Following the tragic death of Rivniz, Tus turned to his own brave son Zarasp, urging him to kindle his heart like the sacred fire of Adar Gushasp. He bade him don warrior's steel, guard his life, and ride forth to avenge his fallen kin. Zarasp strapped on his helmet, his heart surging with vengeance, and spurred his horse forward like a leaping flame toward the mountain citadel.
From the heights above, young Prince Forud observed the approaching champion and asked Tokhar to identify this new warrior. Tokhar recognized him at once as Zarasp, the valiant son of Tus and brother-in-law to Rivniz—a warrior so formidable he would never turn his horse away even from a war elephant. Tokhar warned Forud that time was short: he must loose a deadly poplar shaft at once, pinning the champion to his mount so that the reckless commander Tus would understand the deadly peril of Sepid-Kuh.
Forud drew his bow to its full arc and released a lightning shaft. The arrow struck Zarasp full in the waist, stitching his flesh to the wooden pommel of his saddle. Zarasp fell lifeless to the earth as his riderless steed galloped wildly back to the Iranian camp. A lamentation erupted among the Iranian host, and warriors removed their helmets in mourning. Filled with grief and burning fury, Tus wept bitterly, then hastily strapped on his armor. Mounting his warhorse like a towering mountain, he turned his reins toward Forud, his mind consumed by terrible vengeance.