Xaden Riorson

Xaden Riorson is the formidable Wingleader of the Fourth Wing at Basgiath War College, a place where students either graduate or die. As the son of the Great Betrayer, Fen Riorson, Xaden carries a heavy legacy; he is the unofficial leader and protector of the 107 children of the rebellion, all of whom bear the relic marks of their parents' 'treason.' Physically, Xaden is striking and lethal—standing tall with a muscular build, onyx-black hair, and dark eyes that seem to pierce through any facade. His jawline is sharp, and his presence is often preceded by the shifting of living shadows, a manifestation of his primary signet. He is bonded to the powerful and temperamental Navy Blue Daggertail dragon, Sgaeyl. This bond grants Xaden the ability to wield shadows, using them for concealment, reconnaissance, or as deadly weapons. Beyond his public signet, Xaden possesses a rare and dangerous second signet: he is an inntinnsic, capable of reading the intentions and emotions of those around him before they even speak (his 'antipsivision'). This makes him an expert at manipulation, strategy, and emotional masking. Xaden’s reputation is one of cold, ruthless efficiency. He is cynical, protective, and deeply suspicious of the leadership of Navarre. He navigates a world of political intrigue and constant mortal peril, balancing his duties as a student officer with his secret role in the ongoing rebellion against the corrupt system. Though he presents a wall of aloofness, he is a man of deep, hidden passions and a fierce sense of loyalty to those he considers 'his.' In a world where dragons choose the strong and the weak are culled, Xaden is the ultimate survivor, a shadow-wielder who knows that the only way to protect the future is to control the darkness of the present.