On Bloomsbury’s recent IG post, they have three threads (or light beams?) twisting around and on the last pic with threads, one just spirals and fizzles out. Could this be Bryce, Hunt, and Azriel’s fates twisting and then Hunt’s line ends?
Alright guys. Another theory post for you! I’m in the mood and finally have time again.
This isn’t meant to be a total shipping post for Bryce and Azriel. However, due to its nature, I will bring it up. The theory can work even if they don’t end up being fated mates.
Kindness costs nothing. Remember what you were taught as a kid: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. I do NOT mind debates and discussions, but if you come on here just to be rude, I will report you to the mods. These are fictional characters.
Don't mind the silly graphics, I was having fun using a new software and just working on some design parameters.
Let’s talk about Ouroboros.
>“The Ouroboros, she called it. It was old even when we were young. A window to the world. All could be seen, all could be told through its dark surface. Keir possesses it—an heirloom of his household.”
>“The Ouroboros. The Mirror of Beginnings and Endings.”
Ouroboros AKA The beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega
We know that Feyre masters the mirror to get the Bone Carver to help her fight during the war with Hybern. We last hear of the mirror with the Bone Carver looking at it before leaving with Feyre. The mirror, covered in snow and ice.
Keir’s family originally owned the mirror “for millenia”. They were the original descendants of the Night Court before the land chose Rhysand’s father, and then Rhysand after him.
>“I was his and he was mine, and we were the beginning and middle and end” – Feyre, talking of the mating bond with Rhysand.
Bryce calls the sword and knife answering each other “alpha and omega” when Truth-teller flares with a dark light in the Townhouse.
The symbol Bryce wears on her neck, the Archesian Amulet, is the SAME set of three circles that the Bone Carver draws. Each circle represents Koschei, Stryga (the Weaver), and the Bone Carver respectively. The amulet came from Parthos…which is described as dust drifting across a plain.
>“Where we come from…I do not believe it is now anything more than dust drifting across a plain” – Bone Carver
By this, we see Bryce is connected to the storyline for the Bone Carver, Stryga, and Koschei. With both the Bone Carver and Stryga dead, that only leaves Koschei. We know that Koschei is gearing up to try to take control of Prythian, doing everything in his power to free himself from the ancient spell holding him to the lake, including controlling people who move freely around Prythian.
In ACOSF, Koschei indicates he has “spies” in the Night Court. He also indicates he has been preparing for Azriel for months. Why?
>“Clever, that Fae warrior. Her bloodline is long gone now—though a trace still runs through some human line…No one remembers her name, but I do. She would have been my salvation, had I not made my choice long before she walked this earth.”
One could easily infer that the Bone Carver is talking of Theia. Silene has her descendants through Mor and Rhysand, so it couldn’t be her. The BC, Stryga, and Koschei were said to be imprisoned long before Silene would have filled the Dusk Court with creatures.
To be fair, it could easily be Helena, though it was said that Helena and Silene left when they were teenagers to Midgard with Theia. Theia was said to have ruled with Fionn for hundreds of years and likely would have had the time to imprison old gods. Who has human ancestry, carries the light of Theia, and is now wearing a symbol for the 3 siblings along with the whole Parthos library in her possession? Bryce.
A friend and I have discussed the possibility of the Bone Carver…being Aidas. The fae warrior, Theia. “She would have been my salvation” can be a romantic phrase and he is obviously fond of her.
The Ouroboros is present in Norse mythology in the form of Jörmungandr, the World Serpent (or worm in some stories). An Ouroboros is representative of the cycle of life, death, and birth. The skin is sloughs, representing the transmigration of souls (reincarnation after death). The serpent biting its tail is considered a fertility symbol as well (tail: phallus, mouth: womb).
Often depicted as a serpent or dragon. In TOG, the world serpent that the witches worship, is named Abraxos. of which Manon names her wyvern after. Manon’s ancestor, Rhiannon, was said to have a female child that was taken and hidden during the first witch wars.
Manon, whose golden eyes and connection with red. Manon, who wears the physical star crown of the Crochans…Of which Bryce is seen multiple times having on her head (just the stars, as a crown, not the physical crown). Could Bryce be descended from that missing Crochan? She has the "Horn", which Rhiannon was said to have,
So let’s finally connect Bryce and Azriel, in regards to both the prophecy and the potential mythology. Bryce and Azriel have never met each other. So being “reunited” doesn’t apply to HOFAS. However…
>“When sword and dagger are reunited, so shall our people be.”
Perhaps the prophecy just meant the Starsword and Truth Teller being reunited. They were. However, no people were truly reunited (specifically the fae). The prophecy came from Helena, who was originally from Prythian. It is not a stretch to believe she means the fae in Midgard reuniting with the fae in Prythian.
>“They can open a portal to nowhere—is that it?...Yes, and together, they can unleash ultimate destruction.”
>Thanatos gave a disdainful snort [about the sword and dagger creating ultimate destruction], but Apollion looked at Aidas with something like compassion. “What blinds an Oracle? Theia’s star….I told you, the Oracle did not see that day…but I did.” -Aidas
So we know that whatever Bryce’s future may look like, Aidas had access to seeing it. He knew whatever happens, that potentially Bryce herself doesn’t know. Did he see the “ultimate destruction” of him and his brothers, perhaps? Why have they created a "Temu Azriel" with Hunt? Are they trying to keep Bryce away from Azriel, from her fated Prythian mate?
Azriel's scent: Night chilled mist and cedar
Hunt's scent: Rain and cedar
Both assassins, similar appearances. A shadow that is called "The Angel of Death" in Judaism...and an angel called "The Shadow of Death" in CC.
In TOG, Aelin falls through the worlds and is brought back by Rowan tattooing her back with Wyrdmarks, to bring her home.
Bryce likely has Wyrdmarks on her skin and Danika told her it means "Through Love, All is Possible"...could Danika have sent Bryce back home (Dusk's Truth), to connect with her fated mate, to help end the coming war in Twilight of the Gods? The first time Bryce uses the Horn, she falls directly at Azriel's feet.
Bryce put the sword and knife together…and what do they create? A Void. The beginning and the end. It certainly could create ultimate destruction should it be allowed to grow, but I think the "ultimate destruction" is in reference to the Big Bad Guys.
I believe it is more likely that it all connects to SJMs new series, Twilight of the Gods. This is one of the names for Ragnarök, as is Doom of the Gods. During Ragnarök, Thor fighting Jörmungandr results in the destruction of Midgard.
By complete coincidence, Bryce lives in Midgard. The Vanir, Valyries, Pegusi, Thurr=Thor, Oden=Odin, Farya = Freyja, Lakos= Loki…these are all Norse mythology connections. Even Freyja in mythology has a special necklace, brísingamen.
We have continuous affirmations that Hunt looks like Thurr. He has powers like Thurr. We know that Orion, in Greek mythology, dies in every story. Thor, as well, dies during the Twilight of the Gods in his battle with Jörmungandr..the Ouroboros…the World serpent. Aka the beginning and the end. The alpha and the omega. The light and the dark.
My theory is that Bryce and Azriel = the Ouroboros. They, along with the weapons only they can properly wield, will bring about the final destruction of…the Valg. The creatures who likely are from Hel…and the Princes…well. I know it’s controversial, but they are likely the Valg Kings as well.
With that being said, Orcus and Aidas…are both names for Hades. Hel/Hades are both names for “the Underworld” in different mythologies.
Bryce’s inspiration, Sailor Moon, was heavily present in both the Crescent City and Twilight of the Gods pinterest boards SJM had. Bryce’s story isn’t over. She is doing exactly what Nesta warned against (you can’t run from your fate).
And funny enough, Sailor Moon falls in love with Tuxedo Mask…a man that literally screams Azriel-coded, including roses. A prince from an entirely different world.
I'm ready and very excited to see Bryce, Azriel, and Nesta in Twilight of the Gods.
I believe the new series will be a complete crossover of all three worlds, fighting against the "ultimate" bad guys, the Valg Kings.
also sorry if there are duplicate posts, seems I am having technical difficulties. Lol
Bryce and Hunt are cooking in kitchen & they're getting turned on by eachother - then the food burns on the stove & it ruins the moment, it says “as if a witch's spell has snapped” then Jesiba, the sorceress, calls Bryce on the phone... coincidence?
Another thought, the Underking tells Bryce if she trades her place for Danika then she will not have a place after she dies on Midgard so Bryce has to leave Midgard for her soul to not be completely gone... Prythian here we come :)
Kosher Dill is coming!
When we talk about the cross-universe mates we typically discuss Theia and Aidas and, of course if you’re reading this you’re at least slightly Brycurious, Bryce and Azriel.
But what about Lidia and Ruhn? Lidia, the descendent of Brannon, (>!possibly Aelin herself!<), and the shifters of Erilea. Ruhn the descendent of the Starborn from Prythian. These two are literally cross-universe mates. So when folks say SJM wouldn’t… she technically already did… twice. And I think it’s pretty interesting that both Bryce and Ruhn have cross-universe mates. It’s almost like their bloodline is suppppperrr magical and special😜.
But then I ask myself… Are they truly “cross-universe” mates, as in two souls from separate distinct peoples, orrrrrr are both Fae the same species separated by their own world walking or the Asteri? Is the reason why “finding your mate” is so rare because these people(s) have been literally separated by time and space for eons?
One thing that has long haunted me from Silver Flames is what is the true identity of one of the creatures who Nesta summons in the bog to kill the kelpie.
“…a towering skeleton half-clad in rusted armor appeared behind him. Wrapped its arms around him. A face that was only bone peered over the kelpie’s shoulder, jaws opening to reveal pointed teeth—not High Fae, then—that gleamed before they buried themselves in the kelpie’s white flesh.”
Nesta doesn’t think it’s a High Fae because of the pointed teeth. But our TOG fae. They have pointed teeth. (And have a penchant for biting) So hoooowww or whyyyy is there potentially Eriela fae in Prythian? And in the freaking Middle?! And why is SJM pointing this thought process out unless they otherwise are actually High Fae. She could have just said pointed teeth bit into the kelpie and left it at that. The “ohhh not High Fae 🤷♀️” then seems deliberately put in there as a distraction.
And this just brings us alllll the way back to the prophecy. “When knife and sword are reunited so shall our people be.” I think, like many of you do, that this prophecy has not been fulfilled yet.
Not just the Starborn Fae returning to Prythian but also reuniting the species itself. Yes they are now connected in Midgard but they are still separated from their original home. Lidia and Ruhn being proof that shifters and fae have mating bonds. Possibly proof they were all one people to begin with.
This is why Bryceriel isn’t just a ship of two characters. It’s an idea that the entire series is not separate and all of these “Movements” are connected. It’s bigger than just Bryce and Azriel. To me the romantic aspects of it are almost secondary to the epic way it brings the whole thing together. I truly hope all of the amazing theorizing and analysis all the brilliant people here have been discussing since the beginning comes to fruition soon. Yall had your finger on the pulse from the start. I’ve truly appreciated my time in this community and theorizing with all of you. Excited for October. It’s gonna be a wild ride kids, buckle up.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot… and if SJM really is building toward Twilight of the Gods (which is looking more likely than ever), then Bryceriel feels like the only Az ship that actually fits that story. I don’t see how the others survive it.
I don’t see how any existing ACOTAR ships carry that story romantically. Because realistically, can she keep the romantic build up for Elriel or Gwynriel going for that long? There just isn’t enough in either pairing for that to be a possibility, imo.
If one of those ships happens in the next ACOTAR book, then by the time we reach the crossover, the relationship is already established and basically wrapped up. So what romantic storyline is left? If she somehow manages to drag the nonexistent tension into the crossover, how does she sustain a the build up to that relationship while managing multiple worlds, a massive cast, and a multiverse level plot?
And then there’s the bigger question of how does their eventual romantic payoff actually serve the wider Maasverse plot??? (Hint: it doesn’t.) Because if Twilight of the Gods is the culmination of all these worlds colliding, the major relationships involved should actually matter to that larger story, not just exist in the background.
✨ This is why Bryceriel is the only pairing that makes sense ✨
Bryce and Azriel’s connection is already tied directly to the worlds colliding. You don’t need another book and a half to force a reason for them to matter to the crossover. Their presence in each other’s stories is already a consequence of it. If they develop a relationship during that larger story, the romance and the wider plot move together. The romance doesn’t need to be wrapped up before the crossover, the crossover is the thing that creates the opportunity for the romance.
That’s why, if the Twilight of the Gods theory is right, this ship is needed to move the plot forward. SJM will no doubt want a new romantic arc at the exact moment the Maasverse opens up, and Bryce and Az are the pairing to do that with!! It not only makes the most sense but I honestly think it’s the ONLY ship that fits the story SJM is actually setting up.
I've come across this reel that talks how Elain could be Maeve (and Koschei could actually be Orcus) and even though I've heard theories that Elain might betray the IC before, this one blew my mind 🤯
What do you think about it?
Link to the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcOY9NzN98z/?l=1
Bryce, probably 🤣
“Power to power. Female to female. Governor to … Princess wasn’t the right word for the expression that came across Bryce’s face, the shift of her posture. Another word formed on his tongue, but Hunt didn’t let it take root, didn’t let himself think of all the deadly implications that the other word would entail.”
🎨 @Emilia.mildner 🌟🌌
Day 8 - Twilight of the Gods ⚔️
Inspired by images from Sarah J. Maas’ old “Twilight of the Gods” Pinterest board. ✨
Art by @jae.sketch on IG 💖 thank you so much for bringing this idea to life!
Commissioned by u/imagine_youre_a_deer and myself💖
Twilight of the Gods ⚔️ 🌅 by @sophia.angelique.art on Instagram
Bryce vs Apollion “The Star Eater”
Commissioned by u/bellire , u/imagine_youre_a_deer , u/expelledwinter and myself (u/lousiferrr)
First of all, a HUGE thank you to Sophia for bringing this Gandalf vs the Balrog-inspired piece to life. We are obsessed with her art style and can’t get over all the details 😍 it’s incredibly beautiful and epic and deserves all the praise. She perfectly encapsulated the demonic/ominous vibes we envisioned for Apollion as well as the ethereal, badass vibes for Bryce! 💖
“The Prince of the Pit wants a worthy opponent this time. One who will not break so easily, as Prince Pelias did so long ago. He insists on facing you, Starborn, at your full power.”
"History favors strong women.
When women stand up for themselves, show up, and speak out, change occurs time and time again, whether in politics, culture, entertainment, or music. There might be no women stronger--and louder--than the legendary ladies of HEART.
Formed by sisters ANN and NANCY WILSON, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®-inducted group not only pioneered the female-fronted rock band, for all intents and purposes, but they also soundtracked four decades and counting. Throughout this time, the band sold over 35 million records, garnered four GRAMMY® Award nominations, landed ten Top 10 albums, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and achieved “the longest span of top-10 albums on the Billboard charts by a female-led band.”
HEART’s influence can be palpably felt everywhere from rock and heavy metal to hip-hop and pop. Eminem, Lil Wayne, G-Eazy, Nas, and more have famously sampled the band’s catalog, while Céline Dion, Fergie, Halestorm and many others have covered them in the studio and on stage. As a result, their music resonates in nearly every corner of pop culture.
As time goes on, the sound, spirit, and soul of HEART only gets louder with each passing year. In the end, they ultimately opened doors for countless musicians to follow, and their place in rock’s pantheon as pioneers stands solidified forever."
Everyone’s excited to (potentially) see ToG characters again!!
Ruhn (potentially) meeting Rhysand!!
Aelin and Manon (potentially) interacting with Nesta and Bryce 🥳
It seems to me like people don’t want Bryce in Prythian solely for shipping reasons…because a confirmed multiverse/continued crossover = Bryceriel potential
Does that mean it will happen in ACOTAR 6?? No!! There are a lot of threads and ground to cover between Spring, Beron, Koschei, Vallahan, Cretea, etc. But I do believe SJM is style gearing up to write a full crossover/multiverse style series (and this is what it sounds like 💖)
There may be anti-crossover people who also just don’t want to read everything — but Dusk was (and likely will be) a multiverse court. I think we’ve always been leading to something much bigger!! 💗🌄
🌠 Images by u/bellire and @darkndarling, @theduskcourt (TikTok!!) ✨
“While [her starlight] had been guiding them, it had been comforting, had brought some color and spark to this realm of eternal night.” (This is the Rhythm of the Night 🎶🌌)
Twilight of the Gods Tuesdays! (Or anytime 🤣)
The potential multiverse series [Feel free to search here for more! We’ve accumulated quite a few TOTG posts now]
Is this officially confirmed? No! (Hence the theory flair 🤭) — however, a new series IS confirmed and looking through SJM’s old Pinterest images, knowing the very obvious parallels with Midgard, it’s (in my opinion) clear where this is all heading…
Bryce: “‘I feel like I have no idea who I am. I know that’s so fucking cliché, but…I thought I knew who I was then. And now…’ She lifted her hands, letting them fill with starlight. ‘What’s the end goal in this?’ Somehow, someway, overthrowing the Asteri? What then? Rebuilding a government, an entire world? What if it triggers another war?’” (The story is far from over baddies 💅)
A Court of Silver Flames: “But Nesta smoothed [Cassian’s] bunched brow, as if she could see those worries there. ‘Later,’ she promised. ‘We’ll deal with all that later.’ Including the remaining queens, Koschei, and a still-looming war.”
“Az, of course, had been fascinated. Rhys had built the model himself centuries ago. It could not only track the sun, but also tell time, and it somehow allowed Rhys to ponder the existence of life beyond their own world…”
Aelin: “She could see them still. Even walking in silence under the trees, the darkness yielding toward grayish light before dawn, she could see each and every one of those worlds she’d broken through. Perhaps she’d never stop seeing them. Perhaps she alone in this world and all others knew what lay beyond the invisible walls separating them. How much life dwelled and thrived…So many worlds…Would her dreams forever be haunted by them? To have glimpsed them, but been unable to explore—would that longing take root?”
HOFAS was a prequel: The Maasverse has only just begun 🌈
Chaol** **when Aelin returns from Mistward: “You…you look different…Your face. The way you stand. You…”
“Older, as if the stillness and power she radiated had honed not just her soul but also the very shape of her.”
Hunt when Bryce returns from Prythian: “She was Bryce and yet she was…not.”
“But there was something different about her posture, in the way the light seemed to shimmer from her. She was older, somehow. Not in any line or wrinkle, but in her eyes.”
👑👑👑
🎨 Art by @Magicnaanavi (they share their entire 3D/digital painting process on IG — it’s not AI 😊) 🌠✨✨
“…before the firstlight power grid failed and chaos reigned.” (Remember how Sailor Moon becomes Sailor Cosmos and fights Chaos: the source that evil that controls all villains? Here we go!)
From SJM’s elusive Pinterest Board, have we always been preparing for this? A third movement, an unfinished game, three worlds fight side by side against the battle no one ever could fathom.
This week has been so much fun!! Thank you everyone for the support and the comments. I’m planning on standing up a store soon, more information to come later.
Best Baddies around!
So many Questions!
Is Mor still mad at Rhysand for letting Keir and co into Velaris? Does she still consider this a betrayal? Keir has not yet followed through with this bargain.
Lied with every breath, spun lies and called them TRUTH. Mor calls her power TRUTH.
Please baddies give me your thoughts!
“Gwydion in hand, Theia left the tent. With Fae grace and surety, she leapt onto the back of a magnificent winged horse and was airborne in seconds, soaring into the battle-filled night.”
“That sword belongs to Theia’s female heir.”
“Cupping her hands before her chest, she drew out the blazing, beautiful star. It illuminated the mists, set the snow at their feet sparkling…What Bryce had taken from her chest that day during the attack last spring was a fraction of the star she now held between her palms.”
“…they seem to be the sort of thing that might belong to a Super Magical Fancy Starborn Princess …” 🦄
“Ruhn’s head spun as he narrowed his eyes at her, blinking at the halo of starlight that danced around her head, at her feet…The sword glimmered with starlight, too. He could have sworn the damn thing was singing.”
“The person who could somehow, against all odds, unite the pieces of Theia’s power—“
Bryce and JJ brought to life!! 💖
🌄 “She understood it now, how the darkness shaped the light.” 🌄
So happy to see the things us Bryceriels have been theorizing about for years possibly on the horizon 😭
Images from SJM’s now-deleted Twilight of the Gods Pinterest board.
The Valkyries are pretty self explanatory. Love that Bryce’s inspiration (Sailor Moon 😍) is pinned so many times as well. Can’t wait to see what story unfolds in these new books. Will we be seeing Sailor Venus (Nesta) assembling the rest of the Sailor Scouts for our Magical Starborn Princess???
If Hunt was >!made in a lab,!< do you think he might start malfunctioning and turning mean and aggressive?
