The Moon shined brightly through the parted clouds, casting its serene glow over the city. It was a warm night despite it being the middle of November. A stranger dressed in black made his way quietly through the streets of Brooklyn. His electric blue eyes scanned the vicinity for any signs of danger. He couldn't afford any trouble now that he was close to his destination. The bundle he was carrying,  moved ever so slightly, bringing his attention back to the sleeping infant in his arms. He smiled involuntarily as he tucked the baby further into the safety of the blankets. Upon glancing up, he noticed the brownstone apartment. Its walls looked faded under the weather but it still seemed surprisingly intact. He hurried across the street and rang the doorbell for the flat situated on the second floor. He scanned the street once more before entering into the now open apartment door.

" Didus ", he said greeting the blonde haired and brown-eyed man who welcomed him into the flat." I hope you are ready to undertake this responsibility . I cannot stay here much longer."

" I am ready as I will ever be Orus. I have been preparing for this ever since Dosnus notified me, I'm surprised he hasn't come to deliver her himself," Didus said while glancing at the bundle, hoping to get a peek of the baby.

" He has responsibilities of his own. That is why I am here."

Didus simply nodded and outstretched his arms for the baby. Orus hesitated only a second before carefully handing over the infant into Didus's arms. He watched the baby squirm in the blankets, as if it knew it was in the arms of a stranger. He watched as Didus stared at her in awe and cradled her carefully. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that Didus was the one who would watch her grow and that she would believe he was her only family.

" In the name of Ithaka, her esme is quite strong. I've never felt such power from an infant before Orus," Didus said.

" Yes, that is why you must protect her with your life. Keep her safe until someone from Dirva  comes for her. If anything.....", He trailed off as the baby in Didus's arms let out a gentle coo. Both men watched as the chocolate-haired infant opened  its electric blue eyes and took in its surroundings .

" I see she has not missed the distinctive blue eyes of your family Orus." Didus chuckled.

"Of course not," Orus replied while gently caressing the baby's cheek. He opened his mouth to say something else but immediately went stiff with fear as he sensed an unfriendly presence close by. As if confirming his worst suspicions, Didus said," They are near.You must leave Orus! Your strong esme is only adding to hers."

Orus ran a hand through his chocolaty brown locks before nodding. He quickly took a pillow from the couch and placed it in the blankets he brought the baby in while Didus held onto the baby. He hastily placed a kiss on the baby's forehead before whispering," I'll  come back for you Zinia. Consider it a promise from your uncle."

" I will make sure no harm comes to her Orus. Tell Dosnus I said so too," Didus reassured the blue-eyed man before he saw him disappear through the fire escape. He carefully trudged closer to the window and peeked through the curtains to find two men in  coats standing less than 100 feet away from the apartment. He held the baby girl close as she started struggling, almost as if she sensed the danger too. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Orus deliberately making a loud noise while sprinting, effectively distracting the men and leading them away from the apartment.

Orus took as many turns and twists on the streets as he could as he ran. He was being chased, just like he hoped. He decided to lead the men out of the city, as far away as possible from his niece. He would have succeeded too, had he not encountered another two of them in the direction he was running. He stopped running mid-way and glanced back where the men who were chasing him for half -an-hour were still advancing. He looked forward again and greeted his new enemies with a smirk. He threw the fake bundle in his arms to the ground and watched in satisfaction when his enemies features were scrunched up in confusion first and then anger. He drew his sword out at the same time as them. He knew he couldn't make it out alive and it didn't matter as long as his niece was safe. He then charged, thinking, For Dirva.