King Keykhosrow, weary of the endlessly dragging war and Shideh's boastful words, summoned the loyal general Qaren to convey his decisive reply. The Shah declared that the time for mere speeches had passed, for true warriors do not stall on the precipice of battle. He spurned any notion of ransom, gold, or worldly treasure, recalling that this fleeting world abides with no man. Swearing by the Almighty Creator and the divine crown of Kay Kavus, Keykhosrow pledged that the ultimate judgment lay with Heaven, and that the realm, crown, and treasures of Turan would soon fall to Iran.
Accepting Shideh's challenge to a single-handed duel, the Iranian monarch swore that no champion from his army would interfere. At the break of dawn, it would be only Keykhosrow, Shideh, the open field, and the sharp edge of the blade. He issued a grim prophecy: Shideh had not come by his own free will or desire for glory, but had been drawn by Divine Fate to answer for the innocent blood of Siyavash, slaughtered like a sheep. Should Khosrow prevail in the duel, he vowed to unleash the full force of his hosts immediately after, painting the battlefield red with blood.
When Qaren reached the black banners of the Turanian line and delivered every word of the fierce ultimatum, Shideh's heart burned with anguish. He hastened to his father, Afrasiab. Upon hearing Keykhosrow's unyielding defiance, the Turanian king turned pale and heaved a bitter sigh. In that terrifying instant, the prophetic nightmare he had kept hidden in his heart for so many years flared back to life. Afrasiab realized with sinking dread that his fortune had reached its precipitous end.
Filled with foreboding, Afrasiab begged his son to delay the battle for at least two days, confessing that his heart felt shattered and foreseeing a bloody slaughter of their men. Yet Shideh, blinded by youthful pride and fury, refused his father's plea. He vowed that as soon as the sun raised its purple banner at dawn, he would ride into the arena alone to face Keykhosrow and bring black dust upon the Iranian king.