When Rostam twirled his coiled, royal lariat, its binding loop settled around the Khaqan of China. The arrogant monarch, who stood atop his majestic white elephant, felt sudden terror as soul and hope abandoned him. Rostam hauled him down from his high perch, slammed him to the earth, and bound his arms tightly in heavy fetters. The Khaqan, who once possessed crowns, ivory thrones, and royal litters, was marched on foot through the dust of battle—a stark reminder of the treacherous world that raises a man high only to cast him into the abyss.
With the Khaqan bound, Rostam brandished his heavy mace once more, charging into the panicked ranks. The field became so packed with battle and slaughter that path failed even the ant and the gnat, as rivers of blood surged beneath fallen bodies. Suddenly, a pitch-black cloud and dark gale swallowed the sun and moon, veiling the horizon in absolute night. Piran Viseh looked upon the carnage and saw that his greatest champions—Kamus, Manshur, and the Khaqan—were all slain or captured, and the black banners of Turan lay overturned in the mire. Realizing destiny had turned against him, he instructed his brother Nestihan and Kolbad to sheath their weapons, lower the banners, and flee stealthily through the dark wilderness.
Giv and the Iranian champions plundered the enemy's right wing, searching frantically for Piran, but finding no trace of him, they returned to Rostam. Covered in blood, dust, and sweat, their armor torn, they washed their bodies and souls, offering fervent prayers of thanksgiving to Yazdan. Rostam addressed Goudarz, Giv, and the gathering of heroes, recounting how he felt when King Kay Khosrow privately revealed that Tus was besieged on Mount Hamavan and that brave Bahram and Rivniz had fallen. He confessed that when he first laid eyes on the mountain-like champions Kamus and the Khaqan atop their armored elephants, his mind was transported back to the terrifying demons of Mazandaran; yet Divine Providence granted victory over those towering foes. The Iranians feasted and drank royal wine until midnight, honoring the Almighty.
At dawn's first crimson light, Rostam dispatched Bijan to reconnoiter the field, only to discover that the entire Turanian army had slipped away in the dark while the Iranian sentries slept. Rostam erupted in fury at Tus and the negligent guards, berating them for allowing Piran, Kolbad, Homan, Rouyin, and Foulad to escape into the night. He then commanded the army to collect the vast spoils left behind—jeweled crowns, ruby-encrusted belts, ivory thrones, Roman brocade, weapons, and war elephants. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of earthly wealth, Rostam summoned Prince Fariborz, son of Kay Kavus, entrusting him with the victory dispatch, the royal captives including the Khaqan, and the immense treasures to present before King Kay Khosrow, while Rostam prepared to pursue the fleeing remnants of Turan.