onyx Storm."

• Lexi (04:13): “What do the Zelna gifts mean? Rebecca Yarros did share that each of the gifts was there for a purpose.”

They discuss specific gifts received by characters such as Mira’s bottle of wine and Marin’s bright orange tunics, speculating on their deeper significance within the narrative.

• Nicole (05:00): “I am convinced that Mira and Drake shared that bottle of wine. Yes. Did some horizontal hanky panky with said wine. Wait, maybe not with the wine.”

The conversation covers a range of gifts, from comedic items like a rusty bucket for Garak to more symbolic ones like Auric's broken hand mirror. They explore how these gifts might foreshadow future events or reveal character traits.

• Lexi (11:07): “A broken mirror in literature often symbolizes loss of identity, which fits with Auric’s internal conflict between his responsibilities and his personal desires.”

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3. Symbolism and Character Insights (11:08 - 25:30)

Nicole and Lexi delve deeper into the symbolism behind specific gifts and character actions, particularly focusing on Auric’s broken hand mirror.

• Nicole (11:07): “A broken mirror in literature often symbolizes loss of identity, which fits with Auric’s internal conflict between his responsibilities and his personal desires.”

They analyze how the broken mirror might foreshadow Auric's struggle with his dual roles and his potential loss of self-identity. The discussion extends to the possibility of blood magic emerging in the story despite previous mentions of its absence.

• Lexi (12:15): “In Roman belief, a broken mirror traps part of your soul. Perhaps for Auric, this foreshadows losing a part of himself.”

The sisters also explore other gifts and their implications for character development and plot progression, considering how Rebecca Yarros uses symbolism to enhance the narrative depth.

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4. The Big Question: Who is the New Brother? (37:17 - 54:16)

The primary focus shifts to unraveling the mystery of the new brother introduced in "Onyx Storm." Lexi and Nicole lay out the criteria provided by Rebecca Yarros to identify this character:

1. Watched Zaden Struggle: The new brother has observed Zaden over five months as he grapples with venom.
2. Involved in Combat: They were deeply involved in the fighting, with their dragon either injured or incapacitated by a Venom wyvern.
3. Personal Connection: Zaden cares deeply about this individual, making it unlikely he would turn against them.

Top Contenders:

1. Bodhi:

   • Pros: Checks off many boxes, including being a significant character who feels overlooked.
   • Cons: Timeline inconsistencies and location discrepancies make his candidacy uncertain.
   • Quote (41:38, Nicole): “Bodhi is the forgotten child, but the timeline makes him unlikely as the new brother.”

2. Garak:

   • Pros: Closely watched Zaden and understands his struggles.
   • Cons: Personal traits don’t fully align with the criteria of feeling unworthy.
   • Quote (42:34, Lexi): “Garak is the dude missing at the end, which aligns with the criteria.”

3. Arryk:

   • Pros: Possesses precognition signet, aligning with the mysterious criteria.
   • Cons: Struggles with fitting the 'not enough' feeling.
   • Quote (49:00, Nicole): “Arryk is steadfast and might know more than he reveals.”

4. Sawyer and Riddick:

   • Pros: Both have reasons to feel inadequate and have complex relationships with Zaden.
   • Cons: Potential timeline and visibility issues.
   • Quote (51:07, Lexi): “Riddick gets pissed that people don’t give him enough credit... Maybe he's the one.”

The hosts conduct a live poll engaging the audience to vote on their theories, highlighting the interactive nature of the podcast.

• Lexi (37:24): “Who is the new brother? Let’s first review what we know.”

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5. Audience Engagement and Rapid Fire Theories (54:25 - 59:32)

As the episode progresses, Nicole and Lexi involve the audience in rapid-fire theory-making, posing several speculative questions to gauge listener opinions.

• Lexi (54:49): “Let’s do some rapid fire, super fun theories with you all being our test subjects.”

Sample Theories Discussed:

• Breaking Bonds: Whether Sigail and Taryn break their bond by the end of the book.
• Character Fates: Speculations on characters like Berwyn, Papa Sorrengale, and Indarna.
• Future Adventures: Predictions about traveling to the Emerald Sea and encountering pirates and Krakens.
• Character's Dedications: Questions on whether Violet will remain dedicated to Dune and if she worships multiple gods.

These interactions underscore the podcast’s commitment to fostering a community where listeners actively participate in dissecting and theorizing about the narrative.

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6. Conclusion and Final Remarks (59:35 - 61:35)

In the closing segment, Nicole and Lexi express their gratitude to the live audience and provide information on how listeners can access more content.

• Lexi (60:22): “We have episodes one through three of Onyx Storm currently out and Onyx Storm episode four comes out on Monday.”
• Nicole (61:06): “And please be sure to follow us on social media. We are Fantasy FangirlsPod, TikTok, Instagram, all the things.”

They encourage listeners to subscribe, follow their social media channels, and stay tuned for future episodes, maintaining an enthusiastic and appreciative tone.

• Lexi (61:19): “Thank you guys so much for coming.”

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Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps

• Lexi (00:10, 00:13): Introduces herself and Nicole.
• Nicole (05:00, 11:07, 41:38): Discusses Mira and Drake's interaction, Auric's mirror symbolism, and Bodhi's role.
• Lexi (04:13, 12:15, 37:24): Analyzes Zelna gifts, Auric’s broken mirror, and introduces the new brother question.
• Nicole (11:08, 51:07): Expands on Auric's symbolism and Riddick’s potential role as the new brother.
• Lexi (37:24, 54:49): Leads the discussion on the new brother and engages the audience in rapid-fire theories.
• Nicole (54:25): Discusses mentor possibilities for Violet’s second signet.

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Summary

In this vibrant live episode from Romantasy BookCon, Fantasy Fangirls’ hosts Lexi and Nicole provide an in-depth analysis of "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros. They explore the symbolic meanings behind character gifts, dissect character motivations, and debate major plot theories, particularly the identity of the new brother—a central mystery in the narrative.

Through engaging discussions, live audience polls, and speculative theory-making, the sisters foster a dynamic and interactive environment for fantasy enthusiasts. They blend critical analysis with creative conjecture, offering listeners both structured insights and playful speculation. The episode not only deepens the understanding of "Onyx Storm" but also strengthens the community bond among fans eager to unravel the novel’s complexities.

Their thorough examination and enthusiastic delivery make this episode a treasure trove for fans seeking to delve deeper into the lore and anticipate future developments within Rebecca Yarros’ captivating fantasy world.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the fantasy Fangirls podcast, where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, character themes, theories and more.

[B]

I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.

[A]

And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.

[B]

And today is a special deep dive into three big theories from Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros live from Romantasy Bookcon.

[A]

Now, you might be saying, wait, it's Monday. Where's the deep dive? Worry not, friends. Our Onyx Storm deep dive episode five will be coming your way this Thursday. After returning from la, Lexi unfortunately was quite down for the count and quite sick. So we needed a few extra days to bring you episode five.

[B]

But huzzah. We had this audio recording ready to share with you all today.

[A]

So without further ado, let's dive deep into our three biggest Onyx Storm theories from Romantasy Bookcon live.

[B]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the fantasy Fangirls podcast, where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, character themes, theories and more. I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.

[A]

And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.

[B]

And we are the fantasy fan girls. Thank you, thank you so much for being here today. Thank you.

[A]

How is everyone's day going so far? Romantic, fun, Amazing.

[B]

All right. Yes. Well, we really do appreciate you being here for our live show today. We are so excited to dive into Onyx Storm and discuss specifically three big questions about what's next. Then have fun all together with some rapid fire theories. Who's ready?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

All right. So one thing though, before we kick off today's I almost said episode live show, of course, we do need to give you a bit of a spoiler warning. A very big spoiler warning.

[A]

Very, very big spoiler warning. A considerable length spoiler warning.

[B]

That was for my husband. That was a joke there. Never mind. All right, spoilers for all of Onyx Storm today. So if that Onyx Storm, Iron Flame and fourth Wing, we really can't stress this enough, we will be talking about plot twists and the end of the book for the next hour.

[A]

So with that said, if you do not know what I mean when I say we are going through every possible brother you can ever imagine. If you don't know what I mean, then you are choosing your own fate by sitting in your seat. If you do know what I mean, then great, you're here, you're in a good space.

[B]

If you need to leave, we totally understand. Our feelings will not be hurt. And this is going to be recorded so you can always tune in after you finish the show. Yes, the book. My head is not in the right space right now. Okay. Also, if you're familiar with us at Fantasy Fangirls, you know we are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, our podcast and today's live show is rated R.

[A]

Listen, you know us. You hopefully love us. We do not have the cleanest mouths. So just in case there are little listening ears. I'm not seeing any, but in case they're hiding under the tables, that can happen.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They are choosing their own fate by being here. So please do be mindful of said listening ears. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Now it's time. It is time to be some menaces.

[B]

All right, let's kick this party off with some fun speculation. Let's call it a warm up for today's theory talk. What do the.

[A]

It was a warm up, and then it was like 20,000 words.

[B]

And I'm like, what do the Zelna gifts mean? What do the Zelna gifts mean? Because Rebecca Yaros did share with us that each of the gifts was there for a purpose.

[A]

So let's start with the rapid fire gifts first. And by this, I just mean not Zaden or Violet's gifts. And not broccoli. Cause I did like a lot of words on an orange tabby cat, apparently. So Mira received a bottle of wine, and I am convinced that her and Drake shared that bottle of wine. Yes. Did some horizontal hanky panky with said wine. Wait, maybe not with the wine.

[B]

After the wine. As a consequence, who gives us microphones?

[A]

And that is my headcanon, and you cannot tell me otherwise.

[B]

So real quickly, because you are speaking in the past tense.

[A]

I am.

[B]

You are under the impression by the end of Onyx Storm, this has already happened and their romance is happening, like, off page.

[A]

Yeah. Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes. Yeah. I think you're the odd one out here, Lexi.

[B]

Okay, hold on. Who's with me here? Thank you. We kind of see a little bit.

[A]

Okay. Raise your hand if you think Drake and Mira have already gotten together. I feel very validated right now. Raise your hand if you think that they are not. They have not gotten together. But it is going to happen eventually.

[B]

I think that's pretty 50. 50.

[A]

Fine, big sister. I'll give you that one. All right. Marin received two bright orange tunics, which is the same kind of garb that the Zelni wear on the island. Do you think that this is like a fashion statement? They're like, maren, you need some help? Or do you think that she needs to do, like, an undercover mission back to Zeln or maybe one of the like. So they get 40,000 troops or they get 40,000 soldiers from this island who come over to the continent. Maybe one of those troops needs a leader. And in order to be said leader, you have to wear the outfit. And so it's like it's a costume. Well, I'm really stretching here.

[B]

Okay, so Kelsey from our discord also mentioned how Merrin has two little brothers. They are. Yeah, they're twins. Right. So she got two tunics. What if they could possibly be useful to them somehow, some way.

[A]

Somehow, some way. That is a head scratcher is how. I ask that. Not so much a head scratcher, but a head slapper is Dane got slapped. I truly don't think there's going to be any, like, future repercussions as, like, Zayn was like, I'm more. What did he say? He was like, I'm more concerned about the repercussions of that slap. I don't think Zane's like, Dane's. Can I speak? I don't think Dane is concussed or anything, but I wonder if it is more of, like, truly zanal saying. Now you're even with Violet. That's my headcanon. Or at least now, readers, are you okay with Dane?

[B]

Yes, it's a little bit. The last little cherry on top we needed before we could collectively move on.

[A]

Yes. Yes, Absolutely.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

I feel a little responsible for how much hate Dane got, considering one of our most popular phrases was God fucking damn it, Dane. And Rebecca was like, guys, Dane's not that bad. And we're like, pitchfork, you're ready to start?

[B]

Okay. She approved our new gfdd, which is golly freaking daddy Dane.

[A]

Yes. Now permanently exhausted Penguin, which is an amazing name on our Discord did bring up a really good point. Dane was physically touched. So if he has been improving his signet just like, beyond cupping someone's face. So basically, like two hands. Two hands. Basically, like, if someone was able to touch him and he was able to read memories from that way. Do you think that Dane, somehow that was the gift from Zanal? It was like, oh, here's a memory.

[B]

I think that's. I like that.

[A]

However, I don't think you do.

[B]

I like it. But I really do think that one was for the readers.

[A]

I love the idea behind it, especially because Auric could have said, sit down, Dain. You don't need to go on this mission. Like, I have all the knowledge you need to. But he Didn't. So maybe Aryk foresaw a reason that I love the gas. This is all permanently a Zasa penguin. I cannot take credit for this, but maybe he foresaw some reason that Dayne needed to be on this mission. And maybe it was learning something from a millisecond of a slap to get slapped.

[B]

Very possibly.

[A]

Maybe he just knew that Dane was gonna get slapped, and he was like, this will be fun.

[B]

Yeah. Well, so while we're on gifts that also provide some comedic relief. Riddick got kissed. Oh, ho. I don't know if I see any other symbolism here other than. Of course, that would happen to Riddick.

[A]

Right.

[B]

He is blessed by Zanal, and Zanal really does love him.

[A]

Well. Cause you mentioned this yesterday. He is also someone who is more frequent to say, like, thanks, Zanal. Or I'll say, pray to Zanal. Or, like, talk to Zanal, necessarily. So maybe Zanal's like, thanks, boo.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

[A]

Next, Garak receives a rusty bucket. I'm truly at a loss here, y'all. I'm so, like, is this symbolism? Is the Sinal saying, you're a piece of trash, get your head out of your ass and get with Imogen. That's the farthest the carrot girls are.

[B]

Gonna come after you right now.

[A]

I'm one of them. I looked up any possible meaning behind the symbolism of bookits, because that's my job, apparently, and I couldn't find anything relevant. Now, I think that we talked about this in either episode three or four of Onyx Storm.

[B]

It's episode four. That comes out on Monday.

[A]

I love that you have the receipts. I love you so much. So maybe this is more of a gift for his dragon, Krod. Because we have speculated how on Earth these riders go to the bathroom on these, like, eight plus hour flights. Cause that's a long time to hold your pee.

[B]

Like, really though? And so we were wondering, maybe the guys. I am so sorry for what I'm about to say, but they just whip their dicks out and they pee on the side of their dragons. And then their dragons get mad because they're peeing on their scales. And so maybe that is an ongoing issue between Garruk and his dragon.

[A]

So this is his piss, Bucke. Moving on.

[B]

Auric receives a broken hand mirror. That's a little nerve wracking right there. Because breaking a mirror is superstitious for seven years of bad luck. That's not good, right?

[A]

No. No, it's not.

[B]

However, in literature, a broken mirror does symbolize loss of identity, which really does fit with Auric. He is dancing between two worlds. He's really wanting to be a writer. He's a powerful writer. And of course, his innate responsibilities as a prince. And he again, has just been given. He's just manifested one of the most powerful signets we've ever seen. Right. So what if this mirror is to symbolize him in this stage of life being unsure of what role he needs for his future?

[A]

Yeah, I like that. Way better than seven years of bad luck for my guy, Arik.

[B]

Yeah, well, we'll get to the whole brother theory here shortly.

[A]

Dun, dun, dun. Now, Lisar Lesor on our discord also mentioned how in Rome, the Romans believed that mirrors, if you, like, looked in a mirror, it took away a part of your soul, and breaking a mirror would trap your soul inside said mirror forever. So if Auric is the new brother, loss of a soul, the mirror. So maybe it's almost like. I'll call it foreshadowing for him losing part of his soul at the end of the book.

[B]

Yep. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I'm so nervous for Ari because he also cuts himself on this mirror. So I'm like, is something like, is blood magic gonna come into this? That is a half form thought. Yeah.

[B]

We're both here with blood magic because Ree did say back in Iron Flame, there doesn't seem to be that in this world.

[A]

But I will say that when Violet, I think it's when she first gets Warwick's journal, she makes a note of like, I didn't realize the first six did some kind of blood magic.

[B]

Yeah. And they're like, that doesn't sound right. So.

[A]

But it's Rebecca Yarrow, so you never know. I don't know. This is what happens when you go off script. We're like, oh, my God, what about this? So I do want to skip ahead a little bit and talk about poor Trager, because I am assuming his gift of shot through the heart was just because Quest Squad needed to go off course to bury his body on an abandoned isle, thus leading us to the earth. Burn his body.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes. So I do wonder, however, if there is a hidden second meaning to this because him and Cat were together. Rip their relationship and him. But what if. So that was dark.

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

What if he needed to get. I'm going to call it out of the way, which is very permanent. Out of the way for Kat to get with a new partner because Cat receives a giant ruby necklace, which. Welcome to Gem Watch. Not Acotar version, Onyx Storm version in medieval Europe. Rubies are worn to guarantee health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. It also can symbolize romance. So why would she be gifted something that is literally like, here's success in love, and then shot through the heart? That sucks. So what if Trager was killed to make way for a new. I'm gonna call it even more powerful match for Kat, like Auric. Okay, wait, who's an Auric and Cat fan here? Okay, okay, okay. She wants a crown. She does want a crown. She also hates Navarre. He. She does need a crown. She needs a lot of things, like therapy. Now, however, this gift of a ruby could also be foreshadowing for Cat's eventual rise to the promish throne. She is third, I guess, now second in line. And that would be kind of sad, because that means our big sister Serena is gone. And that would be le sad. But also, it also means Tokarys is gone too. But I'm assuming that guy's just on his way.

[B]

Oh, Corden is definitely going down. And, yeah, there's way too much foreshadowing that it's standing. It's not gonna make it through the series.

[A]

When they're flying into Corden, Violet's like, I can't believe this place is still standing. And I'm just like, ah. Oh, God. Now, however, there is another mention in this world that we. A person who we associate rubies with, and that is the Duchess of Moraine, who is another person who symbolizes power, status, and wealth. So it also just could be tying those. The power, status, and wealth to Cat for us.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Tbd.

[B]

Lastly, before we get to Zaden and Violet's gifts. Told you. We deep dive. Right. We need to talk about Broccoli, the orange tabby cat that has taken the Internet and this audience by storm. And we did get Rebecca to promise us that broccoli will not be killed in the series. Oh, my gosh. You have the broccoli sticker.

[A]

Oh, my God. So when we interviewed Rebecca Yarros in Denver, she's in the middle of saying an answer, and then she just looks at the stage and she goes, are those broccolis?

[B]

Yeah. People are, like, throwing the broccoli, and it's like, that's the first time anyone's throwing a vegetable on a stage. And it's, like, a good thing, right? Yeah. So she did promise that broccoli will not be killed. And. Yes. So broccoli is the only one besides, I assume, Jessenia, because it is written by her at the very end that is safe because she said she wouldn't kill a cat.

[A]

She will kill a dragon, though, is what she said.

[B]

Yes, she's got quite a line to draw. Yeah. And we also know for anybody wondering, where is Broccoli? Broccoli is safe with Drake and Corden. She did confirm that for us too.

[A]

Now, as much as I love the theories that state Broccoli will defeat the Venin and save the world, I don't see that happening.

[B]

That's the kids. The children's book version of Tell me.

[A]

You have two kids.

[B]

That.

[A]

Tell me you have two kids. So let's talk instead about the symbolism behind an orange tabby cat. Y'all, I went so deep in this.

[B]

I made her cut, like, a thousand.

[A]

Words out of this. So it. The symbolism behind this cat is really all over the place. There's anything from, like, friendliness, affection, and, like, wiseness to risky behavior that results in death. One of these things is not like the other. So what could Broccoli mean in our story? He could be an extension of Drake's personality. He's friendly, he's affectionate. He's also risky. He is in the Nightwing Drift, so it makes sense. He could be a bridge for Mera to start loving the cat and then thus loving Drake and vice versa. It's almost like their little baby that they take care of together. That's so cute. See, I'm the romantic of it too. Absolutely a member from our discord, though. Laina mentioned how broccoli is going to scratch people and if they don't bleed, venom, boom. It's like a Broccoli. The venom finder. I'm going to work on his name, but we'll get an emblem.

[B]

All right, now let's get to the big ones. Zaden receives a glass box the size of his foot. So very big, with pewter hinges and edges.

[A]

That was the wrong time to drink water. So what could this box possibly mean? Was it just a convenience plot device for the dagger to be in said box and then. And Violet is seeing the missing gem, her future wedding ring, all that kind of stuff. The hinges are made with pewter, and pewter symbolizes seriousness and practicality, which is pretty on par for Xaden in especially Onyx Storm. So was this just for practicality sake? I do think that it's something that Violet in book four, she's gonna be in erasure. She might just be looking at this box constantly. And it's like this. Like, it's this permanent reminder of Zaden other than the hole in her heart.

[B]

Well, it's like they call it the box of nothingness, right?

[A]

Oh.

[B]

And so it's like, I know right.

[A]

Now there are some theories that this is a magical box and it can transport items. I almost think about it like the. I can only think of it like the vanishing cabinet from Harry Potter, but it's Vanishing cabinet. I can't say it normally, so. And I love that idea that there's somewhere a second box of nothingness and that is gonna come into our story. I don't know. Maybe. But you know what I love more than a vanishing cabinet? What's that? A fucking fantasy compass. I love a fantasy compass. Oh, my God. So we have to talk about this. Major air quotes. Broken compass.

[B]

So let's first address the obvious. Violet is the one who says that the compass is broken because it doesn't point north, but when she receives it, she gets, like, a subtle smirk from the gifter and he says, quote, use it wisely. Ah. So I think most of us fandom are in agreement that this is not just a broken compass and it will instead play a vital role in a future book. Everybody else, we're all in agreement there?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Is there anyone here who's like, you guys, it's just a fucking compass. Like, are you okay? Thank you for validating. Thank God. Now, before we get into how this is going to come back into our story, I do want to pull moments from the series that compasses have been mentioned. First and foremost, the classified signet patch. So what Dane has what Imogen have, all that kind of stuff. It's a compass which.

[B]

Like that.

[A]

Like, I don't know how those things go together, but, like, oh, my God, I love it. Now, Violet also now has a very classified second signet in chapter 46 of Onyx Storm, Zaden walks into a room and his gaze immediately jumps to Violet, quote, like a compass pulled north. Her compass did not point to north earlier, so I feel like that's just an instant tie in of Zaden, Violet, compass to each other. And also, on the map of your Imperium books, there is a compass on the top. Now, it's not out of the question for a map to include a compass that points north. Like, go figure. But this compass does have waves on it. So, Lexi.

[B]

Yes?

[A]

Do you think we're gonna finally go to the Emerald Sea? This compass?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I want to go to the Emerald Sea so badly. It's my new Isle kingdoms. Or your Isle Kingdoms, My second equivalent uprising.

[A]

Your second equivalent uprising. Amazing. Now, the irony is that it is the compass is in the north part of the map. So it also just could be tying again north to the compass. A general consensus among the fandom is that this compass is going to have something to do with Violet finding Zaden next book. But a lot of people are thinking it's going to be like the compass from Pirates of the Caribbean for instance. Like you like open. Okay, wait, show of hands, who's on this theory?

[B]

I just figured this out.

[A]

So that is definitely a possibility. But something we've learned from deep diving Rebecca Yarros and many, many hours is that it's always like maybe 60% that and then there's this 40% twist that you never would have thought of or you're just 100% wrong. So I don't see it being. It's either or. It's gonna be either or. Yep. Now, I personally don't know if I'm on the. It's gonna point to what her heart most desires simply. Again, for that reason and also because we've seen it in multiple fantasy stories and Rebecca does tend to divert expectations in that way. So there's also that use it wisely that you mentioned that the Zelni says. And for me I hear use it wisely. And I'm like, it sounds like a one time only use.

[B]

See, I didn't get that vibe at all.

[A]

Really? Okay, yeah, maybe I'm just losing my mind over the question. Now. I do wonder if this compass has to be like activated or imbued or.

[B]

It'S like it could be part of a rune. Like we were talking about that how it is like considered ethereal for a rune to be tempered into. And then that brings a new purpose to the compass.

[A]

So then it could be a multifunctional compass so you can temper anything.

[B]

You get so excited.

[A]

I'm so excited. I fucking love a compass. But you could temper like, hey, find like, you know how you go into Google and you type in Google Maps specifically and you type in like, this is my location. What if you type in like I want to find Lexi as my location and then it points to you. That's cute.

[B]

That wasn't the direction I was going, but sure. Okay.

[A]

All right, that's enough of the. Well, there's one more. Because there is a theory that this compass is going to only be able to be used in her dreams. That's right. Which. That is delicious. I love that. Now you can move to the next theory.

[B]

Speaking of speaking of dreams, what is the full extent of Violet's second Signet. Because Rebecca also told us that we currently only know about 10% of it. Like, 10% of it. That is mind blowing. Get it? Mind. Mind blowing. At this point in the story, here is what we know about Violet's second signet of dreamwalking. It means Violet can enter people's dreams. She either experiences the dream as the person who is dreaming, or she learns how to do it, or as she learns how to do it. Toward the end of Onyx Storm, she can snap out of being the dreaming person and exist in her own body. When she does this, she realizes it's not only her dream, but it's someone else's. And she's also able to communicate in that dream. She does that with Zaden. And so then when someone is dreaming, or at least for Zaden, he feels like someone is watching over him in the dream. It's like he can feel that someone else is there, which is, of course, her. And very importantly, it seems that she can alter the course of action within the dream. For instance, in one of Zaden's dreams, he wanted to channel, but Violet made him raise his hand instead. So Violet's dreamwalking signet doesn't just let her see what's happening in dreams. She can also communicate within them and manipulate what happens in dreams, and that is 10% of what it is. What Violet has never heard of the signet ability before, and for how well educated she is, it's a safe assumption that this signet has never been recorded in history before. Keyword is recorded. As Zaden explains, dreamwalking is a type of intensic, which shines a light on why the Irids describe her signet as an extremely dangerous weapon. Violet's second signet enables her to look into people's subconscious. While they are incapable of shielding a mind signet, this makes her extremely dangerous. And Violet Zaden warns her that she cannot tell anybody about her second signet because, again, it's a form of intensic. I'm going to pause here for two seconds, because if you are familiar with us at fantasy fangirls, you know that Nicole and I have quite a few Onyx Storm bets. And while she outright said that she did not think that Violet was a dreamwalker, you did say you thought that she was an intensic.

[A]

I did.

[B]

And a lot of people, probably some of you in this room, have said that counts as winning the bet. Now, we could get into semantics, but honestly, we don't have time to do that right now, so. But with Rebecca's Insight that we only know 10% of her signet. It has us all thinking. Of course, there's gotta be more to this dreamwalking intensive signet of hers. So, Nicole.

[A]

Yes, Lexi. You're just way too excited. I am.

[B]

For the sake of our listeners, I am willing to let this audience here decide once and for all if you won that bet, that Violet's second signet is an intensive.

[A]

Everyone was like, slouching and they sat up like, we have called you to war.

[B]

All right, if you think that it. I'll say does not count. And Nicole does not win this bet, which, by the way, I'm actually gonna tell you what the bet is afterward because I don't want that to have an impact on this. Okay.

[A]

She's being strategic.

[B]

If you think that it does not count, then make some noise. Okay. If you think that it does count and Nicole should win this bet. Let's hear. All right.

[A]

I'd like to thank the Academy. What a good stage.

[B]

Did you all know that this is where the first academy awards was? Yeah. Yeah. So cool. All right, that means I have to read a cringe worthy scene selected by our fan club on a live Q and A.

[A]

All right, so fantasy fan club, I want you to start going through your files of all the cringe worthy scenes. You. You want to hear Lexi's sultry voice too. Oh, my God, I'm so excited.

[B]

All right, you win.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Because we know so little of Violet's second signet. Who wants to theorize what else it might entail? I think at the very least, she and Zaden will be able to communicate via dreams in the next book now that they are apart. Think Crescent City 2. I won't say anything more for the sake of spoilers, but if you know, you know.

[A]

Here's what I know for sure. We are getting dream sex next book. And I am feral for this. I'm so excited. Now, we do not know yet if she can walk into others dreams while she's awake, but my guess is that once she hones this. Absolutely. Like she could stroll through the halls of Asgaeth or the administration building. She could see Daddy Atos dreams. Yeah, right. Or not. Now, if she's able to walk into her enemy's dreams, she could also drudge up people's worst fears. Or she can meddle in their dreams. Like, I'm not even going to try to speculate because I'm not that creative on stage in front of a lot of people. So evedmond on TikTok does go A few steps further, I'll say. And she theorizes that Violet's second signet is actually mind walking, where she can literally just do walk into other people's minds, including when people are awake and when she is awake, so not just asleep anymore. A major example is the throne scene, my favorite scene. There are multiple hints also in Onyx Storm, that Violet and Xaden's bond does go deeper than their dragonmate bond. So also, the mind walking in that scene could have been. It was just easier to go into Xaden's mind the first time. But I don't know. I like that idea. I think.

[B]

Me too.

[A]

But at that point, I'm just like, what's the difference between that and Intinzic? That is the question.

[B]

What if she wields lightning in someone's dream? Wields lightning in someone's dream. That.

[A]

What happens if she kills someone in their phone right there?

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

My brain does not have the capacity to handle that at the moment. That's amazing.

[B]

I've also wondered if her signet has a precognition factor to it. I know that we have Auric, of course, but I can't stop thinking about how in Merrin's dream that she went into Maren's family portrait burned, and then it turned into her family, and then literally hours later, her parents did burn by Theophany's Wyvern in Newhall. So the question for us is, does her signet influence what happens in the dreams, or does her signet simply allow her to walk into the dream already happening? Maren's precock. Oh, we have not thought about that. They do. They do. I had not considered that before.

[A]

My brain just went dial tone. I love. Oh, my God, I love that idea. That's so cool.

[B]

We've also seen several versions of the theory that Violet's second signet is like a chameleon and can change. The general idea is that Violet can change her signet. Kind of like how in Darna's magic changes when she changes colors. Because Andarna is magic and there is so much unknown about her kind of dragon. This could extend to Violet's signet manifested from an Irid, too. It could also explain why the other Irids are so mad at Andarna gifting Violet the powers that she did. It's so dangerous because the possibilities are truly endless, and they don't want their kind of magic gifted to humans.

[A]

Well, that would also explain why we only know 10%. So, like, for instance, maybe every 10% is a different color of Andarna.

[B]

Are you really bringing math into today's? Not on purpose, but yes.

[A]

Now I'm getting into fractions and percentages.

[B]

I'm so excited.

[A]

Rebecca has also mentioned when she was in Denver that there is only one person who can teach her how to hone this signet. And when we were on stage, my mind immediately went to Zayden. Me too. Okay.

[B]

It usually does go to Zayden.

[A]

That's my line.

[B]

Now.

[A]

Any kind of dream apprentice, apprentice, mentorship would just be amazing and delicious. Especially considering he is the only intinsic that we know of at least. And we know that dreamwalking is a form of intense, like, thank you, audience makes me so happy now. So it would make sense that he's the only one who can teacher and also Professor Zadi dream version. Yes. Sounds amazing. But after getting off stage, my mind started going a little bit more on this and it dawned on me it also could be Berwin because it is not stated in the book. But I think we're mostly all in agreement that Berwin is most likely a dreamwalker. Absolutely. So. Especially because after Violet walks into Xaden's dream, this is after Indarna leaves, which I don't even have time to comprehend how that works today, Berwin says to her, quote, it's nice of you to join us, lightning wielder. Or should I call you dreamwalker? Like it sounds like it takes. Takes one to know one situation. Then there's when he says to Violet right after quote, and here I'd hope you be a quicker learner. How disappointing. So that to me is like, I am your apprentice or I am your mentor. Excuse me. So how would Berwin teach her, though? Because I don't see Violet hanging with Berwin Zayden. And so that's why I wonder if it's like through the dream, so if almost or what is kind of going.

[B]

Because she'll probably go after Zaden and what if he's with Berwyn and somehow that happens?

[A]

True. I do love the idea of if it is through the dreams. It's like Violet is getting mentored in Zaden's dream through Berwyn, and Zaden's just basically chilling off in the corner just like, this is my dream, guys. But we also did get from Theophany like that she really wanted to obviously be Violet's mentor. Theophany's dead, which kills me. That was poor choice of words. But, like, it's so sad that Theophany's Dead. So she no longer can be Violet's mentor in that way. There is one other possibility that I see here, and that is another with a super trained mind signet who apparently is a really powerful writer. What the fuck, Dane? Which I could totally see because their relationship is so much closer now. I do feel like they're finally in the point where they could be that mentor mentee, and that trust is there. Absolutely.

[B]

Especially. Well with a mind signet is a whole other level too.

[A]

But then that goes into the idea of it is Dane. Dane is not the greatest at breaking rules. So I see this going one of two ways. She tells Dane, and it's rule follower Dane, and he's like, goodbye. I don't see that happening. The more probable option is instead, Dane is. This is part of his character development.

[B]

Part of his whole redemption arc. Exactly how he is breaking the rules to follow what is right. And in this case, it would be right. I'm sorry. I didn't.

[A]

No, no, no. It's the exact same. Like, it would be almost like him finally putting his best friend over the rules.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And that is really, like, the arc of that. So I'm gonna ask you all, who do you think this person is that Rebecca is referring to that can be the one and only mentor for Violet?

[B]

Daddy Atos. Daddy Atos. Like the bad daddy or the good bad daddy? Which. That was very mortifying that I had to explain that to Rebecca Yarros on stage in front of 2,000 people.

[A]

That was terrifying. Wait, like Dane?

[B]

No. Daddy ate because we don't know his Signet because Rebecca refused to tell us.

[A]

I don't. I have questions about that. For today's assignment, raise your hand if you think it is Berwin who can be the one person. Okay, okay, okay. Raise your hand if it's Dane. Okay. And let's just do make some noise if you think it's Zaddy. Okay. Make some noise if you think it's Berwin. Go back to Berwin. Okay, I agree. All right, Berwyn. I like it. While we are on second signet, I do want to just, like, a little touch on mark 1 second signets. Because we now know Garruk's, Imogen's, and Zaden's and Rip Liam, we know he wielded ice. But as far as marked ones who we don't know, the list is as follows. Sloane, who she right now has siphoning, but I'm assuming she might get a second one.

[B]

I think that we might just. I don't know.

[A]

Okay. You can marinate on that.

[B]

Very helpful.

[A]

I don't know. And the second one is bodega. And that's all of the named marked ones that we do not know about if they have a second signet or not.

[B]

Correct. Because the other one unfortunately passed away.

[A]

So if. Yes, we know that if someone is a marked one, that does not necessarily mean they have a second signet. But for fun and shits and giggles, let's just speculate. So starting with Sloane, there are a couple theories that say Sloane's second signet would be mending, especially because of the trauma from killing Lilith and then needing to. To heal Mira. So it's almost like that was how it manifested. I also love the theory that she would manifest ice and it would be like another. I'm so sorry, twist the knife, Nicole. But it would almost be like another tie in for her and Liam. But the person I really want to talk about is Bode because there's this. I want to entertain the idea for one second that he does have a second signet and he's just lying. I'm seeing a lot of head nods. I think a lot of people are in that boat. So he does say, quote, I don't have one. Just like Zayden, that just like Zaden makes me stay up at night. Oh, my God. Because Zaden obviously does have a second signet, but Rebecca has confirmed that the only people who know about it are Zaden and Violet. So meaning. I don't think it has that double meaning to it. So here's what I actually think is going to happen to Bodhi. We know that you either get a second signet or you go mad. I think Bode's the mad. The mad boy. The mad boy. And if. And we're getting into this in a second. But if he is the Venin brother, he would not only go mad, he would have a signet that counters signets and he'd be Venin. That's a bad cocktail. I don't like that. Dun, dun, dun.

[B]

Well, that brings us to today's biggest Onyx Storm question that is on everybody's mind. Who is the new brother?

[A]

I swear to Amari, this feels like the new violent second segment. And I'm like, I definitely just did this.

[B]

But at least with this big end of book question, there are not literally dozens of possibilities. Instead, we have several top contenders who, yes, we will be going through them right now. If we were here for the second segments, we would have been here all night, all day.

[A]

Let's first and Foremost, go through everything that we know about this new brother. Number one, they have watched Zayden for five months struggle with venom. So I hear this especially because the phrasing of watched in Zayden's pov, it means, in my opinion, it has to be Garak or Bodhi or.

[B]

That's what she might want you to think.

[A]

Well, or someone who would have known about Zaden but didn't officially tell him. Like Arryk.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Yep. Number two, they are someone who was in the thick of the fighting, and their dragon was either injured and thus unconscious or struck unconscious by a Venom wyvern.

[B]

Sorry. Anyway, separately, we can infer that the green dragon Berwyn kills must be Panchak's green clubtail.

[A]

Correct? Yes.

[B]

Just based on the context of. Of the passage and all of that.

[A]

Number three, it is someone who Zayden cares deeply about. And enough about that. Berwin would be able to use this brother as leverage for Xaden. Zaden desperately does not want this brother to stumble down the same path. Unfortunate.

[B]

Yeah, well, and along those same lines, it is the last person Zaden would have expected to turn. As he channels and his shadows destroy the surrounding wyvern, his destructive magic quote skims past the one who now thinks himself my brother, and he's unconscious from Zaden's shadows. Also, that part about, like, who thinks himself now my brother kind of gives me some pause with that language there. So, anyway, let's go through the contenders, shall we? From Zaden's chapter. Oh, wait, no, just kidding. Not yet.

[A]

We have more evidence to lay out. Hold, please.

[B]

I do just want to real quickly touch on the idea about, like, the supposed to be dead. Based on the rest of the page and the context clues we get, Zaden's got to be talking about Berwyn. Berwyn was supposed to be dead because Zaden threw him into the ravine at the end of Iron Flame. And Xaden can't kill Berwyn because there's a strange venon mentor and pupil bond between them. Which is why Berwyn refers to his venon as son as he goes on to explain. So, anyway, the next bit of information we have about the identity of this new brother is from our interview with Rebecca Yarros earlier this month. When we asked what we should pay attention to if we want to figure out who the new brother is, she said, and I'm gonna quote the whole dang thing here, quote, I would pay attention to who's missing at the end. I would pay attention to Someone who feels like whatever they have been given is not enough. Which is always the case when you turn Venom, when you turn Venin, it's always because you need to reach for power beyond your own. You weren't given enough power. Okay, quick pause. I can't believe she told us this information. Like, she was going to no, no, no. And it's like, okay, I know she's gonna say no to this. And it's like, oh, my God, you answered.

[A]

I'm pretty sure I even prefaced this question with, I know you can't tell me this, but I'm gonna shoot my shot. And then she did. I was so excited. So, lastly, we know from the Variety article that Rebecca Yarros did right after Onyx Storm's release. The question was, quote, is all the information we need to figure out who Zaden's Venon brother is at the end already in the books? Or is there stuff purposefully withheld that it makes so that we couldn't decipher it until book four? Rebecca Yarros answered, it's hinted at, but it's not laid out because you're never in that person's point of view. So it's hinted at, which is not helpful. So let's go into who are our top contenders, starting with sweet brother Bodhi.

[B]

So he checks off the boxes for what we know about this new Vin and brother. He has watched Zaden struggle from being a villain these past five months. He is not mentioned on the page. At the very end, when we're back in Violet's pov, he was in the thick of the fighting and he is a dragon rider. And lastly, Zaden truly cares for his cousin and this is the last thing that he would want for him.

[A]

Bodhi is not mentioned among the writers at the end, but he's also, I'm gonna say he's not even mentioned on the page, which is not out of the question for Bodhi because he's kind of the forgotten child. He's like, he's the middle child of the book. Violet, earlier in this book, thinks about how Bode is often forgotten about how powerful he is. Like, think about that moment after battle brief, where Violet's like, oh my God. Like, no one thought of Bode. He would have been the perfect first contender. And it's kind of like womp, womp. So sad. Next, there's all this foreshadowing about the beginning, from the beginning of the series, about how Bode looks like a brother or looks so much like Satan. I think Violet Multiple times, she says. Like they could have been siblings or something like that. And we were under the impression that all of that foreshadowing was they're gonna be brothers, they're gonna be brothers. It's gonna come out. The mystery grandmama that you went on for more hours than you would like to invent.

[B]

I have a whiteboard for that.

[A]

And what if it's not an actual brother? Instead it's a brother in this way. And it's instead the foreshadowing for him to be a brother in the Veninism way. Also, earlier in this book, Garak says that Theophany requested Zaden and Bodhi, but we later learn she requested Zaden and Brother, which we learn is Jack fucking Barlow, which. What a guy. It's just another instance of tying Bodhi and brother in the same sentence. Next, in Imogen's chapter, she also mentions how Bodhi and Kir are in trouble. Wyvern are trying to rip poor cure, which is Bodhi's dragon apart. And we also see that this dragon is unconscious at the end is the dragon unconscious because Wyvern tried to rip it to shreds, which sad. Then also Emma Halbrook on TikTok mentioned she's freaking brilliant. First of all, everyone should follow her. And she noted how Bodhi and Violet are also fighting together. Excuse me. They're fighting the final battle. And Bode learns that he's not powerful enough to counter Theophany's storm signet. Then at the end of Imogen's chapter, this is when she sees Bodhi like throwing up on the. On the cobblestones. We note that the sky is starting to turn less dark. And then we.

[B]

It's dark.

[A]

It's darker. Darker. Excuse me, darker. And then we note how we're in Violet's pov, the tornado is gone. So it's almost like Bode pulled from the source, started throwing up, and then was able to counter Theophany's storm signet. Hence why the tornado was suddenly gone. Possibly. Then more in regards to Rebecca Yarrow saying that the brother is someone who never feels like they're enough. That is a direct one to one comparison to Bodie. Poor guy.

[B]

Well, one of our other questions for her was can you expand on why Bode's song is I look in people's windows? And this was her answer. Quote, I think he's always on the outside. Like he's always Zane's shadow. She goes on to emphasize that he's a spare. This feels so on the nose with what she told us to pay attention to about the new brother when she says it's someone who feels like whatever they have been given is not enough. I believe Rebecca is referring more to power and importance as a writer and a person, not necessarily as the heir to Tyrandor, because we all know that Bodhi does not want that. But what about because he doesn't have a second signet, and the signet he does have doesn't work with theophany. In that case, he doesn't feel like what he's been given is enough.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And lastly, Good God, there's a lot in this. So if Bode was still totally fine at the end of the book, why would Xaden insist on marrying Violet, making her the Duchess of Tyrandor? Why not rely on plan A, which is Bodhi, and instead go to plan B, which is marriage?

[B]

Well, I think that that was still part of his plan A, but it was just escalated a little.

[A]

Escalated a lot.

[B]

Well, so I know a lot of you are probably thinking about the big head scratcher to this theory that Bode is the new brother is the timeline we get at the end of Imogen's POV chapter. Once Garrick's distance, once Garruk distance, walks himself, oh my goodness. Distant walks her to Trissa and Felix. Imogen sees Bode on his hands and knees retching with his dragon in the sky. Imogen then looks up to the sky right before the sky darkens. Further switching to what we know from Zaden's POV chapter, which we know at least overlaps somewhat with Violet's chapter 64. He describes how his shadows are rushing over Imogen as she looks to the sky, and his new brother and dragon are already present there in the canyon with them. So assuming. Assuming this timeline is correct, Bodhi and his dragon can't be at the town square and the valley next to the canyon where Zaden is. Even if there is like a small time window between Imogen's chapter end and Zaden's chapter beginning, it's extremely unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely for Bode to be throwing up, then have enough time to fly south while his dragon has a huge slash in the chest and hole in his wing. If he channels from the source. Possibly. But again, the timeline we currently have available to us makes it seem very unlikely given where Bode is. So yeah. However, all this to say, the timeline is also very vague and deceptive on purpose, and one of these days we will definitely map it out. I know that some of our Friends have put together a fantastic spreadsheet. So we will take that and move with it.

[A]

Run with it.

[B]

Yes. You see Brit right there? Yes.

[A]

So next, let's put Bodhi off to the side. Let's put Garak up onto the pedestal. Rebecca did say, pay attention to who's missing at the end. And Garak is literally stated as the dude missing at the end. The dude. Also, in addition to Zayden, he also knows exactly what Zaden has been through the past five months. After all, Garruk was really frustrated with Zaden in this book, so he could absolutely qualify as this person. I do feel like he was the closest and watched Zayden the closest as to, like, what the struggles were that he went through. So that also could be another reason why he's the last person he's expecting to turn in the battle. Garak is also super burnt out. So in Imogen's chapter, he says that he does not have enough power because he's walked so much. So there also could be that I need more power so I can continue walking. However, I personally saw this as more like, I'm a dragon rider and I'm excited, accepting my fate and my limits. So I'm just gonna go kick some ass out on the battlefield instead of like, doo doo doo. That's my distance walking audio.

[B]

Doo doo doo.

[A]

Graphic audio if you need me. The main reason I also have a hard time getting behind Garrick is he doesn't fulfill the someone who doesn't feel like they're enough. Garrick's got swagger. Garrick's he's a bro. Like, I don't see him as someone who's like, I'm not enough. Like, I do see that. Bode. What are these sounds?

[B]

Okay, who wants to look behind? Who wants to look behind door number three for the Venin brother? Aric when we're examining who's where and when in this chaotic timeline, arc really does make the most sense. As the new Venon brother in chapter 58, right as the battle is about to begin at the cliffs of Draer, arc is, and I quote, seen flying south away from conflict. Taryn and Violet go on to say it's not like Arryk or his dragon to run away from conflict. Arryk isn't seen again for the rest of the book. And where is Xaden and this new brother Chapters later in the canyon south of Dreytheus. So that checks out better than anyone else, including Bodhi and Garak about, you know, where he could be Then there's. Then there's the fact that this new brother watched Zaden's struggle being Venom for the past five months. As far as Violet, and therefore the reader knows, Arryk is not aware of Zaden turning Venon. However, Arryk's signet is precognition and it manifested before Quest Squad. So it is quite possible that Arryk learned from his signet that Zaden is Venon. I'm not sure when this means Zaden found out that Arryk knows he's Venon, because that doesn't seem like something he would keep from Violet. However, he is a powerful intensic, so it's highly likely he knew about Arryk's precognition signet before Violet figured it out on her own. Zaden also refers to Arryk and Deverelli as someone he has complicated loyalty toward. Maybe he already knows that Arryk knows he's a Venin. There's also the possibility that Arc knows that Arc turns Venon because he knows it is the only way to save the continent and defeat the Venin eventually. He is a character who feels a sense of responsibility to save everybody, and he's someone who will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Additionally, Arryk fits the bill as someone Zaden would be shocked to turn Venon. Arryk has been steadfast in his fight against Venon. Like another nobility figure. Ahem, Zaden. He is the Kingdom of Nevarr's hope for a better future. As Zayan points out to him when they're Umbriel and Arc is wanting to participate in the challenge. And as convincing as it is for Arc to be the new Venom brother, at least for me. We also can't forget what Rebecca told us about the one who turned Venon. Doesn't feel like he's been given enough. Like Bodhi, Arik rejects the idea of leading as a nobility, but Arc doesn't really seem to fit. Like he's not enough or he isn't powerful enough. Like he does have everything he's wanted for himself. So I don't see how this checks the box when that is what Rebecca was stressing so much to us.

[A]

He also, like I keep on thinking back to that moment in sparring where they. It's like dragon sparring, I guess. They like fly up on their dragon, they jump down, they destroy something that Kaori creates, and then they get back on their dragon. It's like a super small scene. But Auric is like so quiet. And then he just demolishes everyone's. Just everyone's attempt with hammer. Because he throws the axe at Kaori. Don't. He throws the axe at Kaori instead of throwing it at the projection. Like, I know that doesn't exactly say. He obviously doesn't think that he's not enough or anything like that, but he's so smart, he's so intelligent, and I just don't see him ever feeling like he's not enough in that way.

[B]

Yep, I agree.

[A]

So two other rapid fire options are Sawyer and Riddick. They both knew about Satan and his struggle. So that box is checked off. This would also be like a what, Rebecca? So it would definitely be the, you know, diverging our expectations. Sawyer definitely fulfills the feeling like they're not enough. He not only has one leg and he's really dealing with that, but he's also a repeat. And he really struggled with feeling like Slig not only chose someone who was less than, but now is having to make compensations for their rider.

[B]

Well, and you know, I will say going back to, like, how they. How Zayden's like, they watched me struggle for five months.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

These two knew. Found out later on, you know, Riddick first and then later Sawyer. So they wouldn't have seen him knowingly be watching him as a venom, but it would have been like retroactively watching him as a venom, if that makes sense. So. And I don't know, Riddick gets pissed that people. The one big thing for Riddick is that he does get mad that people don't give him enough credit and he has to work extra hard to be taken seriously. So. But then he was also appalled by Zaden and they had their whole talk and so maybe he was the last person that Zayden would think would turn Ben in. So anyway, he was on questcon for five months. Exactly.

[A]

He does fulfill the. Watched me struggle a little bit more.

[B]

That's really. Yeah, it's really semantic.

[A]

I'm giving him a lot right there.

[B]

Okay, friends. So who of the five that we have mentioned, let's do a poll. Okay. Who believes the brother is Riddick?

[A]

Let's make some noise. Who thinks they're Riddick?

[B]

Woo. Okay, we got a woos.

[A]

Woos. Who thinks it's Sawyer. Okay, a few more woos, if you will.

[B]

Arik.

[A]

Some confident woos over here. Yes.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Garrick. I like. That was like a roller woo. And last but not least, Bode. What do you think? D other.

[B]

I think it's Bodhi because it feels Obvious. But then I think that there is something to be explained with the timeline issue that we have.

[A]

Yeah, I agree. I agree.

[B]

I would say otherwise. Maybe Arik, because he was seeing flying, but that also means, like, it's the opposite of obvious. Oh, stole the eggs.

[A]

He's the diplomat.

[B]

He's the diplomat. Okay, maybe Garak.

[A]

And that's what I was thinking. I was thinking Garak. But I love the idea that it also could be Arric. All right, friends, we were going to.

[B]

Talk about that, but we had to delete it because we are running out of time.

[A]

Speaking of, as we wrap up, we wanted. We just went really deep into theories, like, way more deep than we meant to when we first started this outline. So let's instead do some rapid fire, super fun theories with you all being our test subjects. You're welcome. So we're gonna say a theory. And just like we have, you are gonna make some noise if you believe the theory. Cool. Are you ready to play?

[B]

Yes. All right. Did Sigail and Taryn break their bond by the end of the book?

[A]

Ooh.

[B]

All right. On that same note, did Sigale break the bond with Zaden?

[A]

Woo. Did Andarna travel to the Irid's den before coming back? No. Okay.

[B]

Some. Oh, okay, okay, okay, you all, you can't have a live show without me mentioning Papa Sorrengale. Do you think Papa Sorrengale uncovered the truth about the Irids? And that's the feather tales he is referring to.

[A]

I can only imagine people who are like the plus ones here. They're like, what the fuck was that? Oh, my God. All right, who is Indarna? Or I guess Indarna is referring to the Irids at the very end when she says, I will not let them burn you. We haven't thought about that as far yet. I think that's the answer that we're seeing here.

[B]

You think that?

[A]

I definitely. Woo. I definitely think that.

[B]

Okay, is Zaden with the Venin and I'll say. Or is he on his own? Do you think he's with the Venon? Venon?

[A]

Okay, what about on his own? Okay, okay.

[B]

I think he'll do his best to be on his own, but he'll kind of keep getting pulled back to Berwyn.

[A]

See, that's what I'm thinking because he keeps getting summoned by Berwyn and he now can't fight that.

[B]

But I think he will. But he'll just have to keep going back.

[A]

It'll be like a tug of war. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So who is the he that Theophany keeps referring to? Is it Naolin? I like the Nos. And then the Woos.

[B]

Is it General Darrymore?

[A]

Will Violet be fully dedicated to Dune by the end of the series? Oh, okay. I'll actually. I'm gonna do a second one here on the fly. Do you think Violet is dedicated to multiple gods?

[B]

I haven't heard that one before. Malak. Oh, yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. All right. So we're gonna go through who might be a higher up Venin in Novarian leadership. Daddy. Atos. Yes.

[A]

General Melgren, King Tari, whoever just went. Ooh, Markham.

[B]

Will we go to the Isle of Loyal?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh, okay. On that same note, do you think that we will go to the Emerald Sea? Yeah.

[A]

Cracking.

[B]

I think that. Okay, real quick.

[A]

I was gonna say. Now give her the soapbox.

[B]

Okay, so I am convinced that we are going to go to the Emerald Sea. And we have gotten teased about. There have been pirates there, right? And Dane used to be obsessed with them. And then in fourth wing, she was talking about how Krakens are real. And then of course, there's Heaton with their signet of breathing underwater. So I like to think that in a future book.

[A]

No, I love this for you so much.

[B]

In a future book, we are gonna have. We are gonna go to the Emerald Sea, we are gonna have pirates, we're gonna see a Kraken, and Heaton will save everybody.

[A]

I now thought of just. I just thought of the idea. What if Dane goes off and does pirate life like yo ho ho. What if that's his ending? Someone write that. All right. Lastly, we met quite a few new characters in this book. Make some noise if you think we're going to see them again. Zayden's mother, Talia.

[B]

Norelle from Deverelli.

[A]

All right, all right. What about Grandmama Niara? There's your mystery grandmama.

[B]

King Cortland of Devereville.

[A]

You think so?

[B]

I do.

[A]

Okay, sounds good. All right. What about the triumvirate from Hedotis? I hope we see them and we just watch them. Maybe just die a little. I don't like them. They poisoned them. It was rude.

[B]

The Queen of Umbriel.

[A]

Oh, yeah, Calixta. Who is. I'm gonna call her the game maker in Zelna. Maybe she wears the orange tunic.

[B]

Last but not least, the basket bitch himself. Halden.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh, look at that. We have one minute to spare. Hi, dad.

[A]

That was terrible.

[B]

Thank you so much, everyone. We are the fantasy fangirls. We really appreciate you coming here today, coming to this whole event. So many of you have traveled from all over literally the globe and we appreciate you being here with us so, so much.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

All right, do we have just last little thing here? I'll call it some housekeeping here. If you are not familiar with us and you want to hear more theories as well as lots of world building explanations, character analysis, foreshadowing and just so much more about Onyx Storm as well as other books, check out our Deep Dive podcast episodes anywhere that you go for your podcasts as well as YouTube.

[A]

Yeah, we have episodes one through I'm apparently done talking for the night. We have episodes one through three of Onyx Storm currently out and Onyx Storm episode four comes out on Monday.

[B]

Yes, indeed. New episodes every single Monday. Yes indeed. Like in a few days. Exactly. And we're so excited. It's going to be just gloating in the Halden basket, bitch. Glory. Amazing.

[A]

Thank you guys so much. Can we give a huge thank you to Fabled Fantasy for putting on Romantasy book on real quick? Thank you. Yes. And it would not be an episode of Fantasy Fangirls if we did not shout out our executive producer, AKA our sanity manager, Hayden.

[B]

And please be sure to follow us on social media. We are Fantasy Fangirlspod, Tik tok, Instagram, all the things. And please be sure to tag us too while you're here and you're seeing us and other friends and all that kind of stuff. We love it.

[A]

Thank you guys so much for coming.

[B]

Sa.