The earth boiled under the iron hooves of the warhorses as the dual horns sounded across the plains, veiling mountain and valley in armor and dust. Like fierce leopards, Goudarz son of Kashvad and Piran son of Viseh drove their hosts to the deadly clash. Arrows rained down like torrential water from a dark storm cloud, turning the soil into a tulip-red sea of blood where even the swiftest steeds found no footing amidst the slain.
Perceiving the desperation of the field, Piran commanded his valiant brothers, Lahhak and Farshidvard, to split their forces along the mountain ridge and the riverbank to encircle the Iranian ranks. Yet Goudarz, ever vigilant, learned of the ambush through his watchmen and dispatched Hajir to Giv. In turn, Giv entrusted his command to Farhad the Brave, ordering Zangeh Shavaran and Gorgin son of Milad to thwart the flanking maneuvers, while sending his heroic son Bizhan to strike deep into the heart of Piran’s lines.
In the thick of the fray, Giv rode straight toward Piran. But as Giv prepared to strike, his horse faltered, pinned in place. Bizhan hastened to his father's side, recalling the prophecy that Piran's fate was bound to fall by the hand of Goudarz alone. Thus Giv stayed his strike, while Piran retreated to rally his commanders. Lahhak and Farshidvard launched a ferocious counter-charge against Giv; Giv felled Lahhak’s mount, while Gorazeh, Gostahm, and Bizhan thrust into Farshidvard and Andariman, dealing grave wounds to the Turanian leadership.
As night descended like black ebony, war horns echoed across the blood-soaked plain, signaling a cease-fire. Exhausted, parched, and battered, the armies disengaged: Goudarz drew back to Zibad, while Piran retreated toward Mount Gonabad. In the council of night, Goudarz addressed the weary Iranian champions. Invoking the eternal wisdom of God and tracing the grand lineage of battle from the cruel tyranny of Zahhak to the justice of Fereydun, the martyrdom of Siyavash, and the long trials of Giv, Goudarz proposed a pact of single combat between chosen champions to spare the innocent troops from slaughter. The Iranian heroes swore absolute loyalty, ready to lay down their lives. Goudarz reorganized the host, placing Sheydush in charge of the Kavian Banner and charging Gostahm with the vigilance of the main camp. Meanwhile, atop Mount Gonabad, Piran gathered his heartbroken and shattered army. Reminding them of the wrath of King Afrasiab and the sacred duty of honor, he accepted the challenge of single combats and emotionally urged his surviving brothers, Lahhak and Farshidvard, to guard the rear and flee to Turan should the house of Viseh perish on the morrow.