📌 Author's Note:Based on many comments I've received, I want to clarify something: Chapters 6 to 10 show the modern Cyrus's(Kourosh) reflections (while Kourosh is currently a newborn) on his historical predecessor, Cyrus the Great. The purpose of these chapters is both to familiarize readers with the actual historical events and to show how Kourosh's thoughts will eventually shape his decisions and the policies he will adopt. These sections are laying the groundwork for his future choices — and the point where his path will start to diverge from real history.
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After completing his perilous mission among the Cadusians and forging a peace treaty with their weary and hopeless general, Onaphernes, Cyrus the Great returned to Ecbatana, the glamorous but corrupt capital of Media. This return, however, was merely an outward show of obedience; inwardly, it was the beginning of a new chapter in history. In Ecbatana, Harpagus, the former commander and kinsman of Astyages, who harbored a deep and burning hatred for the Median king for the brutal murder of his thirteen-year-old son, immediately sought out Cyrus the Great. With impassioned words and a tone that spoke of years of waiting for revenge, he vehemently encouraged Cyrus to disobey the Median king. Harpagus, who over the years had managed to gather a group of influential opponents of Astyages—from disgruntled generals to oppressed nobles—promised Cyrus that in the event of disobedience and the start of a rebellion, he and all his allies would support him with their full might. He spoke of Astyages's boundless corruption, shameless tyranny, and relentless oppression. Cyrus, who had witnessed this decay and the decline of central authority during his stay at the Median court, responded positively to Harpagus's pleas and steeled his resolve to change his destiny.
With the secret help of Harpagus and his allies in the Median court, Cyrus the Great managed to send a messenger secretly and with utmost caution to his father, Cambyses, in Persia. Cyrus's message contained a vital command: he asked Cambyses to prepare an army under the pretext of aiding Astyages in the war against the Cadusians and to march toward Media. This military force was to become the main arm of the rebellion at the opportune moment. Meanwhile, with the help of Harpagus and his allies, Cyrus managed to escape from Ecbatana and began his perilous journey toward Anshan. He knew well that at any moment, the news of his escape could reach Astyages's ears, and this would mean the beginning of a great and decisive war; a war that could forever change the destiny of two empires.
When the news of the escape of Cyrus the Great, the Persian prince, reached the ears of Astyages, the king of the Medes, an unprecedented rage and madness seized his entire being. He, who thought he had escaped the ominous shadow of the prophecy by sending Cyrus back to Persia, now saw himself as deceived and humiliated. With a thunderous roar that shook the palace columns, he commanded: "Pursue Cyrus at once, bring him to us, and if he shows any reluctance in carrying out our command, sever his head from his body!" Immediately, three hundred elite Median horsemen, the finest riders of the army, galloped from Ecbatana in pursuit of Cyrus. The hooves of their horses kicked up the dust of the plain, and their determination to capture the fugitive prince gleamed in their eyes. It was not long before the riders caught up with Cyrus and, in a firm tone, relayed Astyages's command to him.
Cyrus the Great feigned obedience. He knew that a direct confrontation at that moment was not advisable. With a deceptive smile and a friendly tone, he used the darkness of the evening as an excuse and suggested to the Median riders that they rest and return to Astyages at dawn. With generosity, he sacrificed sheep in the Persian manner, roasted them, and prepared a lavish and delicious dinner for them. Then, he gave them plenty of wine until they were all drunk and lost in a deep sleep. Cyrus, using this golden opportunity, secretly and in the absolute silence of the night, made his way toward Persia, leaving the Median riders in their drunken slumber, as if he had passed through them like a phantom.
Near the city of Hyrba, on the vast and green plains, seven hundred horsemen and five thousand infantrymen, sent by Cambyses, Cyrus's father, to aid his son, reached him. The sight of this army filled Cyrus's heart with pride and confidence. He immediately ordered his soldiers to form a battle line and positioned himself on the right wing of the army, alongside the elite horsemen. At dawn, the Median riders, waking from their drunken sleep, realized with anger and anxiety what had happened. With a cry of rage and shame, they pursued Cyrus. When they reached the city of Hyrba, they saw the Persian forces ready for battle; a disciplined and prepared army that shone with the morning sun.
Cyrus the Great, positioned on the right flank with the cavalry, his eyes gleaming with resolve, gave the order to attack. He charged into the heart of the Median riders like a fierce and fearless lion, as if he were the very embodiment of Ahura Mazda's wrath. His sword danced in the air, and with every strike, he felled a great number of them. The Persians, seeing Cyrus the Great in battle for the first time, were stunned by his unparalleled bravery and strength and, with indescribable enthusiasm, followed their young commander in the assault against the enemy. About two hundred and fifty of the Median riders were destroyed by the Persians, and the remainder, with their spirits broken and fearing for their lives, fled and scattered across the plain. The riders who managed to survive the battle, with pale and trembling faces, recounted the events to Astyages, plunging him into a deep shock.
Cyrus the Great also returned to Persia with his victorious troops. With this event and the decisive victory of the Persians, the war between the Medes and the Persians officially began; a battle not just for territory, but for the future destiny of the Iranian plateau. At this fateful moment, little Kourosh, who had reviewed all these historical events with his modern mind and knew that this battle was a great turning point in history, came to a firm decision. He understood that his destiny and his grandfather's fear of him were unchangeable, and that trying to hide his genius was futile; for the more he hid it, the more it was revealed.
From now on, he decided not only to not hide his abilities, but to implement more reforms and innovations by relying on his vast twenty-first-century knowledge. He intended to accelerate the downfall of Astyages by increasing his influence among the people and nobles of Persia and even Media, and to soon take the reins of power to build his thousand-year empire. This decision was not just a choice, but an oath; an oath to raise the banner of justice, knowledge, and glory throughout the world.