The clash reached its dire zenith as deadly poplar arrows filled the firmament, blotting out the very light of the sun. Esfandiyar, impenetrable of body, drew his bow with devastating power, pinning steel armor directly to flesh. Under this relentless volley, Rostam’s matchless steed Rakhsh faltered, dripping with gore from innumerable wounds. Rostam himself, pierced through armor and bone, was forced to abandon his mount and drag his bleeding body up a steep rocky outcrop. Esfandiyar laughed in triumphant mockery, taunting the titan of Zabulistan—asking where his elephantine strength and demon-quelling cudgel had fled in his hour of peril. Zovareh, catching sight of Rakhsh limping away in agony, rode frantically to the battlefield, but Rostam commanded him to return post-haste to Zal to seek immediate healing and counsel. Displaying profound craft and composure despite his mortal pain, Rostam invoked the falling dark, requesting a night truce to bind his wounds and consider Esfandiyar’s demands by morning. Touched by Rostam’s legendary stature, the prince granted the reprieve. Severely wounded yet unbowed, Rostam waded through the treacherous river currents to reach his hall, leaving Esfandiyar marveling in awe at a titan who could bear such agony. Yet upon returning to his own royal pavilion, Esfandiyar was shattered by grief: his two cherished sons, Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, lay dead, slain in the flank battles. Covering his head in ashes, the broken prince sent their golden caskets back to King Goshtasp, accompanying them with bitter condemnation of his father's boundless greed and bloodthirsty ambition.