Adorned in his royal helmet and clad in the tiger-skin coat of Babr-e Bayan soaked with sweat, Rostam rode directly toward the camp of Arzhang Div. As he reached the demon vanguard, he let out a thunderous roar so immense it seemed to split the mountains and shatter the sea. Arzhang Div rushed out of his tent upon hearing the terrifying cry. Seeing him, Rostam spurred Rakhsh forward like the blazing fire of Adar Gushasp, seized the demon commander by the hair, ears, and mane, and ripped his head cleanly from his neck like a ravenous lion. He hurled the bloody, severed head straight into the midst of the demonic assembly.
When the demon warriors beheld the gruesome sight of their leader's head and the iron mace of Rostam, terror pierced their hearts. Forgetting home and realm, they fled in complete chaos, fathers trampling over sons in their desperate flight. Rostam unsheathed his vengeful sword and swept the field clear of evil. Victorious and radiant, he returned to Mount Esparuz, untied Avlad, and rested under the shade of a tall tree. There, the champion demanded the location of the city where King Kay Kavus was held captive. Avlad at once ran swiftly on foot before him, guiding the champion toward the royal prison.
As Rostam drew near the city, Rakhsh let out a mighty roar that echoed like thunder across the heavens. Inside the city, King Kay Kavus heard the steed's voice and proclaimed to the blinded Iranian captives that their dark days were over, recognizing the unmistakable cry of Rostam’s horse—a roar unheard since the ancient battles of King Qobad against the Turks. Rostam entered the city, approached Kavus and the gathered Iranian nobles, bowed low in reverence, and inquired of their long suffering. Kavus embraced him, weeping with joy, and asked after Zal and the perils of Rostam's journey.
Yet Kavus quickly warned Rostam in secret: before news of Arzhang's death reached the White Demon and summoned all the demon hosts to war, Rostam had to set off immediately for the lair of the White Demon. The King revealed that the journey lay across seven perilous mountains guarded by savage demon bands, leading to a dreadful cave where the White Demon presided. Furthermore, Kavus shared the tragic secret of their captivity: the sorcery of the demons had struck the king and his warriors completely blind. Wise physicians had foretold that dropping three drops of the White Demon's heart and brain blood into their sightless eyes was the sole remedy to wash away the darkness. Empowered by duty, Rostam readied his weapons and took leave of the captives, promising that if God willed it, he would shatter the demonic host, restore their vision, and return the ancient throne of Iran to its rightful glory.