GutsYou know, there's no need for you to worry yourself. It was for my own sake that I did all that. It wasn't for you in particular. It's just my nature. I'd rather fight with my sword than run away, that's all.
So that's the only reason? You fought a hundred men cause... It's not in your nature to run away?
Guts
Yeah, pretty much. Besides, I owed that bastard some payback. My memory of things is a bit unclear, I was lost in the swordplay. But to tell you the truth, there was something I just couldn't get out of my head. Compared to what you're trying to do, me fighting a hundred men means nothing, it has no purpose. I'm not talking about just you, I mean Griffith also. The two of you have something important that you can stake your lives on. I think it's great, I truly mean that. Compared to the strength of that purpose, whether I face a hundred men in battle or even a thousand, seems like nothing but a random act.
Guts
Some view, huh?
Guts
Gaston doesn't think he's very suited for army life. His intention is to start a tailoring business with the money he's earned when this war is over. He's very good with his hands, though he may not look it. Nikol had proposed to a woman who refused him once. Apparently she didn't want to marry a common soldier, so he declared he'd get promoted as soon as possible so that he could ask her again. That's why he tends to be so reckless and overextends himself in battle. It seems to me that everybody stakes their lives in a lost cause. Looking over them all from up here, I almost think I can see their hopes and dreams flickering in each little light.
Like a bonfire of dreams.
Guts
Well, that was beautiful. You sounded like the Princess talking.
Don't say that! But I understand; it's like each one of them has his own little light or small flame that he brings to the Band of the Hawk.
Guts
Yeah, and to ensure those weaker flames don't go out, each man casts his own into the strongest fire of them all: A raging fire, that is Griffith. But, my light isn't to be seen among them. Still, after all this time, it's seems I'm just someone who stopped to warm himself at the bonfire in passing.
Guts
So long as I have my sword to fight with, I'm sure to survive. Year after year, I've proven it to be true. Before joining the Hawks, I've always survived, no matter the odds, no matter how hopeless a losing battle. This time was no different. In truth, I don't believe that's any way to live one's life. I've been fighting in battles for as long as I can remember. The mercenary leader who raised me taught me nothing except how to wield a sword. I've never had anything, except my sword. I don't want to die; for me that is the only reason for me I keep fighting. There is nothing to save myself for or give myself to. I fight because I know nothing else. Once I was willing, to do just that, to commit myself to fighting, and let anyone else find a reason for me.
Guts
Alright! Let's have a drink.
HRHawk Raider 1
Are you sure you should drink in your condition?
Guts
Ah shut up. The alcohol will disinfect me from the inside!
HRHawk Raider 2
Ha ha, that sounds like good medicine!
Do you think me a dreadful man? I had you take such a part in my affairs, while never getting my own hands dirty. I left the most difficult and dangerous tasks to you alone. Do you then not, resent me?
Guts
You do realize you're talking to the man who slaughtered a hundred men. I think it makes your question kind of pointless. You're just following your path, you still believe that, don't you?
(After making love to Casca, Guts confesses he'll go his own way after restoring the Hawks to their former status.)
Guts
I'll never draw my sword for another man again, or be dangled by someone else's dream. From now on, I'll fight my own battles.
(laughs sarcastically) My, my. How honorable...
(Casca picks up some leaves and tosses them at Guts.)
CCasca (angrily)
You're just like Griffith! Your dream is everything to you! You only think about yourself! You don't give a damn whether or not I'm around, do you?!
Guts
Casca...
(Casca beats Guts' chest with her fist, tears in her eyes.)
JUST GO! Do whatever the hell you want and don't look back! Wind up dead somewhere, alone, with your sword!
(She starts to cry, but Guts embraces her.)
Guts
Come. You could come with me.
Guts
I don't know what will happen. I know only one thing; that I want to keep holding you...
Guts
...lie with you a hundred more -- no, a thousand more times. That's how I feel.
(They kiss.)
(While discussing plans for the future with Judeau, Guts is interrupted by Gaston and a large group of the Hawks raiders)
GGaston
Commander Guts! Say, you weren't thinking about leaving without saying goodbye again, now, were you? Because if that's the case, we've decided that we're coming with you, and there's nothing you can do about it. It was a unanimous decision.
Guts
All of you?
GGaston
As long as you're leading us, we know we can succeed. Please take us with you, Commander.
(The other Hawks join in, begging to come along with Guts)
Guts
(thinking) Perhaps, this is what I was looking for my whole life. I hadn't realized it until this very moment, but everything I ever wanted back is right here before me, right now. Why don't I realize what I have until it's lost to me?
(after receiving a vision pertaining to his childhood dream of ruling a castle) Was that...an illusion?
No illusion. We're merely holding a mirror to your own consciousness and allowing you to witness the reflection. You yourself stacked the cobblestones to reach the castle in the sky. That was and always has been your destiny.
CConrad
Without doubt, you stepped over the thousands of dead, whose bodies made up the stones to pave your way! And they, for you, have done the same to those before!
Your minds fixed on a single ideal.
And now, before you reach the end of your magnificent journey - behold! (points at the Hawks) The gifts that await you, at the summit of your bloody quest! Your comrades, each a feather in your wing, have carried you to your great cause. They will surely forgive you. Though they may feel engulfed in a shadow of despair, they will forgive you, for they have always loved you. Entrust your wounded soul and tattered body to them, and you shall have life everlasting! Think not of your past, let it moult like old feathers, and consume yourself in the aftermath of your dreams!
The aftermath... my dreams...
That is the sentence of God. But if your dream still lives, if that castle still gleams just as brightly in your eyes, then it is your obligation to lay the stones that surround you now. Let us begin the chant of offering. Stray from the path, and you will not be granted the black wings that will carry you to the heavens. Fate has set you free from human reason, and by providence, embrace your inner evil. Now stand, and face your future!
Guts
GRIFFITH!
You. Out of all the thousands of comrades and tens of thousands of enemies, only one, only you, and you alone, obscured the vision of my dream. I submit.
(Guts find himself in a lake of blood, along with the mangled remains of many of the Band of the Hawk)
Guts
GAH! IS ANYONE STILL ALIVE?! JUDEAU, PIPPIN, CORKUS?! (Pauses) Casca...
Guts
Gaston! You're alive! (rushes up to Gaston) Thank God.
GGaston
Well, I can't actually say I feel like I'm alive.
Guts
Where are the others? Is anyone else still alive?
GGaston
I don't know. All I can remember is running like hell. After a while my fatigue caught with me. I don't know what happened to the others. (starts weeping) Commander, what in God's name is happening? Is this real, or am I having nightmares? (starts violently coughing)
Guts
Gaston!
GGaston
WAAGH! (Gaston's head explodes)
Casca(while forcing Guts to fight her): It's all your fault! Griffith and the Band of the Hawk, it all went to hell because of you!
Guts
Because of me? How so?
How stupid are you? Damn you! You are the one Griffith wanted! It was always you! You were the only one!
Guts
Who the hell are you?
Pay heed, struggling one. Soon, a storm of death and madness that will rage around you that no mortal can atone for. But, pay heed struggling one. Struggle, squirm and fight. That is the only sword with which you can hold death at bay. Ne'er forget this.
Guts
Hey! What do you mean? Wait!
Guts
Casca! The Keys!
[Guts and Judeau see the horrific scars on Griffith's face.]
Guts
T-This can't be... T-This cannot be Griffith...
[The door is locked]
TTorturer
You're trapped in here. You're locked in.
Guts
Was it you who did this to Griffith?
TTorturer
I never got to work on someone so pretty before. He weathered torture so well. First, I cut his tendons so he wouldn't run away. Then, when he wasn't sleeping or eating, I tore off his skin and fingernails. I branded him with glowing iron and bathed him in boiling water. We've been as close as a married couple for the past year. Look at what I have for my collection! (He shows off Griffith's tongue.) It's my charm. His tongue, see?
[Guts breaks the door and runs the torturer through in the shoulder, suspending him above the pit.)
Guts
This is where you die. You won't be going to Heaven double-tongued. (He cuts the torturer's tongue out.) Your breath is rancid. You'll fit well in Hell.
TTorturer
Please...! Don't do this...!
Guts
I can't hear you. Speak properly.
(Guts drops the torturer, causing him to fall to his death.)
Berserk · 128 quotes
