Volume 1: Rebirth, Cyrus's Childhood
Chapter 1: The Iran-Israel Conflict
In a history class at the University of Tehran, Professor Cyrus, with deep passion and fervor, turned the pages of Iran's tumultuous history. His voice, accompanied by precise explanations from the Achaemenid to the Sasanian eras, filled the hall, but his heart was heavy with worry and fear; a fear rooted in Israel's recent attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Suddenly, a voice rose from among the students, like an alarm bell: "Professor, how can we, as the young generation, face this situation?" Cyrus paused for a moment, fixed his gaze on the students, and with a composure that hid his inner fear, replied: "We don't just study history; we learn from it. History has shown us that nations have passed through darkness with unity and courage. This time too, the only way to salvation is to help each other and stand together."
After class, he headed home with heavy steps. The sun had set on the horizon, and Tehran's sky had a strange, dusty haze. He was passing by Tajrish Square, near the university, when a deafening roar suddenly shook the air. An F-35 fighter jet ripped through the sky, and his heart pounded. Moments later, missiles struck Tajrish Square with deadly precision. Flames shot into the sky, and thick black smoke enveloped everything. The world seemed to him to have shattered; a scene of horror mingled with the screams of people and the sound of fleeing footsteps.
An inner instinct drew him towards Tajrish Square. He felt he had to do something, perhaps help the wounded or rescue those trapped under the rubble. But with every step he took, a deeper fear consumed him. In his mind, images from history lessons came alive: ancient battles, heroic resistances, and a question that constantly repeated itself: could this generation withstand this new darkness?
His surroundings were filled with destruction. Residential houses with cracked walls and broken windows, a road cluttered with scattered asphalt and damaged cars that made running difficult. Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry reached his ears from amidst the smoke and fire. He rushed towards the sound and arrived at a burning house. Among the ruins, he saw a young woman; her face was filled with pain and terror, and half of her body was trapped under the rubble. She was trying with all her might to save her young daughter from the fire and ashes, but her deep wounds had weakened her. Cyrus, without a moment's hesitation, entered through the broken window and ran towards them. The mother, with a plea-filled moan, said: "Please, save my daughter!" Cyrus's heart pounded with worry. Carefully and cautiously, he separated the little girl from her mother's embrace and moved towards the exit.
But at that very moment, a tremendous sound shook the space. Walls began to collapse, and dust enveloped everything. Cyrus, with the little girl in his arms, ran with all his strength towards the exit. Each step was accompanied by further collapse of the house. With an inner cry, he pulled himself and the child towards freedom. At the last moment, he managed to pull the little girl out from under the rubble and, with a trembling voice, said: "Get away, call for help!"
Barely a moment passed before the house completely collapsed with a massive explosion. Heavy debris fell on Cyrus, trapping him under a pile of earth and stones. A searing pain enveloped his entire body, and his breath grew ragged. Sounds gradually faded, and darkness covered his eyes.
In that state of despair, his mind drifted through his life: to his family who were waiting for him, to his students who listened to his words, and to his beloved Iran that he cherished with all his being. He felt the end was near; darkness enveloped him, as if he would be lost in it forever.
Suddenly, in the midst of that darkness, a point of light appeared in the distance. His eyes fixated on it, and a strange sense of hope rekindled within him. Without conscious will, he was drawn towards that light. What awaited him? Was this the beginning of another journey?