“You thought of killing yourself to escape from your hopelessness... But, in that hopeless moment, was under the wheel of destiny.” Ubik, Vol. 3 Ch. 2

Okay, so that line isn’t about Griffith, but it applies to him just the same. He got knocked out of the wagon and tossed into a lake. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no horses, no wagon, and newly broken bones, Griffith couldn’t help but laugh at how pathetic he’d become. His first impulse was suicide, but no, that didn’t quite work out. He was still terrified of death. He missed his throat and only accomplished a stream of blood trickling down his arm. His Behelit was lost in the prison, carried away by an underground river. But as fate would have it – literally – his splashing about in the lake brought it back into his hands.

The Eclipse

“Griffith...!! Was it me? That pushed you over the edge... Was it me that changed you!? What should I do...!? Why’d you want me!?” Guts, Vol. 12 Ch. 4

Well it certainly wasn’t for your dazzling intellect. Yes, Guts still didn’t get it. Never had, never would. But he still chased after Griffith because, whether out of love or hatred, it’s the only thing he’d ever know how to do. And also because somewhere, deep down, he felt responsible for all this. Now, I’m not saying the ensuing carnage was Guts’ fault. I’m just saying that if Guts hadn’t left, none of it would’ve happened and everyone would live happily ever after. Caska certainly thought so.

“What can I do!? I can catch up to Griffith... Then what... Then what!? What the...?” Guts, Vol. 12 Ch. 4

Hmm... there seems to be an ominous-looking solar eclipse looming overhead.

“...Uh.......!!” Griffith, Vol. 12 Ch. 4

Griffith was as confused as everyone else because he didn’t plan for this to happen. He had no clue how the Behelit worked. While dangling him around the other day, Wyald did mentioned something about summoning some “guardian angels,” but Griffith didn’t know who they were or how to do that. The Behelit was being triggered passively by his fresh blood and tears to usher in a demonic festival that took place once every 216 years. Day turned to night and strange creatures emerged from the lake.

DISCLAIMER: Berserk and all the characters, story, and art therein is copyright Kentarou Miura. No copyright infringement is intended, and I hope that this essay inspires more people to read/watch Berserk! Translation by The Band of the Hawk.