S4 : Ep 25 - NEW Onyx Storm Excerpt Full Breakdown & Theories!!

Summary

Flights of Fantasy Podcast Summary
Season 4, Episode 25: "NEW Onyx Storm Excerpt Full Breakdown & Theories!!"
Release Date: November 11, 2024

Welcome to a detailed summary of Flights of Fantasy's Season 4, Episode 25, where hosts Christina, Kim, and Etta dive deep into the newly released three-page excerpt of Onyx Storm. This episode is a treasure trove for fans eagerly anticipating the next installment in the fantastical series. Below, we explore the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from the episode.

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1. Episode Overview

In this special bonus mini-episode, the hosts break down the freshly released three-page excerpt of Onyx Storm published in the winter edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. Available on Kindle Unlimited and their Patreon, this excerpt sets the stage for the forthcoming events leading up to the big reveal on January 21st.

2. Timeline and Context

Etta initiates the discussion by analyzing the timeline of the excerpt:

Etta [01:44]: "We are pretty sure that these events happen within the first 48 hours after the events of book two."

The events are placed immediately after the climactic battle at the end of Iron Flame. Clues such as Sawyer's recovery in the infirmary and the presence of overflow beds indicate a chaotic aftermath still unfolding.

3. Venin Infiltration in Biscaya

Kim elaborates on the Venin's infiltration strategies:

Kim [03:53]: "Venin have infiltrated Biscaya. They are masquerading as scribes."

The Venin are depicted as taking over critical roles within Biscaya by impersonating scribes, raising suspicions about M4RKIM's potential involvement. However, both Christina and Etta express doubt about his direct complicity, suggesting his role is more about preserving historical narratives.

4. Character Spotlight: M4RKIM

The discussion touches upon the enigmatic character M4RKIM:

Christina [04:55]: "I feel like he knows the history, but I do not think that he is involved in them infiltrating the school."

Etta adds depth to M4RKIM's character, portraying him as a protector of history who may be hiding critical truths, possibly even having a hand in darker actions like the presumed death of Violet's father.

5. Introduction of a New Venin: The Silver-Haired Sage

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the introduction of a mysterious silver-haired Venin, described with vivid imagery:

Kim [06:05]: "The Venin are sucking the life out of the wounded. [...] it's really getting vampire in an interesting way that I don't think we've seen before."

Christina is particularly intrigued by the description of the Venin's actions, likening them to vampiric behavior, which adds a chilling layer to their menace.

6. Detailed Breakdown of the Excerpt

Etta meticulously dissects the excerpt, highlighting critical elements:

Etta [08:04]: "She smirks and it says that is quote, distorted the red veins at her temple."

This description suggests the new Venin is a Sage, a higher-ranking member within the Venin hierarchy, marked by distinct physical traits like red veins near their temples—a key detail that fans are eager to explore further.

7. Theories and Speculations

The hosts delve into popular fan theories sparked by the excerpt:

a. Time-Traveling Violet

Kim presents a theory that the silver-haired Venin could be a future version of Violet:

Kim [14:07]: "One of the more popular theories is people are saying, is this Violet from the future..."

However, both Christina and Etta express skepticism, noting inconsistencies that make this theory less likely.

b. Secret Sibling

Another intriguing theory suggests the introduction of a hidden sibling for Violet:

Kim [15:49]: "Another very popular theory is, is this a secret sibling of Violet?"

The hosts debate the feasibility of this theory, considering the implications it would have on existing characters and storylines. They ponder the logistics of how such a sibling could remain undiscovered, especially given the tight-knit relationships in the series.

c. Venin Upgrades and Characteristics

The discussion also touches upon the possibility that the silver-haired Venin represents an evolution or specific type within the Venin ranks, potentially linking silver hair to higher Venin status or unique abilities.

8. Symbolism and Hidden Clues

Christina introduces the significance of symbols like tattoos and rune-shaped scars:

Christina [12:53]: "This absolutely sent me. I was like, this feels important."

The faded tattoo on the silver-haired Venin's forehead and the rune-shaped scar on Brennan’s hand hint at deeper lore and connections that are yet to be unveiled in future episodes.

9. Zaden's Complex Character Arc

A substantial part of the episode is dedicated to exploring Zaden's character, his vulnerabilities, and his role within the Venin dynamics:

Etta [27:56]: "Zaden is grappling with control of being a Venin. And I think if anybody can do it, this man could teach a thesis in control."

The hosts express relief and optimism about Zaden maintaining his identity despite his Venin transformation, emphasizing his importance as a relatable and steady presence in the narrative.

10. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight memorable quotes from the excerpt:

• Christina [09:11]: "And her eerie red gaze jumps to mine and widens slightly under a faded tattoo on her forehead. My blood chills when a smirk tilts her mouth, distorting the red veins at her temples."

• Etta [19:06]: "Tell me something, Violet. Why is it always you?"

• Kim [25:24]: "Shut the fuck up."

These quotes underscore the tension, character relationships, and the impending threats within the story.

11. Conclusion and What's Next

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease upcoming content:

Kim [29:03]: "This is not dead. Okay. But that also still wouldn't explain why it's on her forehead and what the hell it means."

They promise more in-depth theory episodes and encourage listeners to stay connected through their Patreon, Instagram, and TikTok for exclusive content.

12. Final Thoughts

This episode of Flights of Fantasy is a must-listen for fans eager to dissect every detail of the new Onyx Storm excerpt. The hosts provide comprehensive analyses, engage in lively debates, and present compelling theories that keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Whether you're deeply invested in the series or new to the world of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, this breakdown offers valuable insights and ignites anticipation for what's to come.

Cheers and happy reading!

Transcript

[Christina]

Welcome to Flights of Fantasy, your podcast book club. I am Christina, one of your hosts and I'm joined as always by my book besties, Anna and Kim.

[Kim]

Yay.

[Anna]

Hi listeners, this episode is brought to you by Dutch Bros. Big smiles, rocking tunes and epic drinks Dutch Bros. Is all about. You choose from a variety of customizable handcrafted beverages like our Rebel energy drinks, coffees, teas and more. Download the Dutch Bros app for a free medium drink plus find your nearest shop, order ahead and start earning rewards offer valid for new app users only. Free medium drink REWARD upon registration 14 day expiration terms apply.

[Christina]

See Dutch Bros.com oh my goodness. We are here with such a treat tonight for you guys. We are here with a special bonus mini episode Breaking down the three page brand new Onyx Storm excerpt. This came out earlier today. It is hot off the presses, ladies and gentlemen. It is in the winter edition of the Cosmopolitan magazine. It's available on Kindle Unlimited and for free over on our Patreon. But don't worry, this is just the beginning of our Onyx Storm extravaganza. We will be back with more full theories, episodes and lots more before January 21st as we count down to that big event in all our lives. But tonight we are breaking down these three specific pages and all the information that they have given us. So this is your spoiler warning for all of Fourth Wing, all of Iron Flame, and for these three pages of the excerpt of Onyx Storm. So with that, take us away, Etta.

[Etta]

Okay, so listeners, before we dive into the meat of these three pages, I want to quickly break down what we think the timeline is based on some of the context clues that we have from, again, these three pages. So there are no chapters or page numbers attributed to the three pages that were released in the Cosmopolitan magazine. But we are pretty sure that these events are pretty immediately after the events of Iron Flame and the battle that occurred at the end of that book. For a couple of reasons, Sawyer is out of surgery, but he is still in the infirmary recovering. Plus, it's noted that when Violet and Rhiannon and Riddick run into the hallway, there are overflow beds of wounded. That to me means that we haven't had time to move people out of the infirmary to move wounded soldiers off the battlefield into the infirmary to be healed.

[Kim]

Right?

[Etta]

So again, it's likely, I would even say within the first 24, possibly 48 hours. Another reason is that Violet says we haven't found them out on patrol and the them is referring to the Venin. Now in order to set a patrol, we know that this has to have been maybe 12 hours again, 12. Somewhere in those first two days after the battle, because they've all somehow regrouped, formed a patrol to guard the perimeter of the squad. So because of those few things, we're pretty sure that these events happen within the first 48 hours after the events of book two. Another really big clue to us that we all picked up on when we were reading this is that a writing tactic that authors use at the beginning of a book is to provide definitions or have a conversation that somehow goes over key plot points or ideas that happened in previous books. And it acts as a reminder for the readers so we don't have to necessarily all do a reread before you enter the world again. And in these three pages, specifically, Taryn and Violet have a conversation where the definition of a conduit is given. Again, that is something that is typically not done unless it's at the beginning of a book to remind readers of what something is. So for those reasons, we are pretty sure that these three pages are probably within the first chapter, if not even the first three pages of the book itself. So with that being said, that is what we think the timeline is on this book. Kim, will you take us away into what is happening at the start of all this?

[Kim]

I would love to. I would love to. Okay, so has hit the fan. Venin have infiltrated Biscaya. They are masquerading as scribes. So we are theorizing that the Venin have killed the scribes and are stealing their robes. And actually, Christina found something very interesting from Iron Flame. This is from page 342. This is before Violet goes to class and Jack Barlow pops back up and is like, surprise, I'm alive. And we were all like, why, though? Nobody wants why.

[Christina]

Hate it.

[Etta]

Why are you back?

[Kim]

Hate it, Hate it. But fine. Okay, so this is what it says. A scribe cadet walks by, but I can't see who it is with the hood up. That's odd. Usually they're only in the quadrant for death roll or whenever M4RKIM needs extra people.

[Etta]

Suspicious.

[Kim]

That's suspicious. So do we feel like M4rkim, who is the head scribe, for those of you who need a refresher? Do we feel like he's involved in this? Like, helping the Venin pose as scribes, or. No. Like, do we think he's involved with the venom infiltrating the school or.

[Etta]

No.

[Christina]

My gut instinct feels like no. I feel like he knows the history, but I do not think that he is involved in them infiltrating the school. But then again, I don't know. There's a really popular theory that maybe he's the one that killed her dad because he found out something that he shouldn't have.

[Etta]

I could see that.

[Christina]

And also that is why Lilith has said that maybe that's why she was like, you can't be a scribe. I want you to be a writer. But maybe that's because she thinks he's dangerous. So I actually don't know.

[Etta]

Yeah. M4Rkim gives me, like, the vibe that he is somebody who will protect what he believes the history is at all costs and what everybody has been taught at all costs. Because that's his job. Whether it's right or wrong, he will protect that history because that's all he wants people to know. Like, he wants everyone to live in this world of ignorant, not ignorant, bliss. But I think, like Christina said, I don't necessarily think that he is responsible or complicit in bringing the Venin in, but I do think that he's complicit in a different way. And that's hiding the truth at all costs.

[Kim]

Absolutely.

[Etta]

Including possibly killing her father.

[Kim]

Right. I mean, because we've theorized that, like, did Markham kill Papa Sorrengail because of his research and. Or him knowing something that he shouldn't?

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And is that something Venin related?

[Etta]

Yes, very well.

[Kim]

Could be. So the Venin are sucking the life out of the wounded. We're back in. We're back in the three pages here. They are sucking the life out and they're leaving these desiccated corpses in their wakes.

[Christina]

It's really getting vampire in an interesting way that I don't think we've seen before. I think we thought that Venon. Like, we're kind of vampire. Ish in ways, but I think this is the most vampire example we've seen. Yeah, for sure.

[Kim]

Yeah. It doesn't look good. And it's not a fun visual.

[Etta]

No, no.

[Kim]

I get that's not what we're doing right now, but it just was like, wow, this is rough. Where's Zaden?

[Etta]

We're setting the scene for, like, what's to come.

[Kim]

Yeah. And I'm scared. And I'm scared, to be honest with you.

[Christina]

And you know what? It scared me.

[Kim]

It scared me. Okay, what's next, Anna?

[Etta]

Okay. All right. So I will say that it's been, aside from, like, obviously all of the, like, theorizing that immediately we start doing it was really fun. To just be back with our favorite characters, you know, like, seeing Andar be sassy talking. You know, when they're all going out to hunt the Venin. And she just kind of pops into Violet's mind and she's like, bring their bodies outside once you're done killing them so we can roast them for fun. And it's like. It's like, what, Andarna?

[Christina]

Like, I'm obsessed with this. Andarna. This. Like, I'm cute, but I'm bloodthirsty.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Christina]

Like, I'm obsessed with it.

[Etta]

I breathe fire.

[Kim]

Yeah. I'm sweet, but I'm psycho.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Kim]

It's like.

[Etta]

This isn't like. We're not roasting marshmallows, Andarna.

[Christina]

These are people. Oh, my God, Kim. That's exactly what it is. I'm cute, but I'm psycho. I'm sweet, but I'm psycho, but I'm.

[Etta]

Yeah. Oh, my God. That's her song.

[Kim]

This is Andarna's theme song.

[Etta]

That's Andarna's song.

[Kim]

Canon. It's canon.

[Etta]

Okay, so. And we have Riddick. Riddick's hilarious. I love him so much. Like, I swear to God, if he dies, I will not be okay.

[Kim]

I'll ride in the streets.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

You'll never hear the end of it from me.

[Christina]

I mean, he's really our one funny character. Like, she can't kill him. Like, no one else is funny.

[Kim]

No one else is funny.

[Christina]

Let's be real. I mean.

[Kim]

No.

[Christina]

No. Sorry. Sorry. No other human is funny. Yeah, we have funny dragons, but, like, all of our other humans are, like, pretty serious, you know? So I think if we kill him, we're actually killing the human. Joy.

[Etta]

Like, you know, and we need that.

[Kim]

That's important to us.

[Etta]

We need it.

[Christina]

You know what I mean?

[Kim]

Because there's a lot of serious shit going on. There's a lot of serious critic to be, like, just saying shit that everybody's thinking. No one wants to say.

[Christina]

He is our narrator.

[Etta]

He is. He's all of us.

[Christina]

He is all of us. He is our narrator. Violet is an unreliable narrator. And he is a funny, reliable narrator.

[Kim]

Love that. Yes.

[Etta]

I'm going to quickly break down the scene that Riddick, Violet and Rhiannon are walking into when they decide to go down to the dungeons and investigate. There are four Venin in the dungeon trying to break out Jack, which. Good riddance. Take the motherfucker, like, literally. We do not need him here. Like, goodbye, bye. Don't care.

[Christina]

Truly the way I would be like, please Take him away. Here's the lock and key.

[Kim]

Like, yes.

[Christina]

My God, I hate him. I also feel like he can't have figured out that many secrets. He's such a dumb. Dumb. Like, what's he going to. What's he going to give them? Like, I can't.

[Kim]

Yeah, take him. It's worth it to me. It's worth. Worth the risk. Get him out of here.

[Etta]

Okay, so there are four Venon. Two are dressed as scribes, which Kim's already touched upon. The third is a female. She has a ruby hilted sword and is torturing a guard. I don't know if this ruby hilted sword is important or not, but it's mentioned like three times, which suspicious has to be.

[Christina]

Has to be. Literally, this sword has to be important. It has to come back. It has to be.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Etta]

Okay. The fourth is shrouded in shadows. Now listen to this quote, y'all. Rebecca really was like, I'm gonna drop this nugget and let you guys all play with it for the next two months. Listen to this quote. Her long silver braid swings free of her hood as her attention whips in our direction. And her eerie red gaze jumps to mine and widens slightly under a faded tattoo on her forehead. My blood chills when a smirk tilts her mouth, distorting the red veins at her temples. And then she disappears. Now, guys, there is so much here. Christina, will you please take it away so that we can break this down?

[Christina]

I would love to. There's so much here. I mean, truly. It's like you said. It's as if she was like, you know, what scene could I pick? Well, they'll lose their minds about this little tidbit. It's three sentences, but I know my people and they will lose their minds. The first thing is this silver braid. I can't tell you how specific this feels. It is silver. Especially considering later the Vinnin calls her the silver braid. He says not the silver one. We're using the same word to describe their hair. Also, Violet has her hair in a braid. It's just like too much. It's too much.

[Etta]

It's so weird. It's so weird.

[Christina]

It's too similar. We're doing something here. I'm just. We're doing something with the hair color. Okay. I don't know what it is yet, but it's happening.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Christina]

Okay. Also, one of the biggest questions happening right now in the fandom is where did she go? How did this Vinnin disappear? What happened? How did she jump from place to place? There are so, so many fun theories going on. A lot of things. People are talking teleportation, people are talking astral projection. Remember, Quinn's signet is astral projection. Is she our distance wielder? There's a lot going on. But before we jump into those theories, a few reminders for anyone who is confused. We've had a few questions. How she can use magic within the wards now that the words are back up. So I do want to do a refresher of what Jack. Jack. What Jack Barlow told us. Okay, so he did tell us that the wards, quote, do not block all the paths power, like the dragons want you to think they do. We can still feed from the ground, still channel enough to survive. He goes on to say, pretty much, they might not be at full strength, but they can still channel. With the wards up, they're just weakened, not powerless, which I think is very important to remember going forward and for this interaction. Yes, also a reminder. This is a really, really specific reminder that I completely forgot about until I went back and searched the word disappear. In both books, we have seen Venon disappear before, specifically at the battle at Ressen. The sage, who we now know is General, he slams his staff into the ground and disappears like he was never there in the first place. So this has happened before with the Venon, and we've seen it on page. Also, if we remember in the hierarchy of Venon, a sage specifically has, quote, veins perpetually distended toward their temples. And when we meet our new silver haired friend, our new silver haired girly, she smirks and it says that it's quote, distorted the red veins at her temple. So we think we can safely confirm that she is a sage and whatever power that she is disappearing with is maybe something you get when you become a Sage level Venon. I don't know if it's particular to her. I think it might be something that is a power that happens with Sages when you're at that level of venom. Because we saw it happen at the Battle of Resin. So our other major, major question here happening in the fandom is what is up with this faded tattoo on her forehead? Truly, this threw me.

[Etta]

Yeah, like what a place.

[Christina]

This absolutely sent me. I was like, this feels important. And also just like so specific. Believe me, I've searched forehead, I've searched tattoo. Nothing has come up. Like, I've searched visuals of all the gods. Nothing. Okay, but people are talking about the only other really tattoo type thing that we don't know much about is the rune shaped scar on Brennan's hand. So more on that specific rune shaped scar in Further theories episodes. Because there's a lot to break down there. But it is important to note to this specific conversation that if we look at chapter two in Iron Flame, we think that it's safe to assume that it was put there, this rune shaped scar on Britain's hand by Naolin. And interestingly enough, we also think that he might be alive and be Venon.

[Etta]

So show me a body.

[Christina]

So show me a body and take that for what you will. Okay.

[Etta]

One of these days it's going to work out. One of these days it will say it enough.

[Christina]

You know what? We're going to manifest it. This is not dead. Okay. But that also still wouldn't explain why it's on her forehead and what the hell it means. But it still just feels maybe connected. And we will work on that further in our theories episodes. But speaking of theories, Kim, take us through some of the most popular, the most discussed theories in the fandom right now about this silver haired venom.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

Okay. Would love to. So one of the more popular theories is people are saying, is this Violet from the future, Is Violet somehow like time traveling and Violet now is seeing herself in the future?

[Etta]

Right.

[Kim]

Because I think we can all safely agree that we don't think Violet is hallucinating. We think that this actually did happen. Like Violet is not doing some weird thing where like the girl was there and disappeared and nobody else in the room actually saw it. We can safely assume it actually did happen.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

So if she's not hallucinating, is this Violet from the future? But wouldn't Violet recognize herself?

[Etta]

Yeah, that was. What was weird to me is that there was no sense of recognition. And I feel like if you saw yourself in the future, you'd be startled. You wouldn't be able to just jump right back into like fighting. Like there would be some recognition there. Right.

[Christina]

Well, I also think that just a tattoo on your forehead wouldn't make you not recognize yourself.

[Etta]

Oh, 100%.

[Kim]

Are we thinking though that being a Venin, as you move along the process, could it change your appearance to the point where you.

[Etta]

I mean, aside from like the red rim dyes in the temples, I think you're. Yeah, I think you would still recognize yourself.

[Kim]

Okay.

[Christina]

The only real thing that's mentioned in the hierarchy of Venin about aging is when it discusses sages. It says the eyes are permanently red, their veins perpetually distended toward their temples, except expanding with age. So we do have context that they age but we don't know that they have age. Same way. But we also. It feels like they would age in a way that they would still look alike. Like, look like themselves.

[Etta]

Yeah, I agree.

[Kim]

I agree. So I don't think this is Violet from the future, but that. This is a very popular theory. Another very popular theory is, is this a secret sibling of violence?

[Etta]

Oh, God.

[Christina]

Guys, I would. I would. This is the drama that we. I feel like this would be wild.

[Etta]

I would not like this. We've already had. Brennan came back, and then we had Jack come back, and I'm like, can we stop bringing people back? Can we, like, pick Elaine?

[Christina]

I don't know. I think it has some weight. I think it's fun.

[Etta]

But how? Who would she be? How.

[Kim]

I know. I don't.

[Etta]

That's what I don't get.

[Christina]

I think it'd be fun.

[Etta]

Like, But I'm saying, how. Like, how would Violet not know? Like, how much older than Brennan must that person be for her not to remember? Like, her mother must have had her if her mother gave birth. Yeah, Right. But I'm saying that would mean, like, her mother would have to have been.

[Kim]

Very young because Brennan and Meera don't know.

[Etta]

Brennan has to not remember her. Mira has to not remember her. Violet has to not remember her. So I'm saying that there has to have been. Unless she was, like, given up for adoption or something right away.

[Kim]

Maybe.

[Christina]

That's what I think. Maybe. I think if Mama Sorengale was with a Vennon and was like, nope, don't want this baby.

[Etta]

Oh, so it's not Papa Sorrengal's baby.

[Christina]

I think it has to be a Venin bed bag.

[Etta]

We're getting Jerry Springer over here.

[Kim]

We are.

[Etta]

Who is the daddy?

[Kim]

Gu. Like, okay, I don't want to spoil it, but if you've watched Pretty Little Liars, you would know. You would know what this theory feels like. And the way we would scream and.

[Christina]

The way that we would need that actress to play this role because she played both those twins fantastically.

[Kim]

I would need. I would need her to come in for the TV movie adaptation, whatever's happening. Okay, so let's talk about some receipts for this. Potentially so from Iron Flame. This is page 870. This is a missive sent from Nolan, who is a healer. He was Violet's, like, personal healer to Lilith, and it used Lilith's first name. So we can assume further. This is something personal, a personal topic to Lilith because she's General Lilith. Soren. Gail, not General Soren. Gail, this is what he says. We have tried every method we know of, as you requested. There is no cure. There is only control.

[Christina]

This missive is. This is used for a lot of theories, and I think it's fascinating. And I think it could honestly be Secret child that he's like, well, this child that you've given to me to try to fix. Like, no, there's just no way. But also, it could be used for so many theories. I love this missive. It's like, really gives us so much.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Etta]

I love that. That's one of my favorite ones to keep rereading. So I'm like, what were you trying to cure?

[Kim]

Who? What are you trying to cure? Is it Violet?

[Etta]

This long lost sister? Was it Papa Sorrengale?

[Kim]

Exactly. Okay. Because the context this missive is above the chapter where Zaden has been fighting the Venin, and he eventually gives in and agrees to be turned to save Violet.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

So I'd like to think that Rebecca is placing these missives for a reason. She's placed them on top of these chapters that kind of go together.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So obviously we can assume this is Venon related.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

But like you guys have said, is it Violet? Is it Papa, Sor and Gail? Is it a sibling? We don't know. Or are we setting up the idea that silver hair is part of some venom?

[Etta]

Yes.

[Kim]

I mean, this makes sense, right? Because this girl has silver hair, is clearly a Venin. We know that. Okay. Really adds fuel to the fire that Violet is either half or part Venin. And this explains why in book two and in this excerpt, the Venin always say that they need Violet. They are clearly under very strict instructions not to kill her.

[Etta]

Yep.

[Christina]

There is also a moment at the end of Iron Flame where Jack Barlow says, I will never understand why you're so important. Why he wants you so much, why you're so important.

[Etta]

Oh, Jack is just such a piece of shit.

[Kim]

Jacqueline, quit shit stirring and, like, give some real info.

[Etta]

Why does everybody like you?

[Kim]

Yeah, I'm cool, too. No, you're not.

[Etta]

Shut the fuck up.

[Christina]

Truly, please die.

[Kim]

Please.

[Christina]

But the idea, too, that she's so important, I think. God, the second that that venom had silver hair, I was like, every person out there that is pro. She's part. Venon is living. Living for this.

[Kim]

Yes, Living. Okay, so in this, the silver hair girl goes away. And then the other Ven, they're saying to each other, not the silver hair.

[Etta]

Okay?

[Kim]

Not the silver hair. We need her now. Violet, I think, takes this a different way. And she's basically inferring, like, oh, you want to use me to get to Xaden to do whatever they want.

[Etta]

Right.

[Kim]

She's like, I won't be used against him again. And people are kind of freaking out about the again. But I think it just means what happened at the end of Iron Flame. Like, Zayden agreed to be turned to save her. I think that's what she means by again.

[Etta]

I agree.

[Kim]

I think it's more than just using her to get to Zaden. Because at the end of book two, when one of the Venin initiates shows up in the scene with Cat and Violet, the Venin says that she, the Venin will be rewarded if she returns Violet to her sage.

[Christina]

Yeah, she's important.

[Etta]

Violet is very important. I mean, obviously, she's our chosen one.

[Kim]

Right. Violet is very important. Jack says it. So we all know Violet and Adarna are absolutely key to what's to come. And it's something about the two of them together that we think is going to help cure the venom.

[Etta]

Yeah. So I'm really excited to touch more upon Andarna and Violet in, like, theories episodes because there is so much there to unpack. I mean, yeah, Andarna waited 650 years to hatch for this girl.

[Kim]

What do you mean?

[Etta]

But.

[Christina]

What do you mean, though?

[Etta]

Why?

[Kim]

But tell us four.

[Christina]

Was she literally physically just sitting there? I need to know exactly.

[Kim]

What does she hear? Okay, but Anna, can we please talk about our shadow Daddy? Zayden?

[Etta]

Shadow Daddy has entered the chat, ladies and gentlemen.

[Christina]

Oh, we've come home. We've come home.

[Etta]

We are feral puddles again.

[Kim]

Daddy is home.

[Etta]

Daddy is home. Literally, his smokes, like, infiltrate the entire dungeon. And Violet's just like. It feels like home. It caresses her cheek. And I was like, caress mine, Zaden.

[Kim]

Caress mine. Please, please, God.

[Christina]

Literally, my head was like, oh, my God. A sexy shadow caressing your cheek.

[Kim]

Shut up.

[Etta]

Shut up.

[Kim]

It has to be Zaden.

[Etta]

I mean, literally, this man breathes, and we're just like, uh huh, tell me more.

[Kim]

Uh huh, Tell me more.

[Etta]

Tell me why I love you so much.

[Christina]

He could do no wrong.

[Kim]

Literally, he can.

[Etta]

Okay, so a couple things to note that are important from the last few paragraphs. Not a single trace of red is anywhere near Zaden's irises. That's what Violet notes. So, okay, all this really tells us, though, is that he hasn't pulled from the source recently. Because remember, initiates, he's in a quote unquote, like an initiate, right? He's just recently been Turned. So remember that initiate level that and only have red rimmed eyes depending on how often they drain from the source. Which is how Jack Barlow was able to blend so seamlessly with the rest of the writers in book two. When he re entered is probably because he was limiting when and how often he pulled from the source and you know, gained more magic or power.

[Christina]

And they can't do too much behind the words anyway. So it's like it.

[Etta]

Right? Exactly. Yeah. So we're not quite sure like what this means for Xaden, because again, this is only the first three pages and it's directly after he really hasn't been venom for that long, if our timeline is correct. Okay, but there is one other thing I want to touch on that's kind of seems important and lots of people have been asking questions surrounding this. Zaden and Garrick are referred to as second lieutenants. Okay. This is. It seems to be like a new designation, right? Yes, but I want to make this known. This is easily Google. But also we triple checked with Kim's friend who is a military man.

[Kim]

Thanks Price.

[Etta]

And the way that the lieutenant ranking works in the military is that second lieutenant is like the lowest ranking. Then you can be promoted to first lieutenant. This is important to note because Zaden has already been referred to as Lieutenant Ryerson in Iron Flame by Meera specifically. So him being a lieutenant is actually not new information. But also important to note that whether you are a second lieutenant or a first lieutenant, you can just be referred to as lieutenant in casual conversation. So why is Rebecca mentioning the second lieutenant ranking in this excerpt at all? Could be for a few reasons. It's the beginning of the book. So Rebecca is just reminding us of Zayden's place in Navarre's military. She's just. Hey, guys. Same as I did with the conduit. By the way, Zaden is a second lieutenant now. She is making it more specific in this book. And why is she doing that? Is she just setting us up for something later? Is he possibly going to be promoted to first lieutenant in the next book? I don't necessarily think. I think we all read this and we go, oh my God, he's been promoted. But like I said, he's already been a lieutenant and he can't have been promoted to second lieutenant because that's the lowest rank. So I think she's just simply like setting the groundwork for what his specific. Him and Garrick's specific rank is in Navarre's military and whether that's going to take us someplace Else. And he's going to be promoted later. I'm not sure.

[Christina]

So when we say lowest rank, we mean, like, when they graduate, they get second lieutenant, right? Is that what we're saying?

[Etta]

Yes.

[Christina]

Like it's automatic.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Christina]

So it's not like lowest rank in general. It's lowest rank once you've graduated. First lieutenant is higher, is what we're saying.

[Etta]

Yes, first lieutenant is higher. So second lieutenant. And you can be called a lieutenant. I mean, if you want to get really into the nitty gritty, you can also be called an ensign. E, N, S, I, G N. If I saw that correctly. Usually you're just referred to as Lt. Ryerson. He would just be called that. But he is a second lieutenant, so he wasn't promoted because you can't be. If he was a first lieutenant, then he would have been demoted.

[Kim]

That's why it was confusing to me, because in the recover correspondence, he's just called Lieutenant Ryerson to Cadet Violet sortingale. So to me, I don't know, it just seemed weird to go back and be more specific in a future book. Like, why not start out more specific and then just call him Lieutenant now? But, yeah, Rebecca can do whatever she wants. Obviously. What do we think about the shields, though? Let's talk about. Why are his shields up?

[Etta]

Oh, yes. Okay. So there's this quote. Violet is trying to, I think, get to Zaden when she. Before she even runs into the dungeon.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Etta]

And it says, not only are, like, his shields up, not only are they up, but they're impenetrable. So I read that, and I immediately thought, oh, they're up. Because not only now is he protecting himself from others, finding out that he's an intensic. He's venon. So if anybody is able to access and break into his shield and find out that he's vented, that's another death sentence right there.

[Kim]

True.

[Etta]

So I think they're up for that reason.

[Christina]

I think that makes sense. I think that's logical. But her having Violet be like, huh? Why are they impenetrable? Makes me feel like he was doing something he didn't want her to know. Or like maybe there was some sort of piece that he was like, I can't talk to you right now. Or maybe it's like he sigails pissed at him. Maybe he's like, I just have to shut down the whole group chat. Like, we don't know.

[Etta]

Yeah, the whole group chat.

[Kim]

Let's just. Just mute the whole group chat.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Christina]

It felt like she thought it was strange. Which means that I think no matter what time we're in, he hasn't had them up. Impenetrable this whole time.

[Kim]

Exactly.

[Christina]

It felt like a new development that they were impenetrable.

[Etta]

Interesting. Absolutely.

[Kim]

I agree. And I think that Zaden is talented enough that he could let her in while still.

[Christina]

Agreed.

[Kim]

Keeping everybody else out. And so the fact that she notes it.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Obviously, to me, that means Rebecca wants the reader to note it as well. Right. Because why else would Violet, like, mention it?

[Christina]

Agree.

[Kim]

She doesn't seem. She's like, that's okay. Like, I can handle it myself. She's not like, whoa, stop the press.

[Etta]

Right.

[Kim]

But she does, like, bring it up. She's like, that's weird to me. It's like, not only up, but in penetrable means. If they're up, she could still potentially get in.

[Etta]

Right.

[Kim]

But impenetrable means, like, she can't get in at all, which is clearly not the norm.

[Christina]

Agreed. And all we know is that him and Garrett come back in, and it seems that they have. They have snow on them. They've been outside. That's what she knows.

[Etta]

Yes. They've been outside in the snow. Which, again, the end of Iron Flame takes place after winter solstice.

[Kim]

Right.

[Etta]

So we're still in the wintertime if there's snow outside.

[Christina]

Yes. We're still in the winter times.

[Kim]

It's winter times and war times, but yeah.

[Etta]

And then. Oh, God, I love at the end, like, the last line that we get is, tell me something, Violence. Why is it always you?

[Kim]

I don't know.

[Etta]

I just love when he calls her violence. It's such a flirty little bit.

[Christina]

I love the violence. I feel like it's a sweet thing. I think some people were saying that they feel like it's him separating. He's going back. He's reverting back and being like, okay, violence. Like, kind of like reverting back to first book. They're, like, putting a separation between them. And I think that's maybe also because of the impenetrable comment, but I think that violence, to me, feels like a sweet nickname. He's like, actually, like. It feels like a personal sweet thing to me that I've missed.

[Etta]

Yeah, I agree. I think that's. He calls her that throughout Iron Flame, too.

[Christina]

Yeah, I just. I've missed it. I don't know. I thought it was really sweet.

[Etta]

Yeah, I agree.

[Christina]

Also, the why Is It Always yous? Was really giving me Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter when she's like, why is it always you3?

[Etta]

Why do you always get yourselves into these situations?

[Kim]

I loved it. I felt like it was really endearing and, like, jokey. And it shows that he's still himself to a. He's still Zaden.

[Etta]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And that's what we're always worried about is that he's not gonna, like, it's gonna be not Xaden. And so this really showed us that. She even says she's like, he's nothing like who we just fought.

[Etta]

Right. This little scene that we get with Zaden coupled with the very end when we have Zaden's POV and he wakes up in her bed and he says, I love you just because he can. And he, like, pushes her hair behind her ears when she's still asleep. Like, that coupled with this gives me relief because I'm like, okay, he's still in there. And like, going back to that quote that Kim you read earlier about Lilith looking for a cure. And Nolan says there's only control. And I really think that what we're going to see in this book is going to be Zaden grappling with control of being a Venin. And I think if anybody can do it, this man could teach a thesis in control. He really has mastered that.

[Kim]

Absolutely.

[Christina]

Agreed. I think my big fear is he's going to be like, oh, self sacrifice. Y and I have to save you from me. And I'm so.

[Etta]

Yeah, I hope not.

[Christina]

I think he's going to be okay controlling himself at best guy. The wards are up. He doesn't have that temptation. But I think that from the synopsis, we know that they're going to travel outside the wards to find allies. I think he's not going to want Violet to go by herself. And so I think he's going to go with her and he's going to have to deal with that temptation of playing with the source. Rebecca said it's like an addiction.

[Etta]

Yes.

[Christina]

She said it's this, like, pull and this need. So I think we're going to play with that and I think it's going to be hard and rough.

[Etta]

Yes, agreed. There's going to be some uphill battles for sure.

[Kim]

There is. There is. Okay, well, I think that wraps it up, you guys. We are going to try to get this out to you guys as soon as possible. So we're going to stop it here. But like Christina said, there will be so much more Onyx Storm Theory episodes. All the content, all the things. So stay tuned for that. Make sure you are following us. On our Patreon. We are going to be doing some special Patreon exclusive theory stuff. All the content, all the things that link, of course, will be in our show notes. Make sure you're following us on Instagram and Tik Tok at Flights of Fantasy podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And until next time, cheers and happy reading.

[Etta]

Cheers.

[Kim]

Cheers.

[Christina]

Bye.