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Onyx Storm Chapters

Original world concepts and names based on the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Illustrated reference diagram created for Romantasy Wiki.

Timeline Fix: Was Rhiannon’s Chapter a Flash-Forward?

 
If you finished the final battle of Onyx Storm and felt like your brain was spinning faster than one of Theophanie’s tornadoes, you aren’t alone. Between the perspective shifts and the sheer scale of the massacre at Draithus, the timeline gets… blurry.
 
After diving deep into the text and sharing this theory on Reddit, I think I’ve uncovered the “true” chronological order of the finale. It turns out, Rhiannon’s Chapter (Ch 61) might have been placed out of order to purposely keep us in the dark.
 
The Theory: The “Real” Chronology
 
While the book lists them sequentially, the actual events likely flow in this order: Chapter 62 ➔ Chapter 63 ➔ Chapter 64 ➔ Chapter 61 ➔ Chapter 65.
 
Here is the breakdown of why the standard order doesn’t quite fit the evidence.
Need a re-read to spot these clues yourself? Grab the [Onyx Storm Deluxe Edition] to see the hidden details in the endpaper maps! 

1. The “Infernal Wind” Connection

At the beginning of Chapter 61, Rhiannon mentions that the “infernal wind stopped.” To understand why this is a massive clue, we have to look at Violet’s chapters. The catastrophic tornado doesn’t even start until Chapter 62. It reaches its peak while Violet is in the Eastern Mountains fighting for her life in Chapter 64.

If the wind has already stopped for Rhiannon in Chapter 61, she is actually experiencing the aftermath of Violet’s showdown with the Maven.

 

 

2. Rhiannon Already Knows the Body Count

In Chapter 61, Rhiannon is visibly spiraling with worry for Imogen, Quinn, and Violet.

      • Quinn: We don’t see Quinn die until the end of Chapter 63 in the South City Tower.

      • Imogen: At the end of Chapter 63, Imogen is in such severe shock that Garrick has to physically carry her away from the tower.

      • Violet: Rhiannon knows Violet has disappeared over the mountains, which happens during the tornado in Chapter 64.

    For Rhiannon to be worried about these specific events at the start of Chapter 61, they must have already happened.

    3. Xaden’s Vantage Point in the Valley

    The ultimate “smoking gun” is in Chapter 65. As Xaden moves through the South Valley, he sees two things that anchor the timeline:

        1. He sees Imogen staring up at the sky. This is exactly how her POV ends in Chapter 63.

        1. He sees Rhiannon’s squad fighting at the pass, which is the primary action of her Chapter 61.

      The Verdict: A Tactical Misdirection?

      Why would Rebecca Yarros put Rhiannon’s chapter earlier? It’s a classic fantasy pacing trick. By placing Rhiannon’s struggle before we see Quinn’s death or Violet’s “divine strike” with the marble dagger, it heightens the tension and keeps the “marriage” and “venin” twists for the very end.

      What do you think? Did the “out of order” POVs confuse you on the first read, or did you catch the wind shifting? Drop your theories in the comments!

      Legal Disclaimer: This is an unofficial fan-made timeline. Characters, lore, and plot points belong to Rebecca Yarros and Red Tower Books.