One major storyline from Fourth Wing still feels unfinished—and a seemingly minor character from Onyx Storm might be the key to unlocking it in Book 4. While updates on the next installment of The Empyrean Series remain limited, that hasn’t stopped fans (myself included) from diving deep into speculation, especially after the explosive ending of Onyx Storm. The third book introduced a wave of new characters, adding even more layers to an already intricate plot—making this overlooked character’s potential role all the more intriguing.
Rebecca Yarros not only broadened the worldbuilding in Onyx Storm by introducing the Isle Kingdoms, but she also deepened the arcs of characters we’d previously seen only in passing. While a few new faces got brief moments in the spotlight, it’s clear some are poised to play pivotal roles in shaping the fates of returning characters in the next Empyrean book. One such character, Drake Cordella, stood out to me. Though his role in Onyx Storm was relatively minor, he holds the potential to become far more significant in the story to come.
Drake May Be a Minor Character in Onyx Storm, But He Deserves a Bigger Role in Book 4
Although Drake Cordella only played a minor role in Onyx Storm, he’s a character who absolutely deserves more spotlight in Book 4. As Cat’s cousin and Captain of the elite Nightwing Drift, Drake brings both authority and personality to the story. His witty, spirited clashes with Mira added a spark to his limited scenes, but there’s far more to him than banter. Not only is he a high-ranking flier, but he’s also the author of one of Basgiath’s key educational texts on venin strategy—making him a potentially crucial figure in the battles ahead.
Drake gets a bit more spotlight in Onyx Storm when he’s chosen—alongside Cat—to represent Poromiel on the Quest Squad, much to Mira’s frustration. His quick wit, often compared to Ridoc’s, shines through in moments like the memorable scene with Broccoli the cat on Zenhylla, delivering one of the book’s standout quotes. But beneath the humor lies a sharp tactical mind and a surprisingly compassionate heart. This balance becomes especially clear during Trager’s death, where Drake manages to keep Cat respectful toward their hosts while still acknowledging and supporting her grief.
Drake’s blend of sharp humor and tactical skill makes him an ideal candidate for a larger role in the next book. With Book 4 likely taking on a darker tone, Rebecca Yarros will need more than just Ridoc to provide moments of levity—and Drake’s wit is perfectly suited to fill that gap. Beyond the humor, his frontline experience with the venin could prove invaluable to Violet as she seeks deeper understanding beyond what the textbooks offer. Giving Drake more page time wouldn’t just benefit the plot—it could also help reinforce the series’ larger themes, including one that Onyx Storm only lightly touched.
Drake Might Be the Missing Link in Unlocking One of Fourth Wing’s Most Crucial Storylines
Through Drake, Yarros has a prime opportunity to revisit and deepen the tensions between fliers and riders—and the nations they represent—a thread introduced in Fourth Wing but largely set aside in Onyx Storm. Navarre’s long-standing war with Poromiel played a significant role in why their leaders dismissed the venin threat, a conflict that was heavily emphasized in the first book. Iron Flame further illustrated this hostility, particularly through characters like Cat and the younger generation of fliers. However, aside from a brief moment during the opening negotiations at Basgiath, Onyx Storm largely moved away from this storyline. While shifting focus to the rising threat of the venin was important, it left earlier political and cultural dynamics underexplored.
As a member of Poromiel’s new royal family, Drake is uniquely positioned to reignite one of Fourth Wing’s most compelling storylines. By sharing his personal experiences and offering deeper insight into flier culture and mentality—perspectives largely absent beyond the Iron Squad—Drake could bridge the gap between riders and fliers. His role could help the Senarium and key characters move past long-standing grudges, not just for the sake of defeating the venin, but to forge lasting unity. In doing so, Drake could refocus the narrative on themes of history, reconciliation, and collaboration—threads Onyx Storm set aside but the series still needs to explore.
