Fereydun crossed the threshold of Zahhak’s enchanted palace, where a towering talisman reached toward the heavens. Invoking the holy name of the Sovereign of the World, the young hero brought the sorcerous edifice crashing down. He breached the great hall, where foul sorcerers and formidable demon-warriors were gathered. Raising his ox-headed mace, Fereydun struck them down, shattering their skulls and scattering their lifeless bodies across the stone floors. Striding forward, he mounted the throne of the serpent-king and placed the Kayanian crown upon his brow.
Cleansing the inner chambers, Fereydun ordered the veiled, sun-faced maidens of the royal harem to be brought forth—the dark-haired princesses descended from King Jamshid. He commanded that their heads and bodies be washed with pure water, purging their souls of the dark rites forced upon them by their captors, and set them upon the righteous path of God. For years, held under the spell of demon-worshippers, their minds had hovered in a bewitched haze.
The princesses of Jamshid, tears glistening like dew upon rose petals, addressed Fereydun in wonder: "O youth of blest fortune, what star brought thee hither? From what noble branch hast thou blossomed, that thou stepst so boldly unto the lair of the lion? Throughout all these dark ages, under the cruel folly of this sorcerer, none had the courage or the divine prowess to covet this seat of power!"
Fereydun answered: "Neither fortune nor throne remains forever with any man. I am the son of noble Abtin, whom Zahhak cruelly slew in the land of Iran. I come seeking vengeance for my slain father, and for the holy cow Barmayeh—my loving nurse whose radiant hide shone like precious jewels. For their blood, I have girded my loins for battle and brought my wrath from Iran. With this ox-headed mace, I shall crush the tyrant's head without mercy!"
Upon hearing his words, Princess Arnavaz felt the secret burden lifted from her heart. She exclaimed: "Thou art indeed King Fereydun, fated to shatter Zahhak's spellcraft and destroy his reign! We two pure maidens of the royal line were submitted to his tyranny only out of dread for our lives. He called us his brides and the companions of his serpents. O King, how could any mortal endure such horror?"
Fereydun vowed that if Heaven granted him justice, he would root the dragon out of the earth and cleanse the world of all evil. He then asked where the vile creature had vanished. The maidens revealed that Zahhak had fled toward Hindustan to practice dark magic and slaughter thousands of innocents, hoping to wash away his doomed omen in pools of blood, while ceaselessly tortured by the ravenous black serpents upon his shoulders. Yet, they warned, the hour of his return to the palace was imminent.