It just dawned on me… what if Brennan’s signet is mending because what he wanted most in the world was to help Violet with her pain? They say signets are what the rider is at their core and, despite his many flaws, Brennan loves Violet.
He grew up watching his little sister —someone he should keep safe— always in pain, always breaking, always crying, and it made him wish he could do something about it, so his signet gave him a chance to help her. Because, back then, before the venin and the Battle of Aretia, Brennan was first and foremost a brother, Violet’s brother.
This is what I think happened. And I so hope I'm wrong about this.
Firstly a vast majority of the fandom believes that Naolin turned Venin. I belong to this group. I do think that Naolin is 100% venin, there is no reason to bring up a dead guy this much otherwise.
Although, I do not think that Naolin turned when he tried to save Brennan. (I dont think he saved B at all but we'll get to that) I think, that Naolin was an initiate already, and probably became an Asim when he pulled from the ground to save Brennan. But see Naolin was not a mender.
Naolin was a SIPHON ( Venin opposite of Sloane). He could only have siphoned power back into Brennan and I'm not sure B was even conscious to have mended himself. No, see, I think Naolin siphoned his power into the rune that is on Brennan's hand. I don't think he saved Brennan at all, I think Brennan was already dead and Naolin used the rune to resurrect him.
Why ? It is possible that they were in love and Naolin couldn't let Brennan die but unlike Xaden he didn't have anyone to tether his soul and he lost all humanity after elevating to Asim and that's why Brennan woke up alone.
I also think Theophanie and Berwyn both answer to Naolin. I think he somehow became the big bad in the last 6-8 years .
I also think he wants violet because she has Tairn.
Back to the rune. Remember from Iron Flame how Wyvern are made ? The pulsing runes that Mira and Violet take out of them..
See where I'm going?
Naolin brought Brennan back the same way Venin animate wyverns. With a rune.
The rune is keeping Brennan alive but only till the venin who created it lives.
Wyvern can be reanimated because of runes carved into onyx, which act as their hearts. This connects them to their venin creators and the whole hivemind thing. Brennan has the rune scar on his palm, which acted as the key to his reanimation after he was killed. Therefore, the venin ((Naolin)) will be able to see into all of the riders' plans because Brennan is lowkey part of the hivemind. In this essay I will--
There may not be a lot of us but damn if we don't cross-pollenate like mad.
Which is to say, "war prize Brennan" is originally the fault of @bookreaders24 and @benetnaschshugo and I am glad @bookreaders24 was willing to share.
(fic and art both under the readmore)
--
Brennan knew it sounded dramatic and illogical. It was probably the reason they discouraged serious relationships in the Quadrant. But he was entirely confident that Naolin had been the love of his life, and when the man had been declared missing and presumed dead after an attack from the venin empire, Brennan thought he would fall apart.
The Quadrant wouldn't let him fall apart, though. His duty as a squad leader got him through the year, because they were depending on him. The year after that, it was an entire wing that he was responsible for.
Brennan even tried dating again his third year, but it was useless. Everyone either reminded him of Naolin or couldn't compare to his memory. He put his effort the only place he could, training to fight the empire that had taken Naolin from him.
Even if graduation didn't bring the catharsis he'd hoped for. Even if he felt like he was being coddled to and held back from making a real difference because his signet was *too useful.* Even as he realized that most of leadership was just following Melgrin's notes like they were acting out a play, not trying to win a war.
Even when he wound up captured during a battle near the former Tyrrish capital of Aretia, lost to the venin empire decades before. He expected to be ransomed back to Navarre, or used to threaten his mother.
He didn't expect to be dressed as a concubine and brought before the imperial court.
He didn't expect to recognize the heir to the throne.
Brennaolin Week prompts! Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas to the form and in the discord! Make sure to tag @empyreanevents and use #brennaolinweek2026, or use the AO3 collection. As always, prompts are open to interpretation.
art by ariessential
Day 1: Angst | Give us some Brennaolin angst!
Day 2: Fluff | To recover from the previous day, give us some Brennaolin fluff!
Day 3: Sacrifice | Sacrifices were made on that fateful day they were both declared dead. What all were they? Were they worth it?
Day 4: Grief | Grief isn’t always about the dead. It can be about a life you didn’t get to live, a love you didn’t get to cherish. What does grief mean to Brennaolin?
Day 5: Modern AU | Modern AU Brennaolin! Does Brennan work at a coffee shop? Do they meet in a bar? Are they on the rival hockey teams? You decide!
Day 6: HEA | Give them a happily ever after I beg of you!!!
Day 7: Free Day | Canon or AU, the freedom is yours!
