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Arya shared breakfast with his father and then returned to his room. Absentmindedly, he spread out his architectural sketches and college drafts across his desk, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His dreams still lingered in his mind, especially the part where someone in his sleep had said: "Beware of traitors, Bizen." Why had this phrase appeared in his dream? The question kept spinning in his head, refusing to let go.
He ran his hand across the scattered papers, yet his focus remained clouded. Those strange moments in his dream, the thrilling scenes, and that familiar name, Bizen—what did they have to do with him? Why had his dreams connected him to the world of the Achaemenid Empire? These thoughts gnawed at him relentlessly.
Hours passed, and Arya struggled to concentrate on his college assignments. Sketching architectural designs and working on drafts became harder as his mind drifted deeper into unanswered questions. Eventually, exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he drifted into sleep.
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In this dream, Arya found himself in a grand, radiant hall. Massive Achaemenid banners hung from the ceiling, and the sound of noble conversations filled the air. A grand celebration was underway, with distinguished faces moving about. Everything indicated a significant occasion.
It was the first anniversary of Darius III’s coronation. The hall was packed with guests, soldiers, and nobles. Hovkshatra, Bizen’s father, walked alongside his son toward the end of the hall, where Darius III, the Great King of the Achaemenid Empire, sat on his throne.
Hovkshatra and Bizen stood respectfully before Darius III, offering their greetings and formalities. The king warmly invited them to sit beside him. “Come closer,” Darius said with a smile, “sit near my family.”
Hovkshatra proudly presented a magnificent sword, adorned with gold and engraved with twin lions on its hilt, to Darius III. The king, pleased and gracious, accepted the gift. “This sword is worthy of our family, Hovkshatra. Thank you,” he said.
Gesturing to his beautiful and youthful daughter, Stateira, Darius said, “My daughter, bring the golden chest.”
Stateira walked gracefully to the chest, her movements elegant and deliberate. When she opened it, a stunning and ornate lion-headed necklace lay within. All eyes turned toward the necklace, but Bizen’s gaze was fixed more intently than the others. He couldn’t hide his amazement or a slight unease.
Bizen, who harbored a growing affection for Stateira, felt his face flush. Darius III, noticing his reaction, smiled warmly and said, “This necklace is for you. You’ll soon turn eighteen.”
Arya watched as Darius III placed the necklace around Bizen’s neck with his own hands. “This is my gift to you, Bizen, for your upcoming birthday,” the king declared.
Hovkshatra thanked his brother, and Bizen, with a brief but nervous smile, looked down at the necklace now resting against his chest.
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Arya woke up abruptly and glanced at the clock. It was midnight. Groggy and disoriented from the dream, he felt a pang of hunger. Touching his own necklace, he couldn’t help but recall the dream. The necklace gifted to Bizen was identical to his own. This couldn’t be a coincidence—or could it?
He climbed out of bed and headed toward the kitchen. Walking quietly through the hallway in the stillness of the night, he thought only of the dream and the mysterious necklace. Why were these dreams happening to him? What connection did they reveal between him and Bizen? His mind raced, seeking answers that remained elusive.
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In the kitchen, Arya grabbed a small snack, his thoughts still fixated on the dream. Uncertain of what lay ahead, he was unaware of the path unfolding before him—a path that could change everything.
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Arya woke early the next morning. He looked out at the grayish sky beyond his window, the cold and serene morning air filling his room. Still lying in bed, he heard his father’s footsteps echoing through the hallway. He knew today was important. His father, a prominent historian specializing in ancient Persia, had invited him to the Royal Library of Edinburgh. This was a rare opportunity for Arya—not only to spend time with his father but also to delve deeper into the history of ancient Persia.
After a simple breakfast, the two prepared and headed out to the library. The long journey to the library gave Arya the chance to voice some of the questions lingering in his mind since last night.
When they arrived at the Royal Library, the atmosphere was calm and dignified. The towering building, with its tall walls and rows upon rows of ancient books, filled Arya with awe. His father gently ran his hand along one of the shelves and asked Arya to explore the section on ancient Persia.
Arya carefully scanned the enormous shelves. Among historical and geographical texts, he found volumes on Persian kings and their destinies. As he examined the books, he finally came across a mention of Bizen. One volume depicted an image of Darius III alongside Bizen, noting Bizen as a mysterious figure who lived during Darius’s reign.
Arya became particularly engrossed in accounts of the great battles between Persia and Alexander the Great. One book detailed Alexander’s conquests against the Achaemenid Empire. Arya read attentively, uncovering the multiple reasons behind Persia’s defeat.
One major factor was the weak leadership and poor decision-making of Darius III. Arya learned that although Darius often marched with vast armies, he frequently faltered in critical moments. Additionally, poor coordination among Achaemenid forces and a lack of cohesive strategy against Alexander’s advanced tactics contributed to their downfall.
Alexander’s genius strategies, including rapid attacks and surprise tactics, allowed him to decisively defeat the massive Persian forces. In battles like Gaugamela and the Indus, Alexander overwhelmed Darius’s armies with relative ease.
As Arya read further, he came across a haunting quote: “I wish I hadn’t betrayed my uncle.” This, reportedly Bizen’s final words before his execution by Alexander in Ecbatana, left a profound impact on Arya. The quote seemed to signify not only Bizen’s regret but also a broader reflection on betrayal and monumental errors in history.
Arya continued researching Bizen’s role in the wars of Darius III’s era, piecing together his connections with other historical figures. The more he read, the stronger his feeling grew that he was part of a larger story—one whose details had yet to fully unfold.
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After spending hours at the Royal Library, Arya and his father decided to bring some of the books home. His father smiled warmly and said, “You’ll need these sources for deeper research. You’ll have a quieter space to study at home.” Grateful, Arya carefully packed the books and carried them home.
Back in his room, Arya eagerly reopened the books, diving deeper into one volume that examined the political and social conditions of Darius III’s reign. He discovered that during this time, life for ordinary people in Persia was incredibly harsh. Corruption in the royal court and misguided decisions placed immense pressure on the populace.
One account detailed the Egyptian rebellion, where Darius III had sent troops to suppress the unrest. Bizen, a prominent commander of the time, played a crucial role in quelling the rebellion. Arya realized that thanks to Bizen’s efforts, Egypt was swiftly brought back under Persian control. Interestingly, the sources portrayed Bizen not as a traitor but as a loyal commander to the Persian king.
That night, as Arya gazed out his window at the darkening sky, the wind rustled through the trees. Yet something felt different. A faint, strange sound filled the air, like whispers carried on the breeze. At first, Arya dismissed it as the wind. But the sound grew clearer—a low, heavy breathing.
A chill ran down his spine. Though afraid, he tried to ignore the sounds, convincing himself it was just his imagination. Yet the noises persisted, and Arya couldn’t shake the feeling that something extraordinary was happening around him.
History and reality seemed to blur, and Arya felt as though he stood on the edge of a mystery far greater than he could comprehend.