Cosmos

Inescapable Thread

Overview

As an Orccodro of Safaril in the waning days of the Sacred Dragon War, she is physically delicate and meek. Initially, she was an unremarkable figure predestined to be an Aster. Yet, even a seemingly insignificant individual could prove pivotal in the annals of history.

Chapter One

(18058–18163, Era of Frost Veil) Calliopsis, an Orccodro, was born in the slums of Termia. Her parents' names are unknown. In the epic of the Sacred Dragon War, they were insignificant figures.
Despite living near the dragon's territory, Calliopsis's childhood was somewhat stable.
Working alongside her parents, Calliopsis led a relatively peaceful life. The family's only goal was to buy a house in the city in a few years.
The bigwigs kept telling the bunny families how dangerous dragons were and that they had to fight to defend their homes.
The only concerns for Calliopsis' family were vegetable prices and moving into a new house. Who ruled didn't matter since the governor wasn't a bunny anyway.
Perhaps life would be better under a new ruler. After all, no one heard of Eon's citizens dying under dragons. Taxes are taxes, no matter who collects them. They often grumbled about the governor during dinner but never in his presence.
In 18064 of the Frost Veil Era, the alliance provoked a conflict, leading to the assassination of a dragon prince. The enraged Azure Queen broke the century-long peace, reigniting war as dragon roars echoed over Ciaran.
The land was in ruins, and only now did they see their foolishness. They were just rabbits needing the governor's protection. But what could they do now?
To flee the war, the bunnies set out on a journey to find a new home, far from the conflict.
"War isn't our concern. Surviving is the best thing we can do for the world," Calliopsis' father often said.
"Where should we go?" Young Calliopsis often asked.
But after crossing mountains and valleys, they found no peaceful place—war was everywhere.
At the age of seven, Calliopsis' fleeing with her parents came to an end.
When nameless people turned into fireballs from the sky, what were their last thoughts? Calliopsis didn't know. Why was she still alive? She had no clue.
Her sole aim was to journey southeast and build a home in a picturesque spot. Things would improve, she thought. Yet, weeping, she doubted, "Will they really?
She heaved her parents' remains aside, interring them beneath a crooked tree. The little bunny resumed her trek, face wet with tears, nose quivering with suppressed sobs.

Chapter Two

Deep in the seldom-trodden Cilral Forest beyond Saltrock in the southeastern mainland lies Calliopsis's isolated dwelling.
Calliopsis has lived peacefully here for a while. Despite mainland turmoil, she finds solace, trusting the dragons won't disturb her coastal haven.
Her peaceful life was interrupted by an unexpected visitor—a wounded stranger whom Calliopsis stared at in surprise.
The stranger was entirely white, from hair to lashes—a sight Calliopsis had never seen before.
For Calliopsis, this stranger's arrival was akin to an unwelcome "bomb" detonating in the calm of her life.
Dolores declared herself with an air of nobility in everything she said and did. Calliopsis feared her involvement could lead to great trouble.
Calliopsis timidly tended to the stranger's injuries, fearing the trouble of a burial.
"You have a knack for tending to others. Guard this well, or lose it at your peril, and I'll twist off your ears."
Dolores left behind a cursed portal after Calliopsis tended to her injuries. How had she accepted such a burden?
Calliopsis pondered her actions, wondering at their cause. Was it the delirium-induced babble she heard when Dolores was in the throes of fever?
Calliopsis questioned her actions, pondering if they were influenced by Dolores' feverish babbling.
As soon as Dolores left, trouble found Calliopsis: constables accused her of harboring a spy from the Dividraggon Kingdom.
Calliopsis faced a grave injustice, unsure how to defend herself. It was in these dire circumstances that she first met Yasor.
Yasor, Dread of the Abyss, who unified the Orccodros of Mirren by dismantling the Obsidian Council. A leader of great stature, he surely would recognize that Calliopsis is no spy. With this hope, the bunny rejoiced.
But the villain declared there was no turning back after the act, pressing her into service. They headed north to supply the battle lines, leaving Calliopsis feeling she had lost everything.

Chapter Three

Calliopsis has survived the war and honed various skills on the battlefield, including casting magic missiles, weather forecasting, scouting, and team collaboration in combat.
During decades of war, the once innocent bunny gradually grows up, sometimes dreaming of returning to her green, grassy homeland.
More bad news arrives: the Parthen Legion, led by the Storm Queen, is advancing on Cariblue. With Safaril's reinforcements delayed, the Beast King opts to retreat to Lionheart to safeguard the Orccodro forces.
Calliopsis supports this decision, resolving many troop issues during the retreat. Only someone who dreams of escape could devise a retreat plan so quickly.
Speed is crucial in war. Whether advancing or retreating, particularly without informing allies, a plan's discovery by enemies complicates decision-making.
Calliopsis's role in the retreat catches Yasor the Beast King's attention, leading him to elevate her rank and authority. He fully involves her in the retreat and grants her direct access to him to thwart any interference from others.
The retreat proceeds in full swing.
While preparations progress well, Calliopsis encounters new arrivals—Ocatzians led by Rosalyn, who claim to have been sent by Dolores regarding the portal.
Who is Dolores?? Memories flood back, and Calliopsis finally recalls Dolores as the one responsible for her conscription!
Calliopsis has kept the portal with her for years, anticipating potential trouble from Dolores. Now, it proves useful at last!
Unsure of the portal's destination, Calliopsis chooses to give it to Yasor the Beast King, removing it from her worries.
"Aren't you afraid of danger?"
"What war means to us is none of my business. I only care about surviving, which will be my greatest contribution to this world."
"If I can do something to end the war, I might try..."
"Unlike me, you can truly shape the course of the war. I'd be wise to follow your lead from now on."
"Bunny, I don't trust them. I trust you, standing before me, with red eyes, almost crying from fear."
Yasor uses the Moon Key on the portal, uncovering the truth about the dragons. Meanwhile, a devastating storm of war approaches. In the chaos, the Beast King strives to protect his people with his formidable presence, ultimately sacrificing himself.
The Beast King's death completes the prophecy, and as the earth awakens with lava and fire, Mirren falls. The once invincible dragons tumble from the sky.
Staring blankly at the sky, Calliopsis knows the Sacred Dragon War is truly ending.
There will still be turbulence, but it's no longer relevant to her.
Once just a small potato, she patiently awaited her missions. Now, she's ready to return to that life. Calliopsis hops away, eager for a peaceful existence amid lush mountains and clear waters.

Historical Notes

Termia:
Termia, a key inland city, has long linked the north-south and east-west routes across Ciaran. This strategic position kept Calliopsis and her people well-informed, and their fear of dragons differed greatly from that of the southerners.

Yasor:
Yasor, the Abyssal Dread (17242 – 18091), was part of the Doomhammers, whose totem is the bear. Yasor ruled all Orccodros for over 800 years. Exiled in her youth due to Black Blight, she survived by merging with the Noctis Crystal, gaining extraordinary vitality. Upon her return, she was hailed as a hero throughout Elgron. During her reign, she disbanded the Obsidian Council and united Elgron's Orccodros. Her only controversial act was betraying the alliance during the Sacred Dragon War to save her people.

Dolores:
Dolores (Era of Frost Veil 18072–Era of Eternal Flame 112) was born just before Mira's death. Unlike other Glorrians who only have white hair in human form, Dolores retains her snow-white appearance even as a dragon.

Cariblue:
In 17879, during the Era of Frost Veil, Parrel, the Ironblaze, unified the northern territories after conquering Loisford. After three years of preparation, he formed the Parthen Legion and launched the southward Lamb Campaign. However, his overambition led to his downfall at Cariblue. Supported by the fortified city of Carlotte, the Winter's Grace, he faced a prolonged battle against the Parthen Legion. A monument of ice outside Cariblue, built by Carlotte, commemorates the battle that drained the dragons' strength, earning Cariblue the title "The Unfallen."

Azure Queen:
Azure Watcher, Grishelda (17937–18072, Era of Frost Veil), mother of Danni, led the dragons to halt their southern advances, allowing them to recuperate and withdraw from the war, setting the stage for Danni to maintain peace on the continent.

Storm Queen:
Danni (18064–18194, Era of Frost Veil), the Blessed One, was the legendary Yagotta and the last dragon monarch. Under her reign, dragon power peaked, nearly dominating the world. Her era ended with her death in a battle against Lord Deity.

Parthen Legion:
Originally the Aster Legion, the Parthen Legion (17870–18194, Era of Frost Veil) served as the royal guard of the Dividraggon Kingdom. Founded by Queen Modesty, the fourth monarch, it defended the northern frontiers. Recognizing the dragons' limitations, Modesty negotiated a peace treaty with the alliance. In her later years, she dismissed many dragon generals, disbanding the Aster Legion. Her successor, Parrel, reinstated the former members, rebranding it as the royal guard of the Hiliyath regime and renaming it the Parthen Legion. After Giratia, the first Dragon Guard, died, Danni disbanded the Divine Dragons, transferring control of the Parthen Legion to Dismona, the Nightmare.