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Xaden will become the Venin Messiah
This is one of the strongest Xaden theories after Onyx Storm. According to fans, Xaden's Venin transformation may not simply be a fall from grace. Instead, it could make him the only character capable of understanding the Venin from the inside.
Rather than becoming a traditional villain, Xaden could become a bridge between corrupted magic and human will. Fans often call this the “Venin Messiah” theory because it suggests that Xaden may be the first person able to survive Venin corruption without fully losing himself.
The main clue is that Xaden does not behave like a completely lost Venin. He still loves Violet, still makes strategic choices, and still seems aware of what he is becoming. Fan discussions also point to the fact that Xaden may need to stay close to the Venin to learn how they think, how they organize themselves, and whether their corruption can be reversed. Reddit theories frequently connect this idea with the possibility that Xaden is trying to gather information from Berwyn or the Venin hierarchy.
If this theory is true, Book Four could turn Xaden into the most morally complex character in the series: not fully hero, not fully monster, but someone walking directly through darkness to find a way out.
Xaden is entering his villain era
Rebecca Yarros has hinted that Xaden may enter a darker phase in the next book, which has fueled one of the most popular theories in the fandom: the “Villain Era” theory. This does not necessarily mean Xaden will become evil. Most readers believe he will become more dangerous, colder, and more willing to make morally questionable choices.
The strongest clues come from Xaden's increasing use of Venin power, his departure at the end of Onyx Storm, and the emotional separation from Violet. Business Insider reported that Yarros has teased Xaden's possible “villain era” and that Book Four is expected to deal with his growing Venin powers and the consequences of the Onyx Storm cliffhangers.
Fans believe this darker arc could force Violet to face a painful question: how far can someone go in the name of protection before they become the very threat they were fighting?
Xaden is working as a double agent
The double agent theory is very popular because it preserves Xaden's intelligence and strategic nature. According to this idea, Xaden has not simply abandoned Violet or surrendered to the Venin. He may have chosen to infiltrate them.
Several Reddit discussions argue that Xaden's departure feels too calculated to be simple surrender. Fans note that he may need information from Berwyn or another Venin leader, especially if Berwyn has become his Sage or is connected to Jack's corruption.
This theory also fits Xaden's personality. He has always been a planner, a protector, and someone willing to carry unbearable burdens alone. If he believes infiltrating the Venin is the only way to save Violet, Tyrrendor, or the riders, he would likely do it without asking permission.
The emotional cost would be enormous: Violet may believe he has truly left her, while Xaden secretly works from enemy territory.
Violet may hold Xaden's soul
This is one of the most emotional theories after Onyx Storm. Some fans believe that Xaden has given Violet a literal piece of his soul, possibly through their bond, their marriage, or her ring.
The theory often focuses on the language Xaden uses around Violet and his soul. Fans point to the repeated idea that Xaden's soul belongs to Violet and to the mysterious importance of the wedding ring. A Reddit theory suggests that Xaden and Violet's marriage in the temple may have transferred what remained of his soul into the ring, with Imogen erasing Violet's memory to protect the plan.
Another Reddit discussion also mentions the theory that Violet may be holding Xaden's soul while Sgaeyl understands or supports the decision.
If true, this would make Violet the key to Xaden's survival. He may not be completely lost because the best part of him is no longer inside his corrupted body.
Xaden may lose Sgaeyl
This is one of the most painful theories because it attacks the emotional and magical foundation of Xaden's identity as a rider.
According to this theory, Xaden's Venin corruption could damage or even sever his bond with Sgaeyl. Since dragon-rider bonds are central to the Empyrean world, losing Sgaeyl would represent more than heartbreak. It could mean losing one of the last things keeping Xaden connected to who he was.
Fans point to Sgaeyl's suffering and the growing strain around Xaden's corruption. Some theories also suggest that Xaden may try to break or weaken the connection between Sgaeyl and Tairn in order to protect Violet, because Violet's life is tied to the dragon bond network. One Reddit theory argues that Xaden's plan may have been to break the mating bond between Sgaeyl and Tairn to reduce the danger to Violet.
If this happens, Xaden's isolation in Book Four would become even more tragic. He would not only be separated from Violet, but also from his dragon.
Xaden's fate mirrors Naolin's story
The Naolin parallel theory is one of the most interesting because it connects Xaden's future to one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the series.
Fans have long questioned whether Naolin truly died while saving Brennan. Some believe Naolin became Venin after drawing too much power, creating a possible mirror for Xaden's current situation.
The major parallel is that both Naolin and Xaden appear to cross forbidden magical limits for someone they love or want to save. The fandom often links Naolin, Brennan, Tairn, and Venin corruption together because Naolin's fate remains suspiciously vague.
If Naolin became Venin, then Xaden may be repeating the same path. But the difference could be that Xaden's story gives readers the answer Naolin's story never did: whether Venin corruption can be survived, reversed, or redeemed.
This theory is especially useful for Book Four because it connects several mysteries at once: Xaden's future, Brennan's survival, Tairn's past, and the true cost of forbidden magic.
Xaden and Violet will be separated for most of Book Four
This is not the most dramatic theory, but it is probably one of the most likely. Many fans believe Book Four will keep Xaden and Violet apart for a large portion of the story.
The ending of Onyx Storm naturally creates separation: Xaden leaves, Violet has memory issues, and their relationship has been destabilized. Yarros has also said she dislikes love triangles but still intends to make Violet and Xaden “work for it,” according to People.
This suggests the conflict will remain centered on their bond, not on replacing it. A long separation would allow Violet to grow politically as Duchess of Tyrrendor while Xaden faces the consequences of his Venin transformation.
Dream-walking could become the bridge between them: not enough to fully reunite them, but enough to keep their emotional connection alive.
Violet may have to kill Xaden
This is the darkest theory, but it remains popular because the series repeatedly explores sacrifice, death, and impossible choices.
According to this theory, Violet may eventually have to kill Xaden to stop his corruption, save his soul, or prevent him from becoming something worse.
Fans often connect this theory to the repeated discussion of souls, Venin corruption, Malek, and the idea that Xaden may lose “what makes him him.” Empyrean Riders highlights a key passage where Xaden asks Violet to keep something safe and to sound the alarm if he goes too far.
Some readers interpret this as foreshadowing: Xaden already knows there may come a point where Violet must stop him.
This theory can also connect with the soul-ring theory. If Violet holds part of Xaden's soul, killing his corrupted body may not mean losing him forever.
Xaden will become the Duke or King of Tyrrendor
This theory focuses less on magic and more on politics. Since Xaden is revealed as the Duke of Tyrrendor, fans believe his arc may lead toward leadership rather than destruction.
Xaden already has the qualities of a ruler: strategic thinking, loyalty from marked ones, political legitimacy, and a deep connection to Tyrrendor. The revelation of his title makes his marriage to Violet politically explosive. Empyrean Riders emphasizes the importance of Xaden telling Violet that he is the Duke of Tyrrendor and the implications of what he asks her to protect.
If this theory is true, Xaden's Venin arc could become a test of whether he is worthy to rule. Book Four may not simply ask whether Violet can save him romantically, but whether Tyrrendor can survive having a corrupted duke.
Xaden may be the final sacrifice of the Empyrean series
This is the theory fans fear the most.
According to the final sacrifice theory, Xaden's story may end with him giving his life to save Violet, destroy the Venin, or restore balance to magic.
Xaden's character has always been defined by sacrifice. He protects the marked ones, protects Violet, protects Tyrrendor, and repeatedly chooses duty over his own peace. His Venin corruption intensifies this pattern: he may eventually decide that the only way to protect everyone is to remove himself from the world completely.
However, this theory is not guaranteed. Rebecca Yarros has also emphasized that the series is fully plotted and that Violet and Xaden's romance will face challenges rather than necessarily being replaced or discarded.
The final sacrifice theory remains powerful because it fits Xaden emotionally, but it may also be a misdirection. The real ending could be about finding a way to save someone who believes he is beyond saving.