At the end of Kourosh's fifth year of life, another round of the horrifying nightmares that Astyages, the king of the Medes, had seen in the past finally returned to haunt him; nightmares that, like an ominous specter, had stolen his peace and trapped his soul in the grip of fear and madness. This time, he dreamed of a great and boundless vine growing from his daughter Mandane's womb, which, with incredible speed, covered all of Asia; a vine whose roots penetrated the depths of the earth and whose branches reached the sky. As he had done in the past, Astyages decided to act and first consulted with the Magi, the interpreters of dreams and the wise men of the court. They confirmed the old prophecy that this grandson would not only take his throne but would also change his destiny forever. Then, the king, at the peak of his madness and fear, secretly and with a heart full of dread, gave the order to his trusted commander, Harpagus, for Kourosh's execution.
Kourosh, however, with his brilliant intelligence and the foresight he had brought from the future world, was already aware of this danger. He knew that his series of revolutionary actions in Anshan, from the invention of a new script and language to the production of paper and printed books, would lead to his unprecedented fame and intensify Astyages's fear. He knew that destiny, this time too, would lead him to the same difficult and fateful tests. With his innate cunning and unparalleled foresight, he had managed to establish a secret and confidential communication with Harpagus; when he had sent his printed books to Harpagus, he had placed a secret letter inside, containing his precise prediction of Astyages's next move and a request for help with his grand future plans; plans that could change the destiny of two empires.
Harpagus, who had already been captivated by the child's unusual intelligence, futuristic vision, and unique charisma, and had understood the greatness and revolutionary potential of his printed books, at first did not believe when he read the letter that Kourosh's grandfather could issue such a brutal order and condemn his own grandson to death. But upon receiving the direct and ruthless command to kill the king's grandson, he suddenly realized Kourosh's correct and astonishing prediction and was amazed. Hearing the order to kill the king's grandson and understanding the depth of Astyages's madness, his opinion completely changed, and he decided to help Kourosh and assist him on this path.
Harpagus, just as what happened in history, set out from Ecbatana with the king's order to eliminate Kourosh. But before leaving Ecbatana, using a secret messenger, he sent a clandestine letter to Kourosh. This letter contained the exact details of the king's command, Harpagus's route, and his approximate time of arrival, to inform Kourosh of the details of the king's command and to ask him to be prepared in advance and to execute the escape plan.
When the letter reached Kourosh, who was already prepared for this moment and had reviewed every scenario in his mind, he, without delay and before leaving Ecbatana, and to ensure the future of his empire, secretly spoke with his parents, Cambyses and Mandane. He spoke to them of the necessity of overthrowing the corrupt and despotic rule of the Medes and asked them to prepare for this great battle; a request that was beyond his parents' expectations and placed a heavy burden of responsibility on their shoulders. This request, like a voice from a future full of challenges and battles, made them ponder and filled their hearts with fear and hope.
Mandane approached him with deep concern and took Kourosh's small hand in hers. Her trembling voice showed a mother's fear: "My son, this request requires great courage. But do you know what dangers lie ahead? Astyages is ruthless and cares for nothing but power. Your life will be in danger." In response to his mother, Kourosh held her tightly and said in a calm but confident voice that seemed to come from the depths of wisdom, "Do not be afraid, dear mother. Destiny is already written, and with the wisdom that Ahura Mazda has given me, I will illuminate this path. This battle is not just with sword and bloodshed, but with wisdom, knowledge, and faith in justice."
Cambyses, with a sad smile that showed his understanding of the depth of his son's sacrifice, added, "If you choose this perilous path, you must be prepared to lose many things. We are with you, but you must be very careful. This is a battle with a despotic and ruthless king who will stop at nothing to maintain his power." Kourosh replied to his father, "Father, I know well that this path is not easy and has a heavy price. But freedom and justice are worth this price. Astyages rules with fear and oppression, but I will rule with knowledge, the consent of the people, and justice. This is the way to build an empire that will never fall and whose name will be immortalized in history."
This secret conversation was Kourosh's final farewell to his parents. With a heart full of determination and great hope, he was ready to begin a new chapter in his life; a chapter in which he would be hidden from the world's eyes for five years, to prepare himself in the solitude of Behistun for leading the greatest revolution in history. This separation was not an end, but the beginning of a glorious path that would forever change the destiny of Persia.