Daniel remained in Sardis as the Ionian revolts began to spread throughout the region. Although the city had not yet been directly threatened, tension hung heavily in the air. Persian officials worked tirelessly to prepare for any possible attack, while merchants debated whether to flee or stay. The air smelled of uncertainty, and Daniel knew it was only a matter of time before Sardis was drawn into the conflict.
After gaining the trust of the local administrators, Daniel focused on reinforcing the city's defenses. He suggested strengthening the walls and increasing the number of sentries at key entry points. His knowledge of siege tactics—acquired both from history books and strategy games—proved invaluable. Although the Persians initially dismissed his suggestions, early signs of skirmishes in the region made them reconsider. Gradually, Daniel's advice began to be taken more seriously.
Despite his growing influence, he chose not to participate actively in the war. He lacked military training and knew that commanding troops wasn't his strength. Instead, he used his dinosaurs as covert scouts, sending them to patrol the outskirts of the city. His Velociraptor and Coelophysis proved invaluable in detecting enemy spies and saboteurs, eliminating them before they could pass on any information to the rebels.
Persian authorities began to notice that their security had improved, though they couldn't explain why. Rumors circulated of an unknown force dealing with enemy infiltrators, but no one suspected Daniel. He preferred to remain in the shadows, offering guidance and intelligence while keeping his true capabilities hidden.
However, his actions did not go unnoticed by the rebels. The Ionian leaders, frustrated by their inability to gain ground in Sardis, began to search for the cause of their failures. Some suspected a traitor within their ranks, while others believed the Persians had received outside help. Daniel knew it was only a matter of time before they started looking for him.
As the days passed, reports of Greek forces advancing toward Sardis grew more frequent. The Persians prepared for battle, and Daniel realized the city would soon be engulfed in flames. He had chosen to stay, but now he wondered if that decision would lead to his ruin.
The siege of Sardis was imminent, and Daniel had to decide how far he was willing to go to protect the city that had become his temporary home.
Daniel watched as Sardis braced for the storm ahead. The Ionian revolt had fully erupted, and the Persian rulers of the city were beginning to grasp the severity of the threat. Tension filled the streets—merchants feared trade disruptions, and officials hurried to fortify key points in the city. Although the nobility had initially been skeptical of Daniel's warnings, the first skirmishes confirmed the truth of his words. Now, at least a few were beginning to listen.
Satrap Artaphernes had begun reinforcing the city's defenses, though belatedly. Daniel seized the opportunity to discreetly offer suggestions, blending his modern knowledge with the tactics of the time. Reinforcing the city gates, layering the walls with wood and stone, and organizing guard rotations were just a few of the measures he managed to implement. Though still an outsider, his ideas were no longer completely ignored.
Beyond the walls, the Greeks gathered their forces. Reports arrived of rebel movements along the western coast, with Miletus at the heart of the uprising. Though the Persian army was formidable, the unrest among the Ionian cities posed a serious threat. The Greeks had naval superiority, and their knowledge of the terrain gave them an edge in skirmishes.
Daniel had chosen to remain in Sardis. While he lacked the skills to lead troops, he knew he could play a vital role in intelligence and strategy. Using his dinosaurs as scouts, he tracked enemy movements. His smaller, more agile creatures—like the Velociraptor and the Coelophysis—moved unseen through forests and hills, hunting down Greek spies and messengers. When necessary, they eliminated threats before they could report back.
Over time, Daniel learned of an imminent attack on Sardis. Emboldened by early victories, the Greeks were advancing inland, planning to strike at the heart of Persian control in Anatolia. This was the moment of truth.
When he presented his findings to Artaphernes, the satrap eyed him warily. "You've predicted much, and much has come to pass," he admitted. "But you remain an enigma, traveler. Why do you know these things? How can I trust your word?"
Daniel hesitated. Too much information would only bring more scrutiny. "I've spent my life studying war and its patterns. This revolt is following the same course as many others. You don't have to trust me—just the results."
Artaphernes studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. What do you propose?"
"Sardis must prepare for a siege," Daniel said. "Evacuate nonessential civilians, fortify supply lines, and secure the granaries. If we hold out, Persian reinforcements will arrive."
The satrap agreed and set preparations in motion. Yet even with all his knowledge, Daniel couldn't fully change the course of history. Sardis was destined to fall. The question was: how much could he influence before that moment came?
Tension in Sardis was like a bowstring pulled tight—ready to snap at any moment. Rumors of Ionian uprisings spread through the city like wildfire. Merchants whispered in hushed voices, soldiers sharpened their weapons with grim determination, and nobles debated behind closed doors. Sardis was a city on edge, and Daniel could feel it in the air.
Far away, in the heart of Persepolis, King Darius I was not sitting idly by. Reports of rebellion reached him swiftly, and he responded with the full might of the Persian Empire. Three armies were mobilized, marching toward the rebellious cities, and a new fleet was being assembled to crush the Greeks at sea. The Ionian Revolt would not be allowed to escalate. But all this took time—gathering armies, transporting supplies, and devising strategy. Weeks, perhaps months, would pass before Persia's full force descended upon the rebels.
For Sardis, that meant one thing: vulnerability.
Daniel knew Sardis would be a top target. With the Persian armies still on the move, the rebels would see an opportunity to strike at one of the empire's main administrative centers. If the city fell, it would send a clear message: the revolt was succeeding.
He couldn't let that happen.
Though he had no experience leading troops, he had other strengths: his mind, his knowledge—and, of course, his dinosaurs.
Under the cover of night, he sent his raptor and Coelophysis beyond the city walls. Their keen senses and agility made them perfect scouts, slipping through forests and hills undetected. If spies or saboteurs lurked outside, they would not return to their masters.
Days passed, and Daniel's warnings became impossible to ignore. Soldiers stationed outside the city reported strange disappearances—scouts who never returned, Ionian spies found dead in the wilderness with wounds no sword could have made. Persian commanders grew cautious. Though they didn't fully trust Daniel, they could no longer deny his results.
Still, suspicion lingered.
"Where do you get this information?" asked Artabanes, the Persian commander, one night. "No one can know these things unless they have powerful allies or dangerous secrets."
Daniel held his gaze, choosing his words carefully. "I observe. I listen. I understand patterns." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You've seen my warnings come true. Believe me when I say that Sardis is not safe. We must prepare."
Artabanes studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then tell me—how do we prepare?"
This was the moment Daniel had been waiting for.
He laid out a strategy: reinforce the city's weakest points, increase surveillance at the gates, train soldiers in formations capable of countering Greek phalanxes, and build fireproof barriers to prevent sabotage. Simple, practical measures that could make all the difference.
The Persians, though reluctant, began implementing some of his suggestions.
Then, one fateful morning, a distant column of smoke darkened the sky.
War had come to Sardis.