King Kay Khosrow summoned his scribe to pen a grand royal decree addressed to Rostam, the World-Champion. In this letter, the monarch showered Rostam with divine praise, calling him the sole remaining glory of their ancestors, the pillar of the Kianian dynasty, and a warrior whose terrifying strength subdued both the panthers of the wilderness and the leviathans of the deep. Khosrow recounted how Almighty Yazdan had granted Rostam elephantine strength and profound wisdom so that he might reach into dark pits and deliver those who cry out for help. He described the mysterious disappearance of young Bizhan, the heartbreak of Giyv and Gudarz, and the cosmic revelation of the World-Seeing Cup, urging Rostam to hasten to the Iranian court to devise a plan of rescue.
Once the royal ring sealed the parchment, Giyv praised the King, mounted his swift steed, and rode out without delay. Crossing the arid wastes toward the Helmand River, Giyv devoured a two-day trek in a single day. As he approached Zabulistan, Zal’s watchman raised a cry from the lookout tower, spotting a dusty rider with a glitter of steel. Fearing some newly hatched malice or Turanian threat, Zal زر personally rode forth. Upon recognizing the grief-stricken face of Giyv, Zal led him into the royal palace, offering solace while explaining that Rostam was currently away hunting wild asses in the plains.
When Rostam returned from the hunt, Giyv cast himself at the champion's feet, weeping tears of agony. Rostam dismounted, embraced the noble father, wiped the tears from his face, and eagerly inquired after King Khosrow, Gudarz, Tus, Gustahm, and the other champions of the realm. Hearing Bizhan's name, Giyv poured out the tragic story of his son's imprisonment in Turan's dark pit, handing him Khosrow's letter. Moved to deep rage and sorrow, Rostam swore by Almighty God that he would not unfasten Rakhsh's saddle until he had broken Bizhan's chains and dragged him free from the dark pit.
After hosting Giyv for three days of grand feasting in Zabulistan, Rostam donned his battle armor on the fourth day, strapped Sam's legendary heavy mace to his saddle, and mounted Rakhsh. Entrusting the rule of Zabulistan to Zal and Faramarz, Rostam set out for Iran alongside Giyv and one hundred elite Zabul warriors. As they neared the Iranian border, Giyv galloped ahead to deliver the joyous news to Kay Khosrow. Overjoyed, the King dispatched Gudarz, Tus, Farhad, and the finest warriors of the realm in full ceremonial splendor to welcome Rostam. Meeting the World-Champion, the Iranian heroes dismounted in solemn homage before mounting their chargers once more to ride like blazing fire back to the royal citadel.