Season 7, Episode 9, titled “Nova,” directed by George Samilski and written by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, concludes the final battle in Lux Aurea between Team Zym and Team Aaravos. The heroes emerge victorious, but their triumph comes at a terrible cost.

The central theme of this episode revolves around hope. Hope stands as a powerful force, second only to love, capable of overcoming evil and darkness. It symbolizes a wish for a new beginning after enduring years of torment and suffering, a future where no one suffers but instead thrives. This hope motivates the heroes of Xadia to unite humans, dragons, and elves in peace and compassion, embracing their differences and constructing Evrkynd—a beacon of a new beginning for all. However, villains like Aaravos and Claudia harbor their own hopes: the ultimate overthrow of the Startouch Elves and the cosmic order they established, no matter how long it takes.

Aaravos’s Defeat

Ezran (Sasha Rojen) and Azymondias’s arrival momentarily distracted Callum (Jack DeSena) and Team Zym, giving Aaravos (Erik Dellums) and Claudia (Racquel Belmonte) an opportunity to press their advantage. However, Avizandum regains control over his soul and body, turning against Aaravos. This disrupts Callum’s dark magic ritual to imprison Aaravos in a magical coin, leaving the human mage unconscious and visibly marked by corruption, as evidenced by a strand of white hair.

Avizandum and Zubeia fly Aaravos into the sky, where the undead dragon king delivers a fatal bite to the Startouch Elf’s neck. Even in his final moments, Aaravos taunts the heroes, vowing to return. Meanwhile, Claudia escapes through a portal conjured by Aaravos before his physical body is destroyed. Soren (Jesse Inocalla) and Corvus (Omari Newton) pursue her but fail to capture the dark mage due to her formidable magical prowess. Despite her escape, Claudia spares their lives, hinting at the remnants of good within her. She presumably flees to the Ruins of Elarion near the Sea of the Castout to prepare for Aaravos’s return in seven years and nineteen days.

The destruction of Aaravos’s physical form results in a massive nova blast that obliterates Lux Aurea and the Archdragons. Domina Profundis (Jennifer Hale) uses her body to shield the surviving heroes and their companions. While the heroes have won the battle, the war against Aaravos and the pervasive threat of dark magic remains far from over.

The Archdragon Funeral

Following the Archdragons’ funeral, Callum and Ezran reconcile, mending the rift caused by their earlier disagreements about Runaan’s (Jonathan Holmes) situation. They reaffirm their bond as brothers, with Azymondias (Dante Basco) joining in, revealing his newfound ability to speak. This revelation raises questions, as it contradicts the creators’ earlier statements that dragons can only speak once they reach the age of 75. It may suggest that dragons raised closely with humans or elves develop speech abilities earlier.

Team Zym returns to the Banther Lodge in Katolis to strategize for Aaravos’s eventual return. They estimate that seven years and nineteen days is enough time for Xadia to rebuild and prepare for the next confrontation with Aaravos, Claudia, and the dark forces they may amass. In the meantime, efforts are focused on the joint human and Sunfire Elf initiative to construct a new city where humans, elves, and dragons can coexist in harmony.

Ezran also forgives Runaan for his father’s death, prompted by evidence that King Harrow’s soul was swapped with Pip’s during Viren’s dark magic ritual. This revelation explains Harrow’s strange behavior before his death and suggests that he survived as a sentient bird, albeit suffering from amnesia caused by the soul-swapping ritual.

The Founding of Evrkynd

The construction of a new city is announced at the border, bringing together humans and elves in a historic moment. Among those present are Team Zym, their friends and family, the playable protagonists from Tales of Xadia, the Crow Lord, and others. Terry (Benjamin Callins) proudly announces to the gathered crowd that the new city will be named Evrkynd. He describes it as a place where every kind of person is welcome and where kindness will be the guiding principle. The city’s appearance draws comparisons to Minas Tirith, the iconic capital city of Gondor from The Lord of the Rings. However, unlike Gondor, Evrkynd will not be governed by a monarchy but by a democratic republic, placing power in the hands of its people.

The inspiration for Evrkynd in The Dragon Prince likely stems from Republic City in The Legend of Korra. Republic City, the capital of the United Republic of Nations, was founded by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko as a haven where benders and non-benders from all four nations could coexist peacefully. Known for its unique and diverse culture shaped by immigration and technological advancements, Republic City represents a melting pot of unity and progress. Similarly, Evrkynd aspires to be a beacon of hope and harmony. One can only hope Evrkynd avoids the challenges faced by Republic City, such as Equalist uprisings, dark spirits, and rampant crime. These pitfalls would undermine the city’s purpose and founding vision.

Season 7 is Awesome

Season 7 stands out as one of the strongest entries in The Dragon Prince series, earning recognition as the second-best season to date. Its compelling storytelling, high stakes, and significant costs elevate the narrative to new heights. The presence of Aaravos has been a highlight, showcasing why humans, elves, and Archdragons have feared the Fallen Star for centuries. However, Season 2 still retains its crown as the best season, owing to its consistent and steady storytelling, with both protagonists and antagonists undergoing fascinating character arcs and trials.

Memorable moments abound in Season 7, such as Rayla’s heartwarming interactions with her family and Callum’s budding friendship with Runaan and Ethari. Aaravos and Claudia’s twisted father-daughter dynamic also stood out, offering a dark yet intriguing exploration of their relationship. The season excelled in providing closure to Aaravos as a character, portraying him as deeply human despite his divine origins, while delving into the reasons behind his descent into villainy. Season 7’s narrative achievements have reignited the joy and excitement of The Dragon Prince, especially after the narrative missteps of Seasons 4 and 5. Season 6 paved the way for this redemption, setting the stage for a triumphant return to form.

Additionally, having Azymondias voiced by Dante Basco—a legend known for his portrayal of Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender—adds another layer of delight for fans.

Seven Years

Looking ahead, fan support will be crucial for the creators to greenlight a sequel series. A seven-year time skip seems likely, showcasing Team Zym and Claudia as young adults navigating a world reshaped by their past battles. Aaravos will return to a vastly changed Xadia, now governed collaboratively by humans and elves, with dragons serving as mentors and protectors from the sidelines.

The sequel could explore Claudia’s potential to establish her own nation of dark mages, standing in contrast to Evrkynd’s ideals. Claudia’s trajectory could mirror that of the Tsaritsa from Genshin Impact, assembling a cabal of powerful, dark, cynical, and callous humans and elves in preparation for a war against the Startouch Elves and their cosmic order. Aaravos’s return would set the stage for a climactic battle, pitting Evrkynd’s unity against Claudia’s dark ambitions and the resurgence of the Fallen Star.

With its rich storytelling and deep character development, the future of The Dragon Prince promises to be as captivating as ever, continuing to explore the themes of unity, hope, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.

Rating: 9/10