When Zahhak the Serpent King ascended the throne of the world, a heavy, thousand-year shadow of darkness descended upon the earth. Throughout this endless epoch, the heavens turned only to the advantage of evil, forcing the noble deeds of the wise into hiding while the base desires of demons and fools ran rampant. Virtue was trampled into the dust, sorcery was exalted to honor, and while truth withdrew into concealment, calamity and ruin stalked the world openly. The hands of demonic spirits stretched out unchecked toward evil, and goodness could be spoken of only in whispered secrets.
From the royal chambers of Jamshid, his two pure-hearted daughters—Shahrnaz and the chaste Arnavaz, maidens cherished like crowns upon the brows of noble women—were dragged out, trembling like willow leaves in the wind. They were borne into the gloomy palace of Zahhak and surrendered to the dragon-like tyrant. Through evil spells and black arts, Zahhak sought to corrupt their pure souls, instilling in them deceit and malice; for that cruel tyrant knew no art nor wisdom save the teaching of falsehood, slaughter, plunder, and destruction.