Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 18

It's alive!

I'd give an explanation for the long absence, but it'd just be excuses. I'm also not sure this one is as good as it theoretically could be given the time I've had, but I've let things slide enough and giving it 'just a bit more time' probably isn't going to change much at this point.

So without further ado, let's get back into this:

What Happens

Kushan Scouts, Chapters 1-2

In an abandoned village a boy named Isidro watches from hiding as a group of Kushan scouts easily dispatch a band of mercenaries. Then Guts walks through town and kills them just as easily. On a nearby hilltop Silat reminds his men they’re here to scout, not intervene – yet, and warns them not to underestimate Guts.

Tower of Shadow, Chapters 1-2

At St. Albion’s, some of the refugees are so desperate they try to steal food from a wagon bringing tribute to the monastery. They are quickly surrounded by Farnese and her men, but one woman pleads for her child, who’s too sick to even nurse. Mozgus overhears and commends the woman for her concern, promising to show mercy.

The would-be thieves are taken into the monastery. The woman’s baby is brought to a physician, and Mozgus promises her he will receive proper care. Then he takes her to the torture chamber to pay for her crime with her fellow refugees. Farnese is horrified by the hellish spectacle unfolding within, but Mozgus tells her she must not look away – God is not only benevolent but a judge as well.

Jerome, one of the Holy Iron Chain Knights, takes his leave of Luca. He gives her food as the usual payment but also a necklace as a sign of his favor, promising to make her his mistress when he returns home. But Luca makes a point of not believing everything johns tell her and shares the beads with her fellow prostitutes. She has them share half the food among their neighbours to maintain goodwill. They keep Casca, whom they call Elaine because she can’t tell them her real name, swathed in bandages, claiming she has syphilis; they’re worried some of the men in the camp won’t be able to resist a pretty girl who can’t say ‘no.’

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 17

Halfway through! Yahoo!

What Happens

The Unseen

Puck steals the keys and frees Guts (after wringing out a thank you). They sneak back to Farnese’s tent to get Guts’s things and knock her out, but a guard spots them and forces Guts to take her hostage to escape. He sets her tent on fire and lets the horses loose, but Serpico follows behind him in the confusion.

When Farnese regains consciousness Guts tells her he’s not letting her go until she answers some questions, dangling her over the rocky ground when she refuses to cooperate. Puck tries to apologize for Guts’s behaviour but realizes she can’t see him. Serpico, however, seems to see the spirits that fly past him.

Night of Miracles

The spirits swarm Guts and the others. Farnese can feel their touch if not see them. The horse stumbles and throws them off, into a pack of wild dogs the spirits promptly possess. Farnese refuses to believe her eyes, but Guts tells her that’s why it’s a miracle as he starts killing them.

Past and Future

Farnese tries to mount the horse and run, but it’s possessed too, and almost does things the other way around. Guts rushes back and decapitates it. Puck wonders why that provoked him so much and receives an impression of Casca’s rape.

As the sun comes up Farnese is shaken by the fact she was unable to call on God the entire time.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 16

In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have said "definitely."

What Happens

Monster

Jill’s father (his name is Zepek) and the Holy Iron Chain Knights arrive at the site of Guts’s battle with the guardians, who are so thoroughly scattered and mutilated it’s initially taken to be the work of cannon and a whole squad of soldiers. Serpico, one of Farnese’s lieutenants, deduces that nope, it’s actually one man with a really big sword. The Knights are now convinced Guts is the prophesied Hawk of Darkness.

The elves swarm Guts, but he kills them by diving into the flames, extinguishing himself with the fluid from a cocoon.

Sky Demon

Rosine tries to attack Guts, but the trees prevent her from maneuvering. Amidst the flames she transforms into her full Apostle form. Everything is in ruins, but she vows that she’ll fly elsewhere and start anew, so long as she has Jill. But first, Guts has to pay.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 15

Okaaayyy...This is way later than it should have been and I don't have any real excuse for it. Let's see if we can get back on track. The next update will definitely be up next Sunday.

What Happens

Queen

Seeing the elves’ mischievous attitude and disdain for “grown-ups”, Puck realizes they’re children – human children. Seeing Puck talking to Guts, the queen, larger than the rest, tauntingly calls him “Peekaf”, and Jill seems to recognize her voice. She throws herself in front of Guts when the queen tries to attack him, calling her “Rosine.” Hearing this, the queen calls the others off and leaves.

The villagers are horrified by Guts’s actions, but he only laughs, reminding them that none of them raised a finger to help the boy. Then someone realizes there are bodies burning in the wreckage – children’s bodies.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 14

This is last Sunday's update (late, obviously) in the interest of keeping a once-a-week schedule. The next volume will be up (hopefully - I have a busy weekend ahead) on Sunday.

What Happens

Demon Infant

The Skull Knight explains that the cave he brought Guts and Casca to will hide them from demons. Elves used to live in these mountains, so the earth’s energy remains strong and thus shields their presence (is there a fantasy equivalent of technobabble?). He also says the fortuitous circumstances of the last few days are all a matter of chance.

Casca is surrounded by spirits, but they’re not attacking her. She suddenly collapses in pain, and something small and fetus-like drops out from between her legs. The Skull Knight says it’s her child, corrupted when she was raped by Griffith, and it would be best to kill it now; it will only cause trouble. But Casca desperately tries to defend it, Guts hesitates since it’s obvious who the father is, and the child vanishes with the daylight. The Skull Knight realizes what’s going on and tells Guts he’ll see it again – children yearn for their parents, after all.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 13

The longest one yet, but hey, the Eclipse is a pivotal part of the story and deserves the extra analysis.

What Happens

Storm of Death, Chapters 1-2

As Rickert watches from hiding, Zodd and the Skull Knight continue to fight. Zodd is ostensibly supposed to be guarding the way into the whirlwind but claims he’s only interested in continuing his feud with the latter, who does not deny that he came because of his millennium-long rivalry with the Godhand.

Inside the whirlwind, Corkus flees in terror, convincing himself everything has been a dream before allowing himself to be killed by a demon disguised as a naked woman. Casca is rescued by Pippin and Judeau, the former buying them time while the latter carries her off on horseback. Despite his best efforts to protect her, Judeau is killed. As he dies he reflects to himself that he never got his chance to tell Casca “that important thing.” Demons swarm over Casca, tearing off her clothes and armor.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 12

What Happens

Requiem of the Wind

At the Midland border, Casca finally explains the truth of Griffith’s condition and it starts to truly sink in – the Band of the Hawk is finished. Someone mentions that Casca could still take command, but Judeau says that’s asking too much of her after everything she’s done already. However, she says she’ll think about it until they meet up with Rickert’s group.

Guts wants to tell everyone not to give up, but Casca stops him, telling him afterwards that such words hold no weight with Griffith the way he is. From inside his wagon, Griffith sees them as Casca rests her head on Guts’s chest.